Peugeot's fashionable 408 could set a trend. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

What might the worldwide sedan of the future be like? In answer, Peugeot offers us this, the 408, part-saloon, part-coupe SUV, part-practical hatch. The brand claims its 'a new breed of car'. It'll certainly need a new breed of buyer.

Background

To hatch or to SUV? That is the question - or at least it is if you're looking for compact yet spacious and practical family or business conveyance. There needs to be a third way, a blank space in the market not really filled by compact saloons or coupe-SUVs. But possibly resolved by this car, Peugeot's 408. The 408 is an innovative, style-led Fastback with elements that could conceivably appeal to customers in all the categories just mentioned. Conventionality has characterised previous 4.0-series Peugeots, but this one is anything but. The three (rather than four) digit name designates the company's wish for this car to be seen as distinct from its range of SUVs, but there's plenty of crossover in the chunky aesthetics. Yet at the same time, it's a kind of futuristic take what the family hatch of the future might be like. Under the skin, it's based on (and was designed alongside) a family hatch very much of the present, Peugeot's third generation 308. Lots then, to talk about here.

Driving Experience

On the road, you might find this 408 quite a curious confection. The Fastback visual demeanour's sporty; the soft-orientated ride quality isn't. The grippy little 'i-Cockpit' steering wheel feels ready for wrist-flick B road brawling; the mandatory and rather hesitant 8-speed auto gearbox doesn't. Put aside preconceptions and genre pigeon-holing and you'll be happier. 4-series Peugeots have always been comfort-orientated and the auto gearbox swaps smoothly when unstressed. Plus you might well find the steering to be actually a quite nicely-weighted and engaging set-up, providing you can get on with the 'i-Cockpit' arrangement this car champions. Arguably the most conventional part of the 408 lies with what you'll find beneath the bonnet, all of it a duplication of what's on offer in the 308 hatch. The range kicks off with the Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 derivative. It's a non-plug-in, but its 48V system (with an electric motor built into the 6-speed auto transmission's casing) runs much of the time in urban traffic on battery power alone. Next up is the Plug-in Hybrid version. You might marvel at its technology, which mates an 81kW electric motor with a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine that primarily contributes to a total output of 225hp. It works with a 7-speed dual clutch auto gearbox and the 17.2kWh battery that powers the motor should deliver about 48 miles of EV range before the engine cuts in. A full-electric E-408 model is also available, with a 58.2kWh battery pack which energises the same synchronous electric motor as is used in the E-3008, with 210hp and 345Nm of torque. It offers 281 miles of range. All the powertrains on offer only drive through the front wheels. Semi-autonomous drive tech is offered via a 'Drive Assist Pack' that allows stop-and-go driving in lane and semi-automatic lane changes with the indicator toggle stalk.

Design and Build

As this model's lengthy seven year gestation period suggests, Design Project Manager Pierre-Paul Mattei and his team had some difficulty in getting the Peugeot board to sign off on the 408 - and it's not difficult to see why. Even Mattei admits that 'giving the car dynamism without hiding its roominess' was problematical. Eventually, the project was probably green-lighted because this car shares so much with the 308 hatch it was developed alongside. Actually though, it's closer in quirky concept (and size) to another unconventional Stellantis Group Gallic model, the Citroen C5 X. The 408, according to its stylists, is a 'reinvention of the mid-sized sedan', with feline fashion touches like the radical front grille, an unusual bulbous rear diffuser and a duck tail spoiler. It's clearly been designed around the unusually styled 20-inch wheels of top variants, so with base 17-inch rims, owners might be disappointed with the finished effect. There be disappointed if they come expecting an equally 'disruptive' sense of style inside too because the dash is lifted entirely from the Peugeot 308. Many though, will see that as unusual enough, with its trademark Peugeot 'i-Cockpit' tiny steering wheel, over which (rather than through which) you view the virtual gauges on the 10-inch Digital Driver's Display. Another 10-inch screen adorns the centre of the fascia, with digital shortcut keys beneath and the brand's voice control system. In the rear seat, there's more head and knee room than you get in a 308 - but not much more. And out back with all versions, there's a decent 536-litre boot, extendable to 1,583-litres.

