PEUGEOT’S 308 GTi takes on strong rivals at the top of the family hatchback shopping rocket segment but it’s well prepared for the task. The experts at Car & Driving check it out.

Peugeot seems to be rediscovering a little of its hot hatch magic. The 208 GTi showed us that the company’s ‘Sport’ division still knew how to build a decent shopping rocket and this 308 GTi model seems to confirm that feeling.

For the full-fat experience, you really need the 270bhp version but assuming you can stretch to that, then there’s much here to like. This may not be as good a track car as, say, the Renaultsport Megane but it’d probably be an easier hot hatch to live with - and enjoy - day-to-day. If you’re buying a car in this segment, it’s a model you need to try.