Peugeot E-308 SW

Revised electric estate gets a hefty price cut and sleeker looks, yet bigger battery doesn't yield much extra range

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IT feels like a new electric SUV arrives every other week, whereas electric estate cars remain a rare breed. However, more have steadily been introduced in recent years by BMW, Audi and Volkswagen, plus the Subaru E-Outback lands this summer, and we learned just this week there's even a Polestar 4 wagon on its way (see Page 9).

In the midst of all this news for estate-car fans, the Peugeot E-308 SW gains a mid-life makeover that has given it a sharper, more muscular look than before, but limited upgrades under the metal.

Arguably the biggest change is the E-308 SW costs over £10,000 less than it did before, partly thanks to the Government's Electric Car Grant (ECG), which knocks £1,500 off and has lowered the starting price to £30,695.

That puts it in the same price bracket as other zero-emissions family cars such as the Skoda Elroq, MINI Countryman and Nissan Leaf SUVs, or Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault Megane hatchbacks. So the E-308 SW has to stand out, and being a Peugeot, it knows how. Most of the visual changes are up front, with a new grille and, for the first time, an illuminated Peugeot shield on all but the base-spec model.

The old fang-like daytime running-light design is gone, replaced by sleeker 'threeclaw' DRLs that are connected by small LED strips in the nose. The headlamps are now separate units, which are concealed by the large gloss-black air vents in the redesigned bumper.

There are fresh 18-inch alloy-wheel designs, as well as a new Ingaro Blue standard paint colour.