2024 Peugeot E-208 Reviews

Petrol- and diesel-powered cars are back on the agenda in Europe. France and Germany are brokering a deal to see the European Union will walk back from its 100 per cent CO2 emissions reduction target, opting for a 90 per cent reduction instead, according to a report in Auto News. The old rules would have completely phased out petrol- and diesel-powered cars by 2035, but the EU has changed its tune. The EU is expected to also remove any offset requirements for the remaining 10 per cent that would have required carmakers to pursue expensive low-carbon steel or alternative fuels. This news means European carmakers will continue to build internal combustion cars for the foreseeable future. Rumours of the EU rolling back its emissions targets started in 2025, when multiple reports speculated the ground-breaking ban was in doubt. President of the European Parliament’s biggest party, the EPP, Manfred Weber told German newspaper Bild in December 2025, the 2035 plans were “off the table”. Weber said that “there will also be no 100% target from 2040 onwards”, ruling out a complete combustion engine ban in the future. The rules have come under extensive scrutiny from key stakeholders, including German giant Mercedes-Benz. Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius criticised the inclusion of offsets as part of the rules in March 2026, with offsets now all-but officially ruled out. “I know the market for green steel and how unrealistic those expectations are,” Kallenius said. He also said the rules could trigger a collapse in demand and distort the market. New cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 incur fines for brands under Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). By contrast, brands earn credits for cars that emit no CO2. The federal government has no plans to ditch NVES and is targeting five million EVs on Aussie roads by 2035, but some carmakers have criticised the rules. Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said regulations like NVES force carmakers to build cars to satisfy the rules, not buyers. “What we’ve seen around the world with this kind of pressure on pure EVs is that ultimately all OEMs develop compliance vehicles,” Farley said. “They’re not designed for customers. They’re designed for the OEM to be compliant and they’re subsidised by the OEMs and the customers have great choice. “That’s not a natural market and over time that winds up not being sustainable. “Something your government, or any government, has to be very sensitive to around the CO2 glide path. We want to reduce our CO2 footprint, but there’s a level that the customer can’t afford, and not all duty cycles can be electrified.” The NVES regulator handed down the inaugural 2025 performance period for NVES in early 2026. Mazda accrued over 500,000 emissions debits, which was the most of any brand, while Nissan and Subaru rounded out the top three. The regulator will release details of the 2026 performance period in February 2027, before the rules get even tougher in years to come. Some hybrid models will start to incur fines under the scheme, while utes will also come under scrutiny.

At the 2026 Paris motor show Plenty of brands provided a preview of what’s to come for buyers . Some of the world’s biggest carmakers put their work on display from ultra-affordable EVs to retro reboots of past successes.  Here is some of the biggest news to come out of the show.  Smart has revealed a new compact EV called the #2.  Boasting a two-door and two-seat layout, it’s roughly 1200mm shorter than a BYD Atto 1 and slightly bigger than the original Smart ForTwo.  It has a 330km driving range, according to WLTP standards and can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.  BYD sub-brand Denza has unveiled its answer to big hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini with its Z electric sports car.  A close rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class, the Z is BYD’s first full-on performance model.  It will use a three electric motor set-up, producing 880kW, with a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds.  Another Chinese brand is destined for Aussie shores.  Ultra-luxury brand Avatr showed off its T09 large plug-in hybrid SUV concept for the first time. It is due to launch in Australia in 2028 or 2029.  Citroen’s electric 2CV successor has landed.  The compact EV is due for launch in 2028, at 3760mm long shaping up slightly shorter than its petrol predecessor but still boasting a roll-top fabric roof.  It’s expected to be offered from a very affordable price point in Europe, but we’re unlikely to see it Down Under.  Fiat has revealed a bold new concept called ‘multiplay’, which can transform between a people mover, SUV and ute.  Measuring 4450mm long, the car shares a similar footprint to the BYD Atto 3. It features a sliding rear roof and C-pillar to enable conversion from a three-row family car, to a ute or an SUV depending on its specific requirements.  Alfa Romeo has given its iconic V6 engine a hybrid twist. Its Cuorerosso concept uses a conventional hybrid set-up, comprising a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as well as some electric motor assistance.  The Italian brand developed the concept to show off the future direction of its Quadrifoglio sedan.  Renault unveiled two futuristic EV concepts.  The E-Space concept is an electric reboot of the Espace van and people mover.  The E-Space is similarly sized to the current Espace van on sale, but uses a fully-electric set-up and features a standout sleek design.  The French brand also showed off its radical Renault 5 Turbo 3E that is a limited-run production EV version of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Its electric motor set-up produces 410kW, while riding on a fast-charging 800-volt platform.  Renault will only build 1980 examples of the car to pay homage to the original birth year of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Peugeot provided a look into its future.  The rally-inspired E-T16 concept is a nod to the 1980s 205 T16 Group B rally car, and its three electric motor set-up, makes around 600kW. Its aggressive styling and blacked out accents are said to be a showcase into future styling for Peugeot.  The RCZ Vision concept is an electric sports car based on the original 2+2 sports coupe.  It features plenty of cutting-edge technology, including a solid-state battery with 10 to 80 per cent fast charging in under 10 minutes.  The car’s electric motor set-up produces 373kW, while a curved ‘double bubble’ roof is a reflection of the original design. 

