Peugeot 408 Review & Prices
Practical family car with a lovely interior, but visibility isn’t great and motorway road noise could get annoying
- Cash
- £28,365
- Monthly
- £349*
- Used
- £19,495
What's good
What's not so good
Find out more about the Peugeot 408
Is the Peugeot 408 a good car?
The Peugeot 408 is the car you buy when you just can’t decide between a sleek saloon and a chunky SUV, as it’s basically the half-way point between the two. It has some of the ground clearance and plastic cladding of an SUV, but the low roofline and sleek shape of a saloon, and it kind of looks like an elephant has sat on a Lamborghini Urus.
All of this means that it’s a bit tricky to work out where the 408 fits among alternatives you might be considering. The Honda Civic is around the same price, but the Peugeot is roomier. The Skoda Octavia is much more practical, but also much more conventional. Perhaps the semi-SUV likes of the Cupra Formentor and Renault Rafale make for a better comparison, as does the Citroen C5 X, which shares a chassis and engines with the 408, and which is similarly tricky to pigeon-hole.
It’s almost daring in its style, but not all of what’s on show works. We like the pert rear end with the built-in spoiler, and the expressive headlights, but some of the chunky SUV-bits lower down on the body look quite awkward. Equally, if you go for the basic 17-inch alloy wheels, the 408 can look as if it’s been fitted with the wheels from a supermarket trolley — go for the optional 19-inch rims, or even the 20-inch wheels.
The front end is pretty striking, with the body-coloured grille and the slashing LED running lights, but even so it’s hard to see the 408 as a coherent whole — it’s like lots of different cars all mixed into one, and they’re all fighting for supremacy.
The cabin is a much quieter affair, and it shares a lot with the likes of the Peugeot 308 hatchback. The 408 does seem to have had a boost in quality though, and with the sweeping layout and the high-quality materials, you’d not be disappointed if you hopped out of a Volkswagen, or even an Audi, and straight into a 408.
The infotainment system is good, too, thanks to a layout that’s easy enough to find your way around. There’s a handy set of digital buttons, which are shortcuts to the functions you need, and you can customise the layout of those shortcuts to your taste. There’s also wireless connections for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but it’s still annoying that you have to go into a separate on-screen menu for the climate control. Bring back buttons, please.
The Peugeot 408’s cabin is fantastic, and more than a match for what you get from more premium brands
The front seats are really good, but you should definitely take a test drive before buying as not everyone can get their driving position to match up with Peugeot’s small steering wheel and high-set instruments. The wheel is supposed to sit low down, while you look at the instruments over the top, but you might find that the wheel gets in the way of some of the dials.
Space up front is decent, with storage areas under the armrest and door bins that are lined to avoid rattles. There are two big cup holders, and space in the back is surprisingly good, even with that low roof. It’s a little narrow, though, so the 408 is really a four-seater, as the middle rear seat is close to useless.
You can choose from two plug-in hybrid versions, which should appeal to company car buyers with their low official CO2 ratings, but the company car tax system is changing this year, so business buyers might be better off waiting for the all-electric E-408 to arrive, with its 280-mile range. There’s also a basic 1.2-litre petrol hybrid version, which isn’t as powerful but feels sweeter to drive than the PHEV versions simply because it’s lighter.
Given the 408’s ride height, you’d expect it to have a softly-softly SUV-style way over bumps, but it’s actually surprisingly stiff. It’s fine around town, but there’s a good bit of noise from both the suspension and the tyres on bigger roads, which makes the 408 less comfortable when cruising. The standard hybrid is slightly better off in this respect than the plug-in versions, which again is mostly down to its weight.
If you like the sound of the Peugeot 408 you can check out the latest Peugeot 408 deals now, as well as Peugeot 408 lease deals. You can also browse used Peugeot 408s from our network of trusted dealers and check out their selection of used Peugeots for sale. You can even sell your car online through Carwow.
How much is the Peugeot 408?
The Peugeot 408 has a RRP range of £34,265 to £44,930. However, with Carwow you can save on average £9,085. Prices start at £28,365 if paying cash. Monthly payments start at £349. The price of a used Peugeot 408 on Carwow starts at £19,495.
Our most popular versions of the Peugeot 408 are:
Model version | Carwow price from | |
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1.2 Hybrid 136 Allure 5dr e-DSC6 | £28,365 | Compare offers |
As fits its somewhat mixed-up nature, the 408 is reasonably affordable at the lower end of its model range, with a basic Allure-spec hybrid matching the Cupra Formentor for price, but it’s a far more spacious and practical car than the Cupra.
It’s also considerably cheaper than the entry-level Renault Rafale, but the Rafale has much more power as standard, and is more of a traditional SUV in shape. If you want to be rather more practical about it, an entry-level Skoda Superb saloon is roughly the same price as a basic 408, and while the Skoda is neither as dramatic to look at, nor quite as sharp to drive, it absolutely wipes the floor with the Peugeot in space and practicality terms.
