Peugeot 305 Overview: Specs, Generations and Best Versions
Peugeot 305 specs across the 1977–1990 sedan range: one generation, 26 modifications, 49–102 hp, with FWD and manual or automatic gearboxes.
The Peugeot 305 is a front-wheel-drive sedan built from 1977 to 1990, with engine outputs spanning 49 to 102 hp across 26 modifications. Anyone checking peugeot 305 specs will find a single-generation classic family car: it suits buyers who want a simple period sedan with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines and either manual or automatic transmission.
Peugeot 305 generations
1 generation (1977–1990)
The first and only generation of the Peugeot 305 was produced from 1977 to 1990, exclusively as a sedan with front-wheel drive. The power range runs from 49 hp in the base versions up to 102 hp at the top, spread over 26 modifications with both Manual and Automatic gearboxes. Notable versions include the mass-market Peugeot 305 1.5 MT with 88 hp from a 1498 cc engine, the range-topping Peugeot 305 1.9 AT with 102 hp and a 1900 cc engine, and the Peugeot 305 1.9 MT diesel producing 65 hp from a 1902 cc unit.
Which Peugeot 305 to buy
- 1.5 MT (88 hp) (1 generation): the mass-market choice — 88 hp from a 1498 cc engine with a manual gearbox, sitting comfortably in the upper half of the 49–102 hp range.
- 1.9 AT (102 hp) (1 generation): the most powerful version at 102 hp from a 1900 cc engine, and the pick if you want the automatic transmission.
- 1.9 MT (65 hp) (1 generation): the diesel option — 65 hp from a 1902 cc engine paired with a manual gearbox.
Since production ended in 1990, every Peugeot 305 on the market today is a decades-old car; with only one generation and a single sedan body, the choice comes down to engine and gearbox rather than model year redesigns. The single-generation lineup also means parts interchangeability questions stay within one body and platform, which simplifies the search for components across the whole 1977–1990 run.
Peugeot 305 specs at a glance
All versions of the Peugeot 305 share the sedan body and FWD layout. The 26 modifications differ mainly in engine — from 49 hp entry-level units to the 102 hp 1.9-litre — and in transmission, with both Manual and Automatic offered throughout the 1977–1990 production run. The documented engine displacements among notable versions range from 1498 cc to 1902 cc, the latter being the diesel.