Alfa Romeo Junior vs Peugeot 308
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior starts from $45,900 before on-road costs, while the Peugeot 308 opens at $48,990. That makes the Alfa Romeo Junior the more affordable entry point by $3,090.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,490 and $53,889 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Peugeot 308 by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Alfa Romeo Junior and Peugeot 308 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Alfa Romeo Junior packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Peugeot 308.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 6 in the Peugeot 308.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the Peugeot 308 gets a 10-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Junior stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the Peugeot 308. The Peugeot 308 counters with panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses a Petrol MHEV producing 107kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Peugeot 308 responds with a Hybrid making 100kW and 230Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the clear power advantage at 107kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Junior is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Junior measures 4,170mm long on a 2,560mm wheelbase, 195mm shorter than the Peugeot 308 at 4,365mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Peugeot 308 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 270L in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 384L in the Peugeot 308, giving the Peugeot 308 a 114L advantage.
For towing, the Alfa Romeo Junior leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 1,150kg. That 50kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,425/year for the Alfa Romeo Junior and $1,197/year for the Peugeot 308. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Peugeot 308.
Estimated annual total: $1,425 (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs $1,197 (Peugeot 308). The Peugeot 308 saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs 5 years / 200,000km (Peugeot 308). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Junior if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Peugeot 308 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Peugeot's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Peugeot 308 will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Peugeot 308 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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