Performance and drive comfort
Select electric mode and it’s very quiet and refined, but low-speed comfort and high-speed road noise disappoint
In town
The Peugeot 408 looks a long way from an agile sports car, so you might be expecting a relaxing, comfortable ride. However, while it handles potholes and speed bumps pretty well, it’s unsettled over rough, poor quality Tarmac. You regularly feel rumbles through the wheel, which can be irritating, though the petrol version was much more composed over bumps.
It’s a shame, because when you sit in the hybrid 408, see its classy cabin design and pull away in electric-only mode, it gives off a quiet, refined vibe. There are also normal and sport modes that utilise the petrol engine, but the electric mode cuts any use of the engine, so long as you have enough battery charge left.
The brakes are fine when you give them a light press, but as you push your foot down further they suddenly get quite grabby. This can make it difficult to make smooth progress.
Visibility is decent looking forward, but looking out the back you’ll struggle to see much at all. The sloping bodywork looks funky from the outside but it means the rear window is small, so you’ll be relying on the cameras while reversing.
The latest version of the 225hp plug-in hybrid gets a bigger 16kWh battery, which means it now has a maximum claimed range of up to 52 miles, but you’ll most likely see about 35-40 miles in the real world.
On the motorway
Comfort is fine at higher speeds but it’s here that the intrusive road noise becomes apparent. Wind noise is minimal but the roar from the tyres is noticeable. Our test car’s 19-inch wheels are likely partly to blame, with smaller wheels usually being quieter, if less aesthetically pleasing.
The plug-in hybrid engine works pretty well getting up to motorway speeds, but it’s not seamless. There’s the initial punch from the electric motors, then as that runs out of puff the engine is waiting for its turbos to spool before really pushing you on to 70mph.
The petrol doesn't have the same punch as the hybrids as it lacks the electric motor backup, but it will get you up to speed swiftly enough. The gearbox can be a little lethargic in responding when you start accelerating, but once you're on the move the engine thrums quietly away as a happy motorway cruiser.
On a twisty road
The advantage of that stiffer suspension is noticeable when you get to some corners. Where you expect a bit of lean there isn’t, so you’ve got more confidence than you might expect when things get twisty. The steering wheel is tiny and makes the most sense here as it almost tricks you into thinking you’re in a dainty sports car. Almost.
In the hybrid, plonk the car in Sport mode and the engine stays on so you get the full petrol-electric experience all of the time. It makes the 408 feel more responsive, and while the Cupra Formentor is more fun still, it’s genuinely surprisingly good on a country road.
The only real disappointment here is that while you can manually shift gears using the wheel-mounted paddles, the car still takes over and shifts up or down when it thinks it’s necessary.
Space and practicality
The 408 is practical in the cabin and boot, but the chunky rear bumper can make loading and unloading items awkward
There’s plenty of space for those in the front, and it’s easy to get yourself in a good position thanks to plenty of adjustability in the seat and wheel. One potential irritant is that, for some drivers, your seating position will make the top of the wheel block the view of the dials, so it’s worth checking this before you buy. The seats are very comfortable, so long distances are a breeze.
Practicality is excellent, with a large bin beneath the armrest. The top splits, so the driver can keep their arm rested while the passenger accesses the storage. There’s another small cubby in front of that and a slot for your phone beneath the infotainment system, which houses the wireless charger.
The cup holders are a good size and can carry large bottles, as can the door bins. They’re also felt-lined, so anything you put in there won’t rattle around while you drive.
Space in the back seats
Legroom is excellent in the back, with loads of space from your knees to the seats in front, even behind tall drivers. The footwell is also spacious and there’s a good gap beneath the seat so your feet won’t feel cramped.
Headroom is okay, but taller passengers might find they brush the ceiling as it slopes to the rear. The 408 isn’t particularly wide either, so if you need three people in the back seats they’ll have to be okay with getting cosy, and the outer passengers will find their heads right up against the roof. The Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake is roomier for this.
You get the same high quality, comfortable seats in the back as you do up front, and the same roomy door bins. They’re not felt-lined though, while the door materials feel a bit cheaper, so it’s not quite as plush in the back. The central armrest with two cup holders and a load-through chute are further plus points, though.
If you need to fit a child seat, there’s loads of space so even chunky rear-facing seats can be used without the front passenger needing to put their seat too far forward. However, the ISOFIX points are tricky to locate, so getting the seat in in the first place can be a pain.
Boot space
The 408’s boot is a good size at 536 litres in the petrol, though that drops considerably to 471 litres in the hybrid model because the battery placement eats into space. Opt for the upgraded Focal sound system and you can knock another 30 litres off in the petrol and 20 in the hybrid.
Fold the rear seats down and space increases to 1,611 litres in the petrol and 1,545 litres in the hybrid (or 1,583 litres and 1,528 litres respectively with the Focal setup).
