Peugeot e-308 review

The fully electric Peugeot e-308 has a lot in common with the regular petrol-powered Peugeot 308. That's obvious, you might think.

After all, while they draw their power from different sources, only an extra letter separates their names, and they look pretty much the same. The same goes for the estate version – the Peugeot e-308 SW. It’s based on the 308 SW but is fully electric.

However, did you know that the e-308 also has much in common with the Vauxhall Astra Electric? You see, while the two cars have different names, wear different badges and look distinct inside and out, underneath they are virtually identical, sharing the same batteries and motors.

So, how do you separate these rival electric cars? Well, you can read this review to find out how the Peugeot e-308 differs from the Astra Electric and other models you might be considering, including, say, the Cupra Born and MG4 EV.

What’s more, we’ll also give impressions on the e-308 SW and tell you how it compares with its main rival as an electric estate car, the MG5 EV.

Every version of the Peugeot e-308 – including the e-308 SW – gets a battery with a usable capacity of 51kWh and an electric motor driving the front wheels with 154bhp. There are currently no other options in the line-up.

That's enough power for 0-62mph time of 9.8 seconds, which is slightly slower than the Vauxhall Astra Electric (9.2 seconds) and the slowest Cupra Born (7.3 seconds), but quite a bit behind the slowest Tesla Model 3 (which is slightly cheaper than the e-308 and takes around 5.8 seconds).

Likewise, the e-308 SW is slower than rival electric estate cars, including the MG5, which covers 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds. That’s not to say that either version of the e-308 feels too slow for everyday driving, it’s just that their respective rivals get up to motorway speeds with slightly more vigour. 

What’s more, if you're shopping for a small electric car or an electric estate, outright pace probably isn’t at the top of your list – electric range is a big consideration too. The e-308 and e-308 SW’s official figures of 257 miles and 254 miles don’t particularly stand out against rivals but are close to that of the Born and the VW ID 3. The e-308 SW also has a slightly longer range than the MG5 officially (250 miles).

The Model 3 RWD, meanwhile, will officially cover up to 318 miles and, unlike the e-308, many rivals offer versions with bigger batteries and longer ranges. You can buy a Born, for example, with a 341-mile official range, while the MG4 EV Extended Range offers 323 miles.

So, do the e-308 and e-308 SW stand out in other areas on the road? Well, the handling is competent rather than exciting. The steering, although a little numb, is accurate and you can place the car through a corner confidently, while the body stays impressively flat in the process.

The Born is more agile, offering even better, more naturally weighted steering and the Model 3 is in a different league entirely.

The e-308 rides pretty well over most surfaces. It has a slightly firm edge, so the initial impact from road imperfections and potholes can be rather harsh, but they’re dealt with quickly and there’s no unwanted wallowy feel on undulating roads. There is quite a bit of road noise to contend with in the interior, though.

Driving overview

Strengths Decent ride comfort; consistent brake-pedal feel

Weaknesses Underwhelming acceleration; average range between charges

The layout of the Peugeot e-308 and e-308 SW’s interior is identical to what you'll find a petrol or diesel Peugeot 308 (or Peugeot 308 SW).

That means it gets Peugeot's iCockpit layout, which gives you a small steering wheel you look over – rather than through – to see the digital driver display. Some people find that set-up really awkward, so try before you buy.

In entry-level Allure trim, the e-308's driver display is fully digital, while upgrading to range-topping GT adds a 3D effect. The idea behind the 3D tech is that it puts important numbers closer to the driver’s vision, but the reality is that it feels like a bit of a gimmick rather than something that actually helps you.

Aside from the small steering wheel, the driving position is sound, offering lots of manual adjustment in the steering wheel and seat (including for lumbar support). Helpfully, the good driving position means you also get a good view of the road ahead, at junctions and behind.

What’s more, to make parking even more of a doddle, all e-308s come with standard-fit rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, while the top-spec GT also gets front parking sensors. You can add an optional 360-degree camera, making things even easier.

Bright LED headlights come as standard, making for great visibility at night, while range-topping GT models swap them for full matrix LED headlights that adapt their full beam automatically so they don't dazzle oncoming drivers.

