Why Lease The e-208?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
Peugeot e-208 Review 2023
The Peugeot e-208 is a small electric hatchback that’s great for small families and city drivers. It has a fantastic interior, a competitive electric range, and fast-charging capabilities.
Rivals to the e-208 include the Mini Electric, Honda e, Vauxhall Corsa-e, and Renault Zoe.
Our Peugeot e-208 review covers:
Peugeot e-208 Key Features
- Great exterior design with nice three-claw headlights
- Lovely interior that's well built and features good materials
- 311-litre boot
- A 100kW motor paired with a 50kWh battery
- Three trim levels
Peugeot e-208 Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Good design and looks similar to the standard 208
- Fast charging as standard
- Good electric range
Cons:
- Rear space is limited, especially for adults
- Infotainment system is not as good as rivals
- A bit expensive
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The e-208 has pretty much the same exterior as the standard 208, so it's a fine-looking thing. It has a bold front grille, three-claw LED headlights, and a flowing body from front to back. The only difference is that you get an 'e' letter on the back.
The e-208 has a decent amount of space throughout the cabin, but it's definitely oriented towards city dwellers and small families. In the front, there's enough space for two adults, while in the rear, three children can fit, but taller teens or adults will struggle with the head and legroom.
Boot space comes in at 311 litres, which is the same as the regular 208. It's way bigger than the Mini Electric and Honda e, and only slightly falls short of the Renault Zoe.
Interior and Trims
The interior of the e-208 looks and feels fresh. You get a two-tier dashboard that's solidly built and features a good range of high-quality materials. Although there are a few hard plastics as you move down, there's not much to complain about for the interior of the e-208.
On the dashboard, you get a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Upgrade to GT, and you'll get a larger 10-inch screen that includes sat-nav.
One difference to the standard 208 is the digital instrument display behind the steering wheel that shows all the required electric vehicle data such as range, charge etc.
Three trim levels are available: Active Premium+, Allure Premium+, and GT.
Active Premium+ has 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, power folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, and automatic lights and wipers.
Allure Premium+ has a configurable Peugeot 3D i-Cockpit, 3D connected navigation, a 180-degree colour reversing camera, and an aluminium-style pack for the pedals and front door sills.
GT has 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights and Smartbeam assist, front parking sensors, a diamond black roof, and eight-colour interior ambient lighting.
Power and Performance
Under the bonnet, you get a 100kW motor with a 50kWh battery. It's paired to an automatic gearbox and has front-wheel drive.
It returns a power output of 136hp and will do 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the Honda e and Renault Zoe.
You also get a combined range of up to 224 miles, but expect this to be less for real-world driving. For charging, the e-208 has fast charging capabilities and can charge from 0-80% in half an hour. Using a 7kW home charger, it'll fully charge in seven hours.
Around town, the e-208 is in its element. The electric motor is responsive and nippy, and the automatic braking works very well. At cruising speed, engine noise is kept to a minimum, which is relaxing.
Handling is light and accurate and is great for navigating tight streets; however, rear visibility is a bit limited thanks to a middle column to the right of the driver. If you want maximum visibility, upgrade to the mid-range trim to get a reversing camera.
Because of the extra weight of the e-208 compared to the original, Peugeot has made the suspension slightly firmer. Although it is only a minor change, you notice more bumps and potholes in the road.
As you increase the speed, the e-208 gets to 70mph with ease and can also overtake without putting too much strain on the electric motor. You'll notice wind noise a bit more at higher speeds because of how quiet the engine is, but that's us being picky. You also get loads of driver assistance systems such as cruise control, lane keep assist and driver attention warning.
On a country lane, the e-208 is decent and handles okay, but does not provide a fun and engaging drive. If this is something you're after, go for the Mini Electric.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Peugeot e-208 start from £30,645.00 OTR* or to lease from £237.92 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Peugeot e-208? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
