Item: Peugeot e-208
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

Citroën Ami

Cupra Born

Fiat 500

Hyundai Kona Electric

MG ZS EV

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Peugeot e-2008

Peugeot e-208

Renault Twizy

Smart EQ Forfour

Smart EQ Fortwo

Vauxhall Mokka-e

Volkswagen ID.3

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Peugeot e-208 costs&nbsp;more to buy than some small electric cars, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, but then you'd expect that because&nbsp;it's more practical and&nbsp;can travel farther between charges.

Indeed, prices are broadly in line with the similar-sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>, although the e-208's price does rise above those cars if you go for one of the top trim levels. We wouldn't recommend doing that, but we would advise avoiding sparsely equipped&nbsp;Active trim.

Active Premium trim gets you automatic air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. We reckon Allure is the pick of the range, though, because it adds posher&nbsp;seats and some smarter exterior styling. The higher trim levels, particularly GT and GT Premium, stray into ID.3 territory so are too pricey to recommend.

Unlike the Renault Zoe and Mini Electric, which are limited to charging speeds of 50kW, the e-208's battery can support&nbsp;charging rates of up to 100kW. Frustratingly, 100kW charging points are rather scarce in the UK at the moment, but if you can find one, the e-208's battery&nbsp;can be charged from 10-80% in around 30 minutes. From a 7kW home charger, a 0-100% charge will take 7hrs 30min.&nbsp;

Peugeot finished a disappointing 25th (out of 31 manufacturers) in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069">2020 What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, although the&nbsp;e-208 itself wasn't included. A three-year warranty, consisting of two years of unlimited-mileage cover from the manufacturer and an additional year provided by Peugeot’s UK dealer network, should help to ease any reliability concerns. Meanwhile, the battery is covered by its own eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty – similar cover to that offered by rivals.&nbsp;

You get&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking (AEB)</a>&nbsp;on all&nbsp;models which, if you go for GT or GT Premium trim, works at night and can recognise cyclists. These top two trim levels also benefit from blindspot monitoring. However, the e-208 received a relatively disappointing four stars (out of five) for safety when appraised by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-euro-ncap-and-how-does-it-work/n14328">Euro NCAP</a>, with whiplash protection for adults sitting in the back rated as 'poor'.

Let’s start with the numbers. The e-208 has a 45kWh battery that powers a 134bhp electric motor – enough to propel the car, in our tests, from 0-60mph in a spritely 7.5sec. That means it’s comfortably quicker than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a>, although not quite as nippy as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/review/n18388">Kia e-Niro </a>or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>.&nbsp;

The e-208&nbsp;also has an impressive official range of up to 217&nbsp;miles on a full charge. You won't get that far in real-world driving&nbsp;but, based on our tests, 150 miles in winter and 170 miles in the summer is a realistic expectation without trying too hard. That's farther than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a> can manage, although the Zoe has an even longer range.

Ride comfort is better than in the&nbsp;Zoe, though –&nbsp;or the&nbsp;Mini Electric for that matter. It's only&nbsp;potholes and expansion joints&nbsp;that the&nbsp;e-208's relatively soft suspension struggles to cope with; these obstacles sometimes send jolts through the car. There's also more nosedive under braking than you'd experience in many rivals, including the Fiat 500 and Zoe.

On the subject of brakes, as with all electric cars, the e-208 has something called regenerative braking. This just means that energy is recuperated during&nbsp;the process of slowing down, and fed back into the battery. Pressing the brake pedal increases this effect but it means the pedal feels curiously spongy,&nbsp;which can make it hard to slow your progress smoothly.&nbsp;

More positively, the e-208 is quieter than its main rivals – particularly the Mini and 500 but also the Zoe. You notice this most at motorway speeds, where the e-208 does a great job of&nbsp;keeping road and wind noise where it's supposed to be: outside the car.&nbsp;

The e-208 isn't particularly fun to drive and there's more body lean than in a Mini&nbsp;or Zoe, but it feels more stable through fast corners than the smaller 500 and Honda E and there's plenty of grip. Likewise, the steering is accurate and there's enough weight build up as you turn into bends to give you confidence, but don't expect much in the way of feedback.&nbsp;

Thinking about going electric but don't want to shout it from the rooftops? The Peugeot e-208 could be the car for you.

That's because, unlike many of its rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i3/hatchback/review/n14">BMW i3</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a>, this isn't a bespoke <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric car </a>that's designed to stand out from 'normal' petrol and diesel cars –&nbsp;it's just a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a> with a big battery and an electric motor instead of an engine with cylinders and pistons.

The only real visual difference compared with petrol and diesel versions of the 208 is the discreet 'e' badging on the rear haunches of the car. And when you sit behind the wheel, you'll also notice a few electric-specific details on the driver display.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rGBKHgNOpLI"></iframe>

The e-208 is&nbsp;even offered with the same trim levels as the regular 208 – Active, Active Premium, Allure, Allure Premium, GT and GT Premium – as its fossil-fuelled sibling.

