Peugeot E-408 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The updated Peugeot 408 fastback range, which arrived here late 2025, features a fully electric 408 version, giving Irish 408 customers the option of an electrified petrol-hybrid or fully electric powertrain. 

The all-electric E-408, manufactured at the Stellantis Mulhouse plant in France, brings a distinctive silhouette to the important C-segment with coupe-like lines and distinctive French styling. I like the car’s overall look which is a blend of saloon and crossover, the signature Peugeot fang LED lights at the front, the stylish grille with the new shield badge in the centre, and the triple-clad LEDs at the rear, along with the two high rear spoilers charmingly referred to as ‘cat ears’ due to their angular shapes at the top of the roof, which are designed to help airflow around the vehicle. Black cladding around the 19-inch graphite alloy wheels adds to the overall look along with privacy glass. But I missed a rear wiper. 

While there are five exterior colours to choose from, my car looked really good in Okenite White. The cabin is upmarket, typically Peugeot, with gorgeous materials and trims and a nice sweep to the dash. This top specced car had black inner roof lining, aluminium front door sills, lovely Alcantara soft touch materials. Well-bolstered, ergonomically designed bucket seats were sporty and comfy; front ones can be heated. Seats had manual adjustments. They are certified by the German Action Gesumder Rucken Association, which campaigns for healthier backs and offers optimal support to prevent spinal pain through extensive adjustments. 

Peugeot’s i-Cockpit features a flat top, compact steering wheel, a 10-inch digital instrument panel and a similarly sized, centrally located touchscreen, the latter mid-dash with beautiful graphics. It comes with Peugeot I-Connect Advanced, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, built-in navigation and voice recognition. A trip planner with charging station integration is included in the infotainment system. Below the touchscreen are five virtual i-Toggle buttons for shortcuts, and a row of physical buttons for climate control, fan, screen demisters, as well as a volume knob. The 10-inch customisable digital instrument panel shows all the necessary information including your current speed. But when adjusting the steering wheel to suit your driving position, make sure the top of the wheel doesn’t block your vision of your speed. Paddles off the steering wheel manage up to three levels of regeneration. The user-friendly Stellantis flick-switch transmission shifter is on the split level central console. 

Features include wireless phone charging, for USB-C ports, dual zone climate control, a decent glovebox and door bins, and a storage area beneath the twin-door front armrest. Rear space is much better than you would expect from a coupe-style car with OK headroom for tall people and best-in-class knee room, aided by deep indents on the front seatbacks. The transmission tunnel isn't high enough to impede foot space. There are two Isofix child seat anchors in the rear; seats split 60/40 and the middle seat back comes down to provide a hatch to the boot. The power tailgate provides wide access to the boot. Luggage capacity is a very decent 470 litres that can expand to 1,545 litres with rear seats folded using a lever in the boot. The hybrid version provides 536 litres. An area below the floor is for storing cables and puncture repair kit. 

The entry Allure trim features keyless entry, 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a 180-deg colour reversing camera with wash system with rear sensors, LED headlights, automatic dual zone air conditioning, high beam assist, extended traffic sign recognition, and cruise control. The upper-level GT trim adds more Peugeot shield badging, a drive assist plus pack that includes adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, and the foot operated power tailgate. Safety features include automatic emergency breaking (detects pedestrian and cyclists, day or night; collision risk warning, long-range blind spot monitors on side mirrors, and rear cross traffic alert - ideal for busy supermarket carparks! 

The E-408 features a 210hp electric motor with 345 Nm of torque paired with a high-efficiency 58 kWh battery (under the floor to preserve interior space), offering up to 453km WLTP range and a heat pump that helps maintain range in cold weather. An 11 kW AC onboard charger comes as standard; you can fast charge from 20-80 per cent in just over 30 minutes or quick charge to add 100km in 10 minutes. E-408 offers a comfy and very refined drive experience over all types of roads making it ideal for urban or country journeys. The suspension seemed to glide over rural roads where I live while the 453km range is practical for daily commuters, especially those with home chargers. Visibility was good out front/side when approaching roundabouts; rear visibility was hindered somewhat by the car’s coupe styling. Drive modes are Eco, Normal and Sport. 

The 2025 Peugeot 408 maintains a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating, based on testing carried out in late 2022. Peugeot offers a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and three-year EV Service Plan. Annual road tax is €120 for the all-electric and €190 for the Hybrid145. 