Market and Model

As is now usual in the industry, you'll be able to buy or lease this car online, as well as at a dealer. You can expect pricing to be pitched around £3,000 over an equivalent 308 and quite a bit above the level of its Stellantis Group cousin, the Citroen C5 X. As usual with Peugeot, there are two trim levels, base 'Allure' and plusher 'GT'. The starting point for 408 ownership is around £34,000 for the base Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 version we'd recommend. You'll need over £41,000 for the PHEV variant. And around £42,000 for the E-408 EV. Standard equipment across the range of course includes the brand's usual 'i-Cockpit' dash layout, which includes a Digital Dial Display and a 10-inch centre infotainment screen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring and Peugeot's latest voice control system. LED headlights and tail lamps are standard and entry-level models ride on 17-inch wheels, but you'll want to trade up to the unusual 'squared-off design' 20-inch rims of top variants which are aero-styled to contribute to the 0.28Cd drag factor. Key options include thicker side glass, night vision and a 'Drive Assist Pack which offers limited semi-autonomous drive tech and Rear Traffic Alert. In the mainstream range, customers will choose between a small range of options packs.

Cost of Ownership

The running costs from the Hybrid and PHEV petrol engines used by the 408 will be very little different to those of equivalent 308 hatch models. Think 58.8mpg on the combined cycle and 108g/km of CO2 for the Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 variant. As for the Plug-in Hybrid variant, the Plug-in Hybrid 225, well as we mentioned in our 'Driving Experience' section, around 48 miles of battery running is claimed, while CO2 is rated at up to 31g/km. Frugality-wise, the 408 Plug-in Hybrid variant is rated at around 232mpg on the combined cycle. From a household plug, the PHEV variant will be replenished in just over seven hours. You'll find 3.7kW single-phase charging supported as standard, which means recharges will take four hours and 20 minutes. A 7.4kW on-board charger is available as an option and plugged into a wallbox, the battery will take just over two hours to be topped up. The plug-in hybrid 408 variant offers a thermal pre-conditioning function too. As for the E-408 EV, for AC fast charging an 11kW three-phase onboard charger is standard. For DC rapid charging, the car accepts power of up to 120kW (that's not great by class standards), allowing the battery to charge from 20% to 80% in just over 30 minutes, recovering 62 miles of range in just over 10 minutes. To optimise charging, the driver can programme the lower and upper thresholds via the central screen, for example, setting a minimum charge of 20% and a maximum of 80%. With both the PHEV and EV versions, via the MyPeugeot smartphone app or by using the vehicle's touchscreen, owners can schedule a wake-up time for the battery. This means that the cells can be at the optimal temperature for efficiency from the time you start up, plus of course the interior can also be pre-cooled or pre-heated too. 

Summary

When you boil everything right down to it, the 408 is merely a 308 hatch with trendier tailoring. Yet it feels so much more than that. Choose one and your family and friends will spend hours arguing over exactly what kind of car it is, missing the point, which is that this Peugeot doesn't want to be pigeon-holed into any particular category. It's style-led without being impractical. And futuristic, but also very much of its time. It's a pity that the budget didn't extend into allowing the design team to create a unique interior. But you could argue that it's 308-derived cabin is already unusual enough. Less of an issue is all the carry-over engineering. So will the 408 set a new trend? Or be in future remembered as an interesting curiosity? It will be fascinating to see.

Body Glass

Front and rear electric windows with one touch/anti pinch

Tailgate with heated rear windscreen and wiper blade

Dark tinted rear side and tailgate windows

Acoustic tinted windscreen

Brakes

Electronic Stability Programme

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Emergency Brake Assit

Automatic post collision braking

Front and rear disc brakes

Advanced emergency braking system (Video - AEB) includes Radar

Communication

Bluetooth telephone facility

Wifi and voice recognition

Wireless apple car play/android Auto

Driver Aids

Lane keep assist

Rear parking sensors

Driver attention warning

Speed limit recognition and recommendation

Intelligent speed adaptation

Extended traffic sign recognition

Compact automatic gearbox impulse selector

Multi driving mode selector - Electric/HYBRID /Sport mode

Driver's profile setting

Driver Convenience

Push button start

PEUGEOT i-Connect Advanced (IVI Mid) with air conditioning panel equipped with physical dails and buttons

Driver Information

Multi function trip computer

Exterior temperature indicator with ice warning

PEUGEOT i-Cockpit with 10.0" high definition (HD) capacitive touchscreen

PEUGEOT i-Cockpit with compact steering wheel

Emergency call service

PEUGEOT i-Cockpit with 10" digital instrument panel display

e-remote Control for charge management and cabin pre-conditioning

Driving Mirrors

Electrochrome rear view mirror

Nera black door mirrors

Electric, heated, and power folding door mirrors

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

2x USB sockets in front

2x USB sockets in rear

High performance loudspeakers including 4 woofers (165mm) in doors and 2 tweeters (25mm) in A-pillars

