Peugeot E-408 (2026) Review

Introduction

Peugeot has been turning heads in recent years. After many years making unassuming, uninspiring bulbous family cars, it’s really turned up the wick.

Gone is the roundedness, and in has come sporty, sleek, dramatically athletic designs, as well as a major step forward in interior quality.

There are few better illustrations of this than in the Peugeot 408, which launched in 2022, with its aggressive pointy lines, angular air intakes and claw-like front lights, complementing its coupe-like ‘fastback’ shape.

Now it’s getting its mid-life facelift, enhancing things even more. 

If you’d missed it, just before the facelift was announced, Peugeot finally added an engineless version to the range called the E-408.

Mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions had existed for some time, but a full EV hasn’t been around for very long at all. 

As a result, it's getting a makeover - and it's the electric version we're test-driving here. So, what’s the deal with all the changes, and should you lease an engineless model?

We’ve got our hands on one to find out.

What are the Pros & Cons of the Peugeot E-408?

Pros:

• Athletic exterior and attractive interior
• Well-equipped as standard
• Quiet, refined driving experience

Cons:

• Touchscreen is difficult to read on the move
• Rivals have much faster charging speeds
• Electric range could be even better

What are the first impressions of the Peugeot E-408?

The Peugeot E-408 looks fundamentally the same as the pre-facelift model, however there are some noticeable differences. The front end removes the claw-like lightbar, which previously ran from the headlights to the bottom of the air intake.

Vertical lines replace horizontal ones on the grille, separated into two rows, the top one made up of small lightbars.

But the air intakes are retained, now uninterrupted by the claw, making the aggression stand out even more, while the trapezoidal-shaped lower grille remains, with the number plate at the bottom. The headlights, meanwhile, are marginally lower than before.

The rear still has the same thin taillights, joined together by a lightbar, but the Peugeot name is now spelt out in letters within the lightbar, rather than running through a Peugeot badge as before. Furthermore, very shapely, angular cladding protrudes aggressively outwards lower down.

It looks about as attractive as a Peugeot can - angular, sporty, and muscular - and, crucially, more than sufficiently unique.

Put this up against your standard generic-looking SUV, and it’s not even a contest.

What are the Peugeot E-408’s key features?

The E-408 is offered in three trim levels.

The entry-level Allure comes with 19-inch diamond-cut alloys, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio, and a 10-inch digital instrument display. You also get automatic air conditioning, Tremezzo grey embossed fabric seats, full LED headlights, a rear-view camera, and keyless entry.

Next up, the mid-range GT trim adds aluminium sport pedals, Uzila grey embossed fabric seats with green stitching, a powered tailgate, a perforated leather steering wheel, an HR rear view camera, and an illuminated front grille.

You also get matrix LED headlights, satellite navigation and voice control, plus acoustic laminated front side windows (though you also get this on Allure in the 408 mild-hybrid (MHEV) model).

The range-topping GT Premium adds a 360-degree camera, Alcantara upholstery, a Focal premium sound system, a handsfree function for the powered tailgate, a heated steering wheel, a 3D digital instrument display, and a wireless phone charger. We are interested in the all-electric E-408, which produces 210PS.

The others have all had a power increase, with the standard 408’s mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrain - a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a tiny electric motor - now producing 145PS (an increase of 9PS) with its six-speed automatic.

There is also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) - a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit with a larger electric motor - producing 240PS (up from 225PS) with a larger battery.

What is the range of the Peugeot E-408, and what are the battery options?

The Peugeot E-408 comes with a 58.2kWh (usable) battery.

It is the same as the pre-facelift model, but the range has increased slightly to 283 miles, though many contenders can go further. 

The PHEV manages 53 miles on a full charge from its 14.6kWh battery, both of which are an increase from before.

What’s the performance and drive like with the Peugeot E-408?

The 210PS from the E-408’s front-wheel drive electric motor allows the car to move away pleasingly briskly off the line. It doesn't throw you back into your seat like many EVs; instead, it prefers to reign in the clout more smoothly. A 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds is more than adequate.

By comparison, the PHEV, despite its 30PS power advantage and 40kg lighter kerb weight, only manages to do it a tenth of a second quicker, while the 145PS MHEV version takes 10.2 seconds.

The electric model’s acceleration continues effortlessly all the way up to motorway speeds and, even then, it feels like there’s more left in reserve. Therefore, joining via entry slip roads and overtaking when required leaves it untroubled.

Around town, it doesn’t feel excessive, though the French whip’s size means it’s not the most convenient car when tackling sharp turns in city-centre backstreets. Ride comfort is impressive, too, feeling much softer than the E-408’s aggressive looks and angular cabin details suggest.

As a result, it makes light work of ironing out bumps, though poorly maintained roads and rougher surfaces can make the Pug feel a little bouncy, taking time to settle back down again. That means it's very relaxing to drive - indeed, the cabin's soundproofing is among the best we've come across, with the whine of the electric motor barely noticeable at times.

