Peugeot E-308: First test drive of the new MY24 compact sedan

The Peugeot E-308 drives very well

The all-new compact sedan impressed during extensive testing. IMTEST was driving an electric car around the Catalan port city of Tarragona. There E-308 was admired for its cheerfulness, smooth running and reliable cornering behavior. The E-308 felt very good on narrow streets and steep inclines. As they are spread across the landscape of Penedès, the most important wine region in Catalonia. The electric car was able to score in sport mode (the most powerful mode on the Peugeot). This drove the agile E-308 GT to power up. If you want to take things a little slower, choose normal mode. Eco economic conditions are recommended for urban areas. And also ACC for automatic cruise control (with Active Safety Brake Plus). This proved itself during the test, for example during a long stop-and-go journey in the city of Tarragona.

Other E-308 driving and parking assistance systems:

• Front parking assist, acoustic and visual (GT level)
• Invisibility assistant with a long distance of 75 meters (not necessary in conjunction with the Surrounding package and the Surrounding Plus package)
• Rear Traffic Alert, which warns of an imminent danger when backing up (optional in conjunction with Surround Package and Extra Surround Package)

In mountainous areas, it is clear that the all-electric innovation for the 2024 model year with a weight of 1,759 kg can efficiently use its electric power of 115 kW (156 hp). In the test, sharp uphill and downhill corners left a good impression on the driver – without worrying that the fun will end quickly.

According to Peugeot, one charge of the 54 kWh lithium-ion battery with 51 kWh is enough for 415 kilometers (according to WLTP). The E-380 battery can be charged using a standard three-phase on-board charger with an output of 11 kW – for example in your home wall box. In a public 100 kW fast charging station, the E-308 can be charged from 20 percent to 80 percent in less than 35 minutes. As the manufacturer promises.

Seating, all-round visibility, safety

As usual, Peugeot has a heated steering wheel and heated driver and front passenger seats. Which can make a trip with “him” very pleasant even on cold days. Speaking of the steering wheel: This one has a compact design (see image below). It sits very low in the cockpit – which has the advantage that the shoulders can rest in a relaxed position while driving. Thanks to the flat top and bottom of the steering wheel, the digital driving display with, among other things, the speedometer, the activated driving assistance system or the step-by-step instructions of the active route guidance are always visible . Overall, the suite of digital 3D tools in the GT (available as an additional paid option for the base variant) leaves no questions behind. Everything is presented in a clear, easy to understand way. In addition, thanks to the very comfortable, rear seats in the test car, even long distances in the Peugeot can be completed comfortably and without tension.

Despite its compact design, the Peugeot offers enough space for four passengers. Although tall test drivers (more than 1.85 meters tall) noted the entry of a small amount and the risk of hitting their heads. However, the 1.44 meter long car provides enough headroom inside. Both in the cockpit and back. And even if the C-pillar is a bit wide, you can see the surroundings clearly when you look over your shoulder (see image above). The flat glass leaves little of what is happening in front of the driver hidden. When looking from the side, only the headrest of the passenger seat disturbs the clear view.

Here’s how you can get through the winter safely with your car.

iCockpit: Control center in Peugeot E-308

The fact that the new Peugeot E-308 is also a completely revised variant of the Peugeot 308 can also be seen in the latest generation iCockpit. What this means is the interaction between the narrow steering wheel and the 3D digital instrument cluster (typical for the GT). With a 10-inch (25.4 cm) touchscreen, optional customizable control panels (called i-Toggles) on the Dipslay display (see photo gallery below) and the Peugeot i-Connect Advanced infotainment system.

The Peugeot E-308 is also available as an electric station wagon

Peugeot also sells its compact electric sedan as a station wagon under the brand name E-308 SW (see image below). This applies in addition to those already available MG5 Lightning, They are ET5 Touring as well as the one that will also be available soon Opel Astra Electric Sports Tourer as one of the first electric station wagons that are available or will be available in Germany. The E-308 SW with a length of 4.64 meters has a trunk volume of 548 liters and up to 1,574 liters with the seat folded down. The E-308 has 361 liters and a maximum volume of 1,271 liters with the rear seats folded.

Price and availability

The first models of the new Peugeot E-308 and E-308 SW, which are produced at the Peugeot factory in Mulhouse in France, are already available for order and will be available soon. According to Peugeot, sales won’t begin until the 2024 model year. The Peugeot E308 will be available in Allure and GT trim levels. The starting price then is RRP 44,765 euros for the base Allure variant.

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