Peugeot 408 review

The 408 range starts at £31,995 for the entry-level 1.2-litre petrol engine – down significantly on the pre-facelift version.  

The electric E-408 just tips over £34,000 with the help of the UK government Electric Car Grant, which might just make it the best value and most appealing option – just be wary of plummeting EV resale values.

It’s a jump to £38,495 for the plug-in hybrid version, but even so that’s down a whopping seven grand on the older version. And a company car scheme might even things out a bit, thanks to nine per cent benefit-in-kind tax.

Lease prices start at £370 via Peugeot itself, with a £4.5k down payment over four years. Go third-party and you can probably find even cheaper.

What about trim levels?

You’ve a choice of three, but even entry-level Allure trim is pretty decent, offering 19in alloys, LED headlights, three-claw daytime running lights, tinted rear windows, 10in touchscreen infotainment (with some proper buttons thrown in underneath), a rear parking camera and sensors, and keyless entry and start. 

GT spec is now a £2.5k step up (was £3k) and brings the illuminated Peugeot emblem, clever Matrix headlights, scrolling front indicators, the iToggle control panel, plusher trim throughout, an electric tailgate, and Peugeot lion emblems on the front wings. Y'know, like they're Ferrari Scuderia shields.

The top spec is GT Premium, which commands a further £2.5k(ish) and adds 20in diamond cut alloys, Nappa leather trim, heated and massaging front seats, a vast drive assist and 360-degree parking package, fancy Focal audio, 3D 'holographic' dials, and a smart electric tailgate. It also brings a heat pump to the E-408.

Oh, and one more thing – standard colour is now flare green metallic, which adds a bit of, er, flair in a sea of black, grey and white cars. Your other options are... black, grey and white – all of which will set you back £750 – or elixir red, which commands a premium of £950. Go green or red, please.

What's the best spec?

We’ve made no secrets here – our pick would be the electric one, which suits the space age looks. If you’re regularly travelling long distances then the mild hybrid is likely a better bet, but the PHEV is really only for company car drivers. Whatever powertrain you go for we wouldn't look below GT spec, primarily for the iToggles.

Warranty is three years and unlimited miles, and it's eight years/100k miles on the hybrid battery (to 70 per cent capacity) or for the E-408.