Peugeot has never been particularly interested in doing what everyone else is doing, but the new 408 doubles down on that contrarian streak. Is it a fastback? A lifted sedan? A coupe-SUV thing? Yes. And no. And that’s precisely why it works.

Sitting near the top of Europe’s fiercely competitive C-segment, the 408 doesn’t try to out-Volkswagen the Golf or out-SUV the 3008. Instead, it breaks ranks entirely, carving out a shape—and an identity—that feels refreshingly self-confident. Built in Mulhouse and designed to turn heads from Paris to Seoul, the 408 may be Peugeot’s most globally expressive model yet.
Design That Knows It’s Being Watched
The 408’s fastback silhouette is sharp, assertive, and unapologetically dramatic. Its surfacing is busy but intentional, with crisp creases and muscular haunches that give the car a planted, almost feline stance. At 1.48 meters tall, it stays low enough to feel sporty, even as its elevated seating position nods toward crossover practicality.
Peugeot’s lighting designers clearly had fun here. Up front, the brand’s trademark three-claw signature is rendered as slim, slanted LED blades that double as scrolling indicators. They’re visually connected by a full-width light bar that floats above the illuminated Peugeot badge on higher trims. The actual headlights—Matrix LED units on GT models—are tucked discreetly lower in the bumper, nearly invisible when switched off. It’s a neat trick, and one that gives the 408 a piercing, almost predatory stare.

Around back, the 408 becomes the first Peugeot to spell out its name in illuminated letters, framed by a gloss-black strip and flanked by—what else—three glowing claws on either side. Subtle? No. Memorable? Absolutely.
Add in the new Flare Green paint, which shifts from yellowish highlights in sunlight to deep green in shade, and the 408 starts to look less like a safe corporate product and more like a design statement on wheels.
Inside: Tech-Forward Without Losing the Plot
Step inside and you’ll find Peugeot’s latest interpretation of the i-Cockpit, a setup that continues to polarize—and delight. The small, squared-off steering wheel still sits low, with the digital instrument cluster positioned high in the driver’s line of sight. It works better than it sounds, especially here, where the graphics are crisp, customizable, and optionally rendered in eye-catching 3D.

A 10-inch central touchscreen handles infotainment duties, angled slightly toward the driver, while Peugeot’s configurable i-Toggles act as digital shortcut keys for navigation, climate, media, or whatever else you use most. Once set up, they’re genuinely intuitive.
Material quality takes a noticeable step up, especially in GT and GT Exclusive trims, where Alcantara, genuine aluminum, and optional Nappa leather make the cabin feel more premium than you might expect from a C-segment car. Ambient lighting—available in eight colors—adds a lounge-like vibe, while the Focal premium audio system delivers enough clarity and punch to shame plenty of so-called luxury competitors.
Comfort and Space: Quietly Class-Leading
Peugeot doesn’t shout about it, but the 408 is seriously roomy. Thanks to its long 2.79-meter wheelbase, rear-seat passengers get an impressive 183 mm of knee room—more than any other Peugeot currently on sale. The seats themselves are AGR-certified for ergonomics and can be optioned with heating, massage, and extensive electric adjustment.

The cargo area is equally generous: 536 liters with the seats up and a van-like 1,611 liters when they’re folded. That fastback roofline doesn’t penalize practicality nearly as much as you’d expect.
Powertrains: Pick Your Flavor of Electrification
Peugeot’s electrification strategy with the 408 is refreshingly broad. There’s no single “right” answer—just options.
At the top of the tech tree sits the fully electric E-408, producing 213 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque. Thanks to careful aerodynamic work (SCx of 0.66), it manages a respectable 456 km of WLTP range from its 58.2-kWh usable battery, while consuming just 14.7 kWh/100 km. Fast charging at up to 120 kW gets you from 20 to 80 percent in about half an hour—coffee break territory.
Prefer a hybrid middle ground? The plug-in hybrid 408 combines a 180-hp gasoline engine with a 92-kW electric motor for a total of 240 horsepower. It can travel up to 85 km on electricity alone—more than enough for daily commuting—yet still stretch its legs on longer trips.
For those who want electrification without plugging in, the 145-hp mild hybrid quietly does its thing, operating in electric mode for up to half of urban driving while sipping fuel at an impressive 5.0 L/100 km.
How It Drives: Calm, Confident, and Surprisingly Agile
Wide tracks, a low center of gravity, and Peugeot’s typically well-sorted chassis give the 408 a confident feel on the road. It’s not a hot hatch in disguise, but it turns in eagerly, feels stable at speed, and remains easy to maneuver in tight urban environments thanks to an 11.2-meter turning circle.
The compact steering wheel adds to the sensation of agility, even if it still takes a drive or two to fully acclimate.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond design and drivetrain choices, the 408 makes a compelling case with its long-term ownership story. Over-the-air updates, connected navigation with AI integration, advanced driver monitoring, and Peugeot’s eight-year/160,000-km warranty (including the battery on EV models) all contribute to a sense of polish and reassurance.
Add features like Plug & Charge compatibility, battery pre-conditioning, Vehicle-to-Load capability, and a genuinely useful trip planner, and it’s clear Peugeot has thought hard about real-world usability—not just brochure bragging rights.
The Peugeot 408 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—and that’s exactly why it stands out. It’s stylish without being impractical, tech-forward without being gimmicky, and electrified without forcing you into a single solution.
In a segment crowded with safe choices and familiar shapes, the 408 dares to look different, feel different, and drive its own road. And in today’s automotive landscape, that might be its biggest strength.
Source: Peugeot





