Test Drives

Say Peugeot and one can expect a car with flair and design that only the French can deliver. The automaker's latest car, the 308, has arrived in Philippine shores. This award-winning compact is set to do battle in its segment and to see what makes this humble hatchback different for the rest, we take it on a drive that brings us to the south of the Metro to Lipa, Batangas.

With its French roots and stylish design, it could be said that the Peugeot 308 (PU-ZHOU THREE-ZERO-EIGHT) is a hatchback for those who think differently. From its exterior's defined proportions to its minimalist interior, one look at the 308 and you won't mistake it for anything else. Unlike many cars in its segment, the Peugeot 308 has the novelty of being available with a wagon, a rare option in this class.

Stepping inside, the 308 prides itself of the usual buttons on the center console. Instead, you are greeted by a large center console that handles not just the entertainment system but the vehicle settings and air-conditioning as well. It also features Peugeot's i-Cockpit which moves the instrument cluster up for a better view of the dials. Overall, the effect is clean and simple and rather stylish.

Setting off, the Peugeot 308 was a dependable highway companion. Thanks to its 1.6 liter turbocharged gas engine or 1.6 liter turbo-diesel, it cruised along SLEX with ease and the engines provided great overtaking confidence. Being a European car, road noise was well suppressed, making this car a viable long distance cruiser. When we exited the highway, the roads got twistier and we got the chance to experience the 308's driving dynamics. Again, the combination of its engine and suspension was no match for Tagaytay's back roads and little did we know, we were at our first stop in Domaine.

With our bellies full, we then headed to Crosswinds to take photos of the 308 and 308 wagon. There, the distinct lines of Peugeot's latest car were complemented by the scenery and made us further appreciate its design. At the same time, the steep inclines of Crosswinds were easily overcome by the 308's engine. Driving downhill, it felt safe, secure and even dynamic as we took on winding roads.

After that, we drove on even more challenging roads as we were accompaied by the scenic views of the south. We made our way to our final stop in Batangas at Cafe de Lipa. This gave us the chance to assess our thoughts on the 308 and, at the same time, enjoy the self-made Barako brews of this wonderful diner. We all shared our experiences as we had a sample of one of France's finest pieces of engineering for a day.