If you want a fun and irresistible electric hatchback, check out the Peugeot e-208. This is the latest model from the French automaker, which is part of the Stellantis group that also includes brands like Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. So what makes the Peugeot e-208 stand out from the crowd? Let's take a closer look at this electric hatchback and see what it has to offer.
Design
The first thing you'll notice about the Peugeot e-208 is its eye-catching design. It has a sleek and sporty silhouette, with a distinctive front grille that features a lion emblem and LED daytime running lights. The rear end has a black strip that connects the three-claw taillights, giving it a modern and dynamic look.
The Peugeot e-208 also comes in a variety of colors, including metallic blue, pearl white, red, black, gray, and yellow. You can also choose from different wheel sizes and designs, ranging from 16 to 17 inches.
The interior of the Peugeot e-208 is equally stylish and comfortable. It has a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to five passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom. Depending on the trim level, the seats are upholstered in fabric or leather. The dashboard has a futuristic feel, with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver also gets a 3D digital instrument cluster that displays key information such as speed, battery level, range, navigation, and driving modes.
One of the coolest features of the Peugeot e-208 is its i-Cockpit, which is a compact steering wheel that gives you a better view of the road and enhances your driving experience. The steering wheel also has buttons that let you control various functions without taking your eyes off the road.
Performance
The Peugeot e-208 is powered by a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an impressive range of up to 217 miles on a single charge. That's more than enough for most daily commutes and weekend trips. The battery can be recharged using a standard 120-volt outlet or a fast-charging station that can restore up to 80% of the battery in just 30 minutes.
The electric motor delivers 136 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, which translates into quick acceleration and smooth handling. The Peugeot e-208 can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 93 mph.
The Peugeot e-208 also lets you choose from three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Eco mode optimizes the battery consumption and reduces the power output for a longer range. Normal mode balances performance and efficiency for everyday driving. Sport mode boosts the power output and responsiveness for more fun behind the wheel.
Safety
The Peugeot e-208 is fun to drive and safe to ride. It comes with a host of advanced safety features that help you avoid accidents and protect you in case of one. Some of these features include:
- Adaptive cruise control: This feature automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
- Lane keeping assist: This feature warns you if you drift out of your lane and gently steers you back to the center.
- Blind spot monitoring: This feature alerts you if there's a vehicle in your blind spot when you change lanes.
- Automatic emergency braking: This feature applies the brakes if it detects a potential collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist.
- Rear cross traffic alert: This feature warns you if there's a vehicle approaching from the side when you back out of a parking spot.
- Parking assist: This feature helps you park in parallel or perpendicular spaces by steering the wheel for you.
The Peugeot e-208 also has a high-strength steel body that absorbs the impact of a crash and protects the occupants. The battery is also well-protected by a reinforced casing and a cooling system that prevents overheating.
Price
The Peugeot e-208 is available in four trim levels: Active, Allure, GT Line, and GT. The base Active trim costs $32,000, while the top-of-the-line GT trim costs $38,000. These prices are comparable to other electric hatchbacks in the market, such as the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Chevrolet Bolt.
The Peugeot e-208 also comes with a warranty that covers the battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty also covers the electric motor and other components for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
The Peugeot e-208 is one of the finalists for the 2022 North American Car of the Year award, which I'm honored to be a part of as the president of the jury. It's competing against some tough rivals, such as the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Colt, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Golf.
Conclusion
The Peugeot e-208 is a fun and irresistible electric hatchback that offers a lot of value for your money. It has a sleek and sporty design, a spacious and comfortable interior, a powerful and efficient electric motor, a long-range battery, and a host of safety features. It's also one of the finalists for the 2022 North American Car of the Year award, which shows how well critics and consumers receive it.
If you're looking for an electric hatchback that's fun to drive, easy to charge, and good for the environment, give the Peugeot e-208 a try. You won't regret it!
