Peugeot 301

Peugeot 301: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Peugeot 301 is a FWD Sedan offered in the data across one generation and its restyling. The original model ran from November 2012 to January 2017 with six versions; the restyled car began in January 2017 with five versions. The choice is principally between economical 1.2 Gasoline engines, stronger 1.6 Gasoline engines, and torque-rich 1.6 Diesel engines.

The Peugeot 301 is a FWD Sedan offered in the data across one generation and its restyling. The original model ran from November 2012 to January 2017 with six versions; the restyled car began in January 2017 with five versions. The choice is principally between economical 1.2 Gasoline engines, stronger 1.6 Gasoline engines, and torque-rich 1.6 Diesel engines. Buyers prioritizing acceleration should examine the restyled 1.6 VTi MT, while those prioritizing recorded fuel economy should consider the restyled 100 hp 1.6 HDi MT. The 1.6 VTi AT is the restyled Automatic option; the earlier range also includes 1.6 AT and two 1.2 ETG versions with Robotic gearboxes.

Peugeot 301 generations: what changed?

The original Peugeot 301 generation covers November 2012 through January 2017. It is a Sedan with six listed versions: 1.2 MT, two 1.2 ETG versions distinguished by 72 hp and 82 hp outputs, 1.6 AT, and two 1.6 MT versions distinguished by fuel and power—115 hp Gasoline and 92 hp Diesel. Every version is FWD. The available transmissions comprise 5-speed Manual, 5-speed Robotic, and 4-speed Automatic units.

The restyling belongs to that same first generation and starts in January 2017. It remains a Sedan, but its five-version range consists of 1.2 Puretech MT, 1.6 VTi MT, 1.6 VTi AT, and two 1.6 HDi MT versions distinguished by 92 hp and 100 hp outputs. Every version remains FWD. The major numerical changes include an increase from 72 hp to 82 hp for the Manual 1.2, a 6-speed Automatic replacing the earlier 4-speed Automatic, and the addition of a 100 hp Diesel with 254 Nm.

Peugeot 301 engine specs and gearbox comparison

The Gasoline engines produce about 60.1 hp per litre in the original 72 hp 1.2 versions, 68.4 hp per litre in the 82 hp 1.2 versions, and 72.5 hp per litre in each 115 hp 1.6 version. The restyled 100 hp 1.6 HDi MT produces about 64.1 hp per litre, compared with about 59.0 hp per litre for each 92 hp Diesel. Its 254 Nm output is also 24 Nm higher than the 92 hp Diesel’s 230 Nm and 104 Nm higher than the 1.6 Gasoline engine’s 150 Nm.

Peugeot 301 performance and mpg

For the quickest recorded acceleration, the restyled 1.6 VTi MT is the clear choice: its 9.4-second result is 0.9 seconds quicker than the original 115 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.7 seconds quicker than the restyled 1.6 VTi AT. Its 188 km/h maximum equals the highest recorded top speed in the range.

For minimum recorded consumption, the restyled 100 hp 1.6 HDi MT leads with 3.5 L/100 km combined. It uses 0.6 L/100 km less than either 92 hp Diesel and 1.3 L/100 km less than the restyled 1.2 Puretech MT. It also combines that advantage with 18 hp more than the 1.2 Puretech MT and reaches 100 km/h 2.1 seconds sooner.

The restyled 1.2 Puretech MT substantially improves on the original 1.2 MT in the listed figures. Power rises by 10 hp, torque by 8 Nm, and top speed by 9 km/h. Acceleration improves by 2.2 seconds, while combined consumption falls by 0.4 L/100 km.

Peugeot 301 weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes

Every listed version has 142 mm of ground clearance and a 50-litre fuel tank. Wheel sizes for the restyled range are 185/65 R15 and 195/55 R16. Wheel sizes for the original range are not measured.

The restyled 1.6 VTi MT has the best weight-to-power figure at about 9.5 kg/hp. It weighs 25 kg less than the restyled 1.6 VTi AT despite sharing its 115 hp and 150 Nm outputs. The restyled Diesels weigh 75 kg less than the original 92 hp Diesel, while the 100 hp version adds 8 hp and 24 Nm over either 92 hp Diesel.

Peugeot 301 exterior dimensions, boot dimensions, trunk space, and boot capacity are not measured in the supplied data. Interior measurements are also not measured.

Which Peugeot 301 version should you buy?

Choose the restyled 1.6 VTi MT if acceleration is the priority. Its 115 hp, 150 Nm, 9.4-second acceleration time, 188 km/h top speed, and 9.5 kg/hp give it the strongest recorded performance case. Its trade-off is 6.4 L/100 km combined consumption.

Choose the restyled 100 hp 1.6 HDi MT if fuel economy and torque matter most. It records the lowest consumption at 3.5 L/100 km combined and the highest torque at 254 Nm. Compared with the restyled 1.6 VTi MT, it has 15 hp less and takes 1.4 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, but uses 2.9 L/100 km less on the combined cycle.

Choose the restyled 1.2 Puretech MT if you want the lightest Manual Gasoline configuration. Its 980 kg kerb weight is 110 kg below the restyled 1.6 VTi MT. It produces 82 hp and 118 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds, and records 4.8 L/100 km combined consumption.

For an Automatic, the restyled 1.6 VTi AT pairs 115 hp with a 6-speed Automatic. Against the original 1.6 AT, it accelerates 0.7 seconds quicker and uses 0.5 L/100 km less combined, although its recorded top speed is 8 km/h lower. Against the restyled 1.6 VTi MT, it adds the Automatic gearbox but is 25 kg heavier, 1.7 seconds slower to 100 km/h, and consumes 0.2 L/100 km more combined.

For a Robotic gearbox, only the original 1.2 ETG versions qualify. Both record 5.2 L/100 km combined consumption, 110 Nm, and a 980 kg kerb weight. The 82 hp 1.2 ETG supplies 10 hp more than the 72 hp 1.2 ETG, while recorded acceleration and top-speed figures for both are not measured.

Prices in Egypt, Nigeria, and other markets are not measured, so the data cannot establish which version offers the lowest purchase price or best monetary value. Engine-oil capacity, engine price, engine-mount information, fault records, problems, and reliability data are likewise not measured. On the available specifications alone, the restyled 1.6 VTi MT is the performance choice, the restyled 100 hp 1.6 HDi MT is the economy-and-torque choice, and the restyled 1.2 Puretech MT is the lighter Manual Gasoline alternative.