the new PEUGEOT 308 was declared “Women’s World Car of the Year 2022”, after counting the votes of the 56 members of the WWCOTY (Women Worldwide Car of The Year) jury – exclusively female, representing 40 countries on all 5 continents. The PEUGEOT 308 won ahead of the 65 new models launched in 2021 and entered in the competition.
The title of “Women’s World Car of the Year” is contested over two rounds: the first round ends with the voting of the winning models in the 6 categories. On 14th February, the PEUGEOT 308 was named “Urban and Compact Car of the Year 2022” by the 56 female automotive journalists who make up the jury. The PEUGEOT 308 was then voted Supreme Winner of the “Women’s World Car of the Year” from among these 6 finalists, thus winning the coveted prize ahead of all its competitors around the world. The title goes to the two silhouettes of the new PEUGEOT 308: the saloon and the SW estate.
This is the first time that PEUGEOT has received this award, whose global vocation echoes the brand’s strong desire to develop internationally.
The first PEUGEOT to bear the Brand’s new emblem, the new 308 seduces through its design, technology, and wide offer of efficient engines. Customers are free to choose their powertrain: Plug-In hybrid (PHEV), petrol, diesel and, soon, full electric. The new 308 proudly carries the values of PEUGEOT: Allure, Excellence and Emotion. With more than 65,000 orders booked in Europe since its launch at the end of 2021, of which 23% are PHEV, this new 308 is already a best-seller.
The new PEUGEOT 308 is the first PEUGEOT model to win the Women’s World Car of the Year award since the trophy was created in 2009. Although PEUGEOT has been honoured several times at the WWCOTY, notably in 2017 with the victory of the PEUGEOT 3008 in the SUV category and in 2021 with the victories of the PEUGEOT 208 and 2008 in the Urban Vehicle and Urban SUV categories, this is the first time that PEUGEOT has been crowned with the supreme title.
Since its inception in 2009, the WWCOTY is the only automotive award in the world that is judged exclusively by women automotive journalists.
The voting criteria are the same as those that guide any driver in choosing a car. It is not about choosing a “woman’s car”. Aspects such as safety, quality, purchase price, design, intuitive driving, ecological footprint, etc. are taken into account in the voting.
The countries represented are New Zealand, Spain, Austria, Dubai, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Cyprus, Italy, Finland, USA, Germany, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Canada, Vietnam, Ireland, Estonia, Israel, Chile, England, Greece, Colombia, Australia, Netherlands, India, Denmark, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Peru and China.
Linda JACKSON, CEO of the PEUGEOT brand, declared: “I am very proud of the WWCOTY award given to the new PEUGEOT 308, and I congratulate all the PEUGEOT teams for this success. The new 308 won for all its qualities, but also because it covers a large part of the uses of the millions of potential users in the countries represented by the Women’s World Car of the Year jurors. Whatever their needs, habits, means and aspirations, they can find in the 308 range the vehicle that suits them: attractive, efficient, functional and accessible.”
The new PEUGEOT 308 has been conceived and designed to meet the expectations of C-segment customers in terms of exterior and interior design, functionality, equipment, engines and value for money. Its optimised layout adds to habitability of the interior, in both the saloon and SW versions.
The new PEUGEOT 308 is equipped with the latest generation of driving aids. The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® (compact steering wheel, digital handset at eye level, central touchscreen with configurable buttons) has evolved and now includes a connected and intuitive infotainment system, like that of a smartphone.
From launch, the new PEUGEOT 308 will be available with 180 or 225 hp. rechargeable hybrid engines, in addition to petrol or diesel versions. Full electric versions of the saloon and SW will complete the range in 2023.
Here is how some members of the jury described the winner:
“The most important thing for me is that it has a good mid-range performance and that its automatic gearbox is very smooth”, Hoa HGUYEN, Vietnam.
“The 308 is not content with simply maintaining and consolidating its success, but is committed to surpassing itself, and it succeeds in doing so”, Jimena OLAZAR, Argentina.
“It is easy to drive even in the narrow streets of Japan. Its turbo engine is extraordinary and quiet”, Etsuko KUSUDA, Japan.
“Peugeot has been able to seduce families with a well-thought-out proposition and a very striking image, but also to win over those looking for different powertrains: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and an EV coming next year”, Carla B. RIBEIRO, Portugal.
“It is not an expensive dream car for the lucky few, but a car that most families can afford”, Malene RAITH, Denmark.
