Two great value driver’s cars: Peugeot 308 GTi v Seat Leon Cupra

Two hot hatches from brands famed for their real-world driver’s cars. Which is best?
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Rob Adams|Autocar8 September 2017

The Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R currently boast top bragging rights in the hot hatch sector, but they have the price tags to match. What about if you don’t want to spend so much? Well, you’re in luck, with two specialised alternatives both yours for under £30k. Meet the Peugeot 308 GTI 270 and Seat Leon Cupra 300.

The 308 in particularly seems something of a hidden gem the first time you approach it, not least because it’s been engineered by a bespoke division within the French firm, Peugeot Sport. You know, a bit like how M engineers bespoke BMWs.

Two things assault the senses to show you this isn’t any ordinary 308. One, the ultra-fast steering and tiny wheel – a feature of all Peugeots, but one accentuated further here thanks to the GTI’s responses. You do in time calm your inputs and get used to it.

Second, the engine, a magnificent beast of a four-cylinder that is glorious at high revs and effective in the mid-range. It puts its power down well and complements a nicely pointy, adjustable chassis and grippy front end. It’s all fantastic… until you clock the rubber gearshift, seats that don’t exactly hold you in place and, yes, the ultimate lack of feel from that weird steering.

Enter the Seat, then, which immediately raises eyebrows with its 296bhp power output… and apparent inability to put it down on the ground cleanly: axle tramp under load is a trait from a bygone era. The way it floats above the road rather than feeling tightly keyed into it is another surprise, particularly given how focused Cupra Seats of old were.

So it proves out on track. It starts under-steering early into corners, struggles to find grip on the exit and generally saps any desire to get stuck in for lap after lap. The Peugeot is far better in this regard – at least until it rains, where its Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres are more compromised than the Pirelli P Zeroes on the Seat.

Our minds are made up, then: the Peugeot aces it here. it’s the king of the semi-hot hatches, easily trouncing the Seat. The hidden depths it serves up are satisfying to discover, whereas the Cupra often only adds to its list of disappointments.

Trouble is, we know there are even better machines available for just a few thousand pounds more. If you really want the best hot hatch you can buy, we can’t help but feel we should steer you towards that Focus RS or Civic Type R instead. Be sure to test drive the alternatives too before you sign on the dotted line…

Peugeot 308 GTi

Price £29,405

Engine 4cyls, 1598cc, turbocharged, petrol
Power 266bhp at 6000rpm
Torque 243lb ft at 1900rpm
Gearbox 6-spd manual
Kerb weight 1205kg
0-62mph 
6.0sec (claimed)
Top speed 155mph
Economy 
47.0mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band 139g/km, 26%

Seat Leon Cupra

Price £29,840

Engine 4cyls, 1984cc, turbocharged, petrol
Power 296bhp at 5500-6200rpm
Torque 258lb ft at 1800-5500
Gearbox 6-spd manual
Kerb weight 1395kg
0-62mph 
5.8sec (claimed)
Top speed 
155mph

Economy 40.9mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band 158g/km, 28%

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