Every e-308 gets a 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system which is generally impressive in its look and layout, although the response time could be a little sharper. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone-mirroring are included standard, allowing you to run your smartphone apps on the infotainment screen.

Below the main screen there is a separate panel with touchscreen shortcut buttons that are configurable and are helpful for hopping between different menus. Unfortunately, the climate controls are mostly controlled through the touchscreen, which is fiddly and distracting while driving.

In terms of quality, the e-308's interior compares well with direct rivals. The materials look and feel pleasant, and it’s easily better than what you find in an MG4 or VW ID 3.

Interior overview

Strengths Classy fit and finish; wireless smartphone mirroring standard

Weaknesses View of driver display might be blocked for some drivers; infotainment touchscreen response time could be snappier

Continuing the trend, the Peugeot e-308 and e-308 SW both have an identical footprint to their regular counterparts (the 308 and 308 SW), meaning the space inside is also largely identical.

As a result, even your tallest friends won’t find themselves struggling for head or leg room, while the decent interior width means you won’t be rubbing shoulders with your front-seat passenger.

You also get plenty of storage spaces, with helpful cubbies strewn around, including within the standard armrest and large door bins.

Rear space varies more between the e-308 and e-308 SW. The hatchback offers more than enough space for children but tight head room for adults, although it's more accommodating than the Renault Zoe and the Fiat 500 Electric.

If rear space is important to you, the estate version is a better option. That said, even the e-308 SW is fairly tight in the rear, offering less head and leg room than the MG5 or conventional estate cars including the Ford Focus Estate and Seat Leon Estate. 

As you might expect, the e-308 SW also has the largest boot of the two versions, offering 608 litres of space with the rear seats in place. That's not as much as the Leon Estate, but it’s more than the Focus Estate and MG5 offer. What’s more, you get versatile rear seats that split 40/20/40 and fold flat, which is really handy when you have rear-seat passengers but need to load long items into the boot. 

The hatchback e-308 gets the same 361-litre capacity as the 308 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is down on the 412-litre boot the regular 308 gets. It’s pretty much the same size as the boot in the MG4, but the Cupra Born’s is bigger. The hatchback's rear seats split 60/40 to fold down.

Disappointingly, neither version of the e-308 comes with a front boot, so you’ll lose some boot space to your charging cables. 

Practicality overview

Strengths Decent storage space up front; good space for the driver and front passenger; e-308 SW offers flexible rear seating

Weaknesses Rear head room not impressive; no dedicated space for a charging cable in the boot; no front boot

The Peugeot e-308 and e-308 SW are both expensive. They’ll cost more to buy outright than equivalent versions of all their closest electric rivals, including the Cupra Born, MG5 and VW ID 3, while even the most expensive version of the MG4 costs thousands less.

Worse news is that even the excellent Tesla Model 3 RWD – which is better in almost every area – costs less than the e-308 Allure.

To keep costs down, we’d stick with the entry-level Allure trim. Luckily, it comes with plenty of standard equipment, including 18in alloys, automatic air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. If you’d like extra niceties such as keyless entry and the driver display and parking aid upgrades, you’ll need to jump up to range-topping GT.

When it comes to charging, every e-308 has a maximum charging rate of up to 100kW. With a fast enough charger, it should be possible to charge from 20-80% in around half an hour. Most rivals can accept a faster rate, while the Model 3 also gives you access to the brilliant Supercharger network.

If you plug it into a 7kW home wall box the e-308 should charge from 20-80% in about four hours and 25 minutes, or from empty to full in just over eight hours. 

As for reliability, Peugeot as a manufacturer came 21st out of 32 brands in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey. That puts it at a similar level to Volkswagen, above Renault and MG, but below Hyundai and Kia. You get a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with the battery covered separately for eight years or 100,000 miles.

There is no safety rating specifically for the Peugeot e-308. However, the regular Peugeot 308 was tested by experts at Euro NCAP and was given a four-star rating, which is one less star than most rivals. It scored well in most areas but the testers commented that the protection for the driver’s chest was fairly weak.

Costs overview

Strengths Plenty of standard equipment 

Weakness Expensive compared with rivals; the maximum charging rate is fairly average

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