The results of the Peugeot logo survey we have made indicate a clear preference for the new logo introduced in 2021. That’s not too surprising once you look at why the redesign happened, what changed visually, and how people typically judge car brand marks in 2025: Does it look premium? Does it work on screens? And does it feel like the brand’s heritage—without looking dated?
In this article, I’ll break down what our survey responses leaned toward, what design/auto communities praised or criticized, and what the “new lion” actually signals about where Peugeot wants to go next.
Survey snapshot: what people liked (and what they didn’t)
Before the details, here’s the pattern that came through most clearly:
What people like about the 2021 lion
- More premium feel (badge + shield reads “heritage” and “status”)
- Cleaner and more modern in apps, websites, and on steering wheels
- Stronger identity at a glance (lion head is bold and memorable)
- Retro done right (modernized nod to earlier Peugeot eras)
What people dislike
- “Animal-in-a-shield” can feel too similar to other brands (a critique echoed widely).
- Some prefer the older full-lion emblem because it feels more unique to Peugeot
- A few see the new look as overly aggressive or “too logo-trendy”
It’s worth noting that public reactions were mixed in comment sections too—some articles explicitly describe the redesign as “dividing opinion,” even while praising the execution.
Why Peugeot changed the logo in 2021
Peugeot officially unveiled the new identity on 25 February 2021, describing it as only the 11th update of its lion emblem since 1850. The brand says the logo was created by the Peugeot Design Lab and features a roaring lion’s head inside a coat of arms.
The stated goals were bigger than “making a new badge.” Peugeot positioned this redesign as part of a broader brand identity built around the concept of time (“living in the moment”) and aligned with its electrification strategy and a more modern ownership experience.
The same official release also explains that the new identity would roll out beyond the badge—into retailers, signage, the website, and brand campaigns—and appear on new models starting with the then-new 308.
What actually changed: old lion vs new lion
1) From “full lion” to “lion head”
The previous era’s badge often used a more three-dimensional full-lion style (depending on model and market), while the 2021 design focuses on a stylized lion head.
That change matters because the lion head:
- reads more clearly at small sizes
- works better in monochrome
- feels more “badge-like” when placed on a shield
2) The shield returned (and that’s intentional)
One of the biggest visual moves is the coat of arms. Peugeot framed it as a nod to heritage and timelessness.
And yes—some people immediately compared the shield approach to other performance brands (not always kindly). Lamborghini and Ferrari were two names repeatedly brought up in early reaction coverage.
But one counterpoint raised in that same discussion: Peugeot has used shield-like framing historically too, so the idea isn’t completely “borrowed.”
3) A modern logo built for a digital world
Car brands increasingly need logos that work:
- as app icons
- in dashboards and infotainment
- on social media avatars
- on small UI elements
That’s why you see a broader industry swing toward simplified, flatter, more scalable marks. One marketing/design roundup highlighted how Peugeot’s change happened alongside a wave of rebrands across major automakers in the same period.
Why many people prefer the new lion
Based on survey feedback themes and the most repeated public positives, preference for the new mark usually comes down to three things:
1) It looks more premium than the outgoing badge
Even people who aren’t “logo nerds” tend to read a shield badge as more upscale. The Peugeot press materials themselves position the brand as moving upmarket and building a more “high-end generalist” identity.
2) It’s clearer and more confident
The lion head is bold, direct, and easy to recognize in a second. That recognizability is a big deal when logos are often seen at small sizes or quick glances.
3) It taps heritage without looking old-fashioned
A recurring theme across design commentary is that the 2021 lion feels like a smart revival rather than a random redesign. One branding review noted that the return to a coat of arms gives a vintage/heraldic flavor—yet the overall result doesn’t just appeal to nostalgia; it reads modern when executed cleanly.
The most common criticisms of the new Peugeot logo
No redesign lands perfectly for everyone, and these critiques showed up repeatedly:
1) “It looks like other car badges”
This is the biggest negative: “animal + shield” can feel like a template. Some commentators openly compared it to other brands and questioned whether the industry is becoming too homogeneous.
2) Preference for the full-lion emblem
Some fans simply like seeing the whole lion—it’s what they associate with Peugeot. On community forums, you’ll find owners who describe the new one as “refreshing,” while others remain attached to the older style.
3) Badge execution on real cars
A logo can look perfect on a press image, but the physical badge can feel different depending on:
- size and placement
- chrome vs flat finish
- lighting and reflections
- grille and body color
In other words: some people only decide once they’ve seen it in person.
What the new lion means for Peugeot’s brand direction
Peugeot’s official message around the redesign is that it supports:
- a modernized ownership experience
- updated retail and digital touchpoints
- a more premium positioning
- a long-term electrification push
From a branding perspective, the new lion is doing two jobs at once:
- Heritage signal (a coat of arms implies history and confidence)
- Modern usability (strong line-work and simplified forms scale well across today’s screens)
That combination is exactly why so many survey respondents—and plenty of public commenters—landed on “new logo is better,” even if they had small reservations.
FAQ
When did Peugeot introduce the new lion logo?
Peugeot announced the new logo and brand identity on 25 February 2021.
What is the new logo supposed to represent?
Peugeot describes it as a lion head in a coat of arms, designed to reflect brand evolution, a renewed identity concept around “time,” and an electrification-focused future.
Why do some people dislike it?
The main criticism is that an animal-in-a-shield can look similar to other automaker badges, and some people prefer the older full-lion style.
Is the new logo a “retro” logo?
It’s widely framed as a heritage-influenced redesign (shield + lion head), modernized for current branding and digital use.
Source links (add these in your References section)
https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/peugeot/press/peugeot-roars-into-2021-with-new-brand-identity-including-a-rare-update-for-iconic-lion-emblem
https://www.peugeot.ie/brand/about-us/news/the-peugeot-lion-roars-louder.html
https://www.creativebloq.com/news/peugeots-roar-some-new-logo-divides-opinion
New Peugeot logo and car rebranding, it smells musky!
https://www.epica-awards.com/news/design-plus-why-peugeot-and-renault-changed-their-logos
https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/rebrand-with-new-logo.363876/