An Introduction To The Peugeot 308, Your Perfect European Rental Car

There are many vehicles that you could drive while you are in Europe, but the Peugeot 308 is certainly an intriguing option.

This car is not only stylish but functional, ideally suited to serve you during your time in Europe. It offers a nice amount of interior room, but is still small and compact enough to serve you well on your travels throughout Europe.
 

A Brief History of Peugeot and the 308

Armand Peugeot, the creator and namesake for the Peugeot vehicle, first created an automotive in 1889. The Peugeot brand had been in existence since 1810, but only started to enter the vehicle market in 1889.

The first Peugeot vehicle was a steam-driven three-wheeler and was showcased at the World Fair in Paris. In 1948, the 203 became the first unibody vehicle, and also was the first car produced after World War II. Since that time, Peugeot has continued to design and release new cars, both in Europe and in America.

The first Peugeot 308 was unveiled in 2007 as the successor to the popular 306 and 307 hatchback models that first appeared on the market in 1997 and 2001, respectively. It received a facelift in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, and the 2013 model was awarded the 2014 European Car of the Year.
 

Standing Out Among Compact Cars

The European Car of the Year competition is judged on a wide range of criteria that include design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance, functionality, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction and price.

Needless to say, winning this prestigious award means quite a bit in judging a quality car, and the 308 has a long tradition of placing at or near the top of this competition. The 308 won the 2014 award by quite a comfortable margin, thanks in large part to its surprisingly spacious interior space despite its compact style, and many intriguing features. 

The car is most comparable to the Ford Focus in size, but offers many additional specs that its competitors cannot quite keep up with. Thanks to its light weight, the 308 gets up to 88 miles per gallon on highways in its Diesel version, while the petrol alternative still gets a respectable 58.9 miles to the gallon. Five doors and a spacious hatch make this car feel roomy at all times, while a three-cylinder engine makes for a driving experience that is at once powerful and comfortable.
 

Determining Whether The 308 Works For You

Writing about an award-winning car can easily seem like gushing. All of the above is true about the 308, but you still want to know whether the 308 is right for you.

In that case, here's what you should consider:

• How many people will be traveling?
  
  If you are going to Europe by yourself and don't plan on taking many road trips with others, you may want to choose the smaller 208 model. However, if you are travelling to Europe as a family or are meeting up with others for a road trip, the 308 is a perfect compromise that offers plenty of room for everyone and their luggage.
   
• Where will you use the car?
  
  Where in Europe will you go and where will be the home base of your car? The Peugeot 308 is especially great for suburban areas, where you don't stay in the downtown of a large metropolis but also not in the middle of the countryside. It's the perfect “in-betweener” vehicle for your needs.
   
• How will you use the car?
  
  Are you planning on taking major road trips or using it mainly as a commuter car to your European place of employment or university? The 308 can be great for both situations, but answering this question can still be important to pick the perfect car for your needs.

The 308 should be among your top options to consider when picking a car for your stay in Europe. To learn more about the car and the various models we offer, peruse our vehicles page or download our free guide to Peugeot models.