The brand may be in limbo in Australia but Peugeot has made a big statement at this week’s Paris Motor Show with the unveiling of a new-generation RCZ Vision sports coupe concept. And the big news under the four-seat GT’s svelte exterior is what the French maker states is a 110mm thick solid-state battery sitting within a 1000-volt electric architecture. Developed in collaboration with US energy specialist, Factorial Energy, Peugeot said the car’s solid-state cells have been tailored to deliver high energy density with “outstanding” charging and power capabilities.  Although its configuration isn’t detailed, Peugeot said the concept’s pure-electric powertrain is good for around 375kW with energy consumption of 11.5kWh/100km, while the battery’s state of charge is capable of rising from 10 to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes. Design highlights include the latest interpretation of Peugeot’s ‘Three Claws’ head- and tail-light signature, a ‘double-bubble’ roof echoing the original production RCZ’s (offered globally from 2009-2015) and a ‘future-generation’ version of the i-Cockpit instrument and steering wheel layout, the latter including transparent Micro LED displays. Underpinned by the Stellantis Group’s modular, multi-energy STLA One platform, scheduled to roll out in production form for B, C, and D segment models from 2027, the sleek concept features active aero, 21-inch front and 22-inch rear rims and a mix of top-shelf materials throughout the cabin, including Alcantara, recycled leather, machined aluminium and frosted glass. The dashboard clock, designed by French watchmaker, Serica, is in the form of the brand’s Parade watch, a floating centre console unites multiple functions including driving modes and climate control, while the air vents are mobile and can disappear into the dash when not in use. Unveiling the car, Peugeot CEO Alain Favey said, “With Peugeot RCZ Vision, we are setting out our vision with a car firmly focused on the future, dedicated to delivering the ultimate driving pleasure.   “With emotion at its heart, this manifesto embodies the boldness of Peugeot and shows that design and technology can work together seamlessly to create an experience that is instinctive, refined and intensely desirable,” he said.

An elaborate EV battery fire safety measure is in the works. Stellantis, owner of Alfa Romero, Jeep, Ram and more, has filed a patent for a system that can eject a car’s high-voltage battery during an emergency. The car would then use a small 12-volt battery to allow the vehicle to drive just far enough away from the ejected battery. Stellantis’ new patent filed in the United States is called the “High-Voltage Battery Quick Release System For Vehicle”. Someone must manually activate the quick-release switch or lever located in the cabin or in the boot for the system to activate. This will disconnect the high-voltage battery and decouple it from the vehicle, but it’s unclear exactly how this will happen. There looks to be a sliding-frame mechanism and a small explosion (“pyrotechnic features”) to free the battery and drop it onto the surface below.  The system could be used in situations where there is a fire risk or an otherwise dangerously-damaged battery after a crash.  Once the main battery pack has detached from the car, a 12-volt battery will power the wheels to move the car just far enough away from the damaged battery.  It’s expected this system could be fitted to any vehicle, but there is no official news on whether Stellantis is actually planning to use it. EV battery fires are rare, but self-sustaining thermal runaway causes cells to ignite sequentially, making them difficult to extinguish and very dangerous. In September 2025, Chery showed off its iCar 03T SUV with a mechanism that shot the battery out to the side of the car. The system copped heavy criticism online from users, who pointed out the potential consequences for other road users hit by the fast-moving and heavy battery.  Stellantis’ system does not appear to shoot out of the car at the same speed, rather it just drops onto the floor, but this could still be problematic for any cars travelling behind. 

