Peugeot 308 in surprise 2014 European Car of the Year win

Peugeot 308 hatchback 2013 front static
Credits: Nathan Morgan
3 Mar, 2014 2:56pm Jon Morgan

New Peugeot 308 unexpectedly edges out BMW i3, Tesla Model S and new Skoda Octavia for the crown

The new Peugeot 308 has been crowned European Car of the Year 2014 in what will go down as a surprise result in many quarters.

It was up against some tough competition in the shortlist for the award, which included the BMW i3 electric car (which was recently voted UK Car of the Year), Tesla Model S, Skoda Octavia, Mazda 3, Citroen C4 Picasso and Mercedes S-Class. 

The 308 beating the likes of the Skoda Octavia and the Mazda 3 will come as a surprise to many people as those models tend to outperform the Peugeot in group tests. Indeed, the 308 recently came off second best to the SEAT Leon, which shares its platform with the Octavia, in an Auto Express test. Read our Peugeot 308 vs SEAT Leon road test here.

To be eligible for the ECOTY awards, models had to have been available before the end of 2013 in at least five European countries, and also had to have notched-up or be forecasted to reach 5,000 or more sales per year.

There were 30 eligible models in total this year. And a host of seriously impressive cars failed to make it to the shortlist, including the Jaguar F-Type, BMW 4 Series, Hyundai i10, Ford Kuga, BMW X5 and Kia Carens.

Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf. While other previous winners include the Vauxhall Ampera (2012), Nissan Leaf (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), and Vauxhall Insignia (2009).

The Peugeot 308 went on sale in the UK in January and is a big step-up in quality from the 307. The car is also in the running for the 2014 World Car of the Year Awards, the shortlist for which is announced tomorrow. 

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Submitted by shaun34 on Mon, 2014-03-03 16:40.

Just glad it was not the i3

Submitted by Jamie Pickles on Mon, 2014-03-03 17:13.

Iam surprised that the Peugeot 308 has been voted European Car of the Year as I was hoping the BMW i3 would win

Submitted by Brenda on Mon, 2014-03-03 17:37.

The 308 joins such eminent models as the Citroen XM and the Talbot Horizon to guaranteed glory.

Not since 1978 (Porsche) has an interesting car won this. It's like a list of over conservative dullness.

Submitted by Michael Simpkins on Mon, 2014-03-03 18:12.

I think they give it the award as it is a car which is affordable to buy and run not a 30k I3

Submitted by Lagoya on Mon, 2014-03-03 18:13.

Obviously the voting was rigged.

Submitted by paulhitch on Mon, 2014-03-03 19:03.

Thought the stormtroopers would be unhappy! If it teaches BMW to have a care about (a) NCAP results (b) styling and (c) price this will have served a purpose.

Submitted by rj on Mon, 2014-03-03 19:51.

I can't believe a car with such poor driver ergonomics would win this award. This is a car that also seems to look better in adverts and magazine articles than it does in real life. It's no more interesting than a Golf and of course inevitably it will come with the usual French build and reliability issues.

Submitted by CSH on Mon, 2014-03-03 21:13.

1980 - Lancia Delta

Submitted by Zimny Pawel on Tue, 2014-03-04 00:34.

Timelessly handsome, with trendy LED driving lights, scallop flanks and a low, purposeful stance, it easily trumps the Ford and VW on looks... That this 308 has the dynamic sophistication to withstand direct comparison with the best-handling hatchbacks in Europe represents a sizeable victory for Peugeot ..

Submitted by DEAD-HEAD on Tue, 2014-03-04 07:00.

1st got 307 points vs 2nd only 223, however according to Auto Express 'Peugeot 308 unexpectedly EDGES OUT BMW i3' ... lol

Submitted by skudfan on Wed, 2014-03-05 12:57.

I have just seen the british judges results, talk about paid by BMW, which they rated as their favourite. The Peugeot they rated as their fifth favourite. British journalists brand snobbery?????

Submitted by Tom on Tue, 2014-03-18 12:32.

Look at the reliability index, you'll understand VW is worse than Peugeot, and is ranked 14th out of 39 brands. it is time to get rid of your cliches.

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