Honda Civic vs Peugeot e-208 156 Phase 2: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Civic hits 100 km/h in 7.65 s versus 8.12 s for the e-208 156 Phase 2. Despite lacking instant torque, 178 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Civic leads by 0.47 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Civic is doing 121 km/h against 119 km/h for the e-208 156 Phase 2. The gap is 0.35 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Civic crosses the line in 15.65 s versus 16.14 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the Civic continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Civic finishes in 28.30 s versus 30.57 s, with a 2.27 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Civic is capped at 210 km/h, the e-208 156 Phase 2 at 150 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.76 seconds. The 0.47 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.