The Hybrid 145hp and E-408 start at €38,995; the E-408 GT from €43,995 (electric price includes SEAI grant and VRT rebate).

Pat Shortt partners with Slatterys Garage Puckane

Slatterys Garage, Puckane, Nenagh, Co Tipperary has appointed one of Ireland’s best-know entertainers, Pat Shortt, as a brand ambassador for the dealership while driving a Peugeot 3008 hybrid, writes Trish Whelan. The family-run business has represented the Peugeot brand for over 55 years. 

The popular comedian, actor, writer and Tipperary native, will travel the country in the Peugeot 3008 as he continues to perform live shows and appearances across Ireland. The partnership will see Pat feature in a number of promotional activities for the dealership throughout the year, including social media content and local campaigns highlighting the Peugeot range. 

Andrew Slattery, Dealer Principal of Slatterys Garage said: “Pat, like ourselves, has strong roots in the local community and we are delighted to welcome him as an ambassador for Slatterys Garage, and Peugeot.”

Peugeot 408 hybrid review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

When Peugeot’s stunning-looking 408 model went on sale here at the start of 2023, it was heralded as the first of its kind in the history of the brand, offering a new fastback silhouette to compete at the top of the C-segment. It provides a very stylish alternative to a much taller SUV. Based on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot 3008 and its first cousin, the Citroën C5 X, the 408 is offered in both petrol-hybrid and fully electric formats. 

My 408 review car measured 4.69m in length, with a long wheelbase of 2.79m, which provides good interior space and a big boot. It was attractive from every angle, with its low-slung, streamlined, fastback-coupe-like silhouette, sleek appearance, sharp lines, and a grille the same colour as the bodywork. It sat on very smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels that came as standard. The spacious interior is fitted with some very nice tweed-like materials and trims on the dash and doors, and the big sloping handles located near the hinges on the front doors meant I did not have to stretch far out to grab a handle to close my door. 

The dash is dominated by Peugeot’s i-cockpit design (standard on all 408s), which comprises a 10-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a similarly sized 3D driver’s digital instrument screen, and a small, flat top-and-bottom steering wheel. With my shorter frame, I could clearly see my current speed on this instrument cluster, but the lower steering wheel blocked my view of the bottom section of the screen. Both screens feature colourful graphics against a dark background. I found the central screen a bit fiddly to use, but the row of i-Toggle buttons below makes it easy to access key features on that screen. Virtual buttons are for Mirror Screen, Phone, Navigation, Air Direction, Dual-Zone Climate Control, Media, and Home. There is a C-type USB port, a 12-volt power socket, and a mobile phone charging pad on the front. Other pluses included the high-definition reversing camera and blind-spot monitors on the side mirrors. Cubbies include a twin-door front armrest with ample space below, C-type USB ports, a decent-sized glovebox, and large door bins. The front seats held me in well and were really comfy; they had manual adjustments. The two-level area of the central console doesn’t much appeal to me but includes two cupholders, the gear selector for the automatic transmission, the engine Stop/Start button, the drive mode selector for Sport, Normal or Eco modes, and an electric parking brake. 

People seated in the rear have decent legroom, but with the roof slope, headroom could be tight for very tall people. The middle seat back lowers as an armrest with two large cupholders, and there’s a hatch through to the boot. The liftback operates manually; luggage capacity of 536 litres can expand to 1,611 litres with the rear seats folded down; the boot has a bespoke rubber mat, a 12V power socket and light, and a puncture repair and tyre inflation kit. 

The Allure model includes keyless entry, LED headlights, High Beam Assist, Hill Assist, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, extended traffic sign recognition, and cruise control with adaptive Stop & Go. The top GT trim adds a choice of 8 ambient lighting colours, Matrix LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and GT model designation badging. The hybrid model is a 145bhp petrol matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid driving lets you drive in electric mode for over 50 per cent of the time in urban areas, helping lower fuel consumption. The battery charges automatically when the car is decelerating. 

On the road, I had a good driving position thanks to the adjustable steering wheel and the high seating position. The car proved very easy to drive, and the three-cylinder engine was peppy enough for a family’s everyday use, with a 0-100km/h time of around 9.4 seconds. Peugeot claims a combined fuel consumption of around 5.1 L/100kms. The narrow rear window hampers visibility due to the car's coupe styling. Parking sensors are standard. When tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, the 408 scored four out of a possible five stars; 76 per cent for adult protection, 84 per cent for child occupant protection, 78 per cent for vulnerable road users and 65 per cent for safety assist systems. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. 

