Peugeot 408 Review: The Bold Fastback SUV Everyone Keeps Double?Taking At
08.02.2026 - 12:08:08
Rush?hour traffic, endless gray crossovers, and a dashboard that feels like a 2012 smartphone. If you've shopped for a new car recently, you've probably felt it: everything looks the same, drives the same, and somehow still doesn't quite fit your real life. You want something efficient, comfortable, and tech?savvy—but you're tired of anonymous boxes on wheels.
This is the gap the Peugeot 408 dives into, head?on.
Instead of yet another generic SUV, Peugeot has built a sharply styled fastback that stands somewhere between a hatchback, sedan, and SUV. It sits a little higher for visibility, looks like a concept car that escaped an auto show, and promises the practicality of a family car without the boredom.
The Peugeot 408 as the Solution
The Peugeot 408 is Peugeot's radical take on the modern family and commuter car: a "fastback SUV coupé" that mixes crossover ride height with a sleek, almost coupe?like perfil. It's available with efficient petrol engines and plug?in hybrid powertrains, aimed squarely at drivers who want style without sacrificing range, space, or everyday usability.
On Peugeot's official site, the 408 stands out with its aggressive front grille integrated with the body color, the signature three?claw LED lighting, and a dramatically sloping rear. Underneath all that design drama, you're getting a thoroughly modern platform shared across the Stellantis group—with advanced driver assistance, a digital cockpit, and plug?in hybrid variants designed for low?emission zones and cheaper commuting.
Real?world owners and test drivers on forums and Reddit tend to frame it like this: if a regular SUV feels too bulky and a hatchback feels too ordinary, the 408 hits a sweet spot—especially if you appreciate design and don't want to drive what everyone else is driving.
Why this specific model?
There's no shortage of compact crossovers and mid?size SUVs in 2026. So why consider the Peugeot 408 specifically?
1. A design that actually changes how you feel driving.
The 408 doesn't try to disappear in traffic. The sharp nose, raised stance, and fastback tail give it a concept?car vibe. That's not just aesthetics: the low, sleek roofline helps aerodynamics, which, in turn, helps efficiency and highway stability. Owners regularly mention how often people ask about the car at charging stations or parking lots. If you're tired of your car blending into a sea of gray crossovers, this matters more than spec sheets suggest.
2. Plug?in hybrid power that fits real life.
Depending on the market, the 408 is offered with plug?in hybrid powertrains (commonly branded HYBRID 180 and HYBRID 225) alongside a turbocharged petrol engine. The PHEV versions allow you to do your daily urban commute on electric power—ideal if you can charge at home or work—while still having a combustion engine for road trips. On forums, many PHEV owners highlight that the electric?only mode drastically cuts their fuel stops during the week.
3. Peugeot i?Cockpit: love?it or hate?it, but undeniably modern.
Inside, you get the latest iteration of Peugeot's i?Cockpit with a compact steering wheel, high?mounted digital instrument cluster, and a large central touchscreen. In the 408, it's paired with configurable touch shortcuts (Peugeot calls them i?Toggles) so you can pin your most?used functions (like climate, navigation, or phone) as one?touch buttons on the screen. Once set up, this helps reduce annoying deep?menu tapping while driving.
4. Practicality that belies the coupe silhouette.
That swooping roof might make you expect a cramped interior, but reviewers and owners generally report a roomy cabin and a big trunk, especially with the rear seats up. It's not a small car—it's closer to a mid?sized fastback than a compact hatch. If you're used to a traditional C?segment car, the 408 will feel like a step up in space.
5. Safety and driver?assist tech.
The 408 benefits from Stellantis's latest safety suite, with available systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and other advanced driver assistance features depending on trim and options. On long drives, these systems reduce fatigue; in daily traffic, they add an extra layer of confidence—though, as many owners point out, you should think of them as helpers, not autopilot.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Fastback SUV-coupé body with raised ride height | Commanding driving position and easy access, with a sleeker, more distinctive look than a typical SUV. |
| Available plug-in hybrid powertrains (market dependent) | Short, mostly urban commutes can be done largely on electric power, cutting fuel costs and emissions. |
| Peugeot i-Cockpit with digital instrument cluster | Modern, high?tech feel with key information in your line of sight and a compact wheel that can make the car feel more agile. |
| Large central touchscreen with configurable i-Toggles | Quick access to frequently used functions without diving into menus each time. |
| Generous luggage space (varies by powertrain) | Room for family trips, sports gear, and weekly shopping without playing Tetris every time. |
| Advanced driver assistance systems (depending on trim) | Added support on highways and in traffic, helping reduce fatigue and increasing safety margins. |
| Striking LED lighting with Peugeot 3-claw signature | Improved night visibility and a recognizable light signature that makes the car stand out day and night. |
What Users Are Saying
Dig into Reddit threads and European car forums and a clear pattern emerges.
