2011 Peugeot 308 ACTIVE Diesel 5DR

It’s not a million miles from the 307 in terms of styling but the 308 is a huge advance on other fronts. It was built not only to compete with the class favourites but ultimately to establish itself as a major player in this segment. And so far it is doing a good job. It is a car that you need to drive to appreciate. It is more practical thanks to the amount of cabin and boot space. They have piled in the equipment – comfort and safety – and made the cabin a good place to be. On the road, it is one of the easiest cars to drive thanks to an excellent chassis and good, responsive steering. It is also one of the safest cars around, as it scored five stars in the NCAP, and that should make it a real option for families.

•  There were some reports of clutch failure after 85,000km

•  It’s practical with a decent sized boot

•  It scored 5 stars in the NCAP safety rating

•  Great car to drive; excellent handling and steering

•  Efficient in terms of Co2 emissions and fuel economy

•  The five-speed gearbox is a bit of a let down