Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) Review

Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) At A Glance

2/5

+Much improved over 307CC. Reasonable range of engines and transmissions.

-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Optional 18-inch wheels with don't help the ride. Four speed automatic is a duffer.

Insurance Groups are between 16–32
On average it achieves 93% of the official MPG figure

They should have issued the Peugeot 308CC with a Bank Holiday weather warning.

Filming day dawned with drizzle. But the local forecast said there might be a few sunny spells by late afternoon.

So we postponed the start. Got the car down to Bosham by 2.00pm. Had a late pub lunch. Then, by the time we had finished, the tide had gone out and the skies had cleared. Briefly.

How better to test the robustness of an electric folding hard top?

Ours upped and downed between showers completely at least 15 times. It wasn't the fastest, taking around 20 seconds. But it certainly showed no sign of failure. And remained leak proof whatever Mother Nature chucked at it.

Peugeot 308 THP 150 SE 2008 Road Test

Peugeot 308 SW 2008 Road Test

Peugeot 308CC Automatic 2009 Road Test

 

Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) handling and engines

I'd asked for a 1.6THP 140 auto, so I could do a two-in-one, both of the transmission and of the car. (Links to tests of the THP 150 manual hatchback and SW below.)

This is, of course, the same variable vane turbo petrol engine as the MINI Cooper S, with the wick turned down by 35PS. But with the four-speed autobox attached it's still a fairly aggressive accelerator rather than a lazy old wafter. You don't need to use the Tiptronic function at all because it will find second all by itself whenever you need to get a move on. Happily, though, it didn't play the nasty old trick of dropping a gear half way round a corner. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay for this sporty eagerness. I reckon around 30mpg, on average, though maybe 35 to 40, cruising at 25mph per 1,000rpm in 4th, on a motorway, sticking to the limit.

The combined cruise control and speed limiter (you can use one or the other) comes in very handy for avoiding speeding fines. The THP140 auto regains any lost speed up to the limit very quickly. But set the limiter to 30 in a 30 limit and you will be surprised at the tailback that builds up behind you.

For some reason known only to Peugeot, our car, an SE, came on ridiculous 18" wheels with 225/40 R80 strips of liquorice wrapped round the rims. (I actually got that wrong on the video and said 245/40.) These do nothing for the ride quality, or for rattles as the car begins to age. And I very much fear for their lives on the corrugated edges of disintegrating speed cushions. But it actually says quite a lot for the basic suspension of the 308 that the car remained decently comfortable, and those tyres do hang on round the corners, even in the wet.

As well as 120PS, 140PS and 150PS chain cam petrol engines, you can also have a 110PS 1.6 or a 136PS 2.0 belt cam diesel. Of the diesels, long experience of both in other cars would lead me to plump for the sweeter, more economical and (surprisingly) more torquey 1.6. Though you can get the 2.0 diesel with a 6 speed autobox.

Back in the 1930s with its 401 Eclipse, Peugeot actually invented folding hard tops. There's no doubt these offer the option of open top motoring with the security of a vandal-proof solid top. But the multiple seals of the complex VW EOS have not stood the test of time. And, as Ford has shown with its Pininfarina two-piece Focus CC top, simplicity is not necessarily the answer to preventing leaks either.

The 308CC's top is pleasingly simple, its mechanical parts look robust, we gave it a severe up and down test, and it survived a week of overnight rain without even a drip finding its way inside.

So if you're looking for a decent handling coupe convertible with a full choice of engines and transmissions that's also likely to stay dry inside then, fingers crossed, it will be a good choice.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.6 e-HDi 58–60 mpg 12.2–13.0 s 123–124 g/km
1.6 HDi 110 - 13.1 s 138 g/km
1.6 HDi 112 55 mpg 13.1 s 133–138 g/km
1.6 THP 38–40 mpg 8.8–10.5 s 160–167 g/km
1.6 THP 200 40 mpg 8.8 s 162 g/km
1.6 THP Automatic 37 mpg 12.4 s 179 g/km
1.6 VTi 40–42 mpg 12.0–13.2 s 155–164 g/km
2.0 HDi 48–50 mpg 9.7–11.1 s 144–155 g/km
2.0 HDi Automatic 43 mpg 10.9–12.3 s 172–178 g/km

Real MPG average for the Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

93%

Real MPG

28–55 mpg

MPGs submitted

47

Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) interior

Dimensions
Length 4400 mm
Width 1817–2039 mm
Height 1426 mm
Wheelbase 2605 mm

Full specifications

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and my assistant thought the 308CC sensational. You might have reservations. It can look great from the side when the sun hits it at the right angle. Yet, as with the 307CC, the rump has to accommodate the roof, so it's still a question of, "does my bum look big on this?" Decide for yourself.