Exterior Body Features

Body colour rear spoiler

Body colour door handles

Gloss black finish B pillar

Gloss black rear cluster connecting strip

Front grille with horizontal chrome stamping

Rear side wing doors

Roof mounted 'fin' style antenna

Rear Hybrid badging

408 Model designation badges on front and rear

Rear bumper grained black

Lower body and wheel arch "SUV style" protection

Exterior Lights

High beam assist

LED rear number plate lights

Automatic hazard light activation upon heavy brake application

LED side indicator lights integrated into door mirrors

Rear reversing lights

Rear full LED 3D peugeot signature claw effect lights with daylight function

EcoLED headlights

3rd brake light

PEUGEOT signature LED front daytime running lights incorporating indicators

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic air conditioning

High air vent system

Interior Features

Luggage cover

2x 12V sockets

Electric power steering with reach and rake adjustable steering column

Front central console with two cup holders

4 Grab handles retractable and damped

Roof lining - light grey

Steering wheel mounted gearshift paddles

Central front armrest with storage compartment

Multifunction split leather and gloss steering wheel

Ski hatch with central rear armrest with cup holder

Fractil embossed fabric with Isabella leather effect trim and cloth upholstery

Gloss black waistbelt (window weather strips)

Arch design central console with storage

Piano keys toggle switches to access main functions

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting linked to drive mode on door panels

Glovebox with LED lighting

Packs

Visibility pack - 408

Safety

Front and rear curtain airbags

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Front three point retractable seatbelts with force limiters

Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags with passenger airbag deactivation function

2x Isofix child seat fitting on outer rear seats

3x3 point rear seat belts

Active safety brake with night function/cyclists/pedestrians

Front optimised safety headrests and rear retractable headrests (x3), height adjustable

Front and outer rear seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners

Tyre under inflation monitoring and indirect detection with visual indicator and warning sound

Seats

1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats

Driver seat lumbar adjustment

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Seatbelt unfastened on the move audible and visual alert for front and rear seats

Dynamic front seats

Single front passenger seat

Driver and passenger seat manual adjustment for height, slide and backrest angle

Security

Locking wheel nuts

Deadlocking system

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Electronic code immobiliser

Automatic door locking when moving off

Acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS)

Thatcham cat. 1 alarm with anti lift sensor

2x keys

Peugeot open and go system includes keyless entry with proximity locking and unlocking

Vehicle Charging

Mode 3 type 2 cable for wallbox charging

Wheels

Alloy wheel 'star' centre cap

Wheels - Alloy

19" Graphite diamond cut alloy wheels in Onyx black gloss

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 420

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 1.8

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 230

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3.7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 115

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 12.4

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City - TEL: 66

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City - TEH: 66

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 55

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 56

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 55

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City - TEH: 40.7

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City - TEL: 40.8

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 34

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 34

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 34.5

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: N

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 7.4

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 68

CO: 0.169

HC: 0.01

NOx: 0.004

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0002

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 31

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 28

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 37

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 77

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.8

CC: 1598

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Engine Code: EP6FADTXHPD

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.2

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.6

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 232.3

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 174.5

General

Coin Series: Allure

Coin Description: Plug-in Hybrid 225

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 29E

Service Interval Mileage: 18750

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 76

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 84

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 78

NCAP Safety Assist %: 65

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 4

Badge Power: 225

Badge Engine CC: 1.6

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.8

Top Speed: 145

Engine Power - BHP: 225

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 165

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 266

Engine Torque - NM: 360

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Engine Torque - MKG: 36.7

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 205/55 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 205/55 R19

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: GRAPHITE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4687

Width: 1848

Wheelbase: 2787

Width (including mirrors): 2062

Height: 1478

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1706

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2220

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1400

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 514

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 471

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1545

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Additional metallic paint

Interior Features

Heated steering wheel

Packs

360 Vision and Drive assist pack - 408

Connectivity pack - 408

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Nera black

Metallic - Obsession blue

Metallic - Selenium grey

Metallic - Okenite white

Paint - Special

Premium - Elixir Red

Towing

Retractable towbar manually with 13 pin harness and trailer sway mitigation system (TSM)

Trim - Cloth

Fractil embossed fabric with Isabella leather effect trim and cloth upholstery - Black with mint green stitching

Vehicle Charging

7.4 kW monophase on board charger

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair and inflation kit with compressor and sealant