Peugeot is not coming to the U.S. anytime soon which means America will not be getting the new 308 hatchback. In Europe, the 308 will do battle against a select roster of compact cars, including the VW Golf, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Renault Megane, Ford Focus, and Mazda 3.

What you are looking at here is the third generation Peugeot 308. It comes to replace its predecessor after eight full years on the market sprinkled here and there with subtle nose jobs.

That said, the new 308 comes with a handful of notable design features. Since we mentioned the 3008 and 5008, know that they also lend something to the 308: that something is the front grille.

Elsewhere in the looks department, the 308 will sit on 16- to 18-inch wheels. Paint options are quite lively, especially the Olivine Green and Vertigo Blue launch colors. Various hues of white, red, and grey are also available.

If there is one thing we can say when comparing new models with the ones they replace is that they are almost always larger. It is the case for the 308, too, as the hatchback grows in almost every direction. Length takes a hike to 4.26 meters (171.6 inches) while wheelbase was stretched to 2.67 meters (105.3 inches). Height, however, loses two centimeters (0.78 inches) compared to the previous 308, but at the same time, it allowed Peugeot’s designers to bake a drag coefficient of just 0.28 into the compact’s body.

2021 Peugeot 308 exterior dimensions

Peugeot likes its interiors to ooze a very futuristic vibe and the 308 makes no exception. Looking at the current range, the 308 takes things up a notch with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a second 10-inch screen acting as multimedia setup.

Like with other current Peugeots, almost every button and function were given a new home in Digital Land, which in turns cleared up the center console and dashboard, letting Sochaux’s designers do their minimalistic thing. Those putting a high price on practicality should also know that the new 308 has less cargo space than the model it replaces – 412 liters (14.5 cubic feet) instead of 420 liters (14.8 cubic feet).

Power can come from a variety of engines, including a turbocharged 1.2-liter unit with three cylinders. Available with either 110 or 130 horsepower, it makes to a six-speed manual or a fancier eight-speed automatic. Diesels are still surviving in Europe, hence Peugeot’s decision to offer the 1.5-liter four-cylinder oil burner good for 130 horsepower marriable to either the manual or the automatic.

Those looking for a greener vibe can pick one of the two 308 PHEV variants Peugeot will offer. They both use a 12.4-kWh battery pack and an 81-kW electric motor coupled with either a 150-horsepower gasoline mill or a 180-horsepower one. Therefore, the less powerful variant churns out 180 horsepower overall, while the other is good for 225 horsepower, with all-electric range estimated at about 60 kilometers (37 miles). In real-life traffic, however, that figure should revolve around 40 kilometers (roughly 25 miles).

Deliveries should kick of in the second half of 2021, which is when we’ll also have official pricing information for the new Peugeot 308.