That compares pretty well with most alternatives. It’s a bit smaller than the Citroen C5 X, which has 545 litres in its petrol versions and 485 litres in its hybrids, but it’s much bigger than the Cupra Formentor, which measures 450 litres and 345 litres respectively.
There’s a small lip that wouldn’t be a major problem when loading heavier items, but the chunky rear bumper means there’s a large ridge to lift items over. You might also get your jeans dirty by leaning on it.
Some nice touches include a lever to drop the seats without having to lean too far into the boot, small nets to store items in, elasticated straps to hold stuff in place and various hooks and handles. Once the rear seats are folded there’s not much of a lip to push luggage over, but the seats don’t go fully flat.
Interior style, infotainment and accessories
The interior is very plush and the infotainment is excellent, but it’s very dark if you don’t get the panoramic roof option
Jump inside the Peugeot 408 and you’ll be forgiven for thinking this is from a brand with a typically more premium image. It feels more upmarket than other mainstream cars, such as the Skoda Superb and is even a good match for an equivalent Audi, such as the A4 Avant. That being said, regardless of brand appeal the 408 is rather expensive, so this goes some way to justify the price.
Everywhere you look and touch there are high-quality materials, and while there are scratchy plastics here and there, you have to go looking for them. It’s pretty dark inside though, so we’d recommend opting for the panoramic roof if this is a worry, though it’s a £900 option and only available on top-spec GT cars.
Fortunately, there’s no irritating infotainment system ruining the good first impression. There’s a 10.0-inch infotainment display as standard across the range, and it’s really easy to use with crisp, clear graphics. The highlight, though, is the programmable buttons beneath it, which let you create shortcuts to your most-used screens.
That said, Peugeot still insists on keeping the climate controls within its touch screen menus, so even with shortcuts you’re always a button press away from changing the temperature.
Back to the positives though, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard on the 408, so you’ll probably just use that anyway.
The digital dials are another highlight. You get the usual speed, revs and trip information displayed digitally, but Peugeot has created a 3D-effect, which looks great. You can turn it off if you want, but we found it a nice, unique touch.
There’s an optional sound system upgrade available for GT models. The 10-speaker Focal system is relatively good value at £600, which will be barely noticeable on your monthly payments but should be worth it for audiophiles. Remember that it eats into boot space a little, though.
Another neat extra is night vision, which is displayed in the digital dial screen. Although you shouldn’t drive while looking at it, it can pick up on people, animals and other obstacles ahead and warn you before you even see them.
MPG, emissions and tax
There are three engine options on the 408, all coming with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The range starts with a 1.2-litre hybrid petrol engine that makes 136hp and 230Nm of torque. It’s by no means quick, going from 0-60mph in about 10.2 seconds, but fuel economy of up to a claimed 58mpg means it should be cheap to run.
Then there’s the plug-in hybrids. The first is called Hybrid 180 and makes 180hp and 320Nm of torque, while the second, called Hybrid 225, makes 225hp and 320Nm of torque. Both will do 0-60mph in around eight seconds and have an official fuel economy of more than 200mpg. Naturally, achieving this relies on the battery being fully charged regularly – we managed about 51mpg in the 225 in mixed driving.
CO2 emissions are as low as 19g/km for the latest PHEV version, so they fall into the lowest vehicle excise duty (VED) bracket besides EVs, though some models creep into the over-£40,000 limit which you’ll have to pay an extra annual surcharge in years two to six. These emissions figures and up-to 50-mile electric-only range also mean benefit-in-kind is low for company car drivers — though with the changes to business tax the all-electric E-408 should be a more tempting option.
Safety and security
Standard safety kit includes post collision safety brake, lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking. Step up to Allure Premium and you also get the Drive Assist Pack, which adds rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and long range blind spot monitoring.
The Peugeot 408 has been safety tested by Euro NCAP and, perhaps disappointingly, scored four-out-of-five stars. It received 76% for adult occupant protection, where you’d expect most cars to achieve over 80% at the very least. Child occupant safety scored 84%, which is better, but it was marked down further for its safety assist systems at 65%. However, the testing organisation does note that while some additional testing was done for the 408, its score is mostly based on the ‘closely related’ Peugeot 308.
Reliability and problems
It’s too early to tell whether there are any ongoing issues with the Peugeot 408. However, Peugeot’s reputation for reliability has been improving recently, which is reassuring. A three-year warranty is included as standard for extra peace of mind, and that’s unlimited mileage for the first two years. It’s limited to 60,000 miles in the third year, though extended warranties and service plans are available for a fee.
The 408 didn’t feature in the most recent Driver Power survey, but Peugeot itself was rated an impressive sixth out of 32 brands, with 20.8% of customers reporting problems with their cars.
Peugeot 408 FAQs
- Cash
- £28,365
- Monthly
- £349*
- Used
- £19,495
Configure your own 408 on Carwow
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*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.