The 2014 European Car of the Year, Peugeot 308, was updated for the 2018MY with modest revisions, but how does it compare to its more established rivals?

In short, not that bad, CarBuyer revealed after driving the GT Line version and finding out that it has good quality materials inside, plenty of storage space and a boot that’s bigger than that of the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

Peugeot’s engineers have also balanced the comfort and handling of the car, but that doesn’t necessarily make it perfect. That’s because it’s not the best one to drive in the class, according to the reviewer; but on the other hand, the suspension absorbs most bumps in the road nicely.

Moreover, space on the rear bench is cramped for adults, as a result of making the boot bigger, and the manufacturer chose to keep the instrument dials above the steering wheel.

Peugeot’s previous contenders in the segment, the old 307 and 308, couldn’t challenge the best, but the French automaker has come a long way since then, and the latest 308 is much more capable.

It’s also nicely equipped, as even the base spec benefits from a 9.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with smartphone connectivity and satellite navigation system. It gets dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers as standard, too.

Pricing for the 2018 308 starts from £18,720 ($26,095) in the United Kingdom, or £490 ($683) more than the entry-level Volkswagen Golf, and £1,605 ($2,237) more compared to the equivalent Vauxhall Astra, though it undercuts the Ford Focus by £1,415 ($1,972).