A CAR expert has picked out a modern hot hatchback that is both super fun and surprisingly practical – but regularly falls under the radar.
Jonny Brighton of the YouTube channel Cars With JB recently got behind the wheel of a sporty little motor built by a manufacturer that’s world-renowned for creating an iconic hot hatch.
The Peugeot 308 GTI is rarely spoken about in the same breath as the VW Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Yaris, but there’s plenty to like about it.
Jonny got to drive a second-gen 308 GTI model from 2018, which he claims can now be bought second-hand for under £10,000.
Built between 2013 and 2021, the second-gen 308 GTI boasts a 1.6-litre petrol engine that can accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds.
It also comes with a typical hot hatchback look, with 18-inch alloy wheels and a 11-mm lowered ride height.
Jonny harked back to Peugeot’s history of creating high-performance small cars, and said: “Back in the 80s and 90s, Peugeot were the kings of the hot hatch world.
“The 205 GTI was possibly the coolest hot hatch of the time and potentially ever – it literally ran and created the market that we see today.”
Despite not boasting the same sort of speed petrolheads expect from the Civic Type R, Jonny is almost instantly impressed with how nippy it is around country roads.
As he puts his foot down, he said: “That is pure hot hatch fun.
“It’s not crazy fast by any stretch of the imagination but it does want to shift and I love that when I change gears I get that little burst out of the back-end telling me to go.”
While it certainly comes with plenty of thrills under the bonnet and features aggressive good looks, Jonny also noted that the 308 GTI is useful for families – featuring five doors and a large boot.
He said: “In terms of practicality, we’ve got quite a few good bits in it.
“For example, the boot is pretty big, I’ve got my camera equipment in there – it’s not bad for a nice little hot hatch.
“It’s a five-door, and I’ve always been more of a fan of a three-door, but you do get more space in the rear for stuff.
“These seats are super nice as well, they give you a bolstered experience.
“The material quality is pretty good, I do quite like these sports seats.”
This comes as Jonny recently picked out another great hot hatchback that can be used daily.
The recently discontinued motor has even been described as “faster, stronger and cheaper than the Golf GTI”.
Elsewhere, another iconic car brand is set to release three new up-market motors as they look to rival Audi.
