The new Peugeot 408 is comfy to drive and looks like a Lambo but you’ll pay for plug-in power with reduced practicality

ONCE a common sight on British roads, the big French family saloon was a big success for Peugeot in rivalling the Mondeo.

The 407, much like its 406 predecessor, was roomy, good-looking and especially good value.

It thrived on the second-hand market too, despite more than its fair share of reliability gremlins.

But having spawned both an estate and coupe derivatives, the 407 was duly cancelled 11 years ago with no direct replacement. Until now.

Well, the nameplate is back, albeit plus one, and 408 naturally fills the niche between the 308 and 508.

But surprise, surprise, it’s a crossover. Of sorts. It’s a saloon-cum-coupe-cum-hatchback.

It’s long enough to make you also question whether “estate” could be added to the list if you’re feeling disruptive.

The £31k entry-level is powered by Peugeot’s most tried and tested 130hp 1.2-litre petrol.

For more power, which this larger motor ideally needs, you have no other option than a plug-in hybrid.

The 1.6-litre petrol/electric combo is available with two power outputs, 180hp or 225hp (which we tested here), and both have an EV range of somewhere under 30 miles.

So nothing to boast about in the performance department then, especially given the extra weight the plug-in hybrid kit adds to the package.

The steering is well-weighted and surprisingly direct which, combined with Peugeot’s continued penchant for a tiny steering wheels, makes for a pleasingly engaging drive.

The ride resists being overly firm or soft, dealing with sub-par road surfaces rather well.

But the 408 isn’t intended to find favour on these terms given its inherited, Stellantis family-sourced running gear, but in its unorthodox styling.

And honestly, it delivers very well here.

Long, low and wide, the 408 rocks some strident and unexpected designer tricks including bold vertical door crease lines and a monolithic, unpainted black plastic bumper that juts shelf-like out the back end.

You could call it a diffuser, perhaps, if the exhaust pipes weren’t hidden.

Bold yet polarising, it deserves to be praised and not derided for what in essence is a practically-minded USP.

Talking of the back-end, there is definitely a touch of Lamborghini Urus going on there which is not least linked to the slick new black Peugeot badge the 408 sports on the front, back and sides which channels Lambo’s crest.

Inside, the cabin is much like a 308 with its fancy 3D digital driver display and a responsive and customisable touch-screen infotainment system.

Legroom in the back is good but headroom is in precious short supply and will prove a tad claustrophobic on longer runs.

Also, the 536-litre boot on the petrol car shrinks to 471 litres in the plug-in hybrid.

There’s an all-electric 408 arriving in early 2024, which for my money will suit this handsomely complicated crossover down to the ground.

It just won’t be as cracking value as an old 407.