Peugeot 308

Not much has changed with the engineering of this 308, though there's no longer a diesel version.

The most predictable difference is the slight upgrade to the Hybrid variant, which gains a slightly upgraded 145hp version of the previous 136hp unit.

As before, this set-up sees a 1.2-litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a dual-clutch 6-speed auto with an electric motor built into the transmission casing.

On the move, the Hybrid system's petrol unit and that electric motor can operate together - or separately.

This is really a mild hybrid system rather than a proper Toyota-like full-Hybrid set-up, but it can do most of the things you'd want a Hybrid to do, like cut in for up to 50% of the time to assist the engine in urban travel.

Unlike with the sort of mild hybrid system like that fitted to say, a Golf eTSI, here the car can be driven for short urban distances (under 18mph) on electric power alone.

The motor also assists the engine under acceleration.

But what about if you want to plug your 308 in? Well just before this facelift, Peugeot introduced far-reaching changes to the PHEV rivetrain, limiting total power output to 195hp, adding a new 7-speed auto gearbox and including a bigger 17.2kWh battery.

This Plug-in Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 package mates a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine with a 109hp electric motor.

For this update, that set-up's been tweaked further, with the result that EV driving range rises to 53 miles (from 49 miles) before - though that's still way off the 82 miles you'd get from a rival VW Golf GTE PHEV. Perhaps the biggest engineering change as part of this facelift though, has been applied to the all-electric E-308.

It still features the same front-mounted 154hp motor, but now trades its old 51kWh (usable-capacity) battery for a slightly larger 55.4kWh package.

With the result that EV drive range rises from 254 to 281 miles.

This battery powers a front axle-mounted 156bhp motor which will get you to 62mph from rest in about 8 seconds.

What else? Well the 308 was always recognised amongst the sharper steers in the family hatchback segment; don't expect that to change.

And there's plenty of the latest camera drive assist tech - if you're prepared to pay for it.

Both hatch and SW estate versions of this third generation 308 have always made a bit of a pavement statement - and do so even more as part of this update, which sees a sleeker nose featuring LED headlamps more hidden in the front face.

As part of the front end changes, Peugeot has added an illuminated badge and more body-coloured inserts into the now-sleeker grille.

A new 'three-claw' daytime running llight signature replaces the pre-facelift model's vertical bar and the GT models get vertical lighting across the bonnet.

More sculpted bumpers and a large air vent aim to improve aerodynamic efficiency too.

At the back, all models now get the 3D three-claw rear lights previously only fitted to top-spec GT variants. There are far fewer changes inside, but that always looked quite avant garde and modern - and still does.

This update has brought smarter seat fabrics and revised instrument cluster graphics.

Otherwise, things are as before, the cabin characterised by Peugeot's usual i-Cockpit dashboard layout with its small steering wheel which sits beneath a very avant garde digital instrument panel, with clever 3D image tech borrowed from the brand's smaller 208 supermini. The tall, sloping fascia features a sharp-looking 10-inch touchscreen display which has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and is available in two forms - basic 'i-Connect' and more sophisticated 'i-Connect plus', which offers widescreen navigation from TomTom.

Beneath this monitor is a row of freely configurable touch-sensitive controls, called 'i-Toggles'.

Each one offers a shortcut to a major function, such as radio, climate control or 'phone.

Out back, the rear cabin is reasonably spacious than before.

And boot space for the hatch is rated at 412-litres, better than most class rivals.

If you want more, you'll need the alternative SW estate, which offers 608-litres before you start folding seats.

Those figures apply to the conventionally-engined and E-308 variants.

For the Plug-in Hybrid, you're looking at 361-litres for the hatch and 548-litres for the SW.

To reflect all the fresh technology, prices have risen a little.

Expect a starting point for the hatch of just under £30,000, with the brand's usual 'Allure', 'GT' and 'GT Premium' trim levels.

There are two body styles - hatch and SW estate (the latter starting from around £31,000).

You'll need around £35,000 to get either the Plug-in Hybrid version.

The electric E-308 model costs from around £29,500 once the government ECG is deducted.. 'Allure'-spec gets you 17-inch 'Bangkok' diamond cut alloy wheels, chromed exhaust surrounds, signature LED daytime running lights and a gloss black connecting strip between the rear lamp clusters.

Also added are front parking sensors and dark tinted rear side and tailgate windows.

Inside at 'Allure' level, there's upholstery part-trimmed in 'Tremezzo' grey-embossed fabric.

With ambient lighting for the door panels, an 'AQS 3' air quality system, an HD 180-degree colour reversing camera, a rear seat ski hatch and LED-lit sun visors with concealable mirrors.

Plus the infotainment screen features 'OK Peugeot' voice recognition.

There's also a 'Drive Assist Pack' with various camera safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control. Things start to get really luxurious at 'GT' level, marked out by 18-inch 'Helsinki' alloy wheels, a dark chrome chequered radiator grille, extended front and side lower body sills, Lion emblem badging on the front wings and, on the SW version, gloss black roof rails.

The headlights gain intelligent 'Matrix' technology, which the tail lamps play a sequential 'welcome sequence' when you unlock the car.

A 'Driver Sport Pack' adds a personalised colour theme to the digital instrument display and sport adjustment for the steering and accelerator pedal.

The steering wheel gains heat, green stitching and full-grain leather, plus there's a 'Mistral' black roof liner and aluminium door sills.

The base Hybrid 145 e-DSC6 petrol Hybrid variant manages up to 62.6mpg and up to 102g/km.

What about the Plug-in Hybrid version? Well as we mentioned in our 'Driving Experience' section, up to 53 miles of WLTP-rated battery running is claimed from the 17.2kWh battery and the car is combined cycle fuel-rated at up to 242.7mpg; the BiK tax-beating CO2 reading is rated at up to 26g/km. A 3.7kW onboard charger is fitted as standard to this PHEV model, enabling a 0-100% charge in 4 hours and 20 minutes, reducing to just over 2 hours with the optional 7.4kW onboard charger. What about the E-308 full-electric model? As part of this update, that's gained a 55.4kWh (usable-capacity) battery which now offers a 281 mile driving range.

The brand claims a recharge rate from 20 to 80% in under 25 minutes using a 100kW charger.

With 308 PHEV and E-308 models, using the MyPeugeot smartphone app or by using the vehicle's touchscreen, owners can schedule a wake-up time for the battery.

This means that the cells can be at the optimal temperature for efficiency from the time you start up, plus of course the interior can also be pre-cooled or pre-heated too.  The E-308 benefits from an 8-year / 100,000 mile warranty.

As well as the usual 8 year / 100,000 mile battery warranty.

For too long, Peugeot lost sight of what made people want its products.

Now, it's setting out to build desirable machines once more, models that aren't simply playing catch up or trying to copy the big sellers.

Sure enough, this is car with a definite feel of its own.

It's not going to appeal to everybody but it is now - especially in this improved form - a model that the company can rightly feel proud of: a contender good enough to worry the best in the business. After all, it gets so many things so right.

French family hatchbacks in this class haven't always been able to justify themselves, either in terms of quality or in the harder discipline of pounds and pence running costs, but this one performs beyond expectations in both these areas.

Overall, what's on offer here is a car that's continuing to restore Peugeot's reputation for building elegant, comfortable and understated vehicles.

A car that gives the brand a shot at making good on its upmarket aspirations.

It's been a long time coming.