Peugeot offers a five-year warranty, limited to 100,000 km. The entry-level Allure hybrid starts at €28,995; my 145 hybrid starts at €37,995. Prices exclude dealer delivery-related charges. Road tax is €180 for the hybrid.

Brussels reveal for revised Peugeot 408

A substantial upgrade of the Peugeot 408 was revealed at the Brussels Motor Show, writes Brian Byrne. The makeover includes a redesigned front end, new lighting, and new interior materials.

The car has three powertrain options: electric, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The electric version includes Battery Preconditioning, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), and Plug & Charge capabilities.

The revisions include an illuminated brand and name, completely new front lights discreetly positioned lower in the bumper, and an evolved interpretation of the three-line 'claw' daylight running light signature.

Inside are redesigned graphics in the information clusters and customisable ambient lighting.

The current 408 is a coupe-crossover that debuted in 2022. 

Peugeot E-5008 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The third generation of the Peugeot 5008, the largest SUV in the company’s line-up, introduced here last February, is available in hybrid or all-electric versions, with both starting at €50,995. This sizeable SUV appeals to expanding families with its robust styling, seven-seat practicality, ample boot space, numerous high-end safety features, and a choice of powertrains. However, most 5008 buyers this year have opted for the mild hybrid. My review model was the E-5008 electric version. 

The front showcases a robust SUV design with a high bonnet, frameless grille, and Peugeot’s lion’s claw effect LED daytime running lights (also in the rear). The side highlights the 2.9m wheelbase, indicating plenty of interior space and comfort. The top GT version features Pixel LED headlights, gloss black pillars and side mouldings, a black diamond roof, privacy glass, and the new Peugeot lion shield logo on the front wings. 

Peugeot cars are known for their beautiful interiors, and this is no exception, with excellent fit and finish. However, I suspect that the grey tweed-like material on many surfaces may not withstand the wear and tear from children with sticky fingers. My driver’s seat only had manual adjustments. Second-row seats can slide forward and back and recline as well. Access to the third row is easy, though they are better suited to children or smaller adults. Legroom here can be limited if the second-row seats are moved further back. Alternatively, you can slide the middle seats forward to create more legroom for those in the third row. 

Storage options include a hidden compartment on the left side of the central console, large front door bins, and a deep space beneath the twin-door front armrest. There are three USB-C ports throughout the cabin and a wireless phone charging pad. The stunning Panoramic i-Cockpit on the dashboard features a 21-inch curved display combining the driver’s instrument panel with a central touchscreen for the i-Connect infotainment system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 3D navigation. You can also access key features via the conveniently located physical i-Toggle shortcut buttons below the screen. 

The flat section of the central console is divided into two levels with different switches. Peugeot’s i-Cockpit includes a small steering wheel. Newcomers to the brand may need some time to get used to this compact wheel, but it gives the car a sporty feel and allows quicker reactions if needed. Unlike in some other Peugeots, I had a clear view of my speed on the instrument display after adjusting the wheel height to my 5ft 4in stature. Scroll through the buttons here to customise the instrument cluster to your preferences. The transmission selector is located on the dashboard beside the engine start/stop button and includes a B mode. Regenerative paddles offer three levels of energy recovery. 

The second row features a flat floor, a middle seat back armrest with two cupholders, its own climate control, and two ISOFIX anchors (one of the three previously available has been removed), as well as built-in sun blinds in the rear doors. Boot capacity stands at 348 litres with all seats in use, expanding to 916 litres with the third row folded, and a generous 2,232 litres with both the second and third rows folded flat. When all seven seats are in use, cables and the parcel shelf can be stored beneath the adjustable boot floor. There is only enough space for a tyre repair kit. 

Electric options include a 210bhp 73kWh 2WD version with up to 502 km WLTP range, a 230bhp version with a 96kWh battery offering 668 km, and a forthcoming AWD Dual Motor version with 320bhp and up to 500 km range. The 210bhp model claims an electricity consumption of around 17.7kWh/100km, peak torque of 437Nm, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.7 seconds. There is also a Mild Hybrid variant producing 136hp. 

