French vehicles have pissed off the residing hell out of me this previous decade, and the Peugeot e-2008 GT is one other one so as to add to my checklist.
Why? As a result of it’s bloody good wanting, has scrumptious cabin model and rides with peachy sure-footedness. I ought to wish to personal one.
However, this being a French model, Peugeot’s ensured sufficient causes are dialled in to have you ever query shopping for one. Then they sling a price ticket on to virtually make sure you don’t.
Comically, countryfolk Citroen and Renault make use of the identical method.
As examined, our e-2008 GT small SUV is over $67,000 to drive-away in Queensland. Right here’s what per week residing with it revealed.
Day 1: Bonjour, mon ami
You’re a sensible little SUV. Cute in some methods, however with a touch of aggression and dashes of aptitude to the styling. Simply have a look at its cheery face (above), then the lion-claw headlights and ‘fang’ DRLs beneath.
The back lights are even higher. Faucet the important thing and tri-claw pink LEDs dance an entertaining present. Little issues including persona.
However sufficient distractions. This SUV is small for such cash, and I’m struggling to see the way it’ll work as our household automotive.
I’m pawing over specs and, sorry mon ami, it’s not wanting good. The e-2008 has a spread of solely 328km, its single motor gives simply 100kW/260Nm, has 100kW most charging, and the rear seat and boot area are sized higher for a retired couple than our household of 4.
Most competitors is stronger on paper. Generally by tons.
Let’s begin with Australia’s best-selling EV, the Tesla Mannequin Y. From about $69,000 drive-away – $2000 greater than our e-2008 as examined – the RWD model has 455km vary, 194kW/340Nm, 170kW most charging, and mega cabin area for households. House charging tools would add to the invoice, however the Mannequin Y is shut sufficient in worth to problem our electrical Pug.
I may drive-away a Tesla Mannequin 3 RWD (513km vary) for round $66,000, whereas Chinese language SUV rivals just like the BYD Atto 3 and MG4 supply higher specs for much less.
The bigger BYD Atto 3 Prolonged is about $53,000 drive-away with 420km vary and 150kW/310Nm; whereas the similar-sized MG4 Essence 77 Lengthy Vary, for about $60,000 drive-away, has 530km vary and 180kW/350Nm on faucet.
I take into consideration the brand new Hyundai Kona Electrical (from round $60,000 drive away with 340km vary) and fellow Euro Volvo EX30 (round $65,000 drive away, 480km vary) and realise it’s a tricky playground for my Frenchy to play in.
Bonne likelihood, e-2008.
Day 2 – It’s a smoothy
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8617-1024x576.jpeg)
I’ll be honest. The e-2008’s exterior model has received me over, lessening the blow of its sticker worth.
Its très French Vertigo Blue paint sparkles within the sunshine, however added $1050 to the invoice. Solely Peugeot is aware of why its sole ‘free’ color is Fusion Orange, when you pay over a grand to color it boring white.
I’d collected the automotive with full battery and 340km vary exhibiting: a confidence-inspiring 12km over quoted WLTP determine. Such vary will likely be a sticking level for a lot of, myself included. Over 400km is an efficient psychological barrier to hurdle; 500km much more so. Simply over 300km makes longer journeys much less palatable.
The claimed economic system determine of 14.1kWh/100km seems optimistic on first drive. I cowl 130km of the Bruce Freeway and power use is over 18kWh/100km. To be honest, it’s humid as hell and I ask the air-conditioning to work additional time. Rattling good air-con truly. Blows very chilly and quickly chills the cabin.
First impressions are it’s one of many extra gutless EVs you’ll drive. There’s a Sport button, hastening progress barely, but it surely nonetheless labours to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
Know what? I cease caring about that as a result of energy supply and the general drive is splendidly clean. There’s no trace of wheelspin; torque’s nicely managed and it’s blissfully quiet at low speeds.
Okay, there’s noticeable tyre roar at 110km/h, and the audio system’s not one of the best to drown it out.
However the suspension soaks up bumps nicely, and the adaptive cruise management is one other clean operator. I hit visitors and take a look at its cease/go perform. It brings the Pug to a whole cease after which resumes driving when the visitors forward begins shifting. Adore it.
However in any other case, the automotive received’t coming to a whole cease in on a regular basis driving eventualities. Mystifying. There aren’t any steering wheel paddles to regulate regen, and you may’t take pleasure in one-pedal driving within the metropolis, sadly. A ‘B’ mode on the gear shifter prompts regen whenever you lift-off the throttle, but it surely’s very light and has simply the one setting.
Day 3 – House charging
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8606-1024x576.jpeg)
It bothers me when EVs don’t come included with home energy level charging cables. The Peugeot’s one is an additional $1325, then they ask one other $79 for the flimsy bag to retailer it in.
It does, nevertheless, include a Kind 2 wallbox/public charging AC cable as commonplace.
