Peugeot 408 wants to be everything at once — hybrid, plug-in or all-electric

© peugeot.fr

Peugeot 408 after its update has reached the British market. This is no longer a classic sedan but a high-riding fastback-crossover with three trims and a choice between a regular hybrid, a PHEV and a fully electric version.

The base Allure version starts at £31,995. It already comes with two 10-inch screens, wireless smartphone connectivity, LED headlights, tinted rear windows, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, four USB-C ports, heated front seats and steering wheel, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.

The GT version starts at £34,495. It adds virtual i-Toggles, i-Connect navigation, a 3D instrument panel, Alcantara inserts, a powered tailgate, an illuminated grille, matrix LED headlights, lane-keep assist and front parking sensors.

The GT Premium starts at £36,795. This version adds Alcantara trim, three-stage front seat heating, an eight-programme massage function, electric adjustment, lumbar support, a 360-degree camera system, long-range blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a 10-speaker Focal audio system.

All of these prices apply to the hybrid version. It uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 48-volt system, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and a combined output of 145 hp. The electric-only range is symbolic — up to 1 km at low speeds, with a battery of just 0.9 kWh.

The plug-in hybrid is noticeably more serious. It combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 125-hp electric motor built into a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Combined output reaches 221 hp and 360 N·m. The 16.2-kWh battery delivers up to 80 km without firing up the engine. Charging takes 3 hours 25 minutes with the standard 3.7-kW charger, or 1 hour 40 minutes with the 7.4-kW unit on the GT version.

The electric E-408 gets a 58-kWh battery, a 210-hp motor and 343 N·m of torque. WLTP range reaches 455 km, and fast charging supports up to 120 kW. There are three regeneration levels, battery preconditioning, a V2L function and a heat pump — standard on the top version, optional on the two lower trims.

Interestingly, the PHEV and EV prices don’t favour the plug-in hybrid. The Allure Plug-In Hybrid starts at £38,495, while the Allure Electric is cheaper at £34,195. The GT PHEV starts at £40,995, the GT Electric at £36,595. The top-spec GT Premium PHEV and Electric cost from £43,895 and £39,095 respectively. A £1,500 grant is still available on electric versions in Britain, but the listed prices don’t include it.

The update brings the 408 a new front end with split headlights, «three-claw» daytime running lights, animated indicators, a new bumper, an illuminated Peugeot badge at the rear, gloss black accents, reworked taillights and wheels from 17 to 20 inches.

The Peugeot 408 now tries to cover three scenarios at once. The hybrid — for those who don’t want to think about charging. The PHEV — for daily electric commutes and longer petrol-powered trips. The E-408 — for those ready to ditch the combustion engine but unwilling to settle for an ordinary crossover. The most curious detail: in Britain, the electric version starts cheaper than the plug-in hybrid, which could heavily sway buyers’ decisions.