The Peugeot 408 is an interesting car, not quite a hatchback but not quite an SUV either, and that immediately helps it stand out when taller cars are becoming the norm. The unusual shape suits Peugeot’s current dramatic design language, too.
It’s not style over substance though, with a spacious cabin, a choice of petrol and plug-in hybrid engine options, and a comfortable and refined driving experience. Buying used helps offset the slightly high pricing of some variants, too.
The 408 shares its platform with the Citroen C5 X and the DS 4, and if you like the way Peugeot does things you’ll probably appreciate these other French models too. Style-led estates like the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake and Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake are also options, while the Cupra Formentor takes a similar not-quite-hatch, not-quite-SUV route to the 408.
Cars like the Peugeot 408 that seem to squeeze between two much more popular segments tend not to be big sellers, but if you’re searching for something different from the norm, that will stand out more for its unusual styling and rarity, then it could be just the car for you.
Of course, Peugeot already sells the 308 if you want a hatchback, the 3008 if you want a family SUV, and the 508 if you’d prefer a conventional saloon - so it’s not like the company isn’t catering for other buyers too. The 408 shares elements of all of them, from styling to powertrains - with a particular focus on plug-in hybrid power.
The 408 offers two plug-ins, in fact, with 180PS and 225PS respectively, while a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol kicks off the range. All perform well for their modest size and are frugal too; enough to satiate those who might be missing a diesel option. The 408 is comfortable to drive, but also slightly sportier than its Citroen and DS siblings, though some rivals are still more agile.
Like many modern Peugeots the 408 uses the brand’s ‘i-Cockpit’ layout, with a small steering wheel below high-set dials. It doesn’t suit everyone so try before you buy, but the design looks great, feels good, and the interior is spacious too - though boot size goes down with both the Focal audio option, and in plug-in models.
The Citroen C5 X and the DS 4 are similar to the 408 under the skin but offer very different styling and interior themes, while the aforementioned Peugeot 308, 3008 and 508 are all possibilities if you want to stick with the Peugeot brand. The Cupra Formentor has a similarly rakish profile to the 408 but is more fun to drive, and the Renault Arkana is another with a sloping roofline, but is more SUV-like than the 408.
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The entry-level 1.2-litre PureTech engine makes a pretty strong case for itself in the 408. It’s got peppy performance and the automatic gearbox is well matched to it, so you don’t necessarily need hybrid power to enjoy the 408’s best qualities. That said, the extra power, and occasional silence of the two hybrid models does suit the 408; of the pair, we’d be tempted to save some money and go for the Hybrid 180, which is barely slower than the 225 and just as efficient.
You can read more about the 408’s trim levels below, but just as with the engines, you could do far worse than keep things simple with Allure trim, which is already very well equipped. Higher-spec ones really ramp up the premium feel that Peugeot is going for, though.
There are three trim levels on the 408, and all are well-equipped as standard. Regardless of trim all 408s come with a 10-inch driver display and 10-inch touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) as part of Peugeot’s ‘i-Cockpit’ layout, an acoustic windscreen, selectable driving modes, gearshift paddles, and alloy wheels.
The Peugeot 408’s dimensions are:
The Peugeot 408’s boot size is:
Once past the first year, where VED or ‘road tax’ is based on CO2 emissions, the 408 will then set you back a flat rate of tax based on both its powertrain and its initial purchase price. Models that cost under £40,000 brand new will cost you £180 for PureTech variants and £170 for Hybrids, while those over £40k (which means only certain Hybrid models) jump to £560, in years two to six.
PureTech 408s should be relatively affordable to insure, with all models sitting in groups 19-21, depending on trim level. The plug-in Hybrid 180 and 225 models are higher, from groups 28-31, reflecting their extra expense and performance. Equivalent Citroen C5 X models are groups 20-21 for PureTech engines and 26-31 for the plug-in hybrids.
Read our full Peugeot 408 review
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