On the road, visibility is enhanced by the tall, wide windscreen. The vehicle was very quiet and refined, with a smooth ride, though it can feel a bit firm over rough surfaces. The extensive blue ambient lighting, linked to the Drive Mode, was less appealing to me during night driving. DC fast charging from 20pc to 80pc takes approximately half an hour. During charging, the screen in my car showed 202km of charge equalled 52pc of the full charge. 

Trim levels are Allure and GT. My GT trim featured a power tailgate, heated front seats and steering wheel, an excellent 360-degree camera, front and rear sensors, small blind spot monitors, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. 

The new Peugeot 5008 received a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, which included the E-5008 electric variant. It scored 80pc for adult occupant protection, 85pc for child occupant protection, 79pc for vulnerable road user safety, and 62pc for safety assist. In summary, the 5008 is among the top seven-seater family cars available. Prices are from €50,995; my GT version from €54,995.

 

 

Peugeot e-5008 Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

If the latest Peugeot 5008 looms large outside your house, that may be partly due to its lack of exterior decoration. writes Brian Byrne. The designers reduced the number of external decorative inserts and chrome in the interests of sustainability and replaced them with body-coloured parts. The result is an expanded impression of size, particularly in the review car's dark grey — Titane, they call it. Then again, the 5008 IS big, it's larger, for instance, than the Skoda Kodiaq and the BMW X3. And though the same width as its 3008 sibling, there's an extra 240mm of length, allowing it to accommodate a third set of seats ... or really a lot of luggage. Overall, it's more imposing than beautiful, which makes it a bit of an outlier in a brand that specialises in attractive-looking cars. That said, it looks good, even the understated rear treatment.

The interior follows the theme set with the launch of the latest generation 3008 last year, with a sweeping dashboard style. A wide floating element incorporates the infotainment system and the driving instruments. It is set high to combine with the small steering wheel and give an over-the-wheel view of them in Peugeot's trademark i-cockpit style. An asymmetrical centre console feels like it was more a stylist's than a driver's creation, oddly offsetting climate control buttons. It also relegates the transmission selector to a strange place on the dashboard. There's also a peculiar storage space, the lid of which is clearly designed to stow a phone, but the phone has to be lifted away to access the storage. Then, the French are often known for idiosyncrasies, I suppose. 

None of that takes away from a driver space that proved to be a really comfortable place, not least because getting in and out of it is easy.

Those in the seats behind also have good stretching space, as should be the case in what is a medium-large SUV format car. The pair in the rearmost seats should ideally be children, but they won't feel squashed. Nor will luggage have to be — with five onboard, there's a whopping 748L of capacity, and with seven, there's still a decent 259L.

The 5008 comes in two grades here; my review version was the upper one, the GT. Key upgrades include LED lights front and rear, the former with adaptive high beam, one of the modern technologies I think is worthwhile. A kick-operated electric tailgate is another part of the deal.

I had previously driven the hybrid, so I'm in the battery-electric version this time. Here again, we have two options: the 73kWh battery in my car or a 97kWh long-range car. Its minimum rated range is 489 km, with an anticipated real-world range of between 370 and 400 km. Again, all depends on where and how you're driving. The same comment applies to whether it will suit you — if regular, very long distances are needed, you must be a good route planner to be comfortable.

Again, there's a caveat here. I regularly hear complaints from my motoring journalism colleagues about the range in electric cars. Still, most people I know who actually own an EV remain happy with their choice.

The drive in the e-5008 is quiet, reasonably brisk with the 210hp on tap, and one doesn't get tired on longer trips. Interestingly, the car, the motor, and the battery are all made in France, so it is truly a French car. Peugeot in Ireland is currently number eight in the sales league, and the 5008 is the brand's second-biggest seller. A quarter of those sales are the electric version, which says that a substantial cohort of buyers in that space is committed to leaving combustion behind.

Part of that might be the pricing — after incentives, both the electric and the hybrid 5008 sell at the same figure.

PRICE: From €50,995; review car €54,995. WHAT I LIKED: That it won me over despite the idiosyncrasies.

Revised Peugeot 308 on the way

Revised versions of the Peugeot 308 and 308SW will arrive in Ireland early next year, writes Brian Byrne. They will have improved powertrains.

Key style changes will include an illuminated Peugeot badge heading a full reimagined grille with features that improve aerodynamics. New lights are also among the changes.

New interior details include a digital instrument cluster with enhanced graphics across the range, as standard.

The second row seats in the wagon SW version have a three-way split to provide more flexible seating and load carrying.

Powertrains include full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric, the last with a more extended range than the outgoing cars.

