Peugeot e-208 review: performance, motor & drive
The electric Peugeot 208 is nippy enough and certainly lives up to its sporty looks
| 0-62mph | Top speed | Driven wheels | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1s | 93mph | Front | 134bhp |
The Peugeot e-208 feels confidence-inspiring and enjoyable on a good road, with nippy acceleration that makes light work of driving around town. The only big disappointment is that the ride feels choppy and unsettled over scruffy surfaces.
Peugeot e-208 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration
There’s more than enough zing to make the e-208 feel fairly sprightly away from the lights – if that kind of one-upmanship is your thing. While the 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds won’t trump a Tesla’s, the linear build of power and instant torque on offer makes it feel punchier than most petrol alternatives at town speeds.
It’s also more than strong enough to feel competent at motorway speeds. The throttle response is easy to modulate and sharpens up noticeably in Sport mode. Ride comfort can be a touch restless on poor surfaces, but even over scrappy UK country roads and riding on 17-inch alloys, the Peugeot keeps its composure. It’s more fun to drive than the Renault ZOE, too.
Peugeot announced it’ll fit a more powerful 156bhp electric motor to the e-208 in 2023. Exact performance figures have yet to be revealed, but it should make acceleration stronger and could help bring the 0-62mph time for the electric supermini closer to seven seconds.
Handling
The electric Peugeot feels assertive and fun in most situations, including around town or on a decent country road. The small steering wheel makes it seem darty as you turn into corners, and while the steering response is quite artificial-feeling, it’s easy to get used to and gives the driver confidence when going quickly.
Sport mode sharpens up the throttle response and weights up the steering, giving the car an appealingly zealous turn-in even if you’re navigating dull suburban roundabouts rather than a decent country road.
In Normal or Eco modes, the steering is light but precise and ideal for winding through town, and the light regenerative braking is subtle and doesn’t intrude on progress unless you snick the gearshifter into ‘B’ to increase the force. Even then, it bleeds in smoothly and remains easy to judge.