Peugeot has unleashed a monster sale across its entire range in Australia.  Its Australian distributor Inchcape is wrapping up operations with the French brand, meaning stock needs to be cleared fast.  This is the best time for keen buyers to get into a Peugeot, with discounts of around $30,000 available on certain models.  The deals are available while stocks last.  The biggest discount available comes on the E-Expert Pro long-wheel base electric van that now starts from $56,990 (drive-away), down from $79,990 (before on-road costs). On-road costs can add up to $5000 to a car’s price, making this deal even more impressive.  Peugeot’s Expert Pro diesel van is also available with sharp discounts of about $8000. The short-wheel base is now priced at $43,990 (drive-away), while the long-wheel base is an extra $2000.  The brand’s other Boxer LWB starts from $49,990, compared to previous $52,990 before on-road costs pricing.  The rest of Peugeot’s car-based lineup is also available with reduced prices.  Its 308 hatchback has experienced a big price cut, with a starting price of $42,990 (drive-away) - a huge discount on its $48,990 retail price.  The 408 mid-size SUV has also seen a serious price drop. It is available from $49,990 (drive-away), compared to $57,990, before on-road costs.  The 2008 small SUV has a drive-away price tag of $37,990, which is much less than the $42,490, before on-road costs pricing.  Peugeot’s top-spec 5008 seven-seat SUV starts from $59,990 (drive-away), rather than $67,990, before on-road costs.  Peugeot’s future in Australia remains under a cloud of uncertainty, with no official confirmation of a new distributor yet.  It is unclear whether Peugeot will continue to be offered in Australia under its parent company Stellantis or another distributor.  Inchcape has distributed Peugeot Down Under since 2017, but sliding sales have seen it pull out of operations.  Peugeot has sold just 48 units up to July 2026, which still represents a nearly 44 per cent downturn compared to the same time last year.  The brand is eager to continue selling cars in Australia, according to a statement from a company spokesperson.  “Peugeot has a strong future in Australia, supported by a robust product pipeline and a clear long-term strategy. We intend to maintain continuity of distribution in Australia and will provide updates as arrangements progress,” they said last month.   “We remain committed to our customers and partners throughout this period and are confident in the brand’s long-term prospects in the Australian market.”

Sharply-priced deals can be the best way for buyers to get into a new car in Australia.  Car sales are surging, with June 2026 an all-time monthly Australian record.  Brands continue to put enticing deals on the table, even for their most popular models. From SUVs to utes and hybrid to electric, there are plenty of cars on offer at a cut price.  Here are some of the best ones we’ve found.  Ford is currently offering $3000 off and five free general services on select Ranger ute and Everest SUV models until the 30th of September.  The 2.0-litre diesel Ranger XLT 2WD top-spec dual-cab model is now available from $49,990, before on-road costs.  The V6-powered Wildtrak grade of the 4WD dual-cab pick-up is available from $72,090. The 4WD XLS and XLT cab-chassis grades start from $55,450 and $63,590, respectively, as part of the offer.  Two grades of the V6 Everest SUV are also eligible for the $3000 discount, with the Sport starting from $73,990, while the Tremor starts from $76,990.  These deals are only available on the Blue Oval’s MY26.5 stock. Peugeot is offering some serious discounts on its hybrid SUVs as it parts ways with its local distributor Inchcape.  The 2008 compact SUV is available on a drive-away offer of $39,990, with it previously on sale from $42,990, before on-road costs.  The mid-sized 3008 starts from $48,990, drive-away, down from $52,990 (before on-road costs).  Peugeot’s 5008 large SUV has a drive-away price of $48,990, contrasting its $52,990, before on-road costs, price tag.  Leapmotor has put a series of sharp deals on the table for its electrified SUV range until September 30.  The mid-sizer C10 range-extender hybrid has a $42,990 drive-away offer, with a $3000 cash-back offer reducing that price to $38,990. The car normally retails from $43,888, before on-road costs.  EV versions of the C10 are also available on a drive-away deal of $47,990, with an additional $3000 cash back decreasing the price to $44,990. This is a sizeable discount on the $45,888 before on-road costs starting price.  The smaller B10 EV is available from $38,990, drive-away, down from $43,888 (before on-road costs). BYD continues to add competitive deals across its line-up in Australia.  