Full specs and prices for Ireland will be announced closer to its arrival here.

Peugeot 5008 leads large SUV in Ireland

The Peugeot 5008 is Ireland’s best-selling large SUV with sales surging 38 percent year-on-year as of 13 July 2025, writes Brian Byrne. 

Now with the added benefit of an electrified powertrain, the 5008 is available in hybrid and all-electric variants, and proving its appeal across a broad range of drivers. 

In 2025 to date, one in four 5008 buyers has chosen the electric version, making it the best-selling electric 7-seater model in Ireland. 

Peugeot E-3008 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Sometimes it takes a while to get a car style that seems just right, writes Brian Byrne. A bit like Goldilocks's porridge tasting, a pendulum swings from so-so to wild and finally finds its medium perfection. Medium, of course, can be just dull, but that's not the case to my view of the latest Peugeot 3008.

It's the third generation of a car that really started in 2009 as a stretched 308 hatchback but caught the incoming crest of the compact crossover-SUV trend and rip-surfed on what was eventually to become a big party wave. The relatively soft styling didn't get in the way of numerous awards, including the then Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2010. When the second generation came in 2017 it repeated the feat as the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2018. This one arrived here last July.

The latest style has pulled back from the quite aggressive refresh of 2021, and in the process has brought the model to a more elegant space especially in the very coherent front-end treatment. Any SUV boxiness has also disappeared with the advent of a distinctly coupe shaping with an almost Kamm-back design originally designed in the 1930s to reduce drag. The overall visual result is of a more compact car than its predecessor, although it is actually longer and wider.

Inside, the 3008 is an edgy place to be, with angular lines and sharp corners to the dashboard and instrumentation elements. There's also a fairly unique style to the centre console, which takes a bit of getting used to and is a bit of a stretch to get to some of the buttons and also required the transmission selector to be moved to the dashboard. The infotainment and driving information screens are merged into one wide high-mounted unit, the latter viewed above the compact steering wheel in Peugeot's now familiar i-Cockpit mode. All of which offers a sense of drama and bridge-of-the-starship feeling. A line of digital buttons below the centre ventilator are perfectly placed and well marked to access some key operations including phone, music and climate. Radio volume is a nice manual rolling knob.

You don't get Peugeots without getting comfort and the latest 3008 is no exception. The seating is good, front and rear, with the headroom for those in the back not suffering in any way because the coupe slope starts behind them. On the other hand, that same styling element means the driver's rear view is in practice reduced to virtually a slit of back window. Fortunately, for reversing, the camera system is excellent. A similar boot capacity to the previous car is adequate.

The latest 3008 is available with plug-in petrol-hybrid and full electric powertrains, and my review car was the battery-electric model. Like all such, the drive was smooth and quiet, with road and wind noise also kept to a minimum. As there's no gearing, even the silky shifts of a good automatic are absent. The 2.2-tonne weight is not inconsiderable, but the car is still capable of a sub-9s 0-100km/h thanks to a 210hp output. A claimed 527km range is in real world only likely in city driving in mild weather, and in Irish general driving conditions something between 320km-430km is a more likely scenario. Still, a typical family driving year could save beyond €1,100 in fuel-energy costs, which is not to be discounted. 

No less than the compact SUV having expanded to be the largest segment in our market, there's a similarly extended number of electric versions surfing this particular party wave, even from within Peugeot's own familial Stellantis Group. Evaluate your needs carefully before taking the electric plunge, but for most people who have already, it is working. Sometimes better than they even expected.

PRICE: From €43,965. WHAT I LIKED: Style and comfort and a smooth driving life.    

Peugeot launches third-generation 5008 SUV

Peugeot recently launched its very stylish third-generation 5008 SUV which is bigger and much improved than the previous model and with a huge amount of standard specification, writes Trish Whelan. 

The 5008’s long 2,900mm length provides more interior space for up to seven people with an adjustable second row bench seat that can slide 150mm forward and which can also recline. There is now easier access to the third row of seats. 

A huge change is the colourful curved digital display that stretches across the dash. It sits above the compact flat topped steering wheel. It is a stunning feature to behold. It combines a head-up display. Peugeot’s I-Connect system allows you stay connected with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3D connected navigation and receive over-the-air software updates. Boot space is 348 litres with all seats in use, expandable to a huge 2,232 litres of cargo space with the second row folded down. 

