After the announcement last December, the electric E-3008 is now available at dealerships; from access to incentives to real-world range, through to its strong focus on comfort, we tell you everything in our test drive.
We gave you a preview last December, when Peugeot showed Italy the brand's latest electric car for the first time: the E-3008. We announced the start of sales, which got under way in February, the type of vehicle (it's a family-sized SUV measuring 4.54 metres in length, with an almost sporty design, at least at the rear), the electric range (up to 700 kilometres in the top-of-the-range versions) and the charging time (30 minutes from 20 to 80 per cent under the best conditions and up to 160 kWh, which we'll come to shortly). What was missing were the prices: the 210-horsepower version in the Allure trim starts at 41,980 euros and qualifies for the 2024 car incentives, while the top-of-the-range GT version at 49,720 euros is excluded; among possible alternatives to the Peugeot E-3008 in terms of price and specifications, comparable electric cars might include the Tesla Model Y, Nissan Ariya or Hyundai Ioniq 5.
We can also confirm the profile of this electric car: two trim levels, three electric motors, three power outputs (currently from 210 horsepower, with 230 and 320-horsepower versions to follow), available in two- or four-wheel-drive configurations. Now, after our test drive, we're able to add a few more observations — on driving pleasure, performance, comfort (perhaps the standout aspect), efficiency, and a number of other points we'll be covering shortly.
For now, the available version is the entry-level one (the subject of our test), fitted with a 157 kW or 210-horsepower motor, a 73 kWh battery (guaranteed for 8 years or 160,000 km at 70 per cent of its charge capacity) and a declared electric range of around 500 kilometres — a figure that, as always, can vary considerably in real-world use. The bidirectional Vehicle to Load charging is a handy feature, allowing other devices to be charged (at an output of 3 kW), such as an electric scooter.
So let's pick up where we left off, but this time we're getting inside the E-3008, because that's where this electric car surprises you most. An electric car for families, as we mentioned — a so-called crossover, but with something sporty about it. Starting with the small, easy-to-handle steering wheel (heated, with the gear selector nearby and paddles to adjust the 3 levels of energy regeneration), through to the large screen — almost like a home television at 21 inches — which effectively acts as the interface between the front passengers and the road. Peugeot call it the "Panoramic i-Cockpit" with a certain dramatic flair, but they're right: it immediately lends a high-tech feel to the cabin, which is itself spacious and welcoming in its materials (the contrast between the natural texture of the fabrics and the aluminium on the dashboard and door panels is particularly pleasing), with lighting that can be personalised in 8 colours of your choice.
Before we tell you what the electric E-3008 offers on the road, let's stay put for a moment longer, because a little acclimatisation is needed to get to grips with the large curved display and the controls. Starting with the central touchscreen, which — to be clear — is aimed at both driver (primarily the driver, given the display's angle tilted towards them) and front passenger. Bear with us: to the left of the screen, above the steering wheel, you'll find the instrument cluster, which clearly provides all the key information — from speed to driver assistance systems; to the right, moving towards the centre, is the touch-sensitive section, from which you can adjust the climate control (which on some versions is powered by a heat pump, making it more efficient), the sat-nav, the radio and the section with the numerous apps.
All clear and intuitive. More or less. What takes a little practice are the buttons; the reason is that there are 10 of them and they can be personalised to give you quick access to as many functions as you like — the most-used ones, the ones you want to keep at your fingertips, so to speak: calling your partner, asking the sat-nav to take you home or to the office, tuning in to your favourite DAB channel (LifeGate radio, of course…), or setting the climate to your preferred temperature. Once you've done the initial setup, everything becomes very straightforward.
We mentioned comfort at the outset. Indeed, the E-3008 — at least in this 210-horsepower version — impresses more for its comfort than for outright performance. And there are many reasons for this. From the expected quietness of the electric motor (complemented here by effective soundproofing from external noise), to the interior space, the brightness of the cabin, right through to the support of the front seats, which on some versions can also be ventilated and massaging, and can adapt to the occupant's build thanks to special inflatable air chambers. In short, you're very comfortable — serene, even (and serenity at the wheel is an aspect that carries significant weight in the Mobility Revolution rating when defining the driving experience of a car).
The air quality aspect is also well handled, with a system that monitors the presence of pollutants inside and outside the cabin and, on some versions, actively treats the air by filtering pollutant gases and particulate matter. Space? Adequate, with a great many storage compartments, handy wireless phone charging, a refrigerated space under the central armrest, a sunglasses holder, and cup holders. In short, the E-3008 is also a practical electric car, with good luggage space and a convenient tailgate — its only drawback being the steeply raked rear window, which can limit the loading of bulky items.
And now let us turn to what the Peugeot E-3008 has to offer in everyday use. Comfort is the first impression. Even though the small, sporty steering wheel suggests a performance-oriented car, the prevailing sensation is that of a relaxing drive. Whether you choose "normal" mode for all-round use, "eco" mode, better suited to the city where the drop in power goes unnoticed and driving remains rewarding, or switch to "sport" for a more dynamic feel, the overall behaviour of this not-exactly-lightweight (but well-balanced) SUV is pleasant throughout.
Switching between the various modes, the steering sensitivity, throttle response and gear-change speed all vary accordingly, coherently matching the chosen driving style. In short, as mentioned at the outset, this is an SUV — or crossover, whichever you prefer — designed with the family in mind: sporty in appearance but practical in behaviour, even in the city where, despite dimensions that are not exactly ideal, it remains easy to drive and park (the rear camera, which self-cleans for consistently sharp visibility during manoeuvres, proves very useful here). And if parking manoeuvres make you anxious, four cameras offering a 360-degree view around the car are available as an optional extra.
As for electric range — one of the aspects that still raises a few doubts when buying an electric car — in the case of the E-3008, of the 525 kilometres declared you should realistically expect around 400, with a feature that greatly reduces range anxiety: when you set a destination in the navigation system, it first suggests the ideal route (taking into account distance, current battery charge level and the charge you want to arrive with, speed, traffic, and even any hills along the way), then shows you journey times, intermediate stops and the charging options available at your destination.
The suite of so-called Adas — the driver assistance systems that help reduce driving errors and collision risks — is impressive too. From the automatic emergency braking with collision-risk alert, which detects pedestrians and cyclists (day and night), to the lane-departure warning (with the steering wheel automatically correcting the trajectory), through the system that alerts the driver in the event of distraction, to road sign recognition — extremely useful, as it displays stop signs, no-entry signs, no-overtaking signs and so on directly on the instrument cluster. In short, all these systems contribute greatly to the peace of mind while driving mentioned earlier.