Verdict
The Peugeot 408 is the sharper value call: RM43,833 less buys 215 hp, 300 Nm and an eight-speed automatic, against the Hyundai Sonata’s 177 hp, 232 Nm and six speeds. Its 536-litre boot also beats 510 litres. The Sonata counters with D-segment proportions: it is 213 mm longer and has a 53 mm longer wheelbase, plus a 70-litre tank, panoramic sunroof, head-up display and around-view monitor. For Malaysian running costs, the 408’s RM90 annual road tax is far kinder than RM877.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata if you want the larger 4,900 mm sedan with a 2,840 mm wheelbase, 70-litre tank and features such as a panoramic sunroof and head-up display.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want 215 hp and 300 Nm, a 536-litre boot, autonomous braking and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Sonata RM189,888; Peugeot 408 RM146,055.
- Output: Hyundai Sonata 177 hp and 232 Nm; Peugeot 408 215 hp and 300 Nm.
- Transmission: Hyundai Sonata six-speed automatic; Peugeot 408 eight-speed automatic.
- Length/wheelbase: Hyundai Sonata 4,900 mm/2,840 mm; Peugeot 408 4,687 mm/2,787 mm.
- Boot/fuel tank: Hyundai Sonata 510 litres/70 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres/52 litres.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Sonata RM877; Peugeot 408 RM90.
Sonata
- 213 mm longer body and 53 mm longer wheelbase.
- Panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof, head-up display and around-view monitor.
- 300,000 km manufacturer warranty coverage.
- Costs RM43,833 more despite 38 hp and 68 Nm less.
- 510-litre boot is 26 litres smaller.
- Lacks autonomous braking and collision warning.
408
- 215 hp and 300 Nm from its 1.6-litre turbo engine.
- 536-litre boot and standard space-saver spare tyre.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and all-seat seatbelt reminders.
- 52-litre fuel tank is 18 litres smaller.
- 4,687 mm length and 2,787 mm wheelbase are smaller than the Sonata’s.
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display or around-view monitor.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM189,888 | RM146,055✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM877 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,497 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp | 215 hp✓ |
| Torque | 232 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 88.5 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,687 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,840 mm | 2,787 mm |
| Weight | 1,448 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 536 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-Point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot View Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, 4-Way Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry with Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Wireless Qi Charger with Cooling Function, Head-up Display | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km✓ | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Sonata & 408 for sale
Sonata vs 408 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata or Peugeot 408 better?
The Peugeot 408 is the stronger buy for power, boot space, active safety and annual road tax. Choose the Hyundai Sonata instead for its larger D-segment dimensions, bigger tank, panoramic sunroof, head-up display and around-view monitor.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Sonata costs RM43,833 more than the Peugeot 408. The 408 also has a much lower annual road tax bill: RM90 versus RM877.
Which has the stronger powertrain?
The Peugeot 408 does. Its 1.6-litre turbo produces 215 hp and 300 Nm and uses an eight-speed automatic, while the Sonata’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine makes 177 hp and 232 Nm through six speeds.