New Peugeot 308 vs Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf: which should you buy?

SUVs and crossovers may possibly be extra in vogue with drivers who just after a new spouse and children auto, nevertheless that doesn’t suggest the classic household hatchback isn’t truly worth thinking about. They however provide a good total package deal for drivers following something adaptable, perfectly-outfitted and realistic, and a few noteworthy alternatives to pick out from at present are the Ford Concentrate, Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308.

Of the trio of cars and trucks listed here, the Ford Concentration is the oldest model, while it can nonetheless present its newer rivals a thing or two when it will come to interior area for travellers. Additionally, as with its predecessors, it sets the regular in this class for managing dynamics, so it will make a powerful circumstance for itself if you’re just after a family members vehicle that is also exciting to generate. For 2022, it is also been given a mid-lifestyle update to freshen by itself up against its newer rivals.

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Just one these option is the VW Golf, which picks up in which its predecessor still left off as getting a classy and adaptable hatchback that addresses a lot of bases really effectively. The upmarket picture in unique offers the Golf an edge for graphic-mindful purchasers, however that does arrive with the caveat it is also one particular of the pricier vehicles in this article – we’ll permit you come to a decision if the outlay is worthy of it.

And lastly, there’s the most recent child on the block, the most recent edition of the Peugeot 308. In distinction to the Ford and Volkswagen, which make on the foundations laid down by their respective forebears, the Peugeot 308 sees the French firm’s spouse and children hatchback product transfer further upmarket – indicating it’s plusher inside and a bit pricier like-for-like than the auto it replaces. That stated, it does bring to the desk the major boot below and, on paper at minimum, promises to be the most inexpensive as well.

So, which one particular of these three loved ones cars will be most suited for you? Have on studying for our total breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of the Ford Concentration, Volkswagen Golfing and Peugeot 308.

Which is the finest to drive?

All a few cars and trucks in this article do a superior work at mixing composure with convenience, nevertheless if you’re right after a household vehicle that’s exciting to travel down a twisty street, the Ford Concentration will be suitable up your alley. With its direct steering and very good system handle when likely all over corners, the Ford Aim is a person of the most partaking relatives hatchbacks to generate, and helps inject a bit of liveliness into the commute to and from function.

That is not to say the Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308 are boring to travel, as they each feel responsive enough for day-to-day driving, if not as lithe as the Ford. Wherever the VW and Peugeot near the gap to the Ford is in ride consolation, as each one of this trio delivers superior amounts of composure and serenity on a assortment of street sorts.

Peugeot 308: outdated vs new

Performance differs, dependent on the motor below their respective bonnets, while for the most part all a few automobiles have much more than ample oomph to go well with most buyers’ demands. The 108bhp 1.-litre petrol motor in the VW Golf admittedly feels a minor underpowered in a car or truck of this measurement, while the 113bhp and 148bhp 2.-litre diesels and 128bhp and 148bhp 1.5-litre petrols are a little bit much more rounded and are also really sleek and refined. Couple them to an 8-velocity automated gearbox, and they’re quite stress-free to drive.

For the Ford Emphasis, the motor choices consist of either a 118bhp 1.5-litre diesel and 123bhp and 153bhp variations of a 1.-litre petrol motor. They’re fairly peppy and are nicely settled at a cruise, however they can be a bit vocal when you do the job them tricky. The identical can be explained for the Peugeot 308’s 1.2-litre petrol engines – however, as we’ve nevertheless to consider the diesel Peugeot, we really don’t but know how this product compares with the like-for-like Ford Emphasis and VW Golf.

Which is the most affordable?

On paper, the plug-in hybrid versions of the Peugeot 308 and VW Golf direct the way here when it will come to gasoline economic climate. Volkswagen promises the petrol-electrical Golf can return up to 256.8mpg, and Peugeot statements the plug-in 308 is a lot more frugal however at up to 281.7mpg. Even so, you need to assure you can push as typically as you can on electric powered ability by itself to get shut to these financial system figures in the genuine environment – use just the engines to ability your hybrid Peugeot 308 or VW Golfing, and your gas economic system will extra intently mirror all those of a conventionally-driven car.

In comparison, it’ll be substantially a lot easier to match the fuel financial state figures quoted for the diesel models of these autos – especially if you do heaps of very long motorway drives. Peugeot promises the 1.5 diesel edition of the 308 is capable of up to 65.4mpg, and whilst not as cost-effective the 2.-litre diesel motor in the VW Golfing can return up to 62.8mpg. By system of elimination, the 1.5litre diesel Ford Focus finishes final here, nevertheless it is not far off the like-for-like Golf’s financial system at 61.4mpg.

