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By Jonathan Crouch
Introduction
Peugeot's Partner van was one of the market's best selling compact LCVs during its production run between 2008 and 2018. Towards the end of that period, in 2015, Peugeot substantially updated it and if you're looking to buy a used example of this second generation model, it's these last-of-the-line models we'd ideally direct you towards. Here's why.
Models
3dr compact van (1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel])
History
Peugeot knows a thing or two about vans, the brand having built over 1.8 million LCVs since 1950. This Partner model is the company's biggest seller and in its second generation form, it was revitalised in the post-2015 Euro6 guise we're going to look at here.
This MK2 model was first introduced way back in 2008, but it was some way into this model's production run before Peugeot really began to get a grip on the marketing needed to properly promote it. With that in place, sales increased dramatically and by 2015, this Partner model regularly featured amongst this country's favorite light van models, selling in numbers great enough to elevate Peugeot into a position amongst the market's four leading LCV brands
To keep that momentum going, this contender got a major upgrade in the Spring of 2015, creating the vehicle we're going to consider as a used buy here. Changes included a smarter front end, the option of modern interior media connectivity and the chance for buyers to specify the brand's latest clean and super-frugal Euro6 BlueHDi diesel technology. All of which this LCV certainly needed in the face of tough competition in this segment. The Partner is the kind of model you choose if your business needs a compact LCV that isn't quite as small as a modern cityvan-sector model would be - something like Peugeot's own Bipper. Vehicles like that are based on superminis: Partner-type models, in contrast, sit upon the more spacious platforms originally developed for family hatchbacks or small MPVs.
There are certainly plenty of vans of that type - most notably perhaps, this Peugeot's near-identical design stablemate Citroen's Berlingo. Beyond the PSA Group, this Partner must directly take on strong-selling contenders like Ford's Transit Connect and Volkswagen's Caddy, along with two further brand-shared designs, the one we know as either the Renault Kangoo or the Mercedes Citan. And the one familiar as either a Vauxhall Combo or a Fiat Doblo Cargo. So, does it make sense as a used buy? Time to decide.
What You Get
This improved second generation Partner model got what Peugeot called a more 'assertive' design, with the front end emphasised by a chrome-framed grille with the Peugeot lion at its centre. There was a re-styled front bumper too and the result, the designers hoped, would give this vehicle a greater sense of robustness.
There were two Partner bodystyles to consider - the standard 'L1' version and the longer 'L2' derivative with a 3.7m3 capacity. There's another way though, that you can achieve that useful 3.7m3 carriage capacity figure, yet still stick to the more affordable L1 bodyshape. Avoid entry-level trim and your Partner will come with what the brand calls its 'Multi-Flex' modular cabin, a configuration which allows the outer passenger seat to be folded flat so that longer items can be poked through from the cargo area. With this feature in place and in use, load capacity increases by 0.4m3, hence the way that the 'L1' bodystyle can offer 'L2' standards of carriage space. Another way of utilising the Multi-Flex layout is to raise the seat base vertically against the seat back so that tall items can be carried - or maybe fragile things you don't want to consign to the loading bay.
The other benefit of the Multi-Flex package is that it includes a useful middle seat so that a third passenger can be accommodated if necessary. We really don't understand why journalists criticize this feature. Yes, the proximity of the centrally dash-mounted gear lever makes it difficult for an adult to comfortably use this berth, but it's only there for short journeys and emergency situations anyway. In any case, it's not only adults who travel in vans. We've found this central berth to be very useful for occasions when we've had to drop kids off on the way to work. Other benefits offered by this middle seat arrangement are found in terms of cabin practicality. Beneath it, there's a useful stowage compartment that can keep valuables away from prying eyes.
Flatten the backrest and a handy desk surface is revealed, with a strap to keep documents in place. Its features like these that'll make this van an easier proposition if you're needing the kind of mobile office functionality that many owner-drivers now seem to want. These people will probably like the idea of stretching to a top-spec model which featured what was probably the main change in this improved model's cabin, the 7-inch touchscreen and upgraded DAB audio system.
And practicality? Well as expected, the rear doors open through 180-degrees and once you've lumped your items over the relatively low 584mm-high loading lip, you'll find a cargo area that's very comparable to the one you'd get in an equivalent Ford Transit Connect, Renault Kangoo or Volkswagen Caddy from this era. Even in the standard 'L1' Partner model, it's big enough to swallow a couple of Euro pallets, thanks to a useful 1,230mm of width between the wheel arches - payload-permitting of course. On that subject, payload capacity ranges between 641kg and 846kgs, depending on the variant you choose: that's competitive with most rivals, though there are some that can take up to 1,000kgs.
