1. Driving Report Peugeot e-308 SW Facelift: Quite okay and no chance

• A little reshaped
• High-quality interior
• Sufficiently agile
• Range: Hardly any significant progress
• Absurd price

It has been demanded for a long time, the Stellantis group, which includes brands like Peugeot and Opel, has been able to deliver it for years – but hardly anyone is taking advantage of it. We are talking about the combination of a spacious station wagon and a battery-electric drive. Opel and Peugeot offer this. With a minor facelift of the 308 model series, Peugeot wants to re-ignite interest in the target group. However, the prospects for the success of this endeavor are rather limited, and the manufacturer itself is responsible for the reasons.

A little reshaped

Of course, this revision is also accompanied by some reshaping of the plastic parts. Perhaps Peugeot will actually succeed in making the 308 appear more dynamic in the eyes of the target group. Whether a now illuminated brand logo at the front and a "sophisticated rear" contribute to further beautifying the model is up to each individual to judge. Unchanged, the station wagon offers significantly more space than the sedan. The wheelbase is 6 cm longer in the station wagon. In the electric motor version, the trunk holds 548 liters. This is considerably more than in the plug-in hybrid, which only accommodates up to 467 liters of luggage.

Peugeot e-308 (4 Bilder)

Im Cockpit, hier ein 308-PHEV im Bild, hat sich nicht viel verändert. Die Verarbeitung erscheint solide, die Auskleidung in den teuren Ausstattungslinien hochwertig. (Bild:

Peugeot

)

High-quality interior

The minor facelift has only subtly changed the 308’s interior. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can now be integrated wirelessly, and the instrument cluster has a modified 3D view. Peugeot has not touched the ability to assign five areas below the screen in the center for direct access to favorite functions. The idea is not new, but it’s good because it shortens the paths to things the driver often uses in everyday life. The infotainment system is still far from being lightning-fast, but it worked flawlessly in the test car. The dashboard is cleanly finished and the interior is largely high-quality – at least in the more expensive trim levels. The small steering wheel takes some getting used to.

Only for the two top variants does Peugeot offer a massage function, which is more than just a gimmick with its numerous programs. Numerous elements move in the backrest, and quite skillfully. In any case, one sits above average well in the 308, both in the front and in the rear. The electric car is also pleasantly quiet, a circumstance that is particularly noticeable when switching directly from an internal combustion engine. If Peugeot were to make the dampers a little more compliant, the comfortable impression would be complete.

Sufficiently agile

A facelift offers the opportunity to address weaknesses. The previous e-308 was not exceptionally fast or long-ranged, charged relatively slowly, and was astonishingly expensive. On the road, the spontaneous acceleration of the 115 kW motor is pleasing up to a speed that the driver is not allowed to exceed on country roads. On the highway, it accelerates somewhat less powerfully above 130 km/h than some competitors. However, considered on its own, the e-308 is more than adequately equipped for many demands in this regard.

Range: Hardly any significant progress

The traction battery has been increased from 54 to 58 kWh. In WLTP, the range of the station wagon increases to 410 km. The range we determined with the test car in the summer of 2024 will change only marginally at best. Expect less than 300 km range on the highway on an annual average. Under real conditions, with the slightly larger battery, it might be 20 to 25 km more.

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When charging, there is no progress. It remains at 11 kW on alternating current and 100 kW on direct current. Peugeot states a charging time of 32 minutes for charging from 20 to 80 percent. This results in an average net charging power of 65 kW in this window. It is still not recommended for very long journeys.

Absurd price

This is certainly not decisive in every driving profile. Surely there are some interested parties in the target group who would overlook such a weakness if the price were right. But what Peugeot is asking for is more reminiscent of a defensive offer than giving the impression that the car is actually intended to reach a larger customer base. The electric station wagon costs 43,425 euros in the base trim. Those who want the upscale "GT" version will get very close to the 50,000 euro mark without any additional extras.

For a well-equipped e-308 SW, Peugeot officially asks around 50,000 euros. The acceptance of these expectations can be seen in the demand: the 308 is very rarely ordered with a battery-electric drive.

(Image: Peugeot)

Even if the street prices were lower, they clearly only approached the target group’s expectations in exceptional cases in the past. If Stellantis actually wants to change this situation, the prices must come down. The e-308 drives so pleasantly outside of long-distance travel that it would certainly deserve wider distribution than it has had so far. If Peugeot does not change the list prices, the e-308 will remain an exotic.

(mfz)

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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.