Read Caroline’s Peugeot E-308 review for everything you need to know about buying Peugeot’s new electric hatchback in Ireland.
Peugeot Ireland has expanded the 308 range with the arrival of the new E-308. The compact electric hatchback goes on sale alongside petrol and diesel versions, but with the advantage of no tailpipe emissions and lower running costs.
It’s also sharply priced compared to the petrol mild hybrid, and even undercuts the diesel automatic. So it’s well worth a look within the 308 range.
Available in just two highly specced trim levels, the new E-308 is available from €36,995 for the Allure and from €39,795 for the GT.
The lion brand has just launched the new Peugeot 3008 SUV in Ireland, but the 308 offers a smartly-styled hatchback alternative within the Peugeot range.
Let’s take a closer look.

Design
The E-308 shares the same gorgeous styling as petrol and diesel versions. It’s not immediately obvious that this is the electric version, except for a discreet ‘E-308’ badge on the boot lid. It’s a beautiful car and looks particularly good finished in Elixir Red (€970). Olivine Green is the standard colour for the 308 Hatchback.
At the front, the grille is bold and avant-garde with the brand’s new lion shield logo in the centre. Slim LED headlights and fang-like daytime running lights give the 308 an upmarket edge. It’s hard to find a better-looking hatchback than the E-308.
What’s the difference between the E-308 Allure and GT?
GT models get a few little extras such as matrix LED headlights, the shield logo on the front wing, flared side sills and front bumper edging, full LED ‘claw effect’ rear lights, as well as a small GT badge on the boot lid. The Allure model sits on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the GT gets 18-inch diamond cut. Both models have sporty tinted rear windows.
Peugeot E-308 Interior
The cabin of the E-308 is also mostly identical to petrol and diesel versions of the 308. It feels very sporty and driver-focused from behind the wheel thanks to the wraparound Peugeot ‘i-Cockpit’, as seen in some other Peugeots like the smaller 208 and 2008. The steering wheel is a neat compact size and you look over that at the full digital driver display.

There’s a smart touchscreen in the centre of the dash, with crisp graphics and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. While there is a heavy reliance on touch control, Peugeot has introduced handy ‘i-Toggle’ customisable shortcut buttons that make it easier to pull up your favourite functions quickly, like climate control or navigation.
The quality is top notch and the E-308 is one of the most upmarket electric hatchbacks on sale. The E-308 GT has plush Alcantara seats with lime green stitching that make the E-308 feel posher than most of its peers.
Does the E-308 have heated seats?
Yes, the spec is high including heated steering wheel and heated front seats. There’s also traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and a parking camera.
For a sportier ambience, GT models add a black roof liner, aluminium front door sills and aluminium pedals. There’s also lumbar support for the driver’s seat and a leather steering wheel.

Practicality
The E-308 shares the same platform as the rest of the 308 range so passenger space is the same no matter which model you go for. There is a transmission tunnel that eats into legroom for a middle seat passenger but really this hatchback will be most comfortable for two in the back. There’s not a huge amount of legroom for adults to stretch out. There is an estate version available (the E-308 SW) that sits on a longer wheelbase and feels a bit more spacious for passengers.
How much boot space does the E-308 have?
The E-308 hatchback has 361 litres of space, which is similar to an MG4 but not as much as petrol and diesel 308s (412 litres). Still, there is a place under the boot floor to stow away the charging cables. The E-308 SW has a larger boot (548 litres) and only costs about €850 more than the Allure hatchback.
What is the range of the E-308 in real world driving?
Peugeot quotes up to 416 kilometres (WLTP) in range for the E-308 from a 54kWh battery (51kWh usable). During my test drive, my average consumption for the week was 13.7 kWh per 100 kilometres. That translates to a real world range of about 372 kilometres.
There’s a heat pump to help with efficiency, and regenerative braking that can be activated from pressing B on the drive selector.
The battery warranty is up to 8 years or 160,000 kilometres.
PEUGEOT E-308 VIDEO REVIEW
Driving the Peugeot E-308
In truth, the E-308 might not have a huge battery but it is very efficient. Hatchbacks tend to be more efficient than SUVs as they are lower to the ground and not as heavy. That’s definitely true for this electric 308. It’s also light and engaging to drive with smooth steering and good cornering ability.
The electric powertrain adds a pleasant smoothness and refinement to the driving experience. It’s effortless to drive without the engine noise of petrol or diesel variants of the 308. With 156hp and 260Nm of torque, it’s not built for sharp performance but it’s adequate in the grand scheme of things. The E-308 feels powerful enough for its size with 0-100km/h in a modest 9.6 seconds though a Tesla Model 3 offers more lively performance. Driving modes include normal, sport and eco, and the E-308 does feel punchier in the sport mode.
All 308s get laminated glass in the windscreen and the GT adds this to the front windows too for extra sound proofing. There is some road noise at high speeds on the motorway but generally the E-308 has an impressively quiet cabin that makes it feel more upmarket than many of its peers. It also doesn’t suffer from an overly stiff suspension so is a comfortable drive over a variety of Irish roads.

How fast can you charge a Peugeot E-308?
The E-308 can charge up to 100kW at public fast charging stations. That’s not outstanding these days but it will go from a 20-80% charge in about 30 minutes. There’s also an 11kW onboard AC charger, which can be useful for quicker charging from the more plentiful 22kW chargers in Irish towns and cities. At home from a 7.4 kW wallbox, it will take about 8 hours to charge the battery to full.
Verdict
The new Peugeot E-308’s competitive pricing means it’s a compelling choice if you’ve set your heart on this gorgeous French hatchback and are ready to dip your toe in electric motoring. It offer an incredibly smooth electric powertrain and is pleasantly refined and comfortable for Irish roads. The battery and range are modest enough and it won’t throw you back in your seat like a Tesla Model 3 every time you touch the accelerator, but it is a capable and efficient companion for the road. Allure and GT models both come very well-equipped, the GT just that little bit more exclusive.
Pros: Traffic-stopping style, posh cabin, refined drive, efficient.
Cons: Smallish boot, rear legroom, muted performance.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
The post Peugeot E-308 Review | Classy electric hatchback appeared first on Changing Lanes.