Both the mild hybrid and fully-electric versions are offered at the same starting price of €50,995; in the case of the latter, this price is after state subsidies. The hybrid gets a 1.2, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and self-charging 48-Volt hybrid system that give a combined power output of 136bhp. In urban areas, this hybrid can run on electric power for 50pc of the time. The E-5008 electric version with 210bhp and a powerful 73kWh battery offers up to 502km of range on a single charge. Using a fast charger it can charge from 20-80pc in 30 minutes; with a 7kW wallbox it will take 8hrs to charge fully. 

Joining the line-up later in 2025 will be a new 230bhp long-range 98kWh battery version with a range of up to 668kms, with production starting in April. The all-electric dual motor 4-wheel drive with a range of 500km WLTP will start production in May. 

Two trim levels are offered. The Allure version gets a 21-inch panoramic display, seven seats, 360 vision & drive assist, Eco LED headlights, customisable i-toggles for short cuts, 19-inch diamond alloy wheels while GT trim adds Pixel LED headlamps, handsfree tailgate, black diamond roof, rear central armrest, heated seats and steering wheel, and gloss black mouldings.

 

 

Peugeot 208 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The 208 is the entry model to the Peugeot model line-up, with the 308 directly above it. It competes in the B-segment against the VW Polo, Renault Clio and Audi A1 among others. 

European Car of the Year 2020 it has been given an upgrade for 2024. You buy this small car from the heart for its striking and sporty good looks both inside and out, its premium finish and the long list of useful standard equipment. A car for zipping around town, easy to park and which I think will appeal more to women drivers than to men. But also an ideal car for a small family before the children grow to lanky teenagers requiring more head and leg space and the ability to be able to carry their ‘stuff’. 

My review car in Agueda Yellow would be hard to miss in a packed carpark. But for me the contrasting privacy glass and black spoiler made the yellow stand out even more. There are five other exterior colours to choose from. All are bright with a black diamond roof, gloss black wheel arches and gloss window surround, and diamond cut alloy wheels with inserts. The entry Active spec has 16-inch steel wheels. Allure has 16-inch two-tone diamond cut alloys, and the GT has 17-inch wheels. 

The cabin is stylish with beautiful trims and materials and I felt warmly cocooned. The patterned seats were comfy, though they only had manual adjustments and a tall front passenger moaned the lack of a height adjustment on his seat. I was able to get a good driving position after raising my own seat and shifting it forward and also adjusting the steering wheel but then found it difficult to fully see my current speed on the instrument cluster above the steering wheel. A Heads Up Display would have been a bonus. There are paddles off the steering wheel for changing from automatic transmission to manual in certain driving conditions. 

The 10-inch infotainment touchscreen sits on top of the dash and includes Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You see the temperature on the top of the screen along with the digital time. A row of piano toggles below the screen are for fan, air con etc and there’s a real knob for volume control. Close by are two small USB ports, smartphone storage and 12v socket. The automatic transmission selector is on the flat of the central console as is the case with other Stellantis models. Here also is the drive mode control for Sport, Normal and Eco drive modes. There’s an open cubby on the dash, but not much space below the front armrest, and the glovebox doesn’t hold much either. There’s just about enough legroom for those in the back. Rear door bins are smaller than those in front, there are B and C USB ports. Rear seats can split-folding 1/3-2/3. 

Boot capacity of 311 litres is decent for a car this size. This can be expanded to 1,106 litres with rear seats down. There’s a high loading lip to contend with when loading or unloading items. There was also a well for a spare. A spare wheel is standard with the 17-inch of both hybrid or petrol. 

The grades include Active, Allure and GT grades. Petrols are 1.2-litre outputting 75bhp and 100bhp. The Hybrid 136bhp have a 6-speed automatic transmission, available with Allure and GT levels which also get the electric 156bhp version. The hybrid can do from 0-100km/h in 9.8 secs, the 136 version does it in 8.1 secs. Torque is 260Nm and hybrid road tax €180. I found the hybrid zippy enough to drive in everyday use and for overtaking or motorway driving. 

Specification included six airbags, ISOFIX and top tether fasteners on rear side seats, automatic locking of all doors while driving, very good reversing camera, and rear parking sensors. But my car had no blind spot monitor. Allure grade gets Visiopark 2 comprising HD front and rear cameras with touchscreen display of front, rear views and 360deg top view of the car’s environment. A safety pack includes Cruise Control/Speed Limiter, automatic emergency braking with collision warning, and extended traffic sign recognition. 

