Blending the characteristics of a saloon with a fastback coupe and featuring SUV-inspired rugged styling bits, the Peugeot 408 is one of the most distinctive compact cars. In January 2026, Peugeot further elevated its appeal with a facelift.
Soon after its official debut, we had a chance to check out the 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid in person, and here is what we found during our time with the vehicle.
Design
The 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid features a revised exterior designed to give the car an even sharper and bolder look. It has changes across across the body, but the most noticeable ones are at the front. Peugeot has replaced the 408 Plug-in Hybrid’s conventional headlamps with split ones, but in a discreet manner.
In place of the headlamps, the company now incorporates three slanted daytime running lights. The redesigned upper grille incorporates new vertical light strips that form part of the new DRL setup. The low- and main-beam lights reside lower in the bumper.
Peugeot has purposefully designed them to appear as if they are part of the gloss black trim element in the bumper.
On the sides, new 19-inch Adakite wheels with geometric shapes elevate the offbeat styling of the car. The illuminated brand inscription at the rear, integrated into a clear lens strip that stretches across the width, is a first for a Peugeot.
Interior
The 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid’s interior does not bring any major design changes. Peugeot has not followed the recent industry shift towards ultra-slim, minimalist dashboards. Instead, the 408 Plug-in Hybrid retains a cabin with noticeable visual heft and a strong focus on ergonomics.
The low-set steering wheel with a large centre pad sits in typical Peugeot fashion, designed to improve the driver’s view of the instrument cluster. The sculpted dashboard combines flat and angular surfaces and flows seamlessly into the front door panels.
Peugeot offers the new 408 Plug-in Hybrid with comfort functions like power front seats with massage and heating functions, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and a heated steering wheel.
The company also equips the car with technologies like a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with TomTom navigation, a ChatGPT-based voice assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, and a wireless smartphone charger.
Experience in the 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid
The Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid has a slightly low roof, and with the steering wheel at its highest position, the rim can impede entry for a 6-foot driver.
Once seated, back support and headrest support feel solid, side bolstering is noticeable, under-thigh support is strong, and headroom is just about enough.
With the front seat set for a 6-foot driver, rear ingress requires watching your head due to the low roofline. The rear bench offers good headroom, decent knee room, space under the front seat for about half a UK size 11.5 shoe, USB ports, a fold-down armrest with cup holders, and adjustable headrests, but the floor is not flat and the centre seat is best suited for kids.
Specifications
The 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid employs a 132 kW (177 bhp) 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 92 kW (123 bhp) electric motor, which gives it 177 kW (237 bhp) of total power. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends drive to the front wheels.
A 14.7 kWh lithium-ion NMC battery pack powers the electric motor, and it supports charging at up to 7.4 kW. A new Plug & Charge function makes charging the new 408 Plug-in Hybrid easier. Peugeot has yet to reveal the EV mode range, but we expect it to be around 50 miles, as per WLTP.
Price and release date
The 2026 Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid’s prices should start at around GBP 42,000, and sales may commence this summer.
