If you've ever tried to fit an entire elephant in the boot of a Peugeot 308, you'd know it's about as easy as teaching a hippopotamus to cartwheel. But for things slightly smaller than gargantuan mammals, it's quite an interesting story. The current model, strikingly urbane and chic, boasts a boot that will accommodate your groceries, your grandmother's antique vase, and certainly a few suitcases without so much as breaking a sweat. But how does this compare to what's come before or, for that matter, the hatchback parked next to it at the supermarket? Let's pop the boot and take a gander, shall we?
The 308's boot has been through more ups and downs than a politician's credibility. Back in the dark ages - also known as 2007 - the 1st Generation 308 had a boot you'd politely call cozy, mustering a modest 348 litres. Post facelift, the boot remained unaltered, consistent as Queen Elizabeth's handbag choice. Come 2013, the 2nd-gen model decided that enough was enough, stretching out to a more ample 420 litres - the vehicular equivalent of a deep breath. After a sip of water and a subtle facelift in 2017, this carried over until the 3rd Generation. Now, you might need to pause for dramatic effect, the 2022 model presents an enigma. It's shrunk. Yes, down to a perplexing 361 litres! However, it redeems itself somewhat when you collapse the rear seats; it reveals a cavernous 1271 litres which is more real estate than you find in a London flat.
| Generation year | Boot space |
|---|---|
| 308, Model year 2007 (308 1. Generation) | 348 l |
| 308, Model year 2011 (1.Generation (1. Facelift)) | 348 l |
| 308, Model year 2013 (2.Generation) | 420 l |
| 308, Model year 2017 (308 2. Generation (1. Facelift)) | 420 l |
| 308, Model year 2022 (308 3. Generation) | 412 l |
| Variant name | Boot space |
|---|---|
| 308 | 412 l |
| 308 SW | 608 l |
| e-308 | 361 l |
| e-308 SW | 548 l |
Where does the 308 fall in Peugeot's boot size league? Somewhere in the middle, like an overlooked middle child. Your buns and baguettes would swim in the expansive 780 litres offered by the SUV-esque 5008, and even the 308 SW estate dares you to fill its 608-litre boot. Smaller kin, such as the Peugeot 208, are more 'bijou' with just 309 litres, while the all-electric sibling, the e-308, mirrors the 308's space. If you're after something more 'compact', the e-208's boot might as well come with its own echo at a petite 265 litres.
| Variant name | Boot space |
|---|---|
| e-208 | 265 l |
| 208 | 309 l |
| e-308 | 361 l |
| 308 | 412 l |
| 2008 | 434 l |
| e-2008 | 434 l |
| 408 | 471 l |
| 508 Limousine | 487 l |
| 508 PSE Limousine | 487 l |
| 3008 | 520 l |
| e-3008 | 520 l |
| 508 PSE SW | 530 l |
| 508 SW | 530 l |
| e-308 SW | 548 l |
| e-Rifter | 571 l |
| Rifter | 571 l |
| 308 SW | 608 l |
| 5008 | 748 l |
| Traveller | 1624 l |
| Expert Kombi | 2625 l |
| e-Expert Kombi | 3061 l |
Please, contain your excitement. When it comes to the vehicular Royal Rumble of boot space, the 308 brings its A-game against rivals. Now pay attention - this isn't apples to apples; it's more like comparing a variety of fruit baskets. The Rover (Austin) SD is like a hidden chamber with its 491 litres. Meanwhile, the Honda Jazz (with a 380-litre boot) tries hard, but it's like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Then there's the Nissan Sunny, basking in its 430-litre glory, eclipsing our dear 308. The 308 manages to just nip at the heels of the Peugeot 408, which boasts a bulkier 471 litres. And as for the Nissan Micra (206 litres), Opel ADAM (170 litres), and the Aston Martin Cygnet with a laughable 32 litres - they're barely starting players in this game of trunks.
| Car model | Boot space |
|---|---|
| Opel Insignia 2008 | 520 l |
| Toyota Avensis 1998 | 510 l |
| Fiat Croma 1986 | 500 l |
| Saab 9000 1985 | 487 l |
| Citroen Xantia 1993 | 480 l |
| Renault Safrane 1993 | 480 l |
| Rover 800 1987 | 471 l |
| Ford Mondeo 1993 | 470 l |
| Renault Vel Satis 2002 | 460 l |
| Citroen XM 1990 | 455 l |
| Renault Laguna 1994 | 452 l |
| Hyundai i30 2020 | 450 l |
| Citroen BX 1983 | 444 l |
| Renault R25 1984 | 442 l |
| Infiniti Q30 2015 | 430 l |
| Peugeot 308 2022 | 412 l |
| Renault R30 1976 | 400 l |
| KIA cee´d 2021 | 395 l |
| Citroen DS 4 2011 | 385 l |
| Nissan Pulsar 2014 | 385 l |
| Rover 45 2000 | 375 l |
| Ford Sierra 1982 | 353 l |
| Ford Focus 1998 | 350 l |
| MG ZR 2001 | 304 l |
| Alfa Romeo 147 2001 | 280 l |
| Volvo C30 2006 | 278 l |
| Fiat Sedici 2006 | 270 l |
| Mitsubishi Space Star 2020 | 235 l |
| VW Beetle 1998 | 209 l |
| VW Lupo 1998 | 130 l |
| Rover (Austin-Morris) Mini 1984 | 116 l |