As its first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), the Peugeot e-208 represents a big move for the French brand, and one that seems well-timed.&nbsp;However, the e-208 needs to have an impressive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-car-real-range-which-electric-car-can-go-farthest-in-the-real-world/n18159">real-world range</a>,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;competing with rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, Zoe, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa-e/hatchback/review/n21183">Vauxhall Corsa-e</a>&nbsp;in other respects.

In our in-depth review, we'll be finding out&nbsp;how the Peugeot e-208 compares with its key electric rivals, so click through to the next page and start reading. And whichever new car you end up deciding to buy, try&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying</a> service&nbsp;– you could<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot/208/hatchback/deals?fuelType=electric"> save hundreds on an e-208</a>, with no haggling and all from the comfort of home.

We’ll begin this section with a controversial topic: the e-208’s driving position. Unconventionally, you’re supposed to view its iCockpit digital instruments (the speedo, rev counter etc.) by looking over, rather than through, the steering wheel – something Peugeot has tried to make easier by shrinking the steering wheel to the size of a dinner plate.

And if you happen to be long in the body, or you sit close to the steering wheel with the seat jacked up, you’ll probably think the whole arrangement is great. But just as many will find that the steering wheel completely blocks their view of the instruments, and will have to resort to moving the wheel or seat to an uncomfortable position just so they can see what speed they're doing. For that reason, we’d strongly advise taking a test drive before buying. The closely related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa-e/hatchback/review/n21183/in-the-cabin">Corsa-e</a>&nbsp;doesn't have this problem, thanks to its&nbsp;normal-sized steering wheel and clearer digital instruments.

The ‘3D’ effect of the instruments (standard from Allure Premium trim upwards) is also a case of style over substance; it makes the instruments trickier to read at a glance than the equivalents in rivals&nbsp;such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>. At least the speed readout is in a prominent position. You can also prioritise sat nav maps or other information depending on your needs.

Interior quality is generally excellent. The dashboard materials feel&nbsp;pleasingly squidgy, the leather on the steering wheel is of a suitably fine grain and there are fewer hard and scratchy plastics than you'll find in a Zoe or Corsa-e, although the Mini Electric feels even classier inside.

A 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system is standard, with&nbsp;a bigger 10.0in touchscreen&nbsp;optional on Allure Premium and&nbsp;standard on GT and GT Premium models. Either way, the&nbsp;graphics aren't great and the screen doesn't always respond as quickly to prods as you'd like, but it's good that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring come as standard. It’s annoying, though, that adjusting the air-conditioning also&nbsp;requires you to use the touchscreen; it would be far better if there were physical dials for tweaking the interior temperature, like those&nbsp;in the Corsa-e. Overall, the 500, Zoe and Mini (especially with the upgraded 8.8in screen) have superior infotainment systems.

Hatchback

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Temporary taxonomy to get review live.

ChrisH 01/10/2019

e208

A very fine electric car, even if rivals can go farther between charges

Although the e-208 is a relatively small car, even tall people should find enough space in the front. Head and leg room is plentiful, and the interior is wide enough to not risk an elbow fight between front-seat occupants.&nbsp;

There’s also a decent amount of storage space, including good-sized door bins, various cubbies, and a tray at the bottom of the dashboard. Above that, there's a hidden compartment that clicks open to reveal another handy storage spot – it's also where you'll find the wireless phone charging pad if you've ticked that option box.

Leg room in the back is reasonable, and there’s a generous amount of space for passengers’ feet under the seats in front. And, while head room is a bit tight, it's better than in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a>. Just make sure you avoid adding a panoramic sunroof because this lowers the height of the ceiling quite a bit.&nbsp;

Both the e-208 and the closely related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa-e/hatchback/review/n21183/space-practicality">Corsa-e</a>&nbsp;have relatively small rear door apertures that&nbsp;can make it a bit awkward to climb aboard. Mind you, at least there are rear doors; the rival Fiat 500&nbsp;Mini Electric are available in three-door form only.&nbsp;

If you’re wondering if there's&nbsp;a practicality compromise in choosing an e-208 over a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">petrol or diesel version</a>&nbsp;when&nbsp;it comes to luggage space,&nbsp;there isn’t. Fossil-fuelled or electric, every 208 has the same boot capacity. That means you'll be able to carry more luggage than you would in a Mini Electric, although a Zoe will carry even more. Unfortunately, there’s no handy height-adjustable boot floor like there is on the Mini, though.

Looks the part, has a great interior and is decent to drive. Some rivals are cheaper or can go farther between charges, but the e-208 is the still a fine all-rounder. 

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals. These cars qualify for the maximum plug-in car grant (PICG) of £3500.

The Renault Zoe is one of the most affordable options and has a surprisingly long range of between 120 and 180 miles (depending on the weather and the road type). However, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are more practical and more accomplished to drive, even if the latter doesn't have a particularly long range between charges.

At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s ground-up EV philosophy – and the American brand’s own network of super-fast chargers – makes the Model S a tempting choice. It has seating for up to seven, an classy interior and a long enough real-world range to make inter-city travel a real possibility.

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Peugeot e-208 review

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