[Auto] Volkswagen Golf 8 vs Peugeot 308: the compact match

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Confinement obliges, we waited for May to take the new Golf 8 and the 308 in the Alps, for a meeting… at the top.

Reasons to choose the Volkswagen Golf…

 

Simply because it’s a Golf! Since 1974, the compact preferred by Europeans has seduced by its versatility and homogeneity. Driving in Golf means, at the same time, favoring a certain discretion, and above all, buying the car that offers the best compromise in the category. And this eighth generation is no exception to the rule. The German compact does everything well, when its rival of the day, the Peugeot 308, marks time on certain aspects. More modern, the Volkswagen benefits from 100% digital and configurable on-board instrumentation, while the 308 retains the traditional needles, certainly effective, but which today seem a bit outdated. The most glaring difference concerns the central handset grouping together all the information related to infotainment, equipment configuration and navigation. The quality of the Golf’s screen exceeds that of the 308 in terms of graphics, and most importantly, the sharpness of the rear view camera. The same goes for safety, where the Volkswagen receives equipment - admittedly a little intrusive for driving enthusiasts - revealing the generation gap between the two cars. Delivered in series, the adaptive cruise control is more efficient than that, optional, of the Peugeot, which shows a certain brutality in its reactions.

 

 

In terms of driving, once is not custom, it seems that the German engineers are here inspired by what is done on the other side of the Rhine, the French having always had access in terms of driving pleasure, thanks to exemplary driving behavior, especially at Peugeot. For its eighth generation, the Golf presents itself as at the level of a remarkable 308. Better, it exceeds the French in terms of the comfort of the suspensions. Despite a higher pneumatic ride on our test model, the Golf does indeed demonstrate a slightly higher softness at low speed. A significant argument in urban use. Far from being uncomfortable, the 308 is a bit firmer on the cobblestones.

In terms of roominess in the rear seats, the Peugeot wipes a biting back there. Already badly off when it came out in 2013, it obviously did not progress a little on this point, still not inviting adults to take a seat in the back seat: 6 cm less legroom on a car of this template, it's colossal. And to push the nail further, the Golf can count on larger glass surfaces, which give it a feeling of greater space. In short, we got there less confined. A rather appreciable detail in these times ... Finally, on the price side, if the German takes a very slight advantage on the purchase, it retains a real head start on resale, thanks to a significantly higher value. And this, despite all the efforts made by Peugeot in recent years to move upmarket. In a word, the Golf remains the Golf. And no other compact on the European market can boast of benefiting from such a concrete image.

 

 

… Or prefer the Peugeot 308

Despite its advanced age - because on our market since September 2013 and replaced at the end of the year - the compact Sochalan flies over the debate on road behavior and driving pleasure. An observation that was still imposed during the 1,500 km driven at the wheel of the two rivals of the day. In addition to an excessively precise front / steering train, the French rolls curves and turns even better than the Golf, and at higher speeds. There is no need to be Sébastien Loeb to take pleasure in driving and appreciate the precision, dynamism and agility of the 308. What is more on the winding roads of Savoie, where we took our shots .

But PSA doesn't just design chassis. If we regret the absence of new, more bulky petrol engines on the larger models (508, 3008, 5008…), it is clear that the small three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech 130 hp remains a benchmark of its kind. Compared to the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder from Volkswagen, it turns out to be more sparkling, and above all, more available at low revs, a guarantee of comfort in urban driving. With the Golf, the power only reaching over 2,000 rpm, it is almost essential to spin the clutch to get the car to take off. An inconvenience that forces you to play the gearbox - with the handling appreciable in one case as in the other - to restart the car when driving on a gas net in third, for example. Last advantage of the three-legged tricolor: it is expressed less noisily than the engine of the German compact with a more sporty temperament, and consumes slightly less.

On board the “old” 308, one quickly finds one's bearings. Once you get used to the small steering wheel - which is not suitable for all sizes since it can hide certain driving information - the fewer controls are more intuitive. To be honest, they are also more familiar to us since 2013.

 

 

 

Because it is worth highlighting the undeniable progress of the Golf in terms of ergonomics, it must be recognized that this eighth generation nevertheless lends itself to criticism.

This is the case with the central screen, the headlight control to the left of the steering wheel, or the small paver grouping the functions of air conditioning, driving aids and the automatic parking system. Ditto for the keys located at the bottom of the central screen allowing you to manage the temperature (right / left) and the volume of the radio, which are not very visible, too small and sensitive.

If the Peugeot is displayed at a price slightly higher, its comfort equipment is also more provided (keyless access, alloy wheels, 100% LED lighting, rear view camera ...) and can be supplemented, as on our model test, a nice leather upholstery not offered on the Golf. Finally, on the trunk side, the 308 offers an additional 40 liters under the luggage cover.

Verdict:

Technically more up-to-date, slightly more comfortable and with a larger interior, the Golf stands out against an aging 308, which remains even more pleasant to drive. Return match at the end of the year, with the third generation of 308.

 

Quote

Match Volkswagen Golf vs Peugeot 308: the technique
                                                              
                                                                                Peugeot                         Volkswagen

Price :                                                           29 600 €                        29 160 €

Residual value after 48 months :        12 500 €                          14 700 €           

     Petrol range   :                                         110 to 263 ch                  130 to 150 ch     

21 650 to 39 100 €       29 160 to 35 365 €

Diesel range :                                           100 to 180 ch                115 to 150 ch

23 500 to 36 750 €      from 31 510 to 37 800 €

         Hybrid range :                         no                             204 to 245 hp (September 2020)

Fiscal power (CV)  :                                     7                                          7

Warranty  :                                                 2 years, unlimited           2 years, unlimited

5-year warranty extension :         900 € (100 000 km)   965 € (100 000 km)

average AM-manufacturer  :                    7,5-5,6                            7,9-6,2      

CO2 (g / km) / bonus-malus :                  130/0 €                          142/150 € €

         Service interval  :                            1 year/25 000 km           1 year/15 000 km

Country of production  :                             France                           Germany

Number of outlets  :                                  2 304                             363

                                                                   Peugeot                    Volkswagen

Elbow width front / rear (cm) :      145/142                         150/144         

Rear leg space (cm)  :                           64                                     70                 

             Front / rear roof clearance (cm) :              102/95                        104/98                                    

Chest 5/2 (l) :                                         420/1 228                  381/1 237

Trunk threshold height (cm)  :                      70                                69                       

EQUIPMENT :                                                                                            

GPS / leather upholstery :                    series/1 900 € (1)        series/no                   

        Access / start without key  :                  series/series                   470 €/series€                   

Hi-Fi system / sunroof :                      510 €/610 €                720 €/1 140 €

Heated / electric front seats :         1 900 €/1 900 € (1)    590 € (2)/645 €

17 ”alloy wheels :                                     series                            690 €

Mirror Screen  :                                         series                          series

(1) Grouped options (2) With ind. level. windshield washer, steering wheel and heated washer nozzles

 

Peugeot engine: three-cylinder, turbo-petrol, direct injection, FAP, 12 valves, variable belt distribution, stop & start.

VW engine: four-cylinder, turbo-petrol, direct injection, FAP, variable belt distribution, deactivation of two cylinders at partial load, stop & start