When it will come to the petrol engine pecking order, it is the Ford Target that finishes on prime – in its mild-hybrid guise, the Ford can return up to 54.3mpg. In contrast, Peugeot prices a 52.1mpg determine for its petrol-powered 308, and Volkswagen promises up to 51.4mpg for its delicate-hybrid Golf hatchback. The distinction in the amount of money you pay at the pumps will possible be nominal.

Which has the finest interior?

Ford traditionally hasn’t been the common bearer for inside create high quality, nevertheless the lately up to date Ford Concentration however impresses with its cabin’s in good shape-and-complete. Whilst the VW Golfing still has the edge when it comes to in general plushness, the Ford is not far off and the updated electronic shows enable inject a little bit of pizzazz into what is the oldest dashboard style of this trio.

Remaining a great deal more recent autos, the existing iterations of the Volkswagen Golfing and Peugeot 308 have adopted a more modern and minimalist format, with (as is the scenario with a lot of new automobiles at present) numerous of the controls
becoming operated by way of a big touchscreen screen on the dashboard. The Peugeot 308 and VW Golf do continue to keep bodily controls for elements like the air conditioning, while unlike the Ford Concentrate (which nevertheless works by using common buttons and dials) they vacation resort to touch panels that are not as intuitive on the go to use as additional straightforward switchgear.

All 3 autos are at the very least on par with just about every other when it comes to smartphone compatibility. Out of the box, each and every edition of the VW Golfing, Peugeot 308 and Ford Emphasis receives Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle connectivity attributes, which will allow you to mirror some of your car’s attributes and functionalities on to the touchscreen. For occasion, rather than utilizing a built-in sat-nav procedure, you can instead drive to your place making use of your favored navigation application on your cellphone.

Which is the most useful?

Even though the Peugeot 308 really has a lesser boot than the motor vehicle it replaces, it does not prevent the Peugeot from possessing the premier load region listed here. At 412 litres in sizing, it’s a healthier maximize in excess of the VW Golf’s 381 litres and Ford Focus’ 375 litres of baggage quantity. Do bear in brain that the boot capability shrinks to 361 litres and 275 litres on the plug-in hybrid variations of the Peugeot 308 and Volkswagen Golfing respectively – this is because of to the way their battery packs are positioned beneath the boot flooring.

The Peugeot’s benefit in the boot house stakes is not mirrored in the cabin, possibly. Although it is far from staying a cramped and restrictive car or truck, the Peugeot 308 doesn’t have as considerably room inside of for passengers as the VW Golfing or the roomier-nevertheless Ford Concentration. As a end result, though all 3 automobiles are roomy ample for family members with small little ones, the Peugeot 308 is not as versatile when it will come to ferrying grown ups about on extended journeys.

Which is the greatest value?

Peugeot is billing the most current 308 as staying a extra upmarket car than the a person it replaces, which has corresponded with a apparent climb in selling price. As a final result, whilst it is not rather the priciest auto in this article, it is not significantly off: the Peugeot 308 variety starts at around £23,000, whilst the Volkswagen Golf kicks off at a couple hundred pounds far more and the Ford Concentration arrives in just beneath the Peugeot.

Equipment stages across the board are really fantastic: all 3 cars and trucks occur as conventional with 16-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, air-conditioning, LED headlights and touchscreen infotainment with created-in Apple CarPlay and Android Car aid. The Ford may well be the vehicle for you if you are right after a shrewd acquire, as it will come with a bit additional machines as typical – for instance, though cruise command and automated headlights are readily available throughout the Ford Emphasis assortment, they aren’t obtainable on the entry-level Peugeot 308. 

Because the existing generation of Peugeot 308 has only just long gone on sale at the time of producing, it’s difficult to say just how well it will keep onto its value. In a head-to-head in between the VW and Ford, although, it is the Golf that traditionally has had the more robust residual values, so whilst you may well will need to pay out a bit more to have one particular in your great spec, you might close up getting far more of your income back come resale time than you would with a like-for-like Ford Target.

Which must you buy?

All three autos are quite nicely accomplished all-rounders, so the option about which a person to go for will in the end appear down to spending plan and individual desire. The Ford Concentrate makes a powerful scenario for alone as a fun-to-generate and realistic family members automobile, and it has the slight edge as a worth for cash proposition, although the Peugeot 308 and VW Golfing do truly feel a little bit additional upmarket within and are nicely composed on twisty streets and on extensive journeys. 

The Peugeot and VW also could make a little bit extra perception in their plug-in hybrid guises if you are wanting for a new company motor vehicle. Simply because they have a lot reduce quoted tailpipe emissions than the Ford Concentrate (which doesn’t have any plug-in motor selections to communicate of), it signifies they sit in a reduce Profit-in-Variety (BiK) tax band and therefore assure to be far more reasonably priced for you to operate.

Stop by our car comparisons webpage to examine additional sets of rivals going head-to-head