Peugeot Partner Review 2024

Peugeot Partner At A Glance

5/5

+Excellent range of petrol and diesel engines, one-tonne payload capacity, affordable fuel costs.

-Mid spec vans are expensive, petrol engines not available until late-2019, small steering wheel will not suit everyone.

The Peugeot Partner is a practical and affordable van that covers all of the essential comfort, refinement and payload boxes. Some drivers might take issue with the dashboard layout and quirky steering wheel, but it's difficult to deny that this Peugeot has the small van formula well and truly cracked. 

Developed alongside the Citroen BerlingoVauxhall Combo and Toyota ProAce City, the Peugeot Partner punches above its weight with a maximum payload of 1000kg and up to 4.4 cubic metres of load space. Finding a Partner van to suit your business requirements is surprisingly easy, thanks to Peugeot's simplified model line-up. 

Grip models, for example, are designed for builders and get three front seats, a one-tonne payload and 30mm raised ground clearance plus enhanced traction control for navigating muddy building sites or wintry roads. Delivery drivers, on the other hand, get the option of Asphalt trim, which comes with upgraded soundproofing and touchscreen navigation.

Those looking to cut costs can opt for the entry-level S model, but equipment levels for the basic Partner are sparse and this means you'll have to pay extra to get essentials like air conditioning, cruise control and an adjustable driver's seat. 

All versions of the Partner are easy to drive, even when fully laden, with the large windscreen and supple suspension making the van a pleasant place to spend the working day. However, while Peugeot's i-Cockpit dashboard layout is genuinely innovative with clear controls and displays, the small steering wheel can obscure some of the dashboard readings and some drivers may prefer the larger, conventional steering wheel found in the Citroen, Vauxhall or Toyota. 

Like the Berlingo and Combo, there are two diesels and one petrol engine to choose from. The 1.6-litre turbodiesel has been carried over from the old Partner with 75PS or 100PS and a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 130PS 1.5-diesel gets a six-speed manual or EAT8 automatic gearbox. The 110PS and 130PS 1.2-litre PureTech petrol was added to the Partner range in 2019. Running costs are affordable, with the diesel versions being advertised with 64.2mpg - 65.7mpg. 

The Peugeot Partner is a worthy rival to the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy. Its 1000kg maximum payload puts it at the front of the small van pack when it comes to carrying capacity, while its advertised economy figures promises low fuel costs. The Partner is also one of the few vans to get an overload warning system, which indicates when the van is nearing its maximum laden weight.

Ask Honest John

Can you recommend a 4x4 small van?

"Does anyone produce a 4x4 small van other than the Volkswagen Caddy 4Motion?"
The Vauxhall Combo is available with four-wheel drive, increased ground clearance and underbody protection. However, unless you really do need an off-roader, I'd recommend the Peugeot Partner with Grip Control. It won't give you all-wheel drive, but it does add all-terrain tyres and a smart traction control system that will allow the van to navigate wintery roads and light off-road conditions. I'd argue that a Partner with Grip Control and a good set of all-season tyres is every bit as capable as 4x4 van in all but the harshest of off-road scenarios.
Answered by Dan Powell

Should I buy a petrol or diesel small van?

"I want to buy a small van for our dog walking business. The Peugeot Partner/Berlingo/Cargo Life are absolutely ideal for our needs. It is lots of stop-start short journeys so we looked at the 1.2-litre petrol but there are not too many about so their prices tend to be high. With the diesels, there are thousands around which has pushed the price down, sometimes by as much as £3,000 on a like-for-like vehicle. The diesel is also a lot more economical around town too. Should I go for a diesel and take it for a motorway run once a week? "
I wouldn't recommend buying a diesel van for these types of journeys. The DPF (diesel particulate filter) will not complete a successful cycle when it's being used around town and you will be inviting a range of other issues, too, due to the fact the engine will seldom reach its correct operating temperature. It's possible a weekly 20 mile run on the motorway will clear the DPF and any potential carbon build-up within the engine, but I would personally choose a 1.2 petrol and avoid the diesel.
Answered by Dan Powell

I'm buying a new van. Should I choose a petrol or diesel engine?

"I've run Ford Transit Custom models (2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre diesel models) for the last 6 years. Next year I'm considering downsizing to a smaller van (such as Citroen, Toyota, Peugeot) to reduce lease repayment and running costs. I also found that I don't need a van with such a large payload. I'm a heating engineer and my daily work involves 20-mile trips (30% steep hills, 60% A/B roads and city centres, 10% motorways). Would a smaller petrol or diesel engine be the way to go?"
I think you'll be fine with a diesel if your minimum journey is 20-miles. The latest Vauxhall Combo/Peugeot Partner/Citroen Berlingo are all excellent small vans. The Ford Transit Connect is also very good.
Answered by Dan Powell
More Questions

What does a Peugeot Partner cost?