Peugeot 408 GT 1.2 vs Skoda Octavia 1.0

How important is stylishness when it comes to choosing a car? Though most buyers might say it's important, the reality is that the majority will choose a car with an inoffensive or perhaps even innocuous design.

But to some, a car's design matters a lot. After all, after forking out so much to acquire a vehicle, it should be aesthetically pleasing so that one can admire it for years to come.

Helping us in this debate are the Peugeot 408 and Skoda Octavia, two fastbacks with the exact opposing philosophies. Will French style get the nod, or will Czech sensibility have the edge?

The 408, with its fang-like daytime running lights and large body-coloured grille, is clearly the extrovert here

Haute couture vs off-the-rack

'Head-turning' is a modest way to describe the 408, Peugeot's first foray into the fastback segment. This car draws attention the attention of other motorists and passing pedestrians alike. Its sharp creases, rakish C-pillars and large asymmetrical wheels give it a sense of occasion that other rivals don't possess.

The Octavia is understated in comparison. But there's nothing wrong with this approach either, because if you look closer, you'll see that it's a quietly handsome car with neat lines. Not every driver wants to be the centre of attention and that's what the Octavia caters to.

If you've been wowed by the 408, then its interior will continue to dazzle you. Behind the wheel, the driver faces the latest iteration of Peugeot's 3D i-Cockpit. You can choose from a variety of instrument cluster layouts, and both it and the infotainment are highly customisable.

Another surprise here is the front seats, which are approved by AGR (Aktion fur Gesunder Rucken), a German association of back health experts. Their blend of supportiveness and comfort will be appreciated on both short and long drives.

The 408's snazzy cockpit presents a learning curve to newcomers, whereas the Octavia's space is more easily adaptable to different users

There are two main bugbears in the 408, though. One, that snazzy small steering wheel must be set low to avoid blocking the meter panel. Two, more personalisation options result in a higher learning curve.

The Skoda Octavia, on the other hand, doesn't have these issues. Its cockpit is more user-friendly, and you don't have to adapt to it. The space here also feels roomier, while the two-spoke steering wheel doesn't require special adjustments to prevent it from blocking the instrument panel.

Speaking of which, the Octavia's instrument cluster also has several layouts to choose from, but cycling through them is much easier since you just need to press a button on the steering wheel.

That said, the 408 does one-up the Octavia when it comes to usefulness. Although both cars' door bins are equally generous, the 408 has a bigger and better centre storage point that caters to drivers with thick wallets and phablets.

The Octavia's backseat has taller backrests, but the 408 offers more legroom and has a sunroof to help create an airier feel

For friends and family

If outright comfort is your priority, then the Octavia's backseats and taller backrests make it the first choice. However, it must also be said that the floor protrusion here is higher than the 408's.

Although the 408's rear bench is less cushy, its longer wheelbase (2,735mm vs 2,686mm) gives it more legroom than the Octavia. Helping distract occupants from the shorter backrests is a sunroof, plus a pair of USB points for keeping devices juiced up.

Now, one of the main reasons to get a fastback is that its body style enables it to offer a commodious boot and a large aperture to facilitate the loading and unloading of bulky items.

Octavia's boot has a lower loading height and larger aperture, but the 408's boot has a larger overall capacity when the rear seats are folded

In this regard, the Octavia has the edge. Apart from offering 600 litres with the rear seats up, the boot also has a lower loading height and comes with two segregated areas that might be useful for stowing soiled items such as cloths or shoes. A pair of pull-down hooks for bags is also present.

The 408's luggage compartment, on the other hand, is more suited to taller users due to its higher loading point. And if you don't want stuff flying around, there's an elastic net and elastic strap that you can utilise. And although there's only 536 litres with the reach bench up, folding it gives you 1,611 litres, compared to 1,555 litres for the Octavia.

The 408 packs more ponies, but is surprisingly more relaxed than the livelier Octavia

Zipping around
 
Beneath the Octavia's bonnet is a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder capable of 109bhp and 200Nm of torque, figures that are sent to the front axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The 408 boasts more power. Its 1.2-litre engine, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic, delivers 129bhp and 230Nm of torque. The Octavia, however, is surprisingly quicker, finishing the century sprint in 10.5 seconds while the 408 takes a second longer. One would have thought that the Peugeot's sporty looks matched its performance.

The Octavia's 1.0-litre engine is impressive in its refinement and efficiency, while the 408's 1.2-litre unit is pleasantly rorty and enjoys being stretched

That said, the 408 does have a thrummy soundtrack, and the powerplant is happy to be revved. Thanks to the relaxed character, one can do this without (immediately) exceeding the speed limit. The compact steering wheel also makes the fastback feel more agile, especially when manoeuvring around built-up areas.

Meanwhile, drivers who prefer quietness and refinement will take to the Octavia, where any stereotypes about three-cylinder engines being 'unrefined' will be banished for good. The motor here is as silky as it is seamless, resulting in quiet cruising even at expressway speeds.

Deciding factors

The Octavia has won many plaudits for being such an impressive package. Its numerous abilities, which include zippy-yet-efficient performance, a useful boot, and an intuitive cockpit, are hard to resist. It's also more affordable: At $184,999 (as of 19 October 2023), it's currently going for nearly $15k less than the 408.

But it's hard to ignore what the 408 brings to the table. It may not be as user-friendly as the Octavia, but its swankier and more customisable cockpit is even more compelling. It also offers a roomier backseat and a larger overall boot capacity, giving it the advantage in practicality.

What makes the 408 even more irresistible, though, is its design. It is sharp, dynamic and distinct, and its interior is just as unconventional. That makes the car a more interesting proposition and should keep the driver engaged for years to come.

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