Peugeot E-308 SW review

The E-308 SW is an uncomplicated car that doesn’t require too much from you to drive, but it’s probably more fun than you’d imagine it’s going to be. The steering is incisive and helps you to place the car exactly where you want it. Peugeots rode and handled with real verve and magic in the 1980s and '90s - and while the firm's 2020s equivalents don't operate in the same stratosphere, they're good. Certainly among the more interesting steers in the Stellantis group.

Is it good for long distances? 

The E-308 SW is rated at 275 miles of official range (up around 20 miles with its mid-life facelift), which will work out at more like 200 miles of real world driving: enough for longer journeys punctuated by charging rest stops. The ride is smooth over undulations and larger bumps but can get a little noisy over potholes and the like. It feels like the kind of mature, fuss-free machine you’d expect from a carmaker like Peugeot.

It’ll also seat four people in decent comfort with a good bit of luggage, so a family touring holiday off along the continent isn’t out of the question.

How fast will it charge?

The E-308 SW will max out at 100kW charging, which is solid if unspectacular. But it’ll get you from 20 per cent to 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

On a 7kW home charger it’ll do the same in a whisker under 4.5 hours and it’ll take nearly 15 hours on a domestic wall socket. The onboard charger is actually rated at 11kW if you can find a decent three-phase AC socket.

How fast will it drive?

The official 0–62mph time is 9.5 seconds - down nearly half a second with the smarter battery chemistry of the facelift - and the E-308 SW will max out at 106mph: not the sort of heroics you expect from an electric car, but everyone’s had enough of wheel-scrabbling torque and grim-faced acceleration by this point. Peugeot’s done well to ease the E-308 back a notch and create a car that’s more flexible for urban and long-distance use. 

You get Eco, Normal and Sport modes that ramp up the power levels, but the E-308 SW is fine left in Eco mode unless you’re running late or want to overtake something. There isn’t a one-pedal driving mode, nor adjustable regen in early models aside from selecting B mode on the drive selector, but the facelift introduces steering wheel paddles to toggle through three regen levels. It's a very welcome addition and adds further depth to an already likeable driving experience.