It is especially impressive in our GT test car, which, along with the top-of-the-range GT Premium model, gets laminated front windows to help deaden the sound. You also get this on entry-level MHEV models.

It works really well, even if you’re riding on the top model’s larger 20-inch wheels, though our mid-range GT car gets smaller 19-inch wheels, but offers superior ride comfort as a result. Soft suspension setups rarely produce exciting cars, and the e-408 isn’t particularly entertaining to drive.

However, it performed admirably on our test drive, resisting body lean around faster bends better than we had expected. The steering weights up nicely and feels responsive with sufficient levels of feedback through the wheel. With that smooth power delivery, it rarely feels like you're anywhere near approaching its limits unless you're being truly irresponsible.

It doesn’t handle brilliantly - rather, it carries its weight with dignity.

Regenerative braking has four levels of ferocity, adjusted by pulling paddles behind the steering wheel. Although the highest setting isn’t quite commanding enough for one-pedal driving, the braking force feels intuitive and consistent.

How fast can the Peugeot E-408 charge?

The E-408 charges at a maximum rate of 120kW DC.

That is slower than some competitors such as the Kia EV6, Skoda Elroq and Tesla Model 3. Nevertheless, a 20-80% full-speed top-up takes half an hour, though most automakers quote charging times for a 10-80% top-up, so beware when comparing like-for-like.

The Peugeot will take just under four-and-a-half hours to achieve the same from a 7.4kW AC home wallbox. Up to 11kW AC charging is supported on all e-408 models, though many UK homes are incapable of achieving such speeds.

The PHEV version, incidentally, offers 3.7kW AC charging, taking four hours for a full top-up. However, this can be reduced to little more than an hour and a half with an optional 7.4kW upgrade (included as standard on GT Premium).

What are the running costs and emissions for the Peugeot E-408?

The E-408 will be very cheap to run, especially given soaring fuel prices over the past few months.

If you go for a combustion-engined version, the PHEV returns 108.6mpg and 56g/km of CO2, while the MHEV quotes 56.5mpg and 113g/km of CO2. The E-408 is a no-brainer for company car users, though, as Benefit-in-Kind tax rewards those who choose EVs

Road tax isn’t as generous as before for EVs, but the first year will still only cost you £10 (versus £135 for the PHEV and £455 for the MHEV) – all models revert to the standard rate after that (currently £200 per year).

It is also worth noting that the PHEV, due to its list price being above £40,000, attracts the additional £440-a-year Expensive Car Supplement from years two to six inclusive. The E-408 is actually cheaper than the PHEV, so it's under £40,000, though the EV supplement's threshold has been raised to £50,000 now anyway.

Our E-408 GT test car is in insurance group 34, the same as range-topping GT Premium, though the entry-level Allure sits in group 33, while the MHEV sits in groups 20-22, and the PHEV in 30-31, depending on trim level.

Reliability-wise, Peugeot has headed up the rankings in recent years and offers peace of mind with an impressive eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. You won’t need this because you’re leasing – but it’s useful to know anyway.

What’s the interior and technology like with the Peugeot E-408?

The aggressive looks of the E-408's exterior are reflected inside.

Peugeot’s cabins have leapt forward in recent years, and continue that theme with a design that’s contemporary, stylish and sporty. The flat-bottomed, flat-topped steering wheel is particularly notable, intended to sit in your lap, and has become a signature feature of more recent Peugeots.

Air vents rule the dashboard, but all the shapes that define its look are angular, including the hood that houses the digital instrument display. As a result of its sleek appearance, the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen doesn’t dominate like in many others, appearing more integrated than some rivals’ freestanding tablets.

There is a thick silver border along the top of the dash, while the centre console is virtually entirely silver-trimmed, along with part of the multifunction controls on the steering wheel. On the whole, there’s a good selection of quality, soft-to-the-touch materials, including some Alcantara upholstery in our GT test car, though you’ll get even more Alcantara in the range-topping GT Premium.

Harder, cheaper materials can be found lower down, but they’re in forgivable places. The infotainment system is generally impressive, though it has only received minor updates. As the screen isn’t as ‘in your face’ as on many other cars, its comparatively small size can make it difficult to read on the move.

Likewise, everything on the screen feels a tad too small, though the graphics are sharp and attractive, and the menu layout is easy to get used to. Below you'll find various touch-sensitive shortcut buttons that take you straight to the menus you want to access. Because this is effectively a secondary touchscreen, the buttons are customisable.

Unfortunately, the air conditioning controls are entombed within the touchscreen. Still, at least it's navigable and relatively intuitive to use, though the screen lags at times - we’ve certainly used more responsive systems.

The digital instrument display offers plenty of customisation, too, which is welcome. However, every single layout is packed full of information, which, like the infotainment screen, can be challenging to make sense of on the move.

