Audi A4 vs Peugeot 408

Audi A4

Audi’s compact executive saloon.

Peugeot 408

Peugeot’s sharp-lined fastback crossover.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A4

Pick the A4 for quattro, the frugal 2.0 TDI and the 480-litre boot.

Best engine: The mid-range 2.0 TDI diesel for the best balance of economy and torque — or the 2.0 TFSI petrol.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 408

Pick the 408 for a striking fastback crossover with a modern interior and an electric option.

Best engine: The 1.2 Hybrid (136/145) or the e-408 for full electric.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs 1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol

	Audi A4	Peugeot 408
Power	190 hp Winner	130 hp
Torque	320 Nm Winner	230 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,3 s Winner	10,5 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	200 km/h
Power-to-weight	129,3 hp/t Winner	92,9 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	137 g/km	120 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,0 L/100km	5,5 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A4	Peugeot 408
Boot	480 L	536 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.611 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,79 m
Length	4,73 m	4,69 m
Width	1,84 m	1,85 m
Height	1,43 m	1,48 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A4	Peugeot 408
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	EMP2 (modular)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	1.2 PureTech · 1.2 Hybrid (48V) · 1.6 PHEV · e-408
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Plug-in hybrid · Electric
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	6-speed manual · e-DSC6 · EAT8 · single-speed
Euro standard	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d-TEMP (later)	Euro 6/6d · N/A (e-408)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6/6d petrol and the e-408 allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A4

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point, especially on diesels
EA288 diesels: AdBlue/SCR needs attention with mainly short trips
Direct-injection TFSI petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips

Peugeot 408

1.2 PureTech (early): wet timing belt
PHEV/EV: check battery and charger condition
Infotainment software needs updates

Pros

Audi A4

quattro optional on the 2.0-litre engines
2.0 TDI (40) returns ~4.3 l/100 km
480-litre boot

Peugeot 408

Striking fastback design
Modern i-Cockpit interior
Electric e-408 available

Cons

Audi A4

Automatic only on later models — early pre-facelift versions have rare manual options
S line suspension rides firmly on large wheels

Peugeot 408

No diesel offered
Boot smaller than classic saloons

Driving experience

Audi A4

As a model line, the A4 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at motorway speeds. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 2.0 TFSI is smooth, and the 40 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It leans toward comfort over sharp handling.