Peugeot 308 GT vs Renault Megane GT 220 & Kia Cee’d GT Tech - pictures

If you don't need a full-fat hot hatchback, there's a new breed of hatches that combine performance with comfort and lower running costs. Here we test the Peugeot 308 GT, Renault Megane GT 220 and Kia Cee'd GT Tech. 

As tested, the Peugeot 308 GT costs £26,450 and is powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. 

It puts out 202bhp with 285Nm of torque. 

The 308 has a high-quality feel inside. GT trim sits at the top of the range, and the metal detailing and leather trim makes it feel refined and expensive. The small steering wheel, high-set dials and big touchscreen set the clutter-fr

In the back, it's not as roomy as the other two thanks to a lower roofline. The tinted windows make it feel more cramped, too. 

The 308 has the largest boot of the trio, at 470 litres. Fold the seats and total capacity increases to 1,309 litres. 

"The 308 GT bodes well for the upcoming 308 GTi. The chassis is grippy, but not too hard, meaning it's comfortable around town and on long journeys. I still think the position of the steering wheel is flawed, though." - James Disdale,

The GT's suspension has been lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the rear compared to the regular 308. Yet despite this, plus firmer springs and dampers, ride quality is supple and refinement impresses on the road. 

These cars combine all the practicality of the standard hatches on which they are based, but with a little extra performance when you want to take things less seriously. 

The Megane GT 220 weighs in at £24,370 and is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, putting out 217bhp. 

The design may be a bit long in the tooth, but the GT 220 is great to drive. Renaultsport has tuned the chassis, carrying over the Megane RS's suspension settings. It comes into its own when you point it down a windy road, but the trad

Inside, the Megane shows its age. It's sportier than the standard Megane with red detailing on the steering wheel, dash and dials, but it feels outdated compared to the posh Peugeot and solid Kia. You do get plenty of kit, though, as i

Access to the rear seats is easy thanks to large doors that open wide, plus headroom is decent. 

Boot space trails that of the Peugeot, but it's larger than the Kia. There's 405 litres of space, plus there's handy under-floor storage, too. If you do need extra space, Renault offers a GT 220 Sport Tourer estate which has 524 litres

Renaultsport's involvement in the tweaking of the GT 220 is evident in the optional RS monitor. It adds features like a G-force meter and lap timer. 

"Renaultsport's alterations to the standard Megane chassis mean it's on the firm side, but it's still tolerable. Handling is nicely pitched and the car feels grippy and responsive." - James Disdale, road test editor. 

"These cars are about more than just blasting down a back road. It's here where the Renault comes unstuck, as the lacklustre interior lacks sparkle. Still, you can revel in that Renaultsport magic on the right road." - James Disdale, r

As tested, the Kia Cee'd GT Tech comes in at £23,405 - the cheapest car in this test. It's powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, putting out 201bhp. 

"Although the Cee'd GT sits inbetween the Megane and 308 in terms of performance, practicality and price, it's most definitely not a compromise. It's good to drive in its own right, and like all Kias, the ownership experience should be

Inside, the Kia can't quite match the Peugeot for quality, but the dash design and layout are impressive. The clear seven-inch touchscreen, combined with solid switchgear, is more usable than the 308's set-up. 

The Kia has the most space in the back, and head and legroom are great. The seats can be folded to expand boot space, too. 

At 380 litres, the Kia's boot is outshone by its rivals here. The Cee'd still offers plenty of practicality, though. 

LED running lights are the GT's most noticeable design feature. Red trim, twin grilles and narrow headlights give the Kia a more focused front end. It's a shame the chassis isn't a touch more polished to match the looks, though. A more

If you use all of the Cee'd performance out of a corner, you'll find it lacks traction and starts to spin its wheels. It's difficult to tell when this is going to happen, as the light steering feels spongy and there's not much feedback