These stay below the e-2008’s boot ground, severely consuming in to the 434L total cargo area. Load area with this in place is just like a small hatchback’s.
As this e-2008 is an EV tailored to the platform of an ICE car (the petrol 2008 SUV), packaging isn’t as sensible as a devoted EV platform’s. Result’s no frunk below the bonnet: simply electrical element gubbins. It is a disgrace, as storing cost cables below right here can be supreme.
I’ve not bought a wallbox charger at dwelling, so am reviewing dwelling charging simply plugged right into a family socket.
I start with 39% battery life and 114km vary. After seven hours and 40 minutes, I’m as much as 68% and 218km vary. That’s a acquire of round 13km per hour of charging. Doesn’t sound nice, however I discover if you happen to preserve it recurrently topped up and at all times plug in when returning dwelling, it covers city life journeys simply.
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8605-1024x576.jpeg)
As for power use, I’m seeing 15.9kWh/100km round city. That’s nonetheless considerably over Peugeot’s official determine. It’s a scorching scorching summer season day so I lower it some slack.
You probably have a wallbox, the e-2008’s onboard charger is 11kW three-phase. Utilizing a 16A wallbox at 11kW would fill the 50kWh battery from empty to full in a claimed 5 hours. A single part 32A wallbox does the job in 7.5 hours.
Day 4 – Household travels
![The cabin of the Peugeot e-2008](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Peugeot-cabin.jpg)
I’ve two youngsters, aged 11 and eight. They’ve lengthy legs and take a lot of stuff with them.
The e-2008’s dimension guidelines out carrying their bikes within the boot (we managed this in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 with one rear seat folded), whereas the Peugeot’s again seat area isn’t huge. Once more, a sufferer of not being a devoted EV platform.
The children rating two USB ports again right here, however no air vents. In a Queensland summer season, such an omission’s very noticeable. And annoying. Two youngsters continuously asking for extra air aimed their approach from our entrance vents is a little bit of a deal-breaker towards this automotive.
A minimum of rear seats are comfy and it’s good and lightweight within the again due to the included glass sunroof. It opens, in contrast to many big panoramic roofs, however doesn’t stretch totally again over the rear occupants’ heads.
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/thumbnail_IMG_8712-1024x576.jpeg)
Rear seats are a bit compromised for six-foot adults. Toe and knee room isn’t good, however head room is okay. Rear doorways have massive slabs of onerous plastic, and there’s the identical on the seat backs. You are feeling a bit second class again right here.
You are feeling extra particular sitting up entrance. Seats are a mixture of nice-to-touch Alcantara and fake leather-based, which is able to warmth your bottom. It being 35C exterior, this wasn’t wanted, so the shortage of ventilated seats was extra noticeable.
The motive force’s seat is electrical and with a therapeutic massage perform. Entrance passenger has plastic handles and should depend on again seat passengers for some again and shoulder consideration.
I can grumble concerning the lack of goodies. There’s no wi-fi charging or wi-fi smartphone mirroring (you will need to cable-in for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), no head-up show and no Car-to-Load (V2L) performance.
What’s cool is the i-Cockpit: a low-mounted slither of a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, made nearly readable if you happen to put the tiny, flat-bottom steering wheel near your legs.
It has a 3D show which tasks driver data in hologram type. It could sound unnecessarily over-technical, but it surely works nicely, is neatly customisable and I discovered it very clear in delivering data.
Much less so the 10-inch infotainment display screen. It’s a fiddle to navigate, you will need to function most of your local weather management by right here – good grief knobs and dials can be a lot simpler – and the reversing digital camera high quality’s poor. A minimum of there’s a birds-eye view perform to make sure it really works nicely.
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/thumbnail_IMG_8715-1024x576.jpeg)
Saving graces are CarPlay proved glorious by the display screen, and there’s a blessed financial institution of piano model keys for fast entry to some controls. This contains one the place you hit ‘Most A/C’ and the vents instantly fireplace out chilly air at a loud, highly effective charge. Crucial throughout summer season.
Total it’s a pleasing cabin, however cosy. A few of the door plastics are too flimsy, as is the driving force show encompass, whereas the piano black centre console rapidly attracts fingerprints. As per most French vehicles, the cup/bottle holders are higher for espressos than massive drink bottles. Absolutely having the ability to match a bottle of Beaujolais within the centre must be necessary, Peugeot?
Let’s end on positives. The pretend carbon fibre weave by the sprint seems good, armrests are cosy, and a spread of ambient lights make it a vibrant place to take pleasure in at evening.
Day 5 – Let’s discover some corners
![The Peugeot e-2008 on the move](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Peugeot-driving.jpg)
Full disclosure. French vehicles and I’m going approach again. I owned a candy dealing with Renault 19 in my youth, then loved a few years with a quick street/racing Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9. I like them gentle, playful and looking forward to lift-off oversteer.
I don’t maintain out a lot hope for the near-1600kg e-2008, though it’s hardly heavy for an EV.
