Can this sleek executive car deliver substance to match its style? We’re living with one to find out
Jonty Renk jonty.renk@haymarket.com
I’VE HAD MY eye on running a Peugeot 408 ever since it was launched last year. Looking fresh and exciting amid the crowd of grey SUVs and saloons I see on the motorway every day, it’s a reminder of how important it is to do things differently and try new things sometimes.
Don’t get me wrong; I really enjoy my primary role of shooting and editing the video reviews of cars that represent the bread and butter content of our YouTube channel. But when the chance comes along to work on one of our epic, multi-day road trip shoots, I’ll always put my hand up to be involved.
If they’re anything like me, then, I imagine all of the designers at Peugeot were desperate to be assigned to the 408 when they saw the brief: to come up with a new model that wasn’t a direct successor to something already in the brand’s line-up, but instead combined executive saloon class with muscular SUV detailing and a svelte, coupé-like roofline.
While styling is subjective, I reckon the chosen few knocked the ball out of the park with the 408. From a distance, it almost makes you think it’s a low-slung sports car, but close up, it feels much more like an SUV, and it’s right up there with premium-badged models in terms of interior quality.
When it came to choosing the specification of my car, the process was refreshingly simple. You see, there are only two engine options: a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol and a hybrid model that combines a 1.6-litre petrol unit with an electric motor.
Given that I’m quite a high-mileage driver and can’t charge electric or plug-in hybrid cars at home, I opted for the former, because it should better suit my needs. The fact that it’s £8000 cheaper than the hybrid merely sealed the deal.
Deciding which trim to go for required a little more thought, but not much, because there are still only three on offer. And because I saved money with my engine choice, I felt no guilt in going for top-spec GT trim.
It’s a £2500 jump up to GT from mid-spec Allure Premium, but for that you get adaptive LED headlights and a heated steering wheel (both of which have been welcome during the recent winter weather), and a hands-free electric tailgate (which really helps when I’m loading my video kit into the back).
I found myself instantly drawn to the Elixir Red paint option, which costs £850. Peugeo
