I thought the electric Peugeot E-408 was a real step forward from the plug-in. Here’s why

Introduction

I last sat behind the wheel of the Peugeot 408 way back at the tail-end of 2022. Back then, the cracking design was jungle fresh and felt really good to drive. Slightly less impressive was the plug-in powertrain, which is where this, the new Peugeot E-408 feels just right thanks to its electric arrangement. However, Peugeot is catering for all types of buyers though, because the 408 is also available as a hybrid and there’s still a plug-in too.

What’s more, there’s plenty to differentiate these new variants from the old, with exterior design tweaks to the fastback stance that help improve on the 408’s quirky styling. Inside, the interior comfort levels have been boosted, while Peugeot’s acquired tastes i-Cockpit is also looking better than ever. This includes the small go-kart-style steering wheel that I personally love, but some people hate.

Along with the flexible powertrain options, Peugeot is also offering the 408 in three different trim levels, starting with Allure, then GT and topping it off with the GT Premium. Prices start at £31,995 for the hybrid, and I spent time behind the wheel of the electric Peugeot E-408 GT, which featured a 58kWh battery, excellent levels of kit and had an on the road price of £36,595. I’d say that’s the one to go for unless you really can’t do without all the bells and whistles of the GT Premium for £39,095, before deducting the electric car grant.

The styling

The Peugeot E-408 could be classed as lots of things, with that fairly high-off-the-ground fastback styling making it part SUV, part crossover, part coupe and decidedly family-focused. Space has never been in short supply with the design of this car and I was glad to see that Peugeot has further capitalised on that appeal with a boot volume that’s up to 536-litres topped with a hands-free electric tailgate.

However, taking a look around the outside revealed some subtle changes to the design as well, with those distinctive headlights looking lower and leaner. Meanwhile, the tail-ed also packs eye-catching lights with a now illuminated Peugeot set of lettering fizzing up the rean end a little more than before. Sandwiched in-between are those busy design lines that really help to give the 408 an identity. As a whole, I think this particular Peugeot still cuts a dash.

I got to try one in metallic Flare Green too, a colour which really pops in strong sunlight. Peugeot has also managed to come up with some funky new 19in alloy wheel designs too, which with the benefit of some generous rubber at all four corners makes this look and feel like a fairly premium proposition. And, best of all, considering the sloping fastback silhouette, the back remains wonderfully easy to get into, which is an impressive feat.

The drive

In electric guise, the Peugeot E-408 drives with an air of refinement that’s simply not present with the hybrid and plug-in variants. This model feels like it was made for an electric powertrain and the result is wonderfully straightforward. However, it is a sizeable car and the 1.85-metre width was very noticeable on narrower roads. Even though it drives like a regular saloon, the dimensions stray into SUV territory, so anyone living in a pokey neighbourhood might want to bear that in mind.

Nevertheless, the Peugeot E-408 was pretty lean and mean in the handling department. I thought the turning circle, 11.2 metres, was very impressive for a larger car. This is also a nimble vehicle, with enough rather than too much in the way of power. In fact, the 343Nm of torque on tap was perfect for getting up to speed on motorway slip roads or edging out quickly at junctions. Unsurprisingly, the Peugeot E-408 featured the standard Stellantis drive mode shifter that is a familiar component seen on most of the vehicles in the group.

All things considered though; I found the Peugeot E-408 to be a decent thing to drive. It was largely silent, even on motorway runs. Meanwhile, it also proved to be good fun on country surfaces too, with a suspension setup that was more than capable in the handling department, even though potholes and speed bumps were less easily dealt with considering the 19in alloys came fitted with decent rubber. It was also a doddle to drive, with the automatic transmission providing solid levels of press-and-go simplicity. The 408 only charges at speeds up to 120KW though.

The technology

I always like the way Peugeot has a proper go and fizzing up its dashboard array and that’s no different with the all-electric 408. The downside is that it is already starting to feel a little dated. There are lots of angular edges that act as a backdrop for the i-Cockpit. The dinky steering wheel is the centrepiece, which feels good in the hands and the various control buttons fall nicely underneath your thumbs for quick and easy adjustments on the go. As mentioned though, not everyone is a fan of this quirky design arrangement.

In the middle of the dash sits the portrait infotainment screen, which is festooned with boldly coloured icons and chunky adjustable widgets. I was impressed Peugeot has also kept a reasonably degree of manual switches underneath all the digital action, so adjusting basics like climate, as well as being able to demist screens, was mercifully straightforward. Power ports and an average audio system were present too. However, working my way around the infotainment, it did feel a little clunky at times.

The 3D-effect graphics on the 10in digital driver display were quite good, mind, and added another edge to the satellite navigation. Unfortunately, the so-called ‘Connected’ sat nav itself, which comes from TomTom (remember them?) seemed a little on the dated side, was slow to react and adding to its less-than-great edge was the way the map itself would lose clarity on occasions, almost as if it was struggling to keep up with my whereabouts. Not quite as connected as I’d hoped for then.

Overall, the tech inside the Peugeot E-408 has an air of ‘could do better’ about it. As a package, though, Peugeot has endeavoured to keep the 408 on track with the competition, so there is battery preconditioning, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) along with its own Plug & Charge scheme that purports to remove the need for an app or card when charging at one of 15,000 charge locations across Europe. Plus, the comfort levels were very good and made better with 10-way electric seat adjustment and some decent massage programmes that I’d enjoyed previously.

Peugeot E-408 verdict

With some smart new refinements on the design front, the Peugeot 408 looks the part, and, in terms of powertrains, the electric version is the one with most finesse. Inside, there are generous levels of space and even beefier portions of comfort, although the Peugeot i-Cockpit still proves to be a little bit of an acquired taste.

Overall, the Peugeot E-408 delivers quite a lot for the money, is decent to drive and might appeal most to folks who don’t want to go down the standard SUV route.

Peugeot E-408 technical specifications