Peugeot 408 Hybrid Engine and Performance Review

Most car buyers find the plug-in hybrid label confusing. Is it an electric car? Do you have to plug it in? With the Peugeot 408, the answers are "partly" and "you should". The two plug-in versions, the Hybrid 180 and Hybrid 225, can cover a typical commute on electricity and use the petrol engine for longer trips. Here's what you get and how to get the best from it.

Hybrid 180 vs Hybrid 225

Both use a 1.6-litre PureTech turbo petrol engine, an 81 kW electric motor and an 8-speed e-EAT8 automatic gearbox. The difference is how much power the petrol engine makes.

Handbook data comes from the English Peugeot 408 owner's handbook. The handbook also lists a later Plug-in Hybrid 225 e-DCS7, with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, a 92 kW motor, a larger 17.2 kWh battery and a 1,290 kg braked towing limit.

Which one? The 0.3-second gap in acceleration is small. The Hybrid 180 makes more sense for most buyers, while the 225 suits drivers who want the extra punch for overtaking or who regularly drive with a fully loaded car.

A Note on WLTP Fuel Figures

Official plug-in hybrid fuel figures of around 1 l/100 km assume that you start the test with a full battery. You'll only get close to that if you charge regularly and most of your trips are short. On a long motorway journey with a flat battery, a 408 plug-in behaves like a 1.6 petrol car carrying a heavy battery, so expect much higher consumption.

Charging

Peugeot's 2024 launch figures for the 12.4 kWh battery:

The standard car came with a 6-metre Mode 3 Type 2 cable. You can schedule charging to start later, for example to make use of a cheaper overnight electricity tariff. The battery was covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty at launch.

If you're buying used, check whether the car has the optional 7.4 kW on-board charger. It halves wallbox charging times.

Drive Modes and Regeneration

The plug-in 408 has three main modes:

• Electric: runs on battery power alone, up to 135 km/h (84 mph), while there's enough charge
• Hybrid: the car chooses between petrol and electric power, or uses both, for the best efficiency
• Sport: both power sources together for maximum performance

Selecting B on the gear selector increases regenerative braking. The car slows more noticeably when you lift off the accelerator and puts more energy back into the battery, which is handy in town and on long descents. The paddles behind the steering wheel let you take manual control of the gearbox.

The Hybrid 136: Not a Plug-in

The 408 range also includes the Hybrid 136 e-DCS6, a mild hybrid. A 100 kW PureTech 136 petrol engine works with a 21 kW electric motor and a small 48 V, 0.9 kWh battery. It charges itself as you drive and can't be plugged in. It doesn't offer much electric-only range, but it cuts fuel use in stop-start traffic and can tow 1,300 kg. It's a good alternative for drivers with nowhere to charge.

Is a 408 Plug-in Right for You?

A plug-in 408 is worth it if:

• You can charge at home or at work
• Most of your daily driving is within the car's electric range
• You're a UK company-car driver, where low official CO2 can mean lower benefit-in-kind tax

It's less suitable if you mostly drive long distances or can't charge regularly. In that case, the PureTech 130 or Hybrid 136 will usually be cheaper to buy and run. Compare all the options in our Peugeot 408 engine and performance review, or read the full Peugeot 408 review.