Written by Ted Welford Updated: 22 April 2024

Overview

Though there are plenty of electric SUVs available, if you want an estate car with EV power, your options are far more limited. But that is starting to change, with the arrival of the new Peugeot e-308 SW another welcome addition. 

Based on the Peugeot e-308 hatchback, which went on sale in 2023, the SW adds increased practicality into the mix, with a body 270mm longer than the standard car. It looks almost identical to the regular Peugeot 308 SW too, which can be had with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines. 

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The introduction of the e-308 SW means that almost all of Peugeot’s cars are now available as an EV, and it carries over many of the strengths from its other vehicles – including a stylish design and high-quality interior. Its one downside is a high list price of more than £40,000 which isn’t helped by being significantly undercut by the MG5, while even Vauxhall’s mechanically similar Astra Sports Tourer Electric is cheaper. But can its style and comfort still make it a great choice? Keep reading for our expert review. 

What’s it like inside?

The Peugeot e-308 SW’s interior is a real highlight of this estate car. As with most modern cars from the French firm, the quality feels a cut above more mainstream choices, such as the Vauxhall Astra. High-spec GT models in particular feel premium with smart part leather, part-Alcantara seats and contrasting lime green stitching throughout. 

There’s plenty of technology on offer, too, with the 10.0-inch main touchscreen working well in tandem with digital ‘i-Toggle’ buttons that are used as shortcuts. These are configurable to your tastes, so you can have the shortcut buttons you’re most likely to use. The large digital instrument cluster positioned high up in the dashboard is clear and offers plenty of customisation. You can also get it with a 3D effect, though it can be difficult to read with this function turned on. 

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In many ways, the e-308 SW makes for an excellent family car, and a great alternative to a crossover. The boot is a great size at 548 litres, increasing to 1,574 litres with the rear seats folded. The space on offer matches that of hybrid derivatives, though is slightly down on the 608 litres you get with standard petrol and diesel models There are release handles in the boot to quickly drop the rear seats, too. Rear-seat space isn’t massively generous for adults sat behind a taller driver, though there’s plenty of room for children back there.

Comfort

While we’ll touch on road comfort later on, there’s plenty to like about the e-308 SW’s physical comfort. The GT’s leather and suede seats are very supportive, and for a £500 option, these can be electrically adjustable and have a massage function. 

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That said, some drivers might not get on with Peugeot’s unusual driving position, which boasts a small steering wheel designed to be positioned low. It aims to make the car feel a bit more engaging to drive, but you can find that the top of the steering wheel blocks the view of the digital dial display, meaning you have to readjust your driving position to one that’s not quite as comfortable.

Safety

Safety organisation Euro NCAP tested the latest Peugeot 308 in petrol form in 2022, awarding it an average four-star rating owing to mediocre scores in categories for vulnerable road users and safety assists. Euro NCAP is yet to say if this qualifies for electric versions. 

You’ll need a top-spec GT model for additional safety equipment, as only this version comes with adaptive cruise control as standard. 

Electric motors

The single electric motor powering the E-308 SW provides a maximum of 156hp and 270Nm of torque (pulling power) – though you only get this amount in Sport mode or whenever you fully flatten the accelerator.

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The benchmark 0-62mph time is 9.9 seconds and top speed is 106mph. If anything, it actually feels slightly slower, as Peugeot has unusually engineered a slight pause into the accelerator response, making the E-308 feel more like a conventional automatic than many electric cars.

What’s it like to drive?

Despite quite average performance, the e-308 SW is still among one of the best electric estate cars to drive at this price, with Peugeot creating a car that’s both involving but also comfortable. 

The ride is supple and does a brilliant job of soaking up bumps in the road, and is ideal for the UK’s potholed roads. All e-308 models also ride on the larger 18-inch alloy wheels, which makes the ride quality all the more impressive. Refinement is also a strong point, with the e-308 SW being very quiet at speed, and the optional driver assistance package, which includes advanced adaptive cruise control, makes for easy driving over longer distances. 

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Though it lacks the zippy performance of an MG5, the e-308 SW is still good to drive. The steering is surprisingly heavy, but once you’re used to that, it’s quite good fun to throw into bends and delivers plenty of grip. That’s despite being a lot heavier than regular versions of this estate car. 

Range and charging

The e-308 SW uses a powertrain that’s shared with many electric models from Peugeot, as well as Citroen and Vauxhall. 

It uses a 54kWh battery that Peugeot claims allows for a range of up to 254 miles. It’s one of the most efficient electric cars on sale, with a real-world range of 200 miles possible, which is excellent for an EV with a battery of that size. 

It’s also equipped with 100kW DC rapid charging capability, which enables a 20 to 80 per cent recharge in just 30 minutes. If connected to a 7.4kW charger, often used in home wallboxes, four hours and 25 minutes can get the battery from 20 to 80 per cent. 

What models and trims are available?

The electric e-308 SW isn’t available in the 308’s usual entry-level trim Active trim level, and instead there’s a choice of Allure or GT.

Standard equipment is fairly comprehensive on the Allure and includes heated front seats, a reversing camera and 18-inch alloy wheels. You also get a 10-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Above this sits the GT, which brings Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and a 3D digital instrument cluster. It also gets a generally sportier look, upgraded seats and gloss black roof rails. 

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Prices for the e-308 SW aren’t cheap, and start from £41,195 for the Allure and £43,320 in GT trim. It’s considerably more expensive than other 308 SW models, and around £1,000 more than the standard e-308 hatchback. 

There are still quite a lot of options that you can add on top too, including a Drive Assist Pack for £960 and a panoramic glass roof for £1,100. 

What else should I know?

The Peugeot e-308 SW is currently one of only a handful of electric estate cars available, but it’s worth noting that the number available will only continue to grow. Audi, BMW and Volkswagen will all introduce EV wagons throughout 2024, though these will be much larger cars than the Peugeot. 

While the Peugeot e-308 SW’s list price is particularly expensive, it’s worth being mindful of big discounts offered by dealers. At the time of writing, we saw several newly-registered examples for £32,000, representing more than £10,000 off the original list price. 

To find out our overall rating, click below for the Peugeot e-308 SW verdict page.