New Peugeot 308 and e-308 get longer electric range - and a £30k price tag

On sale Autumn Price from £29,995

It feels like our smartphones are always having small updates to keep them ticking along, but every once in a while, a huge update comes along and changes everything – a fresh home screen look, new emojis, or maybe new styling. A similar thing has happened with the Peugeot 308 and e-308, with a mid-life refresh bringing updates to their power options, exterior styling and practicality.

The 308 and its estate sibling, the 308 SW, still offer a range of power options including diesel, petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric – in the form of the Peugeot e-308 and e-308 SW – but the new update brings some improvements to their engines and batteries.

At the heart of the e-308 is a slightly larger battery, with a usable capacity of 55.4kWh (up from the 51kWh offered previously). Power from the electric motor remains the same, at 154bhp, but that larger battery now allows the e-308 to travel even further on electric range. Officially, you’ll now be able to get an official 279 miles out of a single charge – 21 miles more than the outgoing model. It’s also further than an entry-level Cupra Born, and just 7 miles off the MG4 SE Long Range.

With charging speeds of up to 100kW, a 10-80% top-up for the e-308 should take around 32 minutes, which is around the same as the outgoing model. You'll need to find a charging point capable of delivering that speed, though.

When you opt for top-spec GT Premium trim with your e-308, you’ll now also get a heat pump as standard – but you’ll have to specify it as an option on anything lower than that. A heat pump keeps the battery warm in order to optimise charging speeds.

There are also combustion options for those who aren’t prepared to go fully electric just yet. These remain mostly the same, except for some improvements to the 308’s plug-in hybrid option.

That variant pairs a 17.2kWh battery with a 1.6-litre petrol engine for a total output of 192bhp. Most importantly, it now can officially manage an additional 12 miles of all-electric range, at 53 miles. While it's an improvement, the 308 is still a long way off the class-leading 88 miles of the Audi A3 PHEV and VW Golf PHEV.

Otherwise, there’s a hybrid option of the 308, badged Hybrid 145, which pairs a smaller 0.9kWh battery with a 1.2-litre petrol engine for a total power output of 143bhp. Peugeot claims it can drive up to 50% of the time in all-electric mode around town. For drivers covering big miles, the 1.5-litre diesel option with 129bhp remains unchanged, and it'll be available from March 2026.

Outside, the 308 range has received some styling tweaks, including a new illuminated badge on the front end and an illuminated strip of lights that sits just above the badge, which are available on GT trim and above. New side air intakes give the 308 a slightly more aggressive look. In the headlights, there’s a redesigned light signature featuring three slim lines that Peugeot describes as “claws”.

Each version of the 308 and 308 SW get brand new diamond-cut alloy wheels. On Allure trim, these are 17in, while GT and GT Premium trims get 18in. Meanwhile, the all-electric e-308 and e-308 SW come exclusively with the 18in wheels.

Inside, there are few changes to the 308’s infotainment setup, which comprises a 10in central touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Top-spec versions receive new 3D graphics on the digital instrument cluster.

If you’re in need of space for luggage, you’re better off with the more practical 308 SW estate. Unsurprisingly, hybrid and diesel versions are the most roomy with 598 litres of boot space (a decrease on the 608 litres available previously), but opting for a PHEV or electric version will reduce that by about 50 litres.

All versions of the 308 are now available with a choice of three trims, instead of two: Allure, GT and GT Premium. Entry-level Allure trim offers 17in alloy wheels (18in on electric versions), full LED headlights, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

GT trim adds Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille and badge, 18in alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and a leather steering wheel.

With top-spec GT Premium trim, you get faux-leather Alcantara upholstery inside, as well as the heat pump, a 360-degree reversing camera, a heated steering wheel, a 3D digital instrument display, adaptive cruise control and a massage function and electric adjustment for the driver's seat.

Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel now come as standard on all versions of the e-308 and e-308 SW.

The new Peugeot 308 will arrive in showrooms in autumn. Prices for the entry-level 308 start at £29,995, while the 308 SW starts at £31,195 – making it marginally pricier than a Toyota Corolla (as well as the Touring Sports estate version), but cheaper than a Honda Civic.

The new e-308 and e-308 SW have official starting prices of £30,995 and £32,195 respectively. However, they both qualify for the tier two Electric Car Grant, which provides a £1500 saving and cuts the prices to £29,495 and £30,695 respectively. You'll pay more for a Cupra Born and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric.

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