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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 PHEV form seems to offer an appealing combination style, power and parsimony.
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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?
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 39900 | 44700 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 28 | 31 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 26 | 26 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 140 | 140 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Min | Max |
| Combined Mpg | 214.7 | 270.3 |
| Length (mm) | 4687 | 4687 |
| Width (mm) | 1848 | 1848 |
| Height (mm) | 1478 | 1478 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 471 | 471 |
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 an 81kW electric motor with a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine that primarily contributes to total outputs of either 180 or 225hp driving through the front wheels. The 12.4kWh battery that powers the motor is supposed to deliver an EAER-rated range of up to 40 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 would be the full-electric e-408 model that will probably be offered at some point - you'll need to wait a little for that.
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 in the 180hp version takes 8.1s en route to 140mph. There's an extremely nominal performance gain with the alternative 225hp version (which improves those figures to 7.8s and 145mph): and the gain will, in reality feel even less than that because the two powerplants share exactly the same 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.
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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.
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Market and model
This is by far the most expensive powertrain in the line-up. Prices start from around £42,000 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 £7,000 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 fore with this car, unless you stretch at least as far as 'GT' spec (over £3,000 more), you'll lose much of the visual appeal that probably attracted you to a 408 in the first place.
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.
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Cost of ownership
As we told you in our driving section, there's an EAER-rated driving range of up to 40 miles on full-battery power. And the Hybrid powertrain here puts out just 26g/km of CO2 in both its forms. The 180hp version returns a combined cycle fuel return of 214.7-270.3mpg: for the 225hp model, it's 211.3-269.5mpg. Insurance groups are between 28E-31E.
From a household plug, the 50kWh battery will be replenished in just over seven hours. You'll find 3.7kW single-phase charging supported as standard, which means recharges will take three hours and 50 minutes. A 7.4kW on-board charger is available as an option and plugged into a wallbox, the battery will take one hour and 50 minutes to be topped up. 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.
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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. We wouldn't bother paying the extra for the 225hp version. And 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 EV driving range 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 we think that right here, right now, a 408 Hybrid is a better all-round bet. Try one and you might find you agree.
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