Peugeot’s genre-busting, high-riding 408 has gone under the knife, sporting the French brand’s new corporate look and getting minor tweaks throughout.
The 2026 Peugeot 408 has received a slew of updates similar to that made to the related 308 Hatch and SW, and it’s the first model from the brand to sport illuminated ‘PEUGEOT’ script across the tailgate.
The new face, already seen on the 308, sees the LED daytime running light signature blend into the front grille, reflected in the rear ‘three-claw’ tail light signature in the revised tail lights.
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Also new is the hero colour – Flare Green – which is said to offer “spectacular shade variations” in different light – “shifting towards bright yellow in sunlight and deep green in shadow”.
Minor design revisions including new bumpers and alloy wheels round out the external changes, while the interior boasts revised graphics for the digital instrument cluster.
In high-spec GT and GT Exclusive versions for the European market, the 10-inch digital cluster gets enhanced 3D graphics “for optimal readability and driving pleasure”.
Peugeot says it has also enhanced the cabin ambience and perceived quality with “new refined fabrics” on the seats and interior trims, too. Other than that, it’s largely carryover.
As before, the Peugeot 408 is available with 48V ‘Hybrid’, Plug-in Hybrid and all-electric drivetrains – Australia currently receives the pre-facelift ‘408 Hybrid’ after initially getting the 408 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at launch.
In the former, a 107kW 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is teamed with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic incorporating a small electric motor, as well as a small battery pack.
Peugeot claims the 408 Hybrid can achieve combined fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km based on WLTP testing.
Further, the French brand claims the 48V hybrid system “can operate in 100 per cent zero-emission electric mode for up to 50 per cent of the driving time in urban conditions”.
The 408 Plug-in Hybrid is the most powerful of the three powertrain offerings, upping the ante with a 132kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and 92kW e-motor for system power of 177kW.
Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, and there’s up to 85km of electric driving range from the 14.6kWh lithium-ion battery. The PHEV battery can be fully recharged in a claimed 2 hours 5 minutes when using a 7.2kW single-phase charger.
Finally, the E-408 gets a 157kW/343Nm front-mounted electric motor hooked up to a 58.2kWh (usable) nickel manganese cobalt battery. Peugeot quotes efficiency of 14.7kWh/100km and a driving range of 456km on the WLTP combined cycle.
The E-408 supports DC fast-charging up to 120kW, enough to enable a 20-80 per cent charge in “around 30 minutes”.
CarExpert has reached out to Peugeot Australia about local prospects and timing for the updated 408 range, and is awaiting a response.
In 2025 just 93 examples of the 408 were registered in Australia, an increase of 14.8 per cent on 2024’s figure, but still very low in the scheme of things.
Still, it outsold the 308 small car range (88 units), as well as the 5008 large SUV (60 units). Peugeot Australia only sells the 408 Hybrid in Australia, despite previously offering the 408 Plug-in Hybrid.
The all-electric E-408 was initially “part of our consideration for future product in the local market”, but never eventuated.
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