And, though Peugeot describes it as a full four seater, rear passengers have to bend their necks when the top is up. They will probably be happier getting sand blasted by sea breezes with the top down.

Optional on some versions, standard on others, is a gizmo that, like chewing gum, Peugeot calls ‘Airwave'. This is a small grille in the seatback designed to blow warm air onto the nape of your neck if you have the top down in cold weather. ‘Airscarf' would have been more descriptive, but that's someone else's name for the same thing.

Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4400 mm
Width 1817–2039 mm
Height 1426 mm
Wheelbase 2605 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1587–1746 kg
Boot Space 266–465 L
Warranty 3 years
Servicing 12000–20000 miles
Spare Wheel
Standard Full-size spare wheel
Costs
List Price £20,995–£28,665
Insurance Groups 16–32
Road Tax Bands D–I
Official MPG 36.6–60.1 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult 5
Child 3
Pedestrian 2
Overall 5

On sale until January 2015

Convertible
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Active 1.6 e-HDi with Stop and Start 115 2dr £24,365 57.5 mpg 13.0 s
Active 1.6 VTi 120 2dr £23,105 40.1 mpg 12.9 s
Roland Garros 1.6 THP 156 2dr £26,510 39.2 mpg 10.2 s
Roland Garros 2.0 HDi 163 2dr £27,805 49.6 mpg 9.7 s
Roland Garros 2.0 HDi Auto 163 2dr £28,665 42.8 mpg 10.9 s

On sale until June 2014

Convertible
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Allure 1.6 THP 156 2dr £26,210 39.2 mpg 10.2 s
Allure 2.0 HDi 163 2dr £27,505 49.6 mpg 9.7 s
Allure 2.0 HDi Auto 163 2dr £28,360 42.8 mpg 10.9 s

On sale until January 2013

Open Car
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Access 1.6 VTi 2dr £21,645 42.2 mpg 12.0 s
Active 1.6 THP 2dr £23,495 39.2 mpg 10.2 s
Active 2.0 HDi 2dr £24,795 49.6 mpg 9.7 s
Active 2.0 HDi Auto 2dr £25,645 42.8 mpg 10.9 s
Roland Garros THP 200 2dr £26,495 40.4 mpg 8.8 s

On sale until March 2012

Open Car
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Access e-HDi with Stop and Start 2dr £22,765 60.1 mpg 12.2 s
GT THP 2dr £25,995 40.4 mpg 8.8 s

On sale until June 2011

Open Car
Version List Price MPG 0-62
GT 1.6 THP 156 2dr £25,095 37.7 mpg 10.5 s
GT 1.6 THP 156 Auto 2dr £26,095 36.6 mpg 12.4 s
GT HDi 140 FAP 2dr £26,045 47.8 mpg 11.1 s
GT HDi 163 FAP Auto 2dr £27,245 42.8 mpg 12.3 s
SE 1.6 THP 156 2dr £22,845 37.7 mpg 10.5 s
SE 1.6 THP 156 Auto 2dr £23,845 36.6 mpg 12.4 s
SE 1.6 VTi 2dr £21,995 40.9 mpg 13.2 s
SE HDi 112 2dr £23,095 55.4 mpg 13.1 s
SE HDi 140 FAP 2dr £23,795 47.8 mpg 11.1 s
SE HDi 163 FAP Auto 2dr £24,995 42.8 mpg 12.3 s
Sport 1.6 VTi 2dr £20,995 40.9 mpg 13.2 s
Sport HDi 112 2dr £22,145 55.4 mpg 13.1 s

On sale until January 2010

Open Car
Version List Price MPG 0-62
GT 1.6 THP 140 Auto £25,595 - -
SE 1.6 THP 140 Auto £23,395 - -

On sale until July 2009

Open Car
Version List Price MPG 0-62
SE HDI 110 FAP £21,895 - 13.1 s
Sport HDi 110 FAP £20,995 - 13.1 s

Model History

July 2008

New 308 CC Revealed

Production car shown at Paris Show October 2008. On sale in the UK in April 2009. Powered by Euro V HDi diesel and petrol turbocharged engines. First Coupe Cabriolet in the world to have all the occupant lateral protection incorporated into the front seats. ESP standard on all models. Range to be priced from circa £17,000.

Peugeot 308CC styling features include generously dimensioned wraparound front seats with integral head restraints. They can also be equipped with an inbuilt “Airwave” system, which diffuses warm air around the front occupants’ necks and is adjustable for temperature, flow and direction. Rear seats have side armrests and deeply sculpted seat cushions matching the theme of those at the front. On all models the integral rear head restraints also house the active extendable roll-over protection bars.