The praise:
- Design gets constant compliments. Owners frequently mention strangers asking about the car, especially in bold colors. If you want a car that doesn't disappear in a parking lot, this resonates.
- Comfort and refinement are strong. Many drivers note a comfortable ride and well?insulated cabin, particularly in hybrid trims where electric running is nearly silent at low speeds.
- PHEV efficiency in city use. When charged regularly, plug?in hybrid owners report very low fuel usage on daily commutes, using the engine primarily on long trips.
The criticisms:
- i-Cockpit ergonomics can be polarizing. Some drivers (especially taller ones) struggle to find a position where the small steering wheel doesn't partially block the digital cluster. A thorough test drive is essential.
- Infotainment responsiveness. While the interface looks modern, a number of early reviewers have mentioned occasional lag or minor glitches—nothing deal?breaking, but not class?leading either.
- Price vs. traditional hatchbacks. The 408 is positioned above mainstream compacts, and some shoppers feel you're paying a premium for style and body format compared with a conventional hatch or wagon.
Overall sentiment online skews positive for buyers who actively sought something "different" and were prepared to lean into the 408's design?led character. Those who wanted maximum rear headroom or the simplest possible ergonomics tended to look at more traditional SUVs instead.
For context, Peugeot is part of Stellantis N.V., a major global automotive group listed under ISIN: NL00150001Q9, which means the 408 benefits from shared technology and platforms across multiple brands under that umbrella.
Alternatives vs. Peugeot 408
The Peugeot 408 doesn't exist in a vacuum. It competes in a crowded field of crossovers and fastbacks, even if its exact shape is relatively unique.
- Traditional compact SUVs (e.g., mainstream crossovers). These often offer more upright rear space and sometimes simpler, more conservative interiors. If maximum practicality and resale value are your only priorities, a conventional SUV might be safer—but you'll lose the 408's drama and distinctiveness.
- Electric crossovers. Full EVs offer lower running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, but they rely heavily on charging infrastructure and may carry a higher upfront price. The 408 PHEV is a compelling middle ground if you aren't ready to go fully electric yet.
- Sportback / fastback competitors. Other brands offer coupe?like SUVs and fastbacks, but the 408 usually undercuts some premium rivals on price while delivering similarly head?turning design. It's especially attractive if you want that "premium" silhouette without paying luxury?brand money.
In short: if you prioritize ultimate practicality, you'll find boxier options. If you want a modern, slightly daring shape with enough usability for a family and a strong tech offering, the 408 lands in a compelling sweet spot.
Final Verdict
The Peugeot 408 is not a car for people who want to disappear in traffic. It's for you if you look at the endless row of look?alike SUVs and feel… nothing. You want efficiency, yes. Space, yes. Tech, absolutely. But you also want to feel something when you walk toward your car in the morning.
Peugeot has taken a risk with the 408's bold fastback form and i?Cockpit interior, and that risk pays off for drivers who appreciate design and are willing to embrace a slightly different driving position and interface. In return, you get:
- A striking, aerodynamically efficient body that actually turns heads.
- Available plug?in hybrid power that makes weekday commuting cheaper and quieter.
- A modern interior with a high?mounted digital cluster and customizable shortcuts.
- Enough space and practicality to work as a primary family car.
- The reassurance of a large automotive group's tech and safety ecosystem behind it.
Is it perfect? No. The infotainment could be snappier, the i?Cockpit won't work for every body shape, and if you care only about cubic centimeters of headroom, there are better?suited shapes. But if you want a car that matches your need for practicality with an equally strong desire for personality, the Peugeot 408 deserves a serious spot on your test?drive list.
In a world of copy?paste crossovers, the 408 feels like a deliberate choice. And that might be exactly what your next car should be.
