Images
We've seen the Stellantis Group's 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid powertrain feature on a growing number of models, but none have quite as much panache as this one, the Peugeot 408, which in this improved PHEV form seems to offer an appealing combination style, power and parsimony.
+ More
Background
Many so-called industry 'experts' will tell you that Plug-in Hybrid models have quite a limited shelf life, stop-gap solutions until the market is completely swamped by a wave of new EVs. We think the PHEV area will last a lot longer than that. Indeed, with spiralling electricity prices and an increasingly under-funded approach to the necessary expansion of the public charging network, there's a good argument for suggesting that choosing one of the appealing new breed of Plug-in Hybrid models is the way to go right now.
Here is arguably the most stylish one you could choose without completely breaking the bank, the PHEV version of Peugeot's 408. It ought to be badged '4008' because it's supposedly some sort of Crossover. It would also avoid the naming conflict with a completely different 408 model the brand sells in other markets. But anyway, the '408' badge is what's been chosen for this design. So what have we got here? This car was usefully updated in early 2026.
+ More
Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 38495 | 43895 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 26 | 26 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 145 | 145 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 50 | 50 |
| Min | Max |
| Combined Mpg | 109 | 109 |
| Length (mm) | 4687 | 4687 |
| Width (mm) | 1848 | 1848 |
| Height (mm) | 1478 | 1478 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 471 | 471 |
| Power (hp) | 225 | 225 |
Driving experience
Though it's now been around for a few years, you might still marvel at the technology on offer in this Hybrid 408 variant, which mates a 92kW electric motor with a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine that primarily contributes to a total output of 225hp driving through the front wheels. The 16.2kWh battery that powers the motor is supposed to deliver an EAER-rated range of up to 50 miles before the engine cuts in. Compared to the alternative three cylinder PureTech 130 conventional version of this model, you'll feel the weight of the extra battery package if you start trying to throw the car around. But it's a lot lighter than is the full-electric E-408 model.
Like the humbler 1.2-litre PureTech 130 petrol 408 variant, there's an 8-speed EAT8 auto transmission and if you're quick with its steering wheel paddleshifters, rest to 62mph takes 7.5s en route to 145mph. There's a torque figure of 250Nm. 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.
+ More
Design and build
Apart from the badging and the extra charging flap, there aren't any visual giveaways as to this 408's PHEV status. The 408 remains a stylised mixture between mid-sized crossover and sedan, with feline fashion touches like the unusual bulbous rear diffuser and a duck tail spoiler.
You'd have to know the car quite well to appreciate the changes made to this updated model. You might though, notice a few differences up-front where the original version's fang-like daytime running lights have been replaced by sleeker 'three-claw' DRLs connected by LED strips incorporated into the more sculpted grille, which now has gloss and matt black accents and, to suit the current trend, now incorporates an illuminated Peugeot shield.
Peugeot has tried to conceal the headlights as part of this update, using sleeker LED units placed lower down in the redesigned bumper and integrated into glossy black inserts. Peugeot lettering has been added to the boot lid, integrated into a transparent strip connecting the new three-claw tail lights.
Not much is different in the 308-derived cabin, apart from a few new fabrics and some better-chosen materials, along with updated graphics for the instrument screen. Otherwise, it's as before, which means everything's very in-your-face and angular, with the dashboard and centre console at different levels. Virtually everything you touch feels tactile and of high quality, though you only get the full intended effect with one of the 'GT' variants, which feature smart green-stitched trim and part-faux leather upholstery. The first thing you're going to have to decide is whether you can get on with the distinctive 'i-Cockpit' dash design with its tiny steering wheel, above which (rather than through which) you're supposed to view the instruments.
The little gauges you view, which are of the virtual variety displayed on a 10-inch screen, are unusual too, but all the information shown is clear and easy to assimilate and as an option on the 'GT' (or with top trim), this screen layout gets clever 3D graphics. The central monitor is also 10-inches in size, but is deeper and more informative, underscored by virtual buttons and (if you avoid the base variant) below that by a row of what Peugeot calls 'i-toggle' switches which will usually operate the climate features but can be re-programmed for other functions if you wish.
In the rear seat, there's more head and knee room than you get in a 308 - but not much more. With this PHEV, as with the E-408, you lose a bit of luggage space due to battery placement; the 536-litre total of the Hybrid falls to 471-litres with this PHEV. And the seats-folded capacity falls from 1,583 to 1,528-litres.
+ More
Market and model
This is by far the most expensive powertrain in the line-up. Prices start from around £38,500 for the Plug-in Hybrid version of this 408, which now comes only with the more powerful 225 e-DSC7 version of this Stellantis PHEV system. That's about £5,800 more than an equivalently-specced E-408 would cost once everything's taken into account, though of course that EV version additionally benefits from a government grant deduction. There's the usual Peugeot choice of 'Allure', 'GT' or 'GT Premium' trim levels. As before with this car, unless you stretch at least as far as 'GT' spec (£2,500 more), you'll lose much of the visual appeal that probably attracted you to a 408 in the first place.
As you'd hope for the money being asked here, even entry-level 'Allure' spec gives you quite a lot. Specifically, you get keyless entry, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, rear parking sensors, an HD reversing camera, dual zone automatic air conditioning and an electrochromic rear-view mirror.
Most will want the smarter look you get with the two GT models, set apart by a front grille with vertical body-coloured accents, matrix LED headlamps and smarter 'Graphite' 19-inch wheels.
'GT' trim builds on the 'Allure' features with the addition of Matrix LED Headlight Technology - and both the brand shield and front grille are illuminated. The interior is upgraded with a grained leather steering wheel with GT logo and Alcantara facia and door panel inserts. Additional equipment includes an electric tailgate, lane position assist and front parking sensors.
'GT Premium' trim goes further with three-stage heated front seats with an eight-programme multi-point massage function and four-way electric lumbar adjustment. There's also electrically adjustable front seats and a ten-speaker FOCAL Premium Hi-Fi set-up. Additional driver assist features on 'GT Premium' trim include rear cross traffic alert, long range blind spot detection and a 360-degree camera system.
+ More
Cost of ownership
As we told you in our driving section, there's an EAER-rated driving range of up to 50 miles on full-battery power. And the Hybrid powertrain here puts out just 26g/km of CO2. The car returns a combined cycle fuel return of 109mpg.
A 3.7kW on-board charger is fitted as standard on Allure and GT trims, enabling the battery to be fully recharged in 3 hours 25 minutes. GT Premium models come with a 7.4kW on-board charger, reducing the charging time to 1 hour 40 minutes. From a household plug, the battery will be replenished in just over seven hours.
The Plug-in Hybrid 408 variants offer a thermal pre-conditioning function too. 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.
+ More
Summary
You've got to be pretty convinced by both the 408 and the Plug-in Hybrid proposition pay for at the kind of money Peugeot is demanding here. But if you are, there's a lot to like. The 408 only really looks at its best in top 'GT' trim. But hit the sweet spot in the range and you'll have the neighbours looking over the fence. And the improved EV driving range of this revised model is sufficient to make petrol station visits a relative rarity.
For this kind of outlay of course, you could have a full-EV. Maybe, for instance, a plusher version of Peugeot's own E-308, perhaps in SW estate form to match the 408's versatility. But if you get the right deal on one of these, you might think that right here, right now, a 408 PHEV could be a better all-round bet.
+ More
Have you considered these alternative models...
Find a Review
We have over 500 new and used car reviews to help you find your next car.
Browse reviews and model guides for all makes