Combined fuel consumption is circa 4.7 L/100kms for hybrids and around 5.2-5.4 L/100kms for petrols. Torque is 260Nm, Road Tax €180 for my hybrid version. A good start point for the brand’s line-up. Prices are from €26,195; my hybrid Allure spec from €30,495. Prices include SEAI grant and VRT rebate.

 

Peugeot E-308 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

There's a trend, particularly in the US, of adding fake internal combustion engine noises to electric cars, writes Brian Byrne, especially those with a sporty ethos. So the Hyundai Ioniq 5N performance version has a traditional rally car sound pumped through speakers, an upcoming Dodge Charger EV will run digital V8 sounds out through dual 'exhaust' pipes, and Mercedes-Benz have developed an engine 'roar' for their G-Wagen EV. As yet, most of the mid-market EVs in Europe haven't gone down this aural road, sticking with the mandated pedestrian warning hums at low speeds. It's all about trying to give the switcher to EV who still hankers after their old combustion motors a bit of nostalgia to hang onto.

And it's not just about sounds — Toyota is working on a simulated manual gear shift that mimics changing gears in an electric car, which by its nature doesn't have selectable gears. Not really a new concept, I remember carmakers adding artificial 'shift points' to their non-shifting CVT automatics so that owners could get those tiny adrenalin 'rushes' that come with gear-changing.

I thought about all this while recently driving the electric version of Peugeot's 308 hatchback. Wondering why would anyone bother to want artificial engine noises and simulated gear-shifting when one of the key joys of an EV is silent smooth travel? Aren't these just the 2024 equivalent of sticking 'go-faster' stripes on your bog-standard Vauxhall Viva of the 1970s to make it look like a rally power machine? Disclosure: I owned a couple of Viva estates, but I didn't do the go-faster stripes. I did install uprated rear shock absorbers, but that was because I was regularly carrying full loads of whiskey and gin for the family pub business, to get the 'collect' discount.

The Peugeot 308 in its third generation has been around since 2022, so the shape is familiar. A compact family hatchback with a low and sleek look and good aerodynamics, it sits in a space that used to be the biggest selling segment but which has now all but been driven off the road by the crossover-SUV trend. All current Peugeots are smart-looking and the 308 offers its own distinctive take on the latest front style of the lion brand. This is the first time I've had a 308 in red, and it really does give the car a stand-out character. The high bonnet line has to do with pedestrian safety and could have looked frumpish, but doesn't. There's a fair bit going on in the car's angles and curves and character lines, but the overall sense is aesthetically pleasant to me. Short overhangs suggest a longish interior, which is actually true as the car has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor generation.

That inside has a similarly stylish treatment, with what I regard as among the most ergonomically successful driver area layouts. The high-set driver information display we're now familiar with from all Peugeot models, combining with the hexagonal small steering wheel to eliminate having to look down and through the wheel. The infotainment centre screen is neatly integrated, not extending above the dashboard line as so many do now, and I like it this way. The graphics are all bright and clear, the driver ones switchable to different formats. A mix of real switches and permanent electronic ones make operating climate and sound levels easy. The transmission selector is that neat flick-switch type I've promoted before as an exemplar for other carmakers.

The review car was the GT specification, so there was some sporty contrasting stitch detail in the seats and doors trim and steering wheel. The seats themselves are comfortable, those in the back offering decent legroom thanks to the extra wheelbase. The boot is reasonable considering both the electric and the plug-in hybrid versions encroach on capacity, with 361L compared to the standard petrol version's 412L. With the rear seats folded there's a good flat length.

On the road, the extra weight of the battery doesn't appreciably impact on ride and handling, and the suspension copes well with most of the surfaces around where I live. The smooth acceleration from the 154hp electric system isn't geared towards fast sprints, perhaps to extend range by not offering a tempting hot hatch experience. The quietness I mentioned earlier is there, albeit making road noise seem a little louder. The joys of automatic driving (for me) are part of what is an overall pleasant and coherent experience. Range was as expected from the 51kWh battery, nominally 418km and actually 337km as calculated from a 60km commute on an 8degC morning. There are zippier and longer-distance options in the segment, but the Peugeot has everyday panache.

PRICE: €40,540. WHAT I LIKED: Peugeot continues to show style. 

