Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018) Review

Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018) At A Glance

4/5

+Based on the 308 so rides and drives very well, available as a crew van, decent on the motorway with little road noise.

-Gearchange could be better, basic model is poorly equipped and does without a sliding side door.

The Partner van shares its platform with the Peugeot 308 and 3008 so it's no surprise that it has car-like handling and ride. Designed to carry a load of up to 850 kg, Peugeot has kept it simple with the Partner and there is a choice of panel van, crew cab and flat cab bodies, as well a Long model for greater load length capacity.

There is also the ATV model with Grip Control that gives more sure-footed handling in slippery conditions without the added expense of a full-time 4x4 system. 

With a load area width between the wheel arches of 1.22 metres, both versions can easily accommodate a Euro pallet. However it's still relatively compact in terms of its overall size, making it very versatile and easy to drive around town.

The load space has been designed with particular care to ensure ease of use and robustness. The inside walls are fully lined under the bodyline and a synthetic protective covering protects the load floor on SE versions. By protecting the load space against internal damage, it ensures the appearance of the exterior bodywork remains intact, which is often important for the owner’s business or professional image

A single 1.6-litre HDi turbodiesel engine does service in the Partner and is offered in 75PS and 92PS forms. It’s a frugal engine in both guises and, when coupled to Peugeot semi-auto EGC gearbox, it can offer emissions as low as 123g/km.

Driving the Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018)

Whichever of the Peugeot Partner’s various configurations you choose, though most popular with users is the standard panel van and it’s a very sound choice for urban delivery duties. The chassis has much in common with the Peugeot 308 family hatch, so a supple ride is a given. For some users, the suspension might be just a little too squishy, especially if you intend to make full use of the Partner’s maximum payload.

However, the soft ride means lighter loads get a very cushy ride and it’s the ideal van for transporting delicate items that don’t take kindly to be bashed around. This also means the van’s occupants are well looked after over rough roads. If you need to travel further in unmade lanes, Peugeot offers its ATV model that has Grip Control. This delivers much of the ability of an all-wheel drive van but without the expense of a 4x4 system to permanently haul around.

The ATV model works with raised suspension to give greater ground clearance, additional underbody protection to keep it safe from stray rocks and chunkier tyres to give more grip. There is also a limited slip differential to keep the front wheels turning when other vans’ would be slithering to a halt.

Given the softer suspension than many rivals, you might reckon the Peugeot Partner will lean like a galleon at full sail. This is not the case and the Partner keeps body control in very good check, which means you can make use of its good cornering grip to make able progress on twistier roads. It’s also stable on the motorway in side winds.

Around town, the Partner’s size is not an issue thanks to its tight turning circle and light steering. The clutch and throttle pedals are also light in their action, which keeps fatigue at bay during long days in traffic congestion. On more open roads, the Partner’s cab is decently quiet and free from wind and road noise.

The choice of 75PS and 92PS HDi turbodiesels engines gives users a reasonable spread to pick from. Unsurprisingly, the 75PS engine is best suited to town driving and picks up cleanly from idle to work through the five-speed manual gearbox. It’s a happy combination for urban use, but on faster stretches of road the 75PS engine feels short on puff.

For this reason, the 92PS 1.6 HDi is the better all-round bet. It’s offered with the ATV version or with Peugeot's semi-auto EGC (electronic gear control) transmission that does away with the clutch pedal and entrusts clutch work to electro-hydraulics.

This is one of the Partner’s few weak spots as the EGC gearbox is slow-witted and lurches form one gear to the next, even when the driver times easing off the throttle to perfection. Unless you absolutely need an automatic gearbox, stick with the standard manual transmission for a far more pleasant experience in the Partner.

Much easier to get used to is the Stop & Start available with the 92PS engine. It saves fuel and lowers emissions to as little as 129g/km, which isn’t as low as the EGC’s 123g/km, but we’d live with the small increase for the added enjoyment of the manual gearbox.

Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018) interior

The Peugeot Partner is one of the very few vans of this size that can carry three occupants in the front. Thanks to the Multi Flex seating, there are two passenger seats plus the driver’s pew. The downside is the third seat infringes on space for both passengers, so it’s best viewed as an occasional seat for short hop journeys.

There is also very little knee room for the third passenger. If you need to carry two passengers or more on a regular basis or for longer trips, there’s a crew van model available that will accommodate five in comfort.

More relevant for many users will be the standard front passenger seat that folds down into the floor of the cab. This allows longer loads to be slotted through from the load bay and into the cab for added security and safety when driving.

A comfortable driving position is augmented by reach and rake adjustable steering in all Partner models. Power steering is also standard, as well as electric windows, central locking and a driver’s airbag. The view out of the windscreen and side windows is good and it’s easy to judge where the front of the Partner’s bonnet lies to help with parking in cramped spaces.

The clear dash places all of the major instruments in easy view of the driver, so it only takes a glance to check speed or how much fuel is in the tank. Big circular air vents in the centre console provide ample cooling air for summer driving, while the stereo is mounted up high to be within easy reach. Small buttons on the stereo, however, make it more fiddly to use than it should be. Still, the rotary controls for the ventilation are simple to use.

