By Gustavoblalmiras
The results of a small, informal reader poll we ran showed a clear lean toward Peugeot’s newer 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 today: Does it look premium? Does it work on screens? And does it still feel like the brand’s heritage—without looking dated?
This is only for educational purposes: This article is independent commentary. It isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Peugeot or Stellantis.
In this article, I’ll break down what our responses leaned toward, what design/auto communities praised or criticized, and what the “new lion” signals about where Peugeot wants to go next.
About our poll: This was an informal, non-scientific poll (not a representative study). Results can be influenced by audience, platform, and how options are shown. If you want maximum transparency, add your sample size (N), dates, and where the poll ran.
Survey snapshot: what people liked (and what they didn’t)
Before the details, here’s the pattern that came through most consistently:
What people like about the 2021 lion
- More premium feel (shield + badge language reads “heritage” and “status”)
- Cleaner and more modern for apps, websites, and dashboards
- Stronger identity at a glance (bold lion head is instantly recognizable)
- Retro done right (a modern nod to earlier Peugeot eras)
What people dislike
- “Animal-in-a-shield” can feel too similar to other badges (a common critique in early coverage)
- Some prefer the older full-lion emblem because it feels more uniquely Peugeot
- A few see the new look as overly aggressive or “too logo-trendy”
Public reactions in comment sections were mixed too—some outlets explicitly described 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 said the logo was created by the Peugeot Design Lab and features a roaring lion’s head inside a coat of arms.
Peugeot positioned the redesign as part of a broader brand identity built around the concept of time (“living in the moment”), and tied it to a more modern ownership experience and its broader electrification messaging. The same release also explained the identity would roll out beyond the badge—into retailers, signage, 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. The practical impact is that the lion head generally:
- 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)
The biggest visual move is the coat of arms. Peugeot framed it as a nod to heritage and timelessness. Critics argued the “animal + shield” approach can feel closer to other performance brands, while defenders pointed out Peugeot has used shield-like framing historically too—so it isn’t completely out of character.
3) A modern logo built for a digital world
Car brands increasingly need logos that work as:
- app icons
- dashboard/infotainment UI elements
- social avatars and small thumbnails
- simple monochrome marks for print and merch
That’s a big reason you’ve seen broader industry movement toward simplified, scalable marks across many automakers.
Why many people prefer the new lion
Based on our poll themes and the most repeated public positives, preference for the 2021 mark usually comes down to three things:
1) It reads more premium
Even non-designers often read a shield badge as more upscale. Peugeot’s press messaging around the identity also positioned the brand toward a more “high-end generalist” direction.
2) It’s clearer and more confident at a glance
The lion head is bold and recognizable quickly—useful when most logo views are brief, small, or on screens.
3) It taps heritage without looking old-fashioned
The coat of arms gives a vintage/heraldic cue, while the simplified line work keeps it modern. That “heritage + usability” blend is a big part of why many people land on “new logo is better,” even with minor reservations.
The most common criticisms (and why they matter)
1) “It looks like other car badges”
This is the core negative: “animal + shield” can feel like a template. Some commentators questioned whether the industry is drifting toward badge sameness.
2) Some people miss the full-lion emblem
Long-time fans often associate Peugeot with the full-lion silhouette, so the head-only approach can feel like a loss of character to them.
3) Real-world badge execution can change opinions
A logo can look perfect in press images, but the physical badge can feel different depending on size, placement, chrome vs flat finish, reflections, and body color. Some people only decide once they’ve seen it in person.
Quick “judge it yourself” checklist (better than arguing online)
- Small-size test: Which one is readable as a tiny icon?
- Monochrome test: Which one still looks premium in one color?
- Physical badge test: Which looks better on a real grille/steering wheel?
- Brand-fit test: Which feels more “Peugeot” to you—heritage lion, or modern shield-lion?
Optional: mini-poll template you can copy/paste
If you want to strengthen your own survey section, ask these two questions and record results:
- Which logo do you prefer? (Old / New / No preference)
- Why? (Premium / Heritage / Readability / Unique / Other)
Add: N (sample size), where you ran it, and the date range. That alone can reduce “low value” flags because it shows transparency.
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 a future-facing direction.
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.
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