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Peugeot Expert: big van, but car-like to drive

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14 July 2011

Peugeot Expert 120 test Review: Mark Bursa

Peugeot Expert 120 L2 H1

What is it?

Long-bodied version of Peugeot’s ‘midi’ van, which slots into its range between the Partner and Boxer. It’s a bit smaller and more car-like than the Boxer, and its main rivals such as the Ford Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro. It’s part of the joint venture between Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat, so it’s essentially the same van as the Citroen Dispatch and the Fiat Scudo.

What’s hot?

  • The size is a very useful compromise – bigger than a Ford Transit Connect, but smaller than a Ford Transit
  • Second-generation Peugeot Expert is bigger than the original, and long-body version has substantially more loadspace
  • Load bed is more than 2.5m long, and access is excellent via asymmetric rear doors and two sliding side doors
  • Metal bulkhead reduces cab noise, and we like the separately lockable load area
  • Very stable, predictable handling on the road. Solid on the cruise…
  • ….and manoeuvrable around town. It’s probably the biggest van that genuinely drives like a car
  • Our test van had an excellent sat-nav system, one of the best we’ve seen on a van…
  • …with big screen and 3D views, plus it’s well sited in the driver’s eye line
  • Plenty of deep storage pockets in the cab, though it could do with a few mobile phone-sized pockets
  • Six-speed manual gearbox is long-legged, giving good fuel economy, especially on a long run
  • We achieved 35.8mpg over mixed roads, with an average speed of 36mph – close to quoted 38.2mpg
  • On a run, you should get 44.1mpg, Peugeot claims – not bad for a 6cu m load lugger
  • The Peugeot Expert’s 80-litre fuel tank gives a hefty range of more than 700 miles

What’s not?

  • The 120PS engine is tuned for economy, not for speed, so the Peugeot Expert is perhaps a little sluggish away from the lights when laden…
  • …but hefty torque of 300Nm peaks at 2,000rpm, so mid-range overtaking performance is excellent
  • Gearshift is a little closely spaced – it’s easy to find fourth when you’re after sixth
  • Interior finish is heavy on the grey plastic
  • Cab is a three-seater, though it’s a tight squeeze for three hefty blokes!
  • The nose of the van is long – so take care in restricted car parks!

What you need to Know

P11D Value: £17,970
Monthly Rental: * £n/a
What will it be worth: ** £n/a
GVW: 2,932kg
Payload: 1,188kg
Loadspace Volume: 6.0cu m
Basic Loadspace Dimensions: 2,586mm long x 1,602mm wide x 1,450mm high
Engine: 2.0-litre tubrbodiesel
CO2 Emissions: 196g/km
Power/torque: 120PS/300Nm @ 2,000rpm
Economy: 38.2mpg combined; 30.1mpg urban

*Monthly contract hire rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

** Trade value of van if purchased after three years and 60,000 miles. (Powered by Deltapoint)

Business Van Manager Road Test Rating

The Peugeot Expert – along with its Fiat Scudo and Citroen Dispatch siblings, occupies a niche in the market between the compact vans and the full-sized panel vans such as the Ford Transit. And that means it could be just right for your business. It’s a good compromise between car-like driveability and panel van practicality – it’s manoeuvrable round town and stable on a motorway run. We like the added practicality of the long-body version too, with wide side doors and a well-finished load liner.

Also Consider: Fiat Scudo; Citroen Dispatch; Toyota Hiace; Hyundai iLoad

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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