Striking French crossbreed aims to tempt people away from SUVs
Welcome to the Peugeot 408. But before we delve into what this quite unusual car does well (and less well), a history lesson.Peugeot’s three-digit naming strategy hasn’t changed much in decades. It means certain conventions are well established. For example, models beginning with ‘3’ are always mid-size hatchbacks, whereas those starting with a ‘9’ are top-class endurance racers designed to win Le Mans, such as the wild Peugeot 9X8. However, the number ‘4’ is less predictable, and it has been applied to some of Peugeot’s best-loved and most interesting products.The 1935 402, with its rear-wheel spats, was one of the first family cars to attempt to address aerodynamic concerns, while the sweet little 403 that succeeded it performed a volte-face and dragged the brand’s design language into modernity. It was the first Peugeot to sell in seven-figure numbers. More recently, the 405 stole hearts in Mi16 guise (it was essentially a 205 GTi in saloon uniform) and the 406 that succeeded it included a Pininfarina-penned coupé that was one of the prettiest cars of the 1990s.We therefore shouldn’t be surprised that the 408 takes a somewhat unpredictable form. What exactly is it? “A mix between a saloon and an SUV,” then Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson told Autocar upon its reveal.It was a refreshingly straightforward assessment, but the idea needs no dressing. Notchback crossovers are gaining popularity. They offer the ride height buyers want from SUVs but package it in a less obtuse, more elegant body.Four years after its initial launch, Peugeot has freshened things up to align with its modern design language, following on from the 2008 and 5008 SUVs. So, what’s new, and is this still a car you should consider buying in 2026?The range at a glanceModelsPowerHybrid 145143bhpPlug-in Hybrid 240236bhpAs part of the 408’s 2026 update, the French fastback gains a simplified engine line-up. The range opens with the mildly electrified Hybrid 145, followed by the Plug-In Hybrid 240. The electric e-408 continues to be offered as well and is reviewed separately here.Trim levels range from Allure to GT, but even entry-level cars offer a high level of equipment.