Shark 6 cab-chassis and Premium examples are available with a $2500 cash-back until July 31. This reduces before on-road costs pricing on the cab-chassis price to $52,500, and $60,500 on the Premium.  The cash-back offer extends to its Sealion 5, Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 SUV range, with the Atto 3 electric SUV eligible for a $2000 cash back.  Chery similarly has $2000 cash-back offers on most of its range including the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 SUVs.  This deal is only available until 31 August on cars built in 2025. Nissan has slashed the price of its Navara ute range until August 31.  There are heavy discounts on lower grade Navara units, with the base car available from $49,990 (drive-away), down from $53,348, before on-road costs.  The range-topping Navara Pro-4X ute is just $63,990, drive-away, compared to its original $68,418, before on-road costs pricing.  Existing Nissan customers are also eligible for a $2000 loyalty bonus. 

The biggest change in the Australian automotive landscape since the demise of Holden is about to play out in the coming years. In just the past few weeks we’ve seen both Peugeot and Fiat ‘pause’ Australian operations amid steeply declining sales. Peugeot has sold just 427 cars in the first half of 2026, a more than 40 per cent decline on its sales last year. Fiat was even worse off, managing just 144 sales. They could potentially join a growing list of brands that have officially left the Australian market in recent years, including not only Holden but Chrysler, Dodge, Infiniti, Opel and Citroen. The problem is simple, and one I have outlined before - you can’t fit 10kg of dirt in a 5kg bag. The cold, hard fact is the Australian car market isn’t very big, at least not in global terms, with between 1.1 and 1.2 million cars sold each on average. The pie is only so big, so to speak, so with each new brand that arrives, the slice of pie each brand gets grows smaller. When a brand like BYD arrives and quickly rises to claim an 8.6 per cent market share, as it has done in the first half of this year, those sales have to come from another brand’s share. There are now about 70 brands, and more coming seemingly every month, competing for those one million sales. With Toyota taking a 15.7 per cent share, BYD with its 8.6 per cent and a few other brands like Kia, Hyundai and Mazda with more than five per cent, it doesn’t leave much for the rest. Brands with less than one per cent market share include, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, Cupra, Deepal, Foton, Genesis, JAC, Jaguar, Jeep, KGM, Land Rover, Leapmotor, Renault, Skoda and XPeng. Market share is not a guarantee of success either. Holden may have lost some share in its final years, but it was still a leading car brand in Australia at the time General Motors pulled the plug. But obviously the more vehicles you sell the better your chances of survival. One of the obvious reasons for this dramatic change in the past five years has been in the flux of Chinese car brands. Many have arrived with appealing products at an attractive price, which is why BYD, GWM, Chery and MG have all made meaningful inroads into the market. Obviously these brands, and the rest of the Chinese newcomers, put pressure on the established order, but that is how a free market works. The competition between brands drives improvement in the cars we drive and the value brands offer us. Not to be harsh, but if Holden, Chrysler and the rest offered more appealing products to Australian new car buyers they’d still be here. That’s the cold reality of capitalism. Having said that, the new Chinese brands are not any safer than any of the established names, perhaps even more at risk. Case in point, Foton and XPeng are both already on their second attempt at the Australian market. On top of this increasing market competition car brands are also facing the challenges from the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES). This requires them to sell more lower emission vehicles or face heavy financial penalties and many brands were simply not prepared for it. It means many brands need to deal with increased competition putting pressure on them to make their cars cheaper, while at the same time potentially needing to make their cars more expensive to compensate for government fines. As one industry expert put it to me several years ago, when NVES was being developed, not all brands will survive. It’s sad, it will mean job losses and less choice for you, the new car buyer, but that is simply the reality we all face. Holden may have been a high-profile departure but Peugeot and Fiat’s recent 'pause' is likely a portent of things to come. The Australian new car market is now a