Peugeot 308CC top consists of a two-part retractable roof with a small folding roof panel and a large rear athermic dark-tinted rear windscreen. Top opens and closes in 20 seconds even when driving at speeds up to 7 mph. The system is controlled by a new electronic control unit which automatically lowers all four windows by around 50 mm before any roof operations commence.

With top up, boot volume is 465 litres (266 litres with top down). 4,400mm long; 1,872mm wide (2,039 mirrors out), 1,426mm high.

Peugeot Connect Sound consists of an MP3 compatible Radio / CD player. It is linked to six speakers and includes a connection for a portable electronic device in the glove box, via two RCA connectors. Peugeot Connect Bluetooth® is an MP3 compatible Radio / CD player with an inbuilt Bluetooth® hands-free kit allowing the use of a mobile telephone in complete safety.

Petrol Engines:-
* 1.6 litre THP 150 bhp engine – torque of 180 lb ft at 1400 rpm - six speed manual gearbox
* 1.6 litre THP 140 bhp engine – torque of 180 lb ft at 1400 rpm - four speed automatic gearbox with “Porsche Tiptronic System” control

Diesel Engines
* 2.0 litre HDi FAP Euro 5 - 140 bhp – torque of 240 lb ft (260 lb ft with overboost) at 2000 rpm – six speed manual gearbox
* 2.0 litre HDi FAP Euro 4 -136 bhp – torque of 240 lb ft (260 lb ft with overboost) at 2000 rpm – six speed automatic gearbox with “Porsche Tiptronic System” control

* Izalco 7Jx16 alloy wheels – 215/55R16 tyres
* Stromboli 7.5Jx17 alloy wheels – 225/45R17 tyres
* Lincancabur 8Jx18 alloy wheels – 225/40R18 tyres

Three trim levels available, and nine exterior body colours

* Pearl White
* Perla Nera Black
* Mocha
* Aluminium
* Shark Grey
* Hurricane Grey
* Abyss Blue
* Ipanema Blue
* Babylon Red

Both cloth and leather interior trims are available including “integral leather”. In addition to leather seats, it includes a saddle-stitched leather fascia panel and door trim pad surrounds combined with a leather trimmed gear lever console in the same colour as the fascia panel.

1.6 THP 150 6-spd man: 150PS @ 5,800; 180lb ft @ 1,400; 0-60 9.5; 134mph; 37.7mpg com; 177g/km CO2.

1.6 THP 140 4-spd aut: 140PS @ 6,000; 180lb ft £ 1,400; 0-60 11.3; 127mph; 34.8mpg com; 192g/km CO2.

2.0 HDi 140 FAP 6-spd man: 140PS @ 4,000; 240 – 260lb ft @ 2,000; 0-60 10.5; 129mph; 47.9mpg com; 155g/km CO2.

2.0 HDi 136 FAP 6-spd aut: 136 @ 4,000; 240 – 260lb ft @ 2,000; 0-60 11.5; 126mph; 40.4mpg com; 185g/km CO2.

June 2009

New 308 CC goes on sale

Priced from £19,495. 100 enhanced specification 308 CC GT100s are exclusively available to customers in May (50 in Pearl White / 50 in Nera Black) preceding launch. (All sold by 15-5-2009.)

There are three UK trim levels of the Peugeot 308 CC - Sport, SE and GT.

Sport model introduces the lively 1.6-litre VTi 120 petrol and the accomplished HDi 110 diesel engines, at £19,495 and £20,495 respectively. The high level of standard equipment includes 16" alloy wheels, a full body coloured exterior, front fog lights, black / grey Sports cloth trim and black instrument dials. In car entertainment is provided by Peugeot's new Connect Sound RD4-1 Radio/CD player and audio pack - 6 speakers & audio remote control. For comfort and convenience air conditioning, a leather steering wheel and remote control locking glove box and centre armrest storage are also made standard. Safety and security
features include the electric folding retractable roof, six Smart safety airbags, unfastened seatbelt detection system and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme that includes ABS, EBFD & EBA).

Additional specification for the SE includes larger 17" alloy wheels, Visibility Pack (automatic rain sensing front wipers, automatic headlamps and an electrochrome rear view mirror), ambient lighting, rear parking aid, cruise control with speed limiter, climate control air conditioning, alarm (Thatcham category 1 Approved), and the upgrade stereo - Peugeot Connect Sound radio/CD with Aux & MP3 playback. Prices for the SE start at £20,395. 308 CC SE model can be specified with any of the entire 308 CC engine range - petrol engines with the VTi 120, THP 150 or THP 140 with automatic gearbox, or diesel engines with HDi 110, HDi 140 or HDi 136 with automatic transmission.