Peugeot places the gear lever high on the console, which is good news for the driver but bad news if the third passenger seat is fitted as it robs leg room for this extra occupant. Some good news comes in the form of plenty of in-cab storage in the Partner.

The load bay also offers excellent storage for cargo and the Partner comes with side-hinged rear doors that open out to 180-degrees for easy access to the back of the van. There are six tie-down hooks in the cargo floor and every Partner has a driver’s ladder frame protector fitted.

If you move from the base S model to the SE or Professional versions, you also get hard plastic floor protection, while the Professional is further blessed with a half-height steel bulkhead with mesh grille and access door to the load space.

A passenger side sliding side door is standard with the SE and Professional Partner models and the L2 long model comes with twin sliding side doors. For the S, a sliding side door is an option. A roof flap at the back of the Partner allows longer loads to be placed through the roof and into the load bay, which is a neat, simple and handy addition to the Peugeot.

Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4380–4628 mm
Width 1810–2112 mm
Height 1803–1862 mm
Load Volume 2.4–3.7 m3
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1240–1624 kg
Payload 625–925 kg
Warranty 36/60,000 24/Unlimited
Servicing 20,000/24 Months

Crew Van

Version List Price MPG  
S L2 1.6 Hdi 90 £14,015 48.7 mpg Details
S L2 1.6 HDi 92 Crew Van £15,285 50.4 mpg Details

Crew Van LWB

Version List Price MPG  
L2 1.6 HDi 92 S £15,620 50.4 mpg Details
S L2 1.6 HDi 92 Crew Van £15,135 50.4 mpg Details

Floor Cab

Version List Price MPG  
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 Floor Cab £13,295 50.4 mpg Details

Panel Van

Version List Price MPG  
L1 1.6 HDi 75 Professional £15,095 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 75 S £13,215 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 75 SE £13,930 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 Professional £15,665 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 Professional ATV £16,265 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 S £13,785 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 S ATV £14,385 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 SE £14,500 56.5 mpg Details
L1 1.6 HDi 92 SE ATV £15,100 56.5 mpg Details
L2 1.6 HDi 92 S £14,750 51.4 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 Blue HDi 100 S&S £15,780 67.3 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 75 £14,760 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 75 £13,890 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 90 850 £13,440 48.7 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 92 £14,460 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 92 £15,330 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £15,930 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £15,060 56.5 mpg Details
Professional L1 1.6 HDi 92 Stop & Start £14,610 61.4 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 Blue HDI 100 S&S £14,235 67.3 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 75 £13,215 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 75 £13,065 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 90 850 £12,615 48.7 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 90 FAP 850 £13,115 53.3 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 £13,635 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 £13,785 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £14,385 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £14,335 56.5 mpg Details
S L1 1.6 HDi 92 Stop & Start £13,785 61.4 mpg Details
S L2 1.6 HDi 90 750 £13,245 48.7 mpg Details
S L2 1.6 HDi 92 £14,415 51.4 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 16v 90 625 £11,845 34.4 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 Blue HDi 100 S&S £14,615 67.3 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 Blue HDi 100 S&S EGC Auto £15,165 68.9 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 e-HDi 92 Stop & Start EGC £14,735 62.8 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 75 £13,465 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 75 £13,595 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 75 625 £12,445 48.7 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 90 850 £13,015 48.7 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 92 £14,035 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 92 £14,165 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £14,765 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 92 ATV With Grip Control £14,635 56.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 HDi 92 Stop & Start £14,185 61.4 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 VTi 98 Petrol £13,045 43.5 mpg Details
SE L1 1.6 VTi 98 Petrol £12,865 39.8 mpg Details
SE L1 Electric £21,300 - Details
SE L1 Electric £21,300 - Details
SE L2 1.6 Blue HDi 100 S&S £15,045 67.3 mpg Details
SE L2 1.6 HDi 90 750 £13,445 48.7 mpg Details

Panel Van LWB

Version List Price MPG  
S L2 1.6 HDi 92 £14,265 51.4 mpg Details
SE L2 1.6 HDi 92 Stop & Start £14,615 57.6 mpg Details

Tepee

Version List Price MPG  
Passenger Carrier Outdoor 1.6 HDi 112 £13,058 53.3 mpg Details
Passenger Carrier Outdoor 1.6 HDi 92 £12,432 - Details
Passenger Carrier S 1.6 HDi 75 £10,599 53.3 mpg Details
Passenger Carrier S 1.6 HDi 92 £10,974 - Details
Passenger Carrier S 1.6 VTi 120 £10,441 38.7 mpg Details
Passenger Carrier Urban 1.6 Vti 98 £9,728 39.8 mpg Details
Passenger Carrier Zenith 1.6 HDi 75 £11,266 53.3 mpg Details
Passenger Carrier Zenith 1.6 HDi 92 £11,649 - Details

Model History

January 2008

New Peugeot Partner revealed

With a length of 4.38m, the new Partner has a load volume of 3.3m3 and a maximum payload of up to 850 kg. The load area length of 1.8m can also be extended to 3m thanks to the new Multi-Flex passenger seat. This feature allows three people to sit in the front which was the first time this option was been available in the small panel van segment.