The range-topping GT Premium gets a 3D-style digital instrument display, which isn’t included in our GT test car, though we do get in-built SatNav. There are other intuitive features, too, including pressing a single button to activate or deactivate all driver assistance systems according to your saved preferences.

Is the Peugeot E-408 practical, and how big is the boot?

The E-408 is certainly practical in terms of its size, but the sloping roofline means it’s not as generous as, say, your average estate car. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of room for two occupants upfront, with lots of legroom and headroom, and sufficient elbow room to avoid shoulder barging the person next to you.

If you’re in the driving seat, finding a comfortable seating position is easy, with lots of adjustment in the chair and steering wheel, though we have to make do with manual adjustment.

Mind you, they’re electrically adjustable in the GT Premium, which also offers four-way powered lumbar adjustment. Additionally, this trim level comes with upgraded front seats certified by AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken). This German organisation campaigns for 'healthier backs', though our non-certified seats in our GT test car are still sufficiently comfortable.

Space-wise, it’s a similar story in the rear, with plenty of legroom even if backseat passengers are sitting behind taller front occupants. Despite being a long car (shy of 4.7 metres), the sloping roofline means you lose any headroom advantage over smaller family hatchbacks, but it’s still more than sufficient even if you’re tall.

The middle rear seat isn't as generous, but you'll fit two adults and a child in between them, though three grown-ups in the rear won't be comfortable for a longer journey. Boot capacity is 471 litres, similar to that of the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV4 Fastback.

The PHEV 408 is the same, but MHEVs get 65 litres more, while all versions lose 20- to 30-litres if you have the Focal premium sound system fitted (it’s standard on the GT Premium).

Capacity extends to 1,545 litres with the rear seats folded in a 60:40 split (1,611 litres in the MHEV), though some rivals offer a more versatile 40:20:40 arrangement. Although the boot is quite shallow due to the sloping roof, it’s very accessible, with a minimal loading lip.

You will also find a respectable amount of cabin storage, with a good-sized glove compartment, big door bins, four USB ports, four cupholders, and a 12V charging socket in the front. However, you’ll need the GT Premium model for a wireless charger.

How safe is the Peugeot E-408?

The E-408 shares a rating with the standard 408, which earned four stars in 2022, scoring 76% for adults, 84% for children, and 65% for safety assists. Peugeot will be gutted not to have earned a five-star rating, given it’s a sizeable car.

As standard, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, speed limit recognition, driver attention alert, adaptive cruise control, rear parking camera, and sensors are included.

Our GT model adds lane positioning assist, front parking sensors, and Drive Assist Plus, which enables Level 2 autonomous driving. The GT Premium trim gets a 360-degree surround-view camera, long-range blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Can I choose optional extras with the Peugeot E-408?

A heat pump, which warms the cabin more economically, is available to add on, as is the Focal premium Hi-Fi system. You can also add a sunroof and handsfree tailgate.

A pack adds a 360-degree camera, additional safety assists, air filtration, and a 3D Digital Instrument panel. There is also a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, and connectivity pack (which includes a wireless charger). 

Some of these features are standard on higher models.

What are the rival cars to the Peugeot E-408?

The E-408 doesn’t have many direct challengers, but there are the Cupra Tavascan, Kia EV4 and EV6, the Polestar 2, and the Skoda Elroq and Enyaq. There is also the BMW iX2.

Some of the E-408’s other competitors are only offered as PHEVs, such as the Cupra Formentor and Renault Rafale.

What’s the final verdict on the Peugeot E-408?

The Peugeot E-408 is an impressive car which ticks plenty of boxes.

Sure, it’s not the most electrifying car to drive, nor is a coupe-shaped ‘fastback’ going to offer the practicality of a fully-fledged SUV.

Yet it's exciting to look at, lovely to sit in, impressively practical in terms of cabin space, and reasonably priced compared with rivals.

Even better, we think the E-408 is the pick of the range over the hybrids, as it’s smoother and more refined, with performance figures nearly identical to the more powerful PHEV.

It is super quiet and feels very refined - arguably the most refined Peugeot we’ve ever driven.

Okay, charging speeds and range aren’t particularly impressive, but they’ll likely suit most people’s needs.

We recommend our GT model, which has plenty of standard kit. There is nothing wrong with the entry-level Allure, while GT Premium offers additional luxuries but compromises ride comfort slightly due to its bigger alloys.

Overall, this is a very impressive car offering great value for money – and, for a Peugeot, it’s taken the French manufacturer to a whole new level.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Peugeot E-408.

**Correct as of 19/05/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12  monthly payments, or £2,391.96 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.

Every lease deal is a fixed monthly cost for the whole of your contract, apart from changes to government costs, e.g. VAT changes or road fund license cost changes and in certain specific cases where the funder changes the price. Electric range quoted is WLTP.

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