Range-topping GT model can be specified with petrol THP 150 or HDi 140 diesel engine. Extra features include leather trim, a windstop, larger 18" alloy wheels, tyre pressure sensor, front and rear parking aid and Peugeot's Connect HiFi (JBL HiFi pack). The Airwave (temperature controlled) neck heating system is standard equipment (and available on SE models when combined with leather trim). GT prices start at £23,495.

308 CC 1.6 VTi 120 Sport £19,495
308 CC 1.6 VTi 120 SE £20,395
308 CC 1.6 THP 150 SE £21,295
308 CC 1.6 THP 150 SE £23,495
308 CC 1.6 THP 150 GT100 £23,595
308 CC 1.6 THP 140 SE Auto £22,295
308 CC 1.6 HDI 110FAP Sport £20,495
308 CC 2.0 HDI 140FAP SE £22,095
308 CC 2.0 HDI 140FAP GT £24,295
308 CC 2.0 HDI 140FAP SE Auto £23,095

January 2010

Upgrades for 2010:Peugeot Connect USB & Bluetooth fitted as standard to Verve, Sport and SE models; New EU5 HDi 140 diesel engine replaces current EU4 HDi 136 bhp engine. Introduced in January 2010.

January 2010

New 1.6 litre HDi FAP 112 bhp Euro 5 Diesel engine announced, priced from £21,095.00 on-the-road. The Peugeot 308 CC is the first Peugeot to benefit from a new 1.6 litre 112 bhp diesel engine. This new 1.6 litre HDi FAP diesel engine meets the new Euro 5 emission standards. Thanks to its new hi-tech design, this new 1,560 cm3, eight valve engine, has a maximum torque output of 270 Nm at 1,750 rpm, an increase of 12.5% over the current engine, and during overboost, 285 compared to 260 Nm. It also has a very wide operating range with high levels of torque available at all times, ensuring good driveability and reduced fuel consumption on a day to day basis (since the user can drive more often at lower engine speeds): 135 Nm from 1000 rpm, 242 at 1500 rpm, 270 from 1750 to 2000 and 224 Nm at 3500 rpm. Its maximum power output is 112 bhp at 3600 rpm.

January 2010

New Euro 5 1.6 THP 156 petrol engine and 6-Speed automatic gearbox replaces 1.6 THP 140 and 4 speed auto. Priced from £23,595 on-the-road. 0-60 cut from 12.3 to 9.5 seconds. CO2 down from 192g/km to 179g/km. Mpg up from 34.8 mpg combined to 36.6 mpg combined.

What to watch out for

24-07-2012:

Catalogue of disasters with 308CC purchased in March 2012: engine noise: engine reprogrammed; electrics gone haywire; drivers side window squeaking; turbo fault; noise continued; instrument failures; window still squeaking; roof electrics failed with roof down.

31-12-2012:

'Gong' sound means that car battery is failing to hold sufficient charge and needs to be replaced.

28-07-2015:

Series of problems with 2011 308CC in 18 months since warranty expired: Into the Peugeot Garage 8 times in the 18 months since warranty expired with a variety of Engine Management System Failures, computer chip, electric oil pump, gasket, drive belt, timing, high pressure fuel pump, radiator fan, coolant sensor, valve & cylinder head gasket. Offered 12 months extended warranty.

06-05-2016:

Report of series of disasters with 2009 Peugeot 308CC 2.0HDI purchased used in June 2013 at 22k miles and now with 51k miles. Within 3 days of owning the car the roof failed and it spent 3 - 4 weeks in the garage getting that fixed. Then a few months later the clutch failed - within days of the warranty finishing. Owner (wisely) decided to pay for an extended warranty with Peugeot. Since then had the pipes on the turbo replaced (routine precaution; owner had to pay); clutch failed again at 44k miles; a nut on engine casing failed and lost all its oil in February 2016. Then in April 2016 waterpump failed and a coolant pipe failed. Had service ands MoT at same time. Now, in May 2016, at 51k miles, the clutch has failed again, 7k miles after it failed the previous time.

14-01-2019:

Report of "work done" on timing chain of 2014 Peugeot 308 1.6THP in 2016 at 25,000 miles. Chain then failed at 50,000 miles and consequential damage cost £3,600 to repair. Peugeot offered 35%.

04-07-2019:

Report of tiing chain of 2015 Peugeot 308CC 1.6THP failing at 43,000 miles. Repair cost £3,500 but engine now consumes 1 litre of oil every 800 miles.

18-02-2020:

Report of blistering of Pearl White paint of 2015 Peugeot 308CC.

What does the Peugeot 308 CC (2009 – 2015) cost?