Compare performance (280 HP vs 240 HP), boot space and price (27,500 £ vs 35,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Ford Focus or Peugeot 408?
All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.
The compact car segment has always been a battleground for innovation, performance, and practicality. In this highly competitive market, the Ford Focus and Peugeot 408 make compelling choices. This article explores their technical aspects, innovations, and what makes each of these cars stand out.
The Ford Focus continues as a versatile hatchback, renowned for its agility and compact dimensions that are ideal for urban environments. Measuring between 4382 mm and 4397 mm in length, and 1825 mm to 1844 mm in width, it combines practicality with a sporty persona.
In contrast, the Peugeot 408 presents itself as an SUV, a move that aligns with current consumer preferences for higher seating positions and greater cargo space. With its length of 4687 mm and a width of 1848 mm, the 408 aimed to offer a commanding road presence and interior space.
Under the hood, the Ford Focus offers a variety of engine options, including petrol MHEV, diesel, and traditional petrol engines, with power outputs ranging from 125 HP to a robust 280 HP. This variety ensures that there is a Focus for nearly every driver's needs — from fuel-efficient commutes to spirited drives. It boasts a competitive range of acceleration times, with the fastest 0-100 km/h sprint achieved in just 5.7 seconds.
The Peugeot 408 shines with its blend of Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, and even a fully electric option. The power ranges from 136 HP to 225 HP, with the hybrid configurations offering outstanding fuel efficiency. Notably, the plugin hybrid achieves consumption as low as 1.5 L/100 km, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious buyers. The electric variant further extends its appeal with an impressive 453 km range on a single charge.
Both vehicles offer modern transmission options designed to complement the driving experience. The Ford Focus is available with a manual gearbox as well as dual-clutch and automatic gearboxes, ensuring a tailored driving experience.
The Peugeot 408, sticking with an automatic-only lineup, offers a smooth transmission experience with dual-clutch and reduction gearbox options. This ensures a seamless transition between gears, which is crucial for optimizing both performance and efficiency.
The Ford Focus provides a practical hatchback design with a trunk capacity of 392 liters, perfect for accommodating daily essentials or weekend getaways. Despite its compact design, the Focus ensures passenger comfort with seating for five and a payload capacity range of up to 560 kg.
The Peugeot 408 leverages its SUV design to maximize interior space, boasting a generous trunk capacity of 536 liters. This extra roominess extends to the cabin, with ample seating for five passengers and a payload capacity up to 456 kg. Its SUV stance ensures that occupants have a more elevated view of their surroundings.
On the environmental front, the Ford Focus emits between 117g/km to 183g/km of CO2, reflecting its range of engine choices. Its CO2 efficiency classes span from D to G.
The Peugeot 408, however, triumphs with remarkable low emissions from its hybrid and electric options, starting at 0g/km for the electric model and a CO2 class ranging from A to D. This lower environmental impact may appeal to the eco-minded consumer, underscoring Peugeot's commitment to a greener future.
The decision between the Ford Focus and Peugeot 408 will heavily depend on individual preferences and requirements. For those seeking driving dynamics, a range of power options, and the familiarity of a hatchback, the Focus remains a strong contender. Conversely, the Peugeot 408 draws buyers with its SUV advantages, hybrid efficiency, and futuristic electric capabilities that cater to an eco-conscious audience. Ultimately, both models carry forward their respective brands' legacies while incorporating modern innovations that resonate with today's drivers.
Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.
Ford Focus is markedly cheaper – starting at 27,500 £ , while the Peugeot 408 costs 35,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,603 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Peugeot 408 uses 2.6 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Ford Focus with 4.9 L/100km. The difference is about 2.3 L/100km.
Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.
When it comes to engine power, the Ford Focus offers slightly more power – delivering 280 HP compared to 240 HP. That’s roughly 40 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Ford Focus is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 5.7 s, while the Peugeot 408 takes 7.2 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the Ford Focus delivers moderately more torque with 420 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 60 Nm more.
Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.
Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.
In terms of curb weight, Ford Focus is moderately lighter – 1,330 kg compared to 1,544 kg. The difference is around 214 kg.
When it comes to payload, the Ford Focus carries a bit more – 560 kg compared to 456 kg. That’s a difference of about 104 kg.
The Peugeot 408 is slightly ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.
The Ford Focus remains a clever all‑rounder that balances sharp handling with everyday comfort, making it a strong choice whether your commute is city streets or country lanes. Its practical cabin and sensible running costs mean you’ll spend more time enjoying the drive and less time worrying about ownership, with a playful streak underfoot that keeps things interesting.
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The Peugeot 408 blends a coupe-like roofline with practical sensibility, delivering striking looks and a surprisingly airy, premium-feeling cabin. On the road it prefers comfort and poise over manic thrills, making it a smart, stylish choice for buyers who want something a bit different from the usual family hatchback.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
27,500 - 42,700 £
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Price
35,100 - 48,000 £
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Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 8 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
2.6 - 5 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Consumption kWh/100km
14.7 kWh/100km
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Electric Range
-
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Electric Range
79 - 456 km
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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co2
117 - 183 g/km
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co2
0 - 114 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
52 L
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Dimensions and Body |
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|---|---|
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Body Type
Hatchback
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Body Type
SUV
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Seats
5
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Seats
5
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Doors
5
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Doors
-
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Curb weight
1,330 - 1,529 kg
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Curb weight
1,544 - 1,879 kg
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Trunk capacity
392 L
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Trunk capacity
-
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Length
4,382 - 4,397 mm
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Length
-
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Width
1,825 - 1,844 mm
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Width
1,848 mm
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Height
1,438 - 1,482 mm
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Height
-
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Max trunk capacity
1,354 L
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Payload
495 - 560 kg
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Payload
371 - 456 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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|---|---|
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Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
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Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Automatic Gearbox
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Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
115 - 280 HP
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Power HP
145 - 240 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.7 - 11.8 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.2 - 9.4 s
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Max Speed
186 - 250 km/h
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Max Speed
-
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Torque
170 - 420 Nm
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Torque
230 - 360 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
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Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
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Power kW
85 - 206 kW
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Power kW
107 - 176 kW
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Engine capacity
999 - 2,261 cm3
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Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,598 cm3
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General |
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|---|---|
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Model Year
2,022 - 2,024
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Model Year
2026
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D, G
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CO2 Efficiency Class
C, B, A
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Brand
Ford
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Brand
Peugeot
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
España