Peugeot Partner Review 2023
The Peugeot Partner is a compact small van that's undoubtedly one of the best vans on the market. With an economical range of engines and a comfortable yet practical interior, the Partner is a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses.
Rivals to the Partner include the Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo, Volkswagen Caddy, Vauxhall Combo, and Ford Transit Connect.
Our Peugeot Partner review covers:
- Stylish exterior with modern features
- Comfortable and practical interior
- Up to 3.8m3 of load volume
- 1.5-litre diesel engine available
- Two trim levels
Pros:
- Good to drive
- Comfortable interior
- Generous amount of cargo space and payload
Cons:
- The touchscreen can be laggy
- The small steering wheel takes some getting used to
- Only one engine is available
The Partner shares its foundations with the Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo, so as you'd expect, it looks pretty similar. It has a stylish front end with a large front grille and bumper, creases in the body on the side, and a pair of doors at the rear.
Inside the Partner, you get space for either two or three people. The entry-level Professional Premium + trim has a car-like singular passenger seat, while the Asphalt Premium + trim upgrades it to a folding passenger bench that can seat two passengers. The latter is our recommended choice because it also comes with under-seat storage.
Two lengths are available for the Partner: standard and long. Standard comes in at 4,403mm while long adds 350mm to take the length to 4,753mm. This equates to 1,817mm of load length and 3.3m3 of load volume for standard and 2,167mm of load length and 3.8m3 of load volume for long.
Payloads also vary depending on the model, ranging from 650 to 1,020kg.
The Partner puts forward a serious argument for having the best interior in its class. The dashboard is excellently built and features a range of premium materials that are easy to use when on the move. It also uses Peugeot's i-Cockpit interior, which has a smaller steering wheel and touchscreen infotainment system.
Sitting atop the dashboard is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a USB port. It displays sharp graphics and can also be controlled via the steering wheel-mounted controls. It's worth noting that the screen can be a bit laggy sometimes and isn't as responsive as the system found in the Ford Transit Connect.
Two trim levels are available for the Partner: Professional Premium + and Asphalt Premium +.
Professional Premium + has 16-inch steel wheels, side sliding doors, a four-way adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control with variable speed limiter, ABS braking, and remote central locking.
Asphalt Premium + has 16-inch steel wheels, automatic windscreen wipers, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, a multi-flex modular folding passenger bench, Peugeot connect with 3D navigation, a rear parking sensor and camera, and an automatic electronic parking brake.
The Partner comes with a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine that's available with either 102 or 131hp. The entry-level 102hp version is our pick of the two, offering a combination of good fuel economy and performance. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission, which helps keep it quiet at speed and also contributes to good fuel economy.
If you want slightly more power or plan on driving around with full cargo most of the time, go for the 131hp version. It's also available with an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is smooth to use.
On the road, the Partner is pretty good to drive. Its handling is agile, and the engines provide a good amount of power, making it good both around town and on the motorway.
For those who operate in urban areas, the Partner will be perfect. It has nimble handling and a tight turning radius thanks to its small steering wheel, making it well-suited for navigating tight city streets. The suspension also deals well with potholes and bumps in the road, especially with cargo in the rear.
Increase up to motorway speeds and the Partner maintains its stability and composure. The suspension deals with cracks in the road well, and the engines maintain fuel economy at higher speeds. It's worth noting that it's not as fun to drive as the Ford Transit Connect but is certainly on par with the Volkswagen Caddy.
Prices for the new Peugeot Partner start from £24,666.00 OTR* or to lease from £240.64 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Peugeot Partner? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