survival of the fittest and that will likely mean it looks very different in the not-too-distant future…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular and mainstream in Australia, however many lack a feature that limits their long-distance driving capabilities. And that's a spare wheel. For decades it has been a common-fit item that is extremely handy if you get a puncture out on the open road. What is becoming more popular now, especially in electrified vehicles, is to replace the spare wheel with an inflator kit as this space is usually being taken up by the high-voltage battery. The inflator kits typically include a 12V-powered air compressor and a 'can of goo' which plugs up minor air leaks in the deflating tyre. However, these inflator kits won’t help in every event of a puncture, especially if it’s a more significant one that compromises the tyre sidewall, for example. In these circumstances you’re typically left needing to call a tow truck, which is incredibly painful if you’re away from a town with a tyre repair shop. There aren’t many out there, but here is a rundown of all the new EVs currently available in Australia that have some form of physical spare wheel.   The 2027 Chery E5 is the only new EV passenger car in Australia to feature a full-size spare wheel. There is now only one trim level of the E5 (formerly known as the Omoda E5) offered in Australia. It’s priced from $37,990, drive-away. The 2027 GWM Ora 5 has just launched in Australia and it features a space-saver spare wheel across the line-up. At launch two trim levels are on offer, Lux and Ultra, with pricing starting at $33,990, drive-away. The 2027 Hyundai Kona Electric has a space-saver spare wheel available across the line-up. The Kona Electric is offered in five trim levels now and pricing starts at $46,000, before on-road costs. The 2027 Toyota HiLux BEV is the only electric ute currently available in Australia with a spare wheel of any kind. It’s a full-size unit in this case. There are currently three versions of the HiLux BEV offered in Australia, the SR dual-cab chassis, SR dual-cab pick-up and SR5 dual-cab pick-up. Pricing starts at $74,990, before on-road costs. A number of electric commercial vans feature full-size spare wheels as standard. It’s more common for these types of vehicles to feature spare wheels, though they’re not standard in every electric van. A number of companies offer aftermarket spare wheel solutions for many popular EVs, like the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, among others. These kits typically include a space-saver spare wheel, a jack and related tools to get the wheel on and off. As there’s no dedicated spot in the car for this to be stored, this type of kit typically has to go in the boot which sacrifices space for other items.

Peugeot Australia has lost its local distributor, but fans of the French brand will be pleased to know all is not lost. Inchcape, which distributes Foton, Deepal and Subaru has handed back the keys to the selling rights of Peugeot after nearly a decade. It is understood Peugeot will remain in Australia, but whether it will fall under its parent company Stellantis’ Australian arm or another distributor is still under a cloud. “As part of Inchcape's standard approach to portfolio management, we continuously review our partnerships to ensure we have the right portfolio of brands for our business, aligned with our strategic growth objectives,” Inchcape Australasia said in a media statement. “As a result, Inchcape Australia and Stellantis have mutually agreed to end their distribution partnership for Peugeot in Australia, with the final date to be confirmed following a transition period. Stellantis has confirmed the Peugeot brand will continue in Australia and will provide updates on its local plans in due course.” Inchcape said it is working with Stellantis to ensure a smooth transition, as it continues to support owners, dealers and other partners. “Inchcape will continue to support the sale of existing stock, warranty and servicing during the transition period, while working closely with Stellantis as it progresses future distribution arrangements in Australia. “Throughout this time, customers will continue to have access to factory-trained technicians, genuine Peugeot parts, and ongoing servicing, including recall campaigns and diagnostic updates.” An Inchcape spokesperson told CarsGuide all new-vehicle orders will be fulfilled and added that potential Peugeot customers can still buy new or demonstrator stock via the dealer network. Inchcape has streamlined its range of brands in recent years, after jettisoning Peugeot's stablemate Citroen in 2024, and focusing on new Chinese brands Deepal and Foton. Inchcape has been the Australian