Thanks to the use of the Peugeot 308 powertrain, the new Partner benefits from improved acoustic comfort, combined with an ergonomic driving position and excellent visibility. This all combines to give the new Partner a high level of quality.

Can also be specified with Peugeot's Innovative Grip Control system (first seen on the 3008) on L1 HDi 90 850kg van and crew van models in both S and SE trim levels, as part of an All Terrain Option Pack. Combined with the Grip Control the option also includes under-engine protection tray, up-rated 195/70 R15 tyres, one-touch electric front windows, remote control central door locking, electric heated mirrors and passenger airbag with deactivation switch. When the option is selected on SE trim level vehicles, one-touch electric front windows, remote control central door locking and electric heated mirrors are already included as standard.

Grip Control consists of an enhanced traction control system and up-rated tyres. It is aimed at customers looking for a van that offers enhanced "all terrain" capabilities, in terms of traction compared to that of a "traditional" van, regardless of the type of terrain encountered.

The aim of the system is to optimise the traction of both front wheels by using clever electronic control, incorporated within the ESP electronic control unit (ECU). Controlling the system electronically allows the system to be more efficient and effective than a conventional mechanical limited slip differential. Five individual operating modes are available which can be selected by the driver and are accessible via a dedicated control mounted on the central fascia panel.

June 2008

Partner Professional launched

The Professional Pack adds air-conditioning, a Bluetooth phone kit, half height bulkhead with mesh grille and load space access door along with the Plus Pack (one touch electric windows, electric heated mirrors, remote control central locking) on the S versions only – standard fitment on SE versions.

All these options would normally cost £930 if bought individually on the S version but, purchased as part of the Professional Pack cost £610, a customer saving of £320. On the SE version, the Pack costs £500, a customer saving of £320 over the individual option costs.

April 2012

Revised Partner introduced

The Partner gets a new, more modern appearance along with start/stop on all its Euro 5 e-HDi engines. Emissions are now down to 123g/km.

September 2012

Partner Electric launched

Based on the normal Partner, the new Partner Electric is fitted with an electric drive train that operates on two high-energy lithium-ion battery packs with a capacity of 22.5kW/h. Fitted to the under body of the vehicle, either side of the rear axle, they preserve Partner’s road handling behaviour as well as the useable dimensions of the load space.

The Partner Electric has a high performance and compact electric motor of the permanent magnet, synchronous type. This motor is able to offer dynamic performance of the first order with a power of 67bhp and torque of 200Nm, available instantly. To make it suitable for all types of daily use, Partner Electric benefits from two charging modes for its battery: a normal charge (up to 16A) in 6 to 9 hours and a fast charge (up to 125A) allowing recovery of 80% of the capacity of the batteries in only 30 minutes. The range 105 miles was a new benchmark in the electric small van segment.

June 2015

Facelifted Peugeot Partner goes on sale

Enhancements include new Euro 6 engines, additional features and a smart new front-end design. Inside the modifications made to the floor pan mean that even the L1 version has the capacity for 2 Euro pallets.

Amongt the proven, economical engines in the range, there are new VTi petrol and BlueHDi diesel units to choose from, which meet Euro 6 standards.

  • 1.6-litre VTi 98 Petrol 5-speed manual Euro 6
  • 1.6-litre HDi 75 5-speed manual
  • 1.6-litre HDi 92 5-speed manual
  • 1.6-litre HDi 92 ATV with Grip Control 5-speed manual
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100 S&S 5-speed manual Euro 6
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100 S&S 6-speed ETG Euro 6

Fuel consumption and emissions are on average 15 per cent lower than the outgoing units. The 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100 S&S version now has record low emissions, from 108g/km, and comes with either a manual or electronic-controlled automatic gearbox.

Available in S, SE and Professional trims, new features have been added at every level. Cruise control and a speed limiter are now standard from SE, while front parking sensors and a reversing camera are now on the options list.

Professional vans now come with a TomTom GO 5000 sat-nav fitted as standard, a first in the sector (and also on Bipper and Expert vans). It clips magnetically to a charging dock mounted on the A-pillar, enabling the five-inch touch-screen to be within handy reach.

A first for the New Partner range is ‘Active City Brake’, available across the range from November this year. It is an automatic urban braking system which activates when a risk of collision is detected, up to speeds of 20mph. By helping to avoid accidents, or reduce the seriousness of an impact, it has a positive effect on the insurance group rating and running costs – another key factor for business users.

January 2017

Haynes Manual available for Peugeot Partner 2008 - 2016: Models covered are: Citroen Berlingo Multispace & Van (B9 or II model range) with 1.6 litre (1560cc) turbo-diesel engine and Peugeot Partner Teepee & Van (B9 or II model range) with 1.6 litre (1560cc) turbo-diesel engine. Price £22.99. Buy direct: http://www.haynes.co.uk

What does a Peugeot Partner (2008 – 2018) cost?