Model update
7/10 Positive
Cheaper than Vauxhall equivalent, larger boot than rivals
Peugeot E-308 SW
Peugeot adds an estate car to its growing EV range. Sean Keywood
With the rapid electrification of the new car market, Peugeot is staking out its territory with some success. It had Europe’s best- selling electric small car (E-208) and small SUV (E-2008) in 2023, and currently has seven electric cars available to order, with two more due later this year. One of the latest additions to the brand’s EV line-up is the model tested here, the E-308 SW lower-medium estate – the Stellantis group cousin of the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric tested by Business Car last month. Like the Vauxhall, the E-308 SW features a 156hp electric motor and a 54kWh battery. This gives the Peugeot an official WLTP range of 254 miles between charges (two miles down on the Astra). A heat pump and 11kW onboard charger are standard, while 100kW DC charging capability allows a 20-80% charge in less than 25 minutes. Although this powertrain also features in small cars such as the E-208, it still feels punchy enough in this lower-medium model on the road. As for the rest of the driving experience, we would describe the E-308
38 | February 2024 |
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SW’s ride as firm-ish, but not uncomfortable. However, this bias towards firmness doesn’t provide the expected dividends in terms of handling sharpness, with the car’s front end feeling softer than expected when turning into a corner. Perhaps also this is a symptom of the small steering wheel provided with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit set-up creating a false expectation of sportiness.
Our test car was in the Allure equipment grade, the mid-range version in the regular 308 range, and the entry-level E-308 variant below the top-spec GT. For a mid-range
What’s new: Peugeot’s lower-medium estate gains electric power.
Standard equipment: LED headlights, DRLs and tail lights, 18in alloy wheels, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, heated seats, heated steering wheel, digital instrument cluster, 10in infotainment touchscreen with connected 3D sat- nav, reversing camera, heat pump, 11kW onboard charger.
spec, Allure cars feature a decent amount of leather and leather-effect trim, creating a luxurious impression. However, this doesn’t apply throughout – the material used on the doors, which looks plush at first glance, actually feels more like a thin carpet applied over plastic.
A standard driver display screen works very well, providing all the info you need on the road including a sat-nav map. However, we’re less impressed with the central infotainment set-up, which (unlike the Vauxhall) features no direct shortcut toggles to adjust the cabin temperature. Instead, you need to open up a climate menu, then change the temperature on the screen itself. Headroom in the back of the E-308 SW is good, and while we would describe the amount of legroom available as only okay, this is boosted by there being room for rear passengers’ feet to slide under the seats in front. As for boot space – always an important consideration in an estate car – the E-308 SW benefits from 548 litres with the rear seats in place – 32 litres more than the Astra Sports Tourer Electric (although 60 litres down on petrol or diesel
Negative
Fiddly climate controls, surprisingly soft handling
Peugeot E-308 SW Allure
P11D £41,195 On sale: Now Residual value 35.6% Depreciation £25,945 Fuel £3,545 Service, maintenance and repair £1,968 Cost per mile 52.43p Range 254 miles CO2 (BIK %) 0g/km (2%) BIK 20/40% a month £14/£27 Luggage capacity 548 litres Battery size/power 54kWh/156hp
308 SWs). Remote seat-folding levers help with loading.
In a cost comparison, the E-308 SW Allure undercuts the equivalent Astra Sports Tourer Electric GS on P11D. However, it should be pointed out that the Astra is also available in a lower-spec Design grade, which comes in cheaper. Also, as we noted with our Astra review last month, the MG5 remains a cheaper, budget EV estate option – though as Business Car editor Martyn Collins reports elsewhere in this issue, there are compromises involved with that.
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