Peugeot E-308 (2023 - )

There really was very little to complain about when Peugeot launched its latest 308 model. It looked good, drove well and was generously equipped as standard. But there was one stand-out factor that proved an issue, especially with the electrified model, and that was the price. It was far too high, topping the £40k mark.
But that matter has been thoroughly addressed with the launch of the 2026 car which sees a major makeover with lots of new distinctive styling cues, advanced safety and on-board technology, improved efficiency and, above all, a massive price drop.
There is a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric powertrains, as well as a diesel unit on demand for a minority of customers. Additionally, there are hatchback or SW (estate) body styles, along with three well-equipped trims called Allure, GT and GT Premium.
With EVs being a major talking point right now with the threat of pay-per-mile tariffs, we opted for the electric model called the E-308. It was in hatchback guise and in mid-grade GT trim.
 

The latest Peugeot E-308 boasts a striking new look that certainly helps it stand out from the crowd. Most of the enhancements are at the front end with a refreshed grille housing the shield badging, which is now illuminated. There are smaller, subtle LED bars that lead out to the main lighting clusters and these are a legal requirement so the bright Peugeot emblem is not mistaken for a motorbike headlight at night.

The three-claw signature lights are slimmer and, at the rear the upgraded tail lamps are connected by a light bar. The car boasts gorgeous streamlining, along with body-coloured door handles and plenty of GT badging. Customers have extra choice when it comes to colours and alloy wheel designs giving this five-door hatchback plenty of kerb appeal.

The interior is upmarket and very premium in its styling with high-end fixtures and fittings throughout, along with a nice mix of physical and touchscreen controls.

The seats are upholstered in a blend of cloth and faux leather materials that are finished off with neat green contrast stitching. They are powered and, along with the steering wheel, can be heated against those cold wintry mornings.

Peugeot has its renowned i-Cockpit layout that matches a compact steering wheel with a narrow driver display screen. Personally, I’m not a fan and seem to spend far too much time trying to peer over or through the steering wheel to read numbers such as the speed. That said; other people absolutely rave about the set-up, so it really is a matter of taste.

A 10-inch touchscreen offers access to features, including the sat nav system with live TomTom traffic updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, six-speaker sound system and lots more besides. There are also virtual toggles offering quick access to favourites, such as the navigation set-up, radio and telephone, and these can be customised to taste.

All versions of the E-308 feature a 55.4kWh (usable) battery with a driving range of up to 280 miles between charges. The estate model offers slightly less range at 275 miles.
With a single electric motor on the front axle, the E-308 is front-wheel drive and it boasts 156hp and 270Nm of torque. This translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 106mph. While the acceleration out the blocks isn’t exactly blisteringly quick, it does feel much faster than the official figures suggest. There is ample power on tap to overtake slower moving vehicles and the car quickly reaches motorway speeds where it will sit with ease at 70mph.
We tested the E-308 on the winding coastal roads and steep mountain climbs around Lisbon and it coped well with everything we threw at it. With the battery sitting low in the body, the car is balanced and confident through twists and turns, and there are impressive levels of grip too.
Drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport alter the dynamics of the car and also limit the amount of power offered. For example, select Eco mode and you have 109hp and 220Nm, but flick across to Sport and it gets ramped up to 156hp and 270Nm. 
In busy towns, the E-308 is agile and easy to manoeuvre, with three regenerative braking levels that are adjusted via steering wheel paddles. This helps slow the vehicle as you lift your foot off the accelerator while boosting the battery levels, but even in its strongest setting, single pedal driving is not quite possible,
Comfort levels are most impressive with the suspension set-up doing a worthy job of smoothing out any bumps and dips in the road, while the highly efficient all-round insulation protects occupants from road surface and wind noise.
 

The E-308 is a five-door family hatchback that stretches 4,367mm in length, is 2,062mm across, including mirrors, 1,454mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,675. Those figures translate into a decent enough sized cabin which offers ample space up front with bundles of legroom.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the rear seats. The legroom is really tight especially if the front seats are pushed right back. It would be okay for a couple of adults over a shorter journey, but is best suited to a trio of youngsters. While it may seem we are being a little harsh on the E-308, most rival cars in the sector would face the same criticism.
The boot is accessed via a manual tailgate and can accommodate 361 litres of luggage, a capacity that increases to 1,258 litres by dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear seats. If storage space is key, then the 308 SW has a larger boot with storage limits ranging from 505 to 1,402 litres.
Additionally, throughout the cabin you will find a glovebox, central cubby, door bins, seat back nets, front and rear cup holders, plus some handy trays.
Charging the E-308’s battery from 20 to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes via a 100kW fast charger, 4 hours, 25 minutes if using a 7.4kW wallbox or 14 hours and 40 minutes if plugged into a domestic socket.
And, for added convenience, the car has Vehicle-to-Load capability meaning is can be used to power up external devices, such as laptops, e-bikes, camping stoves and lighting, plus lots more besides.
 

The pricing of the new Peugeot E-308 really is the headline news with the latest car costing almost £10k less than when the vehicle was first launched in 2023. All the electric models qualify for the government’s Electric Car Grant too, which makes the car a very attractive option.
The hatchback line-up costs from £29,995 for the hybrid in Allure trim, the BEV model is £30,995 (£29,495 with Electric Car Grant), or £35,095 with the PHEV powertrain. 
Step up to mid-grade GT and the hybrid version costs £32,095, the EV, as tested, is £32,995 (reduced to £31,495 with ECG) and the PHEV is priced at £37,195. 
Finally, the range-topping 308 GT Premium costs £33,395 for the hybrid, £34,495 for the EV (£32,995 with the ECG discount) and the PHEV model costs £38,895.
So, the E-308 is certainly competitively priced this time round and the day-to-day running costs impress too despite the axing of several financial incentives for EV drivers this year. Owners now have to pay road tax for the first time, although the first-year payment is just £10, increasing to the standard fee of £195 after 12 months. And as the car is priced below the £40k threshold, there will be no Expensive Car Supplement to worry about.
Business owners will receive an attractive Benefit in Kind tax rating of three per cent and the car sits in insurance group 26.
And, for added peace of mind, the Peugeot 308 is sold with a three-year warranty package that can be increased to eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) provided the vehicle is serviced at a Peugeot network garage.
 

While the influx of Chinese models has been met with mixed opinion, there is one thing that cannot be overlooked. They invariably carry a much cheaper price-tag than more established brands and that has created quite a stir. As a result, we are seeing huge price drops from mainstream manufacturers so they can compete with these newer models.
And that’s where we are with the Peugeot E-308. It has received quite a significant makeover resulting in more distinctive styling cues, alongside a wealth of enhancements. But the price has dropped significantly to a very competitive level. And that puts it on a par with other models in the sector vying for sales.