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

Off the line, the e-208 156 Phase 2 hits 100 km/h in 8.12 s versus 10.04 s for the Jazz e:HEV. The instant torque of 260 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the e-208 156 Phase 2 leads by 1.92 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the e-208 156 Phase 2 is doing 119 km/h against 107 km/h for the Jazz e:HEV. The gap is 0.66 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the e-208 156 Phase 2 crosses the line in 16.14 s versus 17.34 s. The 1.20 s gap represents roughly 43 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the e-208 156 Phase 2 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 150 km/h versus 146 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the e-208 156 Phase 2 finishes in 30.57 s versus 31.87 s, with a 1.30 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (175 km/h), the Jazz e:HEV never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the e-208 156 Phase 2 is capped at 150 km/h, the Jazz e:HEV at 175 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 16.76 seconds. The 1.92 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.