Peugeot 308 vs Volkswagen Golf

Peugeot 308

Peugeot’s comfortable, low-running-cost compact hatchback.

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen’s compact hatchback.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 308

Pick the 308 for a comfortable, efficient, sharply priced compact with a large used supply.

Best engine: The 1.2 PureTech (petrol) or 1.5/2.0 BlueHDi (diesel) — go for a post-2017 car.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Golf

Pick the Golf for a balanced mix of refinement, practicality and driving enjoyment.

Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Peugeot 308	Volkswagen Golf
Power	130 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	230 Nm	250 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,4 s	8,5 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	224 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	104,8 hp/t	114,9 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	118 g/km Winner	126 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,0 L/100km Winner	5,5 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Peugeot 308	Volkswagen Golf
Boot	412 L Winner	381 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.270 L Winner	1.237 L
Wheelbase	2,68 m Winner	2,64 m
Length	4,37 m	4,28 m
Width	1,85 m	1,79 m
Height	1,44 m	1,49 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Peugeot 308	Volkswagen Golf
Platform	PF2 (T7) · EMP2 (T9/P51, modular)	MQB Evo (transverse, shared with A3/Octavia/León)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.2 PureTech · 1.6 THP · 1.5/1.6/2.0 BlueHDi · Hybrid · e-308	EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA288 Evo diesel · eHybrid/GTE PHEV
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid · Electric	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	5/6-speed manual · 4/6/8-speed automatic	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Euro standard	Euro 4 (T7 early) · Euro 5 (T7 later) · Euro 6/6d (T9/P51)	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6/6d petrol/diesel and the e-308 allowed in the LEZ	Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Peugeot 308

1.2 PureTech: wet timing belt needs strict intervals
BlueHDi: AdBlue/SCR and DPF need monitoring
1.6 THP (early T7/T9): timing chain

Volkswagen Golf

DQ200 DSG needs fluid service (automatic)
Plastic water pump/thermostat on EA211
AdBlue/DPF on diesels (short trips)

Pros

Peugeot 308

Comfortable and quiet for the class
Efficient, wide engine range (including e-308)
Sharply priced with a large used supply

Volkswagen Golf

Class-leading refinement and build quality
Wide, efficient engine range
Strong residuals and parts availability

Cons

Peugeot 308

Cabin and rear seat tighter than some rivals
i-Cockpit needs adjustment (small wheel, high dials)

Volkswagen Golf

MIB3 software on early Mk8 (pre-facelift)
Boot smaller than class leaders

Driving experience

Peugeot 308

The P51 leans on the same EMP2 bones as the old 308 but wears a sharper suit. It stays light and low, so the front axle turns in keenly and the car flows through corners without fuss, while the long wheelbase keeps it planted on the motorway. The small i-Cockpit wheel and raised dials are even more pronounced here and take a real acclimatisation; once settled, the steering feels quick and accurate and body roll stays well held. Most versions ride on a comfort-tuned rear that shrugs off broken tarmac, though big wheels firm things up. The 1.2 PureTech 130 is eager, the e-308 is near-silent and instant, and the EAT8 automatic shifts without drama. It is a composed, easy compact, not a hot hatch.

Volkswagen Golf

Well-rounded, comfortable and effortlessly easy to live with. Steering is light, accurate and quick, the ride supple and settled, and the Golf soaks up everything from city streets to motorway miles. Front-drive is safe and predictable, while 4MOTION on the R adds immense all-weather traction. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and frugal with its 48-volt boost, the 2.0 TDI pulls strongly and sips fuel, and the GTE plug-in glides on electric power. The 7-speed DSG is quick and slick; the manual light and precise. Overall a do-everything hatch that is comfortable, capable and hard to fault.