I head for my native take a look at route with corners aplenty. Into Sport mode and, nope, there’s nonetheless not a lot shove on supply. However into the primary roundabout and… wow. It sits nicely, stays composed and planted, and the steering really feel isn’t half dangerous.
I get to the intense corners and it’s truly fairly good enjoyable. There’s respectable steadiness and never a lot physique roll, and the 215/55 R18 tyres maintain on nicely.
As a summer season storm arrives and soaks the street, it turns into ever extra spectacular. Grip ranges stay adequate (it’s fairly slippery), and I begin to actually admire the texture by the titchy steering wheel.
Oh however the braking’s horrible.
Brake really feel is poor, as I’ve discovered with far too many EVs. There’s nothing… nothing… then immediately the anchors jam on. It’s very onerous to brake easily, and I discover that significantly disagreeable in any automotive, particularly whenever you’re out having some twisties enjoyable.
Day 6 – DC public charging
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8670-1024x576.jpeg)
Nearly per week in and my power use is over 17kWh/100km. What’s happening, e-2008? Why so hungry for electrons?
It’s making a 300km vary appear extra probably – high quality for our typical city use, however I’d be fearful of normal charging stops on a street journey. Vitality use does climb a good bit when on the freeway, and I’ve seen it actually will get energy hungry when climbing hills, similar to the Peugeot e-Accomplice van I examined.
I seize the chance for some public DC charging. Closest to me is a 50kW one, so I’m not being honest to the e-2008’s 100kW most functionality.
I start on 46% battery, begin charging, and 52 minutes later have drawn 23.4kWh and we’re exhibiting 95% battery and 318km vary. It’s price me simply $7.03.
I’d accomplished some procuring whereas it charged, however in contrast to different EVs – Tesla and Polestar particularly – there’s not a lot to entertain you if you happen to stick with the automotive whereas charging.
The above allow you to take pleasure in Netflix, Amazon Prime or a choice of video video games (for the children, clearly), however within the Peugeot you’re seemingly anticipated to only sit again and focus on Voltaire or Foucault’s teachings together with your excessive forehead travelling companions.
There’s a MyPeugeot app, which proves as helpful as a paper beret in a monsoon.
It pairs with the automotive and the app tells you anticipated issues like distance of you final journeys, time you travelled and the way a lot battery life stays.
However how about how a lot power you used on the final journey? Nope. Total economic system? Nope once more.
Okay, how about one thing straightforward and extremely helpful like having the ability to pre-cool or pre-heat the car earlier than you get in? Non, Monsieur. Pas de attainable.
I contact Peugeot Australia to see what I’m doing improper. Can I pre-climatise the automotive? Distant begin it? Specify charging begin occasions when at dwelling? “The options you’ve listed aren’t at the moment accessible for the Australian market” is the response. It’s very unusual, as on-line tutorials for the app present it functioning in different markets.
Day 7 – Au revoir, chérie
![2024 Peugeot e-2008 GT](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0040-1024x576.jpg)
After nearly 1000km I’ve averaged 17.4kWh/100km, a great chunk over the official consumption determine. I’ve actually not pushed it onerous, so can solely put it all the way down to a good bit of freeway driving and the air-con being labored lots.
I’ll miss the e-2008’s model, its clean drive and enjoyable, spectacular dealing with. It’s proved a really pleasing automotive for round city, and common dwelling charging has dispelled any vary anxiousness.
However you’d should be a correct Francophile – or Peugeotphile – to select the e-2008 within the face of such robust competitors.
In isolation it’s an aesthetic, enticing and nicely engineered small SUV. It’s simply that the competitors do most issues higher.
A Tesla Mannequin 3 or Mannequin Y is roomier, smarter and rangier. A BYD Atto 3 or MG4 are less expensive for related package and related EV drive expertise.
Spend a splash extra and the good all-rounder Hyundai Ioniq 5 2WD is yours, and for Euro SUV expertise there’s such a robust contender now with the Volvo EX30 priced equivalent to the e-2008 at $59,990 earlier than on-roads.
However French automotive patrons are a loyal lot. You’ll not be disillusioned with the model on supply right here, nor the stunning, straightforward drive that’s classic Peugeot. Simply be sure you think about the opposition as nicely.
Peugeot e-2008 GT specs
Value: $59,990 plus on-roads
Value as examined: $67,136 drive-away (Queensland)
Fundamentals: EV, SUV, 5 seats, FWD
Vary: 328km (WLTP)
Battery capability: 50 kWh (46.3kWh usable)
Battery guarantee: 8 years/160,000km
Distance travelled on take a look at: 922km
Vitality consumption: 14.1kWh/100km (17.4kWh/100km on our take a look at)
Motor: 1 entrance 100kW/260Nm
AC charging: 11kW, Kind 2 plug
DC charging: 100kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds
Servicing: 5 years pre-paid servicing is $1000, with providers yearly or each 25,000km.