The Peugeot 408 may very well be the most exquisitely designed new car of the year, particularly in the mid-range segment.
The Peugeot 408 embodies the ten-year partnership between Thaco and Peugeot from 2013 to 2023. It represents a true breakthrough in terms of design compared to other models introduced this year.
Peugeot is renowned for its chic designs as a French brand, and their various models available in Vietnam, such as the 3008, 5008, and 2008, live up to this reputation. However, the 408 takes the emphasis on exterior aesthetics to a whole new level.
The Peugeot 408 stands out not only for its design lines but also for its body shape. This compact sedan does not share the same chassis as sedans like the Mazda3 or Honda Civic, featuring a ground clearance of up to 189 mm, equivalent to many crossover models.
However, the Peugeot 408 is not comparable to models like the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota Corolla Cross, as it only reaches a height of 1,510 mm, lower than the average height of 1.6m for CUV models.
Furthermore, the Peugeot 408 is not a hatchback or fastback model. In other words, it brings together various aspects in perfect harmony: high ground clearance, sloped roofline, and the length and width of C-segment cars.
Let’s momentarily set aside the logical aspect and solely rely on our emotions when assessing the aesthetics. In that case, we can confidently say that this French lion boasts beauty and elegance.
Peugeot 408 may not be tall and robust, but it exudes a highly sporty and dynamic vibe thanks to its elevated stance. In the top-end version, the car is equipped with futuristic 20-inch solid wheels that exude the essence of electric vehicles.
In the Allure and Premium versions, the 5-spoke, two-tone 18-inch wheels are more than capable of showcasing the model’s personality and sportiness. The car body is not excessively slim, but it remains agile and extremely sharp.
The front of the car boasts a long hood and accentuated contour lines. The frameless grille contributes to an incredibly attractive appearance. The simulated air intakes on the sides resemble sharply shaped triangular surfaces.
The top-of-the-line GT version features a main lighting system with matrix technology (FullLED on the other two versions), horizontally positioned to seamlessly synchronize with vertically oriented curved demi LED strip lights, vividly portraying the powerful allure of a lion prepared to pounce on its prey.
Notably, the sloping roof beautifully merges with the trunk, creating a sporty appearance that cannot be denied, reminiscent of SUVs and sporty fastbacks. This might explain why the Peugeot 408 garners high praise and is not “inferior” when compared to the Lamborghini Urus or BMW X6.
The rear of the car is equally striking, adorned with taillights divided into three distinct sections. The rear bumper is robust and seamlessly incorporates low reversing lights, along with an exceptionally neat and sophisticated concealed exhaust pipe.
The new-generation lion logo boasts a simple and compact design. In addition to being located at the center of the car’s front and rear, it is also featured on leaf-shaped shields positioned just below the side mirrors, subtly flaunting its origins as a proud creation from the fashion capital of the world.
The car is endowed with a comprehensive range of sensors, including front and rear sensors, a rear-view camera, and notably, a 360-degree camera system along with a safety radar in the top GT version.
Stepping inside the cabin, Peugeot 408 immediately captivates users with its spacious interior, which stands in stark contrast to the conventional perception of sporty cars as being cramped and somewhat intricate.
The rear seats of the Peugeot 408 can comfortably accommodate tall individuals over 1.7m. Although the reclining angle is not significantly pronounced (a consequence of the coupe-like roofline), the second row passengers are provided with charging ports and air vents.
Compared to C-segment sedans, the car trunk of the Peugeot 408 offers ample space. Thus, the practicality of this sporty model is difficult to dismiss.
At the front seats, Peugeot 408 features leather-upholstered sport seats with hip and shoulder support pads, adorned with intricate stitching lines. Naturally, these front seats can be electronically adjusted, and the GT version even includes massage and memory functions for the driver’s seat.
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