2024 Peugeot 408 PREMIUM Review

Malaysia's C-segment market has recently welcomed a "crossover contender"—the 2024 Peugeot 408 PREMIUM. It's neither a traditional sedan nor a typical SUV, and this unique positioning easily grabs attention; not to mention it comes equipped with a 1.6T engine delivering 218PS, a fully digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch touchscreen, and a long warranty of 7 years or 200,000 km. During this test drive, I wanted to find out whether its "crossover" design is just a gimmick or genuinely practical, whether its power and features can stand out in the same segment, and whether it's convenient enough for daily driving.

Starting with the exterior, the 408 PREMIUM indeed has high recognition. The front features Peugeot's family-style frameless grille, with the brand logo embedded in the center. The LED headlights on both sides are sharp and connected by heavy chrome strips, giving off a strong sense of tension. The side profile is the essence of its crossover appeal—the sloping roofline gracefully descends from the B-pillar, paired with a ground clearance of 189mm (significantly higher than typical sedans), combining the sleekness of a sedan with the off-road capability of an SUV. Chrome trim along the lower doors and side skirts adds a touch of refinement, and the 18-inch wheels have a sporty design. Moving to the rear, the design is simple, with smoked black LED taillights in a seamless design, offering high visibility when lit. The diffuser-like styling on the lower rear bumper echoes the sporty feel of the front.

When you step inside, the first thing you'll notice is the i-Cockpit interior layout. The steering wheel is very small, has a slightly firm grip but fits well in hand. In front of it is a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, which is clear and supports different interface styles for the various driving modes. The 10-inch touchscreen on the center console is positioned relatively high, so you don't need to lower your head too much to operate it. The system's response is decent and supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interior materials are thoughtfully selected; soft-touch materials cover the upper part of the dashboard and the insides of the door panels, with detailed stitching adding finesse. In terms of features, the front seats are electrically adjustable, with decent support for the backrest and cushion, making long trips less tiring. The rear seat can be folded in a 60:40 split for greater flexibility. The air conditioning is dual-zone automatic, and the rear seats are equipped with air vents to cater to family members.

Space performance is on par with C-segment standards. I am 175 cm tall, and after adjusting the front seat to my driving position, I still had a fist and two fingers worth of headroom. Sitting in the rear, the legroom was two fists, and although headroom was slightly limited due to the sloping roofline, there was still a fist's worth, so it doesn't feel cramped. Storage space is adequate; the storage compartments in the door panels can hold two bottles of water, and the central armrest box and glove compartment are reasonably spacious. The trunk has a regular capacity of 536L and can expand to 1611L when the rear seats are folded down, making it easy to carry larger items like strollers and suitcases.

In terms of power, the 1.6T turbocharged engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the specs are impressive: a maximum of 218PS horsepower and 300N·m of peak torque. The throttle response at start isn't particularly aggressive, but press it harder, and you can feel the turbo kick in with a surge of power, delivering a 0-100km/h time of 8.8 seconds as per official figures. Overtaking in daily driving is effortless. The gearbox shifts smoothly, with only occasional slight jerks at low speeds, but these don't affect the driving experience. It offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Switching to Sport Mode makes the throttle and gearbox more responsive, ideal for moments when you want a bit of fun.

In terms of handling, the small steering wheel is a highlight, offering high steering precision. During cornering, it requires minimal steering input, and the car body follows well. The chassis tuning leans towards stiffness, providing good body roll control during turns and instilling confidence; however, when encountering speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension's ability to filter out vibrations is average, and rear passengers might feel noticeable bouncing. As a crossover, it lacks a four-wheel-drive system, as its positioning is oriented more towards urban driving.

Fuel consumption performance is quite average. During the test drive, half the time was on the highway and the other half in the city, with the air conditioning on throughout. The displayed fuel consumption was about 8.2L/100km, not far from the official 7.56L/100km rating. Monthly fuel costs for daily commutes shouldn't be too high. As for noise control, tire and engine noise are not significant at low speeds, but at highway speeds of 120km/h, wind noise can be heard coming from the A-pillar. However, it remains within an acceptable range and does not affect in-car conversations.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2024 Peugeot 408 PREMIUM are clear: the unique appearance and passability brought by its crossover design, strong 218PS power in its class, sufficient smart configurations and comfortable space, as well as a long 7-year warranty. Compared to its peers like the Toyota Camry or Honda Civic, it has stronger power and a more distinctive design; compared to SUVs like the CR-V, it offers more agile handling and lower fuel consumption.

Who is this car suitable for? If you are a family user who wants both the handling and fuel efficiency of a sedan, as well as the passability and spaciousness of an SUV, it is very suitable. For young people who like unique designs and occasionally want to experience some power, it can also be considered. However, if you are pursuing extreme comfort or a purely spacious family car, a traditional SUV might be more suitable.

Overall, the 408 PREMIUM is not perfect, but its "crossover" positioning and balanced features indeed carve out its niche in the C-segment market—a family car that balances individuality, power, and practicality.