Peugeot’s new 408 is an intriguing mix of upmarket executive car/estate with a bit of SUV muscle blended in.
And it works well – to a point. Certainly, the front got a lot of attention but I wasn’t as taken by the over-shot rear design. Not just because of the look, but the narrow aperture of the rear window and the thick pillars robbed it of a better view.
The car takes one of the most radical shapes ever made for a 408. And it has just been launched here. There is a PHEV, an all-electric model and a Hybrid version. I drove the latter quite a bit. Among my longer sorties was one to Sligo, around Sligo and back to Dublin as part of a special day for a lovely couple.
I mention that because lots of people came to me asking about the car as they waited for the photographs to be taken and were delighted to have something to look at and talk about.
The majority, I have to say were strongly in favour of its looks, especially the front.
And they were even more interested in the fact that it was a more-or-less straight-forward hybrid – one that generated its own battery power ‘on the go’ as opposed to the PHEV plug-in variety which demands static charging to justify its existence..
Prices for the Hybrid and electric models both start from €38,995 (the price of my Allure trim model), excluding dealer delivery charges. Yes, you are talking €40,000 for the start-up price give or take a few euro.
Rivals include the likes of Stellantis stablemate Citroen CX5 X, the Skoda Superb, the Cupra Formentor; even the Hyundai Tucson and a scattering of other blends and designs in the great world of the Crossover.
Sitting into it for the first time it seemed to be blessed with room, not to mention bore-holes of stow-away slots and cup holders. It is a big car. The only blemish was the low roofline at the back narrowing the availability of more head space for taller passengers.
And there’s a lot of boot room (536 litres) in this Fastback, as we found while shoving in cases and large bags bursting with all sorts of magical decorations to beautify the human body and visage.
The large infotainment display (10ins standard), as is always the case these days, dominates the front of cabin. The cockpit design, complete with smaller, lower steering wheel, and a different shaped display behind the wheel, is a key difference to most other cars. As a fan of the concept, I was glad to see it retained as it lets you see vital data at a glance. Not everyone agrees with that but it’s my tuppence worth. Other than that, the dash is on a par with what is offered more or less across the board.
There are dials below the infotainment for volume etc but nothing that would let us tweak ventilation fan speed or temperature; it was nearly as difficult on-screen. A bit distracting.
What wasn’t distracting, and changed the focus, was the drive. It is hard to believe that this large 6spd automatic 408 Crossover was driven by a little 3-cyl petrol engine that developed 136bhp and only called on 48volt hybrid technology for a boost now and then.
I won’t say it was the smoothest of engine outputs I’ve had, but there sure was a surprising amount of energy. I didn’t drive it hard as I had people on board a lot of the time but treat it as you would a good-sized Tourer and you’ll find it works really well. I had it in Comfort mode most of the time in deference to my passengers.
Peugeot have always primed on handling and drive and this showed, when alone in the car I found it can still do the business; maybe not altogether as a whizzkid but a motor with a nice feel to how it covered the kilometres and handled the bends.
Now what I am going to complain about is entirely subjective so don’t take it as reason for not looking at, or consider, buying the car. It was the seats. Mine had hip-holding flanges either side, designed to keep you in the best possible positions – all the more important with the 408 having one of the highest driving positions of the Crossover fraternity.
But my lower torso was too large for them or they were too narrow for me (and there was me boasting that I had shed nearly seven kilos). Seven. I need to go seven more I think to benefit from the 408 seating.
It just so happened that my car was black. I don’t think I would buy it in such a dark colour. It really obscured what are nice lines along the flanks and especially at the two rear corners.
One thing I can’t crib about is the level of spec and tech from entry level to top-of-the-range. Nor can I say much against the quality of the upholstery; and good-to-touch materials.
There is keyless entry, auto dual aircon, adaptive cruise control, rear camera and a long list of preventative elements to keep you and your car as safe and accident-free as possible.
It is a well-packaged and substantial piece of work. It’s big, uses space well, will take four adults and a teen in comfort together with their accoutrements. And it drove well, without being a revolution, and was nicely comfortable – so long as your bottom did not extend to dimensions larger or similar to mine.
You can’t say there isn’t choice with the full-electric version having the same entry-level price as the hybrid.
My hybrid was exceptionally easy on the petrol – a fact highlighted by a mere €70 between it (€190) and the electric (€120).
