When Peugeot’s stunning-looking 408 model went on sale here at the start of 2023, it was heralded as the first of its kind in the history of the brand, offering a new fastback silhouette to compete at the top of the C-segment. It provides a very stylish alternative to a much taller SUV.
Based on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot 3008 and its first cousin, the Citroën C5 X, the 408 is offered in both petrol-hybrid and fully electric formats.
My 408 review car measured 4.69m in length, with a long wheelbase of 2.79m, which provides good interior space and a big boot. It was attractive from every angle, with its low-slung, streamlined, fastback-coupe-like silhouette, sleek appearance, sharp lines, and a grille the same colour as the bodywork. It sat on very smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels that came as standard.
The spacious interior is fitted with some very nice tweed-like materials and trims on the dash and doors, and the big sloping handles located near the hinges on the front doors meant I did not have to stretch far out to grab a handle to close my door.
The dash is dominated by Peugeot’s i-cockpit design (standard on all 408s), which comprises a 10-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a similarly sized 3D driver’s digital instrument screen, and a small, flat top-and-bottom steering wheel. With my shorter frame, I could clearly see my current speed on this instrument cluster, but the lower steering wheel blocked my view of the bottom section of the screen. Both screens feature colourful graphics against a dark background. I found the central screen a bit fiddly to use, but the row of i-Toggle buttons below makes it easy to access key features on that screen. Virtual buttons are for Mirror Screen, Phone, Navigation, Air Direction, Dual-Zone Climate Control, Media, and Home.
There is a C-type USB port, a 12-volt power socket, and a mobile phone charging pad on the front. Other pluses included the high-definition reversing camera and blind-spot monitors on the side mirrors. Cubbies include a twin-door front armrest with ample space below, C-type USB ports, a decent-sized glovebox, and large door bins.
The front seats held me in well and were really comfy; they had manual adjustments. The two-level area of the central console doesn’t much appeal to me but includes two cupholders, the gear selector for the automatic transmission, the engine Stop/Start button, the drive mode selector for Sport, Normal or Eco modes, and an electric parking brake.
People seated in the rear have decent legroom, but with the roof slope, headroom could be tight for very tall people. The middle seat back lowers as an armrest with two large cupholders, and there’s a hatch through to the boot.
The liftback operates manually; luggage capacity of 536 litres can expand to 1,611 litres with the rear seats folded down; the boot has a bespoke rubber mat, a 12V power socket and light, and a puncture repair and tyre inflation kit.
The Allure model includes keyless entry, LED headlights, High Beam Assist, Hill Assist, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, extended traffic sign recognition, and cruise control with adaptive Stop & Go. The top GT trim adds a choice of 8 ambient lighting colours, Matrix LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and GT model designation badging.
The hybrid model is a 145bhp petrol matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid driving lets you drive in electric mode for over 50 per cent of the time in urban areas, helping lower fuel consumption. The battery charges automatically when the car is decelerating.
On the road, I had a good driving position thanks to the adjustable steering wheel and the high seating position. The car proved very easy to drive, and the three-cylinder engine was peppy enough for a family’s everyday use, with a 0-100km/h time of around 9.4 seconds. Peugeot claims a combined fuel consumption of around 5.1 L/100kms. The narrow rear window hampers visibility due to the car's coupe styling. Parking sensors are standard.
When tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, the 408 scored four out of a possible five stars; 76 per cent for adult protection, 84 per cent for child occupant protection, 78 per cent for vulnerable road users and 65 per cent for safety assist systems. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Peugeot offers a five-year warranty, limited to 100,000 km.
The entry-level Allure hybrid starts at €28,995; my 145 hybrid starts at €37,995. Prices exclude dealer delivery-related charges. Road tax is €180 for the hybrid.
