The Peugeot e-208 is a subcompact electric version of the well-known Peugeot 208 which means that it is primarily designed for inner-city use as it does not offer a particularly long-lasting battery. Be that as it may, the e-208 seems to be selling really well for what it is as many people out there are interested in inner-city commuters that don’t pollute the environment while being relatively affordable.
The Renault Zoe is more or less the same story as these two are head-to-head competitors in this segment. As such, we are going to compare the Peugeot e-208 vs Renault Zoe and tell you which one of these two is the better car for you. We are going to compare their engines, battery sizes, range, power, design, driving experience, and practicality.
The most obvious differences between these two are in the driving and design department where the e-208 looks more upmarket and drives a bit more dynamically. The Zoe is more restrained both in its design and its driving approach which focuses on comfort, simplicity, and ease of use.
Either way, both of these small EVs are well-designed and they tend to execute their purpose well. The e-208 seems to be a slightly more popular car, but that could very well change soon as Renault is getting ready to reveal the new Zoe.
Peugeot e-208 – The Smallest Peugeot EV
EVs tend to be a lot more expensive compared to normal internal combustion cars, but a starting price of £31,345 in the UK, €32,250 in the Netherlands, and €35,350 in Germany makes the e-208 one of the more affordable cars in its segment. For this price, you are getting a front-wheel-drive 2/4-door electric hatchback with a single electric motor that makes 139hp.
This is enough to offer you between 125 and 265 miles depending on how you drive the car and the temperature outside. Where the e-208 fares really well is in its charging speed situation which starts at a measly 7.4kW slow AC charging that recharges its 45kWh usable battery in 7 hours and 15 minutes.
On the other hand, fast 150kW DC charging replenishes the e-208 battery in around 25 minutes. Likely the most impressive aspect of the e-208 is its design which pretty much leads the charts in this segment, especially in the interior where the e-208 looks futuristic and even luxurious. The space on offer is better with the 4-door version, but overall space is restricted for taller passengers.
The driving experience is another aspect where the e-208 shines as it is dynamic and fairly poised for what it is.
Renault Zoe – The Smallest Renault EV
The price of the Renault Zoe starts at €36,840 in Germany, €34,790 in the Netherlands, and £29,995 in the UK which means that the entry-level Zoe does undercut the e-208 by a few grand. The Renault Zoe takes advantage of a 52kWh battery in all of its iterations, but you can choose between a 107hp or a 134hp model depending on what you need.
The overall expected range the Zoe can manage is somewhere between 135 miles and 295 depending on the temperature and how you drive the car. Slow AC charging rated at an impressive 22kW will take around 3 hours while relatively disappointing 46kW DC fast-charging speeds will take about an hour.
The Renault Zoe takes advantage of a cleaner design approach compared to the e-208 which prioritizes sharp edges over smooth creases. The interior of the Renault Zoe is slowly starting to show its age and isn’t on par with the one in the e-208.
The driving experience of the Renault Zoe is more subdued and less characterful but is adamantly comfortable and enjoyable for its size.
Conclusion – The Peugeot e-208 Is The Better Car
Even though the Renault Zoe costs a bit less, offers a larger battery, a higher theoretical range, and slower AC charging, the e-208 is the better car because it is more refined, more spacious, offers faster DC charging (which is crucial), and more enjoyable behind the wheel.
The main reason why the e-208 offers these advantages over the Renault Zoe is that the Zoe is slowly aging and isn’t on par with the newest offerings in its segment. The e-208 also benefits from better standard and optional equipment, and better safety credentials.
FAQ Section
When Is The New Renault Zoe Coming Out?
As per the very latest info coming from Renault, the Zoe is actually going to be discontinued and replaced by the upcoming 2024/2025 Renault 5. If you know your Renault models, you are certainly aware that the Renault 5 is a name that harks back to the good old days when Renault made some of the best cars in the industry.
The current data indicates that Renault managed to sell more than 300k units of the Zoe which isn’t all that bad, but the upcoming Renault 5 is set to combine the design elements of the iconic Renault 5 with all the benefits you get from an EV. Renault hopes to take over this segment with the Renault 5, and only time will tell if that is truly going to be the case.
How Safe Are Small EVs?
Safety is an often-overlooked factor when buying a modern car as most people expect them to be extremely safe just because they come from the modern era. Even though that is indeed the case with most new cars, there are some notable exceptions such as the Renault Zoe.
The 2021 Renault Zoe is the latest model of the Zoe and was also awarded an extremely rare 0-star Euro NCAP rating. Only three cars have been awarded a single start rating since the inception of Euro NCAP which only further reiterates that the Zoe is too old for the modern era.
Should I Buy A Small EV?
Buying a small EV can sometimes make all the sense in the world, but it can also seem a bit counterintuitive as a single car. For example, if you spend most of your driving time in crowded city streets, a small EV makes a lot of sense, especially if you don’t often transport other people or you own multiple cars.
On the other hand, if you own a single car, owning a small EV is not a particularly good idea as these are subpar when it comes to long-distance journeys and adult passenger transportation.
