As diesel continues to be demonised, there鈥檚 a growing trend of buyers making the switch to petrol power. From superminis to SUVs, efficient, downsized turbo petrol engines are putting forward a case for themselves, but the evergreen family hatchback is one of the sectors where they make most sense. This is one of the most competitive areas of the new car market, and as a result the models available are constantly getting better - as proven by the trio of great cars we鈥檙e testing here. The latest Peugeot 308 is the newest of the three, and while its recent facelift was only mild, the French hatch continues to offer a top mix of space, comfort and equipment. Then there鈥檚 the Volkswagen Golf. It was updated last year with some new tech and a subtle revised look, just like the Peugeot, but here we鈥檙e testing the latest 128bhp 1.5-litre petrol version for the first time. It goes up against the proven 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder petrol 308, but it also faces competition from Honda in the form of its Civic, which has a 1.0-litre unit that matches the other cars for power.
If you don鈥檛 want to buy a diesel due to fears about taxation in the future, these are three compelling choices. But which one comes out on top? The Peugeot 308 has been around since 2014, but a facelift in 2017 brought it back up to date with revised infotainment and some subtle exterior changes. Here we鈥檙e testing the 129bhp 1.2-litre petrol model in GT Line trim, which costs from 拢22,390. That helped the 308 to sprint from 0-60mph at the test track in 9.5 seconds, which was a tenth faster than the Golf and six tenths up on the Civic. However, it wasn鈥檛 the best performer going up through the gears: the 308 took 9.1 seconds to cover 30-70mph, slightly slower than the Honda鈥檚 8.9 seconds and the Golf鈥檚 8.8 seconds. It also matched the heavier Honda from 30-50mph in fourth and 50-70mph in fifth: both cars took 6.3 seconds and 8.9 seconds respectively, while the Golf completed those tests in 6.1 seconds and 9.3 seconds.
Even if the French model鈥檚 six-speed box isn鈥檛 the nicest to use, it鈥檚 no chore to drop down a gear and accelerate with the 308鈥檚 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit. It鈥檚 definitely the most engaging engine of the three in this test as it feels more responsive and revvier, while also serving up good mid-range grunt. The 308鈥檚 low kerbweight helps its handling. Its quick steering and that small wheel contribute towards a relatively nimble feel, but there鈥檚 not much feedback with the Peugeot and the chassis isn鈥檛 as grippy as the Honda鈥檚. It鈥檚 closer to the Golf鈥檚 more neutral feel, but ultimately the 308 ends up in between the more comfortable Golf and sportier Civic. The difference really is minimal, though, and all three models are comfy enough, but can still satisfy keen drivers. The Volkswagen Golf was the second most registered car in Britain in 2017, and it鈥檚 easy to see why: the evergreen hatchback is as spacious, comfortable and good to drive as ever.
Last year鈥檚 facelift added this new 1.5-litre engine, updated infotainment and more safety features. Here we鈥檙e testing the 1.5 TSI EVO 130 model in SE Navigation spec, which costs from 拢22,255. The minor changes to the Golf鈥檚 appearance are mirrored in the way it drives, because the VW is comfortable and refined, but also great from behind the wheel. The 1.5-litre TSI engine is a brilliant addition to the range; it鈥檚 very quiet, smooth and put in a good showing in our performance tests. It was the fastest car of the three from 30-70mph through the gears, taking 8.8 seconds to the Honda鈥檚 8.9 seconds and the 308鈥檚 9.1 seconds. That鈥檚 helped by the sweet six-speed manual鈥檚 shift action, whereas you have to be more methodical with the box in the Peugeot. Even so, the Golf did fall behind the 308 and Civic from 50-70mph in fifth gear, taking 9.3 seconds, while its rivals both completed the test in 8.9 seconds.
In the real world there鈥檚 very little to separate them, however, and all feel punchy enough. You don鈥檛 need to work the engine too hard to make progress, because maximum torque of 200Nm arrives at just 1,400rpm; much lower than in either competitor. That means the car picks up pace easily without having to shift down, and it also helps keep things quiet inside; it鈥檚 one of the 1.5 TSI鈥檚 best aspects, and the Golf is quieter than both rivals as a result. The direct and well weighted steering means the Volkswagen responds well on turn-in, plus there鈥檚 plenty of grip and good body control. It鈥檚 not quite as engaging to drive quickly as the Honda, but there鈥檚 not much in it. The real strength of the Golf is the way it blends that ability with refinement and comfort; it rides more smoothly than the 308 in particular, absorbing bumps in the road surface admirably.
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