Peugeot opens orders for new 5008

Peugeot Ireland has opened orders for the new 5008, a seven-seat SUV available with both hybrid and fully electric powertrains, writes Trish Whelan. Pricing starts at €50,995 (includes SEAI grant). 

Two trim options are Allure and GT. 

Powertrains are the all-electric E-5008 with a 73kWh battery and 210hp motor, and the Hybrid which features a 48V system consisting of a new-generation 136hp petrol engine coupled with a dual-clutch six-speed gearbox that incorporates an electric motor. The battery recharges while driving. 

The 5008 offers up to 502km of electric range (WLTP) for the all-electric version which can charge from 20pc to 80pc in 30 minutes via DC fast charging. 

A 98kWh, 668km long range variant is set to be released in early 2025.

 

Peugeot 2008 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

What does it say about Ireland's car buyers when there are only two B segment cars in the top ten, and that across Europe the same league features five models from that segment? writes Brian Byrne. Or that Ireland's top-selling model is a fairly pricey SUV and across Europe it's a budget hatchback? Does size matter more to Irish motorists? That five of the top ten sellers here are mid-size SUVs kind of answers that question.

Maybe it's a case of family-carrying cars being more essential in a country like hours where public transport has never caught up with the public's transport needs, even in the city areas. Maybe it's just that we like big.

So to the Peugeot 2008 which I'm looking at this week. A sub-compact crossover and the 16th biggest seller across Europe last month, in Ireland at number 33 in the sales league this year. I think it deserves better from us.

It's the second generation of a car originally designed to replace a wagon version of the 208 hatchback, and which had a facelift last year that tweaked up what was already a car with a strong presence in its segment. With a lot of style elements in the grille, lights and apron that could seem to be working against each other, the overall effect is actually an aesthetic positive, especially if you want your small crossover to reflect your own personality.

My review car's dark grey and highly styled alloys meshed well with the black roof rails and other aluminium trim, maintaining the edginess of the overall look. The rear hatch is designed to add perceived width to the car, giving it a bit  more apparent overall size than some B segment competitors.

The interior fittings follow the same strong styling as the exterior, a lot going on in the dashboard shape including a stripey finish and high gloss black trim edged in metallic detail. The infotainment screen is set on its own shelf and angled towards the driver. There are good piano-style switches below it, and a knob volume control, for key on the run adjustments without too much distraction. The driver information is in the familiar above-the-steering wheel space, easy to engage with, and the 'hard' switching on the steering wheel is welcome. In the E-2008 the transmission selector is the now very familiar flip-switch style that is my ergonomic favourite.

The review car was the top GT grade, which added some sporty touches to the trim. The car has supportive front seats, and good space for two in the back ones, three young teens would also be OK. It's the nature of such small SUVs to be closer to a compact family hatchback in both back seat accommodation and luggage capacity, and this one has a very commodious boot even under the rear shelf.

The powertrain in my car was, as suggested above, electric. With 156hp of power, the 0-100km/h capability is a tad over 9 seconds and therefore reasonable rather than irrationally fast. The refresh last year added a larger battery, and while driving the car I averaged some 13kWh/100km, which gave me a fairly accurate range in excess of 400km on a full charge. As with all electrics, a quiet and smooth drive.

I also had time in an updated petrol version of the 2008, with a manual gearbox. All I've said about the car applies except that my wide foot on the clutch tends to catch the footrest in any manual cars on this Stellantis platform. It's annoying, but not a problem if you own the cars and get used to them. Still, I'm very fond of my automatics. Also I should mention there's now a hybrid version of the car, which I suspect I'm going to like.

A strong looker, feeling well built, and rather more space than a small-car hatch. Maybe you don't really need that large SUV?

PRICE: From €32,995 (100hp petrol), electric from €32,905 after subsidies; review car €36,640. WHAT I LIKED: Peugeot still leads with their style. 

Peugeot completes EV line-up with E-408

Peugeot has completed its EV line-up with the new Peugeot E408, a fully electric version of its 408, writes Trish Whelan. This follows the launch of the plug-in hybrid version in 2022. 

The new E-408 combines the convenience of a fastback silhouette with zero emission efficiency; power is from a 157 kW/210hp motor and range is up to 453kms. 

Its arrival means Peugeot now have the widest of any mainstream manufacturers in the European electric market with 12 electric passenger cars and LCVs. 

The new E-408 will be built in the brand’s Mulhouse plant in France and is expected to land here in Ireland for Q1 2025. 

Pricing will be announced closer to launch.