Peugeot e-308 SW long-term test

The car Peugeot e-308 SW GT Run by Mark Pearson, used cars editor

Why it’s here To see if an electric estate car can cut it against a small number of similar rivals and a plethora of similarly powered SUVs 

Needs to It’ll need to dispatch commuting, work and family life without any range anxiety issues and cope with a wide variety of everyday duties

Miles covered 5096 Price £43,450 Target price £38,973 Price as tested £44,070 Official range 254 miles Test range 212 miles Private price £25,379 Dealer price £28,552 Running costs (excluding depreciation) £310

29 October 2024 – The race is not to the swift

I make no bones about it: one of the main reasons that I chose my Peugeot e-308 SW in the first place was (and I apologise if this sounds superficial) I was very much sold on its looks. However, over my tenure, I also began to admire it for other, more cerebral reasons.

It struck me that it would be perfect for those coming to an electric car for the first time, because – to a degree that I haven’t found in other electric vehicles (EVs) I’ve tried – it feels a lot like a conventional car to drive. Indeed, there were a few times that I had to stop myself from pulling up at a petrol station to fuel it.

Part of this might be down to the fact that, while the e-308 builds speed in a pleasingly linear fashion, it can’t pin you back in your seat in the way that so many EVs can. Officially, the 0-62mph sprint takes 9.9sec – a time which would have been recorded in its Sport mode rather than its default (and no-doubt slower) Normal mode. For comparison, something like a Smart #1 can polish that 0-62mph sprint off in just 6.7sec and a Tesla Model 3 in 5.8sec. But my e-308 SW didn't feel slow, just normal.

Similarly, there's nothing about the ride and handling that shouts 'ELECTRIC!' While you wouldn't call it sporty, the steering is reassuringly direct, and you're not usually aware of the extra weight that the battery brings, because the suspension controls body movements well. The payoff is that you feel a little too much of the road surface’s irregularities at town speeds, although comfort improves on the open road.

The one major difference between the e-308 and a regular 308, of course, was that I could top up my car's 'tank' without leaving my driveway. I’m not keen on stopping to charge up when I’m out and about, so I was glad to find that my car's real-world range (212 miles in our recent EV summer range test) was enough for my needs. I just wished the range readout was more accurate; there were times when it seemed to be falling at a much faster rate than the distance I was covering.

The e-308's i-Cockpit layout has already been established in regular Peugeots, which adds to the feeling of familiarity. Admittedly, this small steering wheel/high-up instrument pod setup can be divisive. But for me, as a six-footer, it works and I love the small wheel.

For others, especially those on the shorter side, setting this in the ideal driving position obscured their view of the instruments. I can only say that if you’re tempted by a modern Peugeot it’s worth checking out whether i-Cockpit works for you before you buy.

Elsewhere, the nicely designed and smartly finished interior was just as spacious as a regular 308's, which is to say good up front, but a little tight in the rear. True, the electric model's boot is smaller, but this didn't stop it from swallowing a good amount of garden waste and household rubbish on several trips to the tip. It carried holiday luggage for four during the summer, too.

More irritating was the infotainment system, because I found its responses a little tardy. Meanwhile, the fact that the climate control is controlled through the touchscreen brought added faff.

I also can't help feeling that my car's £43,450 list price looks a little pricey when you can have a Model 3 for £39,990. But, on the whole, I reckon anyone coming to electric motoring for the first time and tempted by the practicality of an estate car will like this Peugeot.  There’s certainly more to it than just its looks. 

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