Peugeot 408 VS Citroen C5X

It is difficult to store the Peugeot 408 in the box. It doesn’t look like a real sedan or SUV. A “crossover” type positioned among several vehicle categories, it exhibits the seating capacity of a family SUV but has a sportier look.

So who should you put it against? A real SUV? A real sedan? Within the Stellantis range, however, you don’t have to look far to find another vehicle of similar proportions. Citroen C5X is slightly larger than Peugeot 408, with a length of 4.81 meters against “only” 4.69 meters for the second.

And its design gives pride of place to curves where the lion family prefers taut lines. But these two oddly styled cars share more or less the same overall silhouette. In any case, in terms of style, we happily place a small part on Peugeot for its design, which seems to us to be a little more divisive than that of Citroën. But you know what they say about taste and color…

The Peugeot 408 is designed with sharp lines

Advantage: Peugeot, thanks to a more compact design.

Interior presentation: Citroen defends itself well

Inside, the Peugeot 408 has a sporty dashboard, taken from the Peugeot 308. Reminiscent of the Audi A3, this dashboard has a heavy finish but is more conventional than that of the Audi A3. a 3008. For its part, Citroen prefers simple furniture that has absolutely no charm.

It’s not too highlighted by the picture below, it doesn’t have a problem due to the comparison with the Peugeot one and it even gets your preference really. Here again, everything will depend on your sensitivity because in terms of perceived quality, in any case, we are at the same level in both cars. On the other hand, Citroën can have a comfort advantage thanks to its famous “High Comfort” seats.

Sporty, the dashboard of the Peugeot 408 is taken from the 308

Advantage: Citroën, even better?

The ability to live with the trunk: a small advantage of Citroen

At 11 centimeters long, the Citroen C5X logically has a slight advantage over the Peugeot in terms of volume. But the two machines, based on the same platform, remain completely close in detail. Whether in the C5X or the 408, rear passengers are pampered with royal legroom and generous headroom. Citroen retains a slight advantage in the trunk with 545 cubic liters (or 485 liters for the plug-in hybrid version). But the Peugeot is very close with its 536 liters (or 475 liters in the plug-in hybrid).

The rear seats of the Peugeot 408 are generous those of the Citroen C5X are at least as good

Advantage : Citroën, for a few liters

The range of engines: an interesting segment for Citroën

Peugeot 408 and Citroën C5X use the same technical technology. So the two cars offer a 130-horsepower small block petrol at the entry level and a 225-horsepower plug-in hybrid at the top of the range. The mid-range, however, allows them to be distinguished: while the 408 offers a 180-horsepower version of the same hybrid, the C5X prefers the option of a 180-horsepower 100% fuel unit. In the absence of diesel, this last option seems to us to be more important for large rollers. This is why the C5X leaves in our opinion with the advantage at this level.

The trunk of the Peugeot 408 offers a volume of 436 liters (or 475 liters in the plug-in hybrid)

The trunk of the Citroen C5X offers 545 cubic liters (or 485 in the plug-in hybrid version)

Advantage: Citroën, for its most stable range

Technology: More comfort in Citroën?

Again, we end up with two models that share the same technology. The 408 and C5X use the latest evolution of the digital interface common to Peugeot, Citroën, and DS. The devices are not affected by any defects in the standard cruise control, navigation system (among other driving aids), head-up display, or wireless connectivity. But while the 408 is content with just shock absorbers, the Citroën C5X offers a variable system that can be adjusted in three positions. What gives the best comfort? During our first test, in any case, the chevron-branded station wagon reigned supreme over this stage.

Advantages: Thanks to Citroen for adjustable damping.

Winner: Citroen C5X?

Bigger, better equipped, and more comfortable, the Citroën C5X doesn’t suffer at all from being compared to the Peugeot 408 when you look at what these two cars have on paper. Especially since they trade at almost the same price: we still don’t know the prices of the other versions of the series, but the First Edition of the 408 costs €50,600 with its 225 hybrid power.

In its top trim, the C5X with the same mechanics retails for €50,550. Peugeot offers a discount of €49,850 to take advantage of the €1,000 bonus reserved for plug-in hybrids, but of course, it’s possible to get the same kind of gesture for Citroën. It remains to be seen if the 408 is more interesting to drive than the C5X and above all, how customers react to the styling of the two models. We will run the 408 in a few days.

Carradisiac, partner of the Paris Motor Show

As of 2018, Caradisiac is again a partner in 2022 of the Mondial de l’Auto which will take place in Paris from October 17 to 23. The Caradisiac editorial team will therefore be transferred to its stand for the duration of the show to analyze, analyze, photograph, and record all new designs.

And this will undoubtedly also be an opportunity for you to come, as you are used to, to meet our journalists. Which new or used car to buy? They will answer all your questions. Until then, we will give you on Caradisiac all the information we could get from the manufacturers on their new models.

Important information

Where: Paris Exhibition Center, Porte de Versailles

When? From Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 October (a day reserved for journalists on Monday 17)

what time From Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22: from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm every day; Sunday, October 23: 9:30 am to 7 pm

The experimenting with new things will be held on display from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 9:30 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

how many Two rates differentiated between week and weekend for adults (16 € and 20 €); for children aged 7 to 17: €8 and €10 (ie 50% discount).