distributor for Japanese marque Subaru for many years. When Inchcape dropped Citroen from its portfolio, the company said the niche French brand’s customers could continue to have their vehicles serviced at Peugeot dealerships. The writing was on the wall for Peugeot after a string of tough years that culminated in 373 sales through the first five months of this year, which was down 35 per cent compared to the same period last year. This follows a circa-29 per cent drop in 2025, and losing a quarter of sales in 2024. Peugeot last posted a positive result in 2023, when it grew sales by 20 per cent for a total of 2516. Peugeot’s Australian model line-up includes the 308 and 408 hatchbacks, 2008, 3008 and 5008 SUVs and a range of commercial vehicles including the Partner, Expert and Boxer vans. In late 2024, Peugeot put a pause on its Australian EV rollout plans for SUVs and passenger cars and dropped all plug-in hybrid models, instead focusing on hybrids. It continues to offer EVs in its van portfolio. Whether Stellantis Australia picks up Peugeot remains to be seen. Stellantis’ Australian arm counts Fiat, Fiat Professional, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and new Chinese brand Leapmotor in its stable of brands. While Peugeot, Ram and Maserati fall under their umbrella globally the latter two brands are distributed by independent importer Ateco Group in Australia. Regardless of whether Stellantis Australia officially takes on the distributorship of Peugeot, a company spokesperson said in a statement that the company is committed to Peugeot’s Australian future. “Peugeot has a strong future in Australia, supported by a robust product pipeline and a clear long-term strategy. We intend to maintain continuity of distribution in Australia and will provide updates as arrangements progress. “We remain committed to our customers and partners throughout this period and are confident in the brand’s long-term prospects in the Australian market,” they said.

Stellantis, which owns brand such as Peugeot, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and more, has seemingly abandoned its multi-energy strategy for sub-compact new model entrants in Europe, confirming it will focus exclusively on the ‘E-car’ category, an EV-only classification introduced by the European Union earlier this year. The M1E category (better known as E-car) represents small, fully electric vehicles and is inspired by Japan's Kei car system, with the aim of slowing the proliferation of large SUVs in European cities.  There are 14 core brands under the Stellantis umbrella - Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. The move effectively sidelines Stellantis light car pure-combustion and hybrid options across the EU. Speaking at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Brussels, Belgium, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe & European Brands Emanuele Cappellano confirmed the group’s future light cars will only be available as battery-electric vehicles. This direction flies in the face of Stellantis’ broader push towards freedom of customer choice and multiple powertrain options across models and categories. It means cars like the Fiat 500, currently available as a battery-electric vehicle or mild hybrid, are headed towards a pure-electric future. Likely alluding to increased competition from emerging Chinese brands, Cappellano added, “With the current price competition level, Stellantis cannot sustain the level of investment we need to advance our technology and product offering.” He said that instead of offering multiple powertrains in every segment, Stellantis will focus on making its small EVs affordable, with the goal of positioning them below the €15,000 (~$25,000) threshold. In reporting Cappellano’s comments Automotive News points out that the price cap target “undercuts nearly all EVs sold in Europe”, pointing out the Renault Twingo Electric’s starting price of just below €20,000 (~$33,000) and the Leapmotor T03’s at about €18,000 (~$29,500). Two M1E compliant minicars, underpinned by a dedicated E-Car platform, have been announced by Stellantis - an as yet undefined Fiat model and a reload of the Citroen 2CV. By comparison, the Stellantis ‘STLA One’ platform, covering small, compact and mid-size cars, accommodates multiple powertrains. To qualify as an M1E model a car’s powertrain must be pure-electric, its overall length must not exceed 4.2 metres and it has to comply with strict safety criteria. The classification provides CO2 ‘Super-Credits’ for manufacturers while opening up the option of government subsidies to underpin purchase incentives as well as multiple owner benefits like discounted or free city parking, reduced insurance and easier access to low-emission zones.