Peugeot e-208 review

The Peugeot e-208 is a potential game-changer hiding in plain sight. The significance of the  fact that you can visit a Peugeot dealer and choose a 208 with petrol, diesel or pure electric power, really can’t be understated.

It’s amazing, really, that the e-208 should keep its Electric Vehicle (EV) status so quiet; the visual differences between it and any other Peugeot 208 are pretty subtle. There’s a discreet ‘e’ badge on the side of the car, the fuel cap has been replaced with a charging port, and there’s a few electric-specific dials on the driver display.

This will definitely suit those who want to switch to electricity but don’t want to shout about it. It’s even offered with the same trim levels, Active, Allure and GT Line, as its fossil-fuelled sisters – although the e-208 also gets a flagship GT trim level all to itself.

The truth is that it’s seeming so ‘normal’ just proves that the e-208 definitely wasn’t an after-thought from Peugeot. They didn’t design the standard 208 only for someone to say “hey, Pierre, reckon this 400kg battery pack would fit in that?” No, from the outset, this car was always going to be offered as a fully electric model.

As its first EV, the e-208 represents a big move for Peugeot and one that’s bound to have an impact on the small car market, where electric cars are expected to become far more popular over time. However, in order to make that impact, the e-208 needs to have an impressive real-world range and a practical interior, as well as being entertaining to drive.

In our in-depth review, we'll see how it compares with the Renault Zoe, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro, as well as the Volkswagen e-Golf and BMW i3 and other, pricier electric rivals. If it can hold its own against these, the e-208 could mark a watershed moment for the mainstream adoption of EVs.

Read on to find out if Peugeot have nailed it or missed the mark.