As with most vans of this size, there's no way of loading in something as large as a Euro pallet through the side door, but it slides to reveal a decently sized aperture 737mm wide and 1192mm high, significantly bigger than you'd get in, say, that rival Volkswagen Caddy model we just mentioned. Get inside and with the standard 'L1' bodystyle, you get a load space length of 1,800mm, plus 1,250mm of interior height: unfortunately, there's no high roof option that would enable you to increase that. The result is that as a starting point, an L1-spec Partner can swallow 3.3m3. With its extra 248mm of body length, the 'L2' version can increase that figure to 3.7m3.
We say 'as a starting point' because, provided you've avoided entry-level trim, your Partner will come with the clever Multi-Flex modular seating system which will enable you to flatten the outer passenger seat into the floor and push through longer items into the cab, increasing your loading length to 3,000mm in the 'L1' model and 3,250mm in the 'L2' version. As a result, total carriage capacity can be upped to 3.7m3 in the 'L1' model, or as much as 4.1m3 in the lengthened 'L2' body style.
Across the range, you get a ladder-frame protector or a half-height bulkhead. It's not as good as a full-height bulkhead but it's enough for decent protection should your load slide forward during, say, an emergency stop. Not that that should happen if you've secured your items using the six floor-mounted tie-down points provided in the cargo bay. Avoid entry-level trim and a proper heavy duty PVC covering protects the load compartment floor, with tailored plastic panels partly defending the cargo area sides and the doors against minor scrapes. These will get quickly scratched and scuffed though, unless the original owner of the vehicle you're looking at has invested in a proper ply-lining kit for more comprehensive protection.
On to running costs. The advantage of choosing the more modern BlueHDi diesel engines becomes readily apparent here. Though the efficiency returns of the older Euro5 75bhp and 90bhp HDi units aren't too bad (expect 56.5mpg on the combined cycle), in a BlueHDi 100 variant, you can expect 67.3mpg on the combined cycle, thanks in part to a 'S&S' stop/start system that cuts the engine when you don't need it, stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights. BlueHDi technology has an even bigger effect when it comes to CO2 efficiency, the figure falling from just over 130g/km with the older HDi engines to 111g/km if you go for a manual BlueHDi 100 model.
What You Pay
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What to Look For
The Partner feels pretty durable. It is however, the nature of the LCV market that models come in for some pretty rough treatment. It's always best to give the interior a thorough going over to make sure all the handles, levers, buttons and dials work as they should. It's worth checking over the upholstery, door panels, parcel shelf and head lining to see if it's torn, scratched, damaged or discoloured. Check the paint finish too. Peugeot paint quality isn't the greatest. Electricals should all work as expected. Take a walk round and check that all indicators are functioning and check that the wheels and bodywork aren't wearing too many car park war-wounds.
A second-gen Partner will need a test drive to ensure that the gears engage cleanly and the power steering works properly. If the van's been fitted with a tow ball, check that the rear shocks and springs aren't rogered. Have a good look at the sliding side door to make sure it doesn't jam.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on a 2015 Partner 1.6 HDi) An air filter will be in the £9-£19 bracket. A fuel filter will be around £10, while an oil filter will be around £6-£14. A clutch kit is around £300, as is a diesel particulate filter. Front brake discs are £75 a pair and pads will set you back around £40. Mirror glass is £13, spark plugs are £10 each and a timing belt retails at £60. A timing belt is around £33.
On the Road
As ever, motive power for this van comes primarily from a 1.6-litre diesel engine, but there's quite a choice when it comes to the way you get it. From the launch of this revised model in mid-2015, this French brand continued to offer the older Euro5 75bhp and 90bhp HDi versions of this powerplant, but the company quickly switched to the more advanced BlueHDi versions of this unit. There are two: the 100bhp variant most original buyers chose, offered with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or the brand's ETG6 auto. Or a pokier 120bhp model that uses 6-speed manual transmission.
We'd say it's well worth stretching to the BlueHDi engine - and not only for its greater efficiency. Torque - pulling power through the gears - gets quite a boost with the new technology. So while the older Euro5 75bhp and 90bhp HDi variants can only manage 185Nm and 215Nm of torque respectively, the BlueHDi 100 model boosts that figure to a far more usable 254Nm, something you'll really notice when pulling out to pass that swaying artic up-front. For what it's worth, acceleration from rest is usefully rapid too, the BlueHDi 100 model needing 11.8s for the 0-62mph sprint, making it a second faster than the 90bhp HDi variant. The top speed with the more modern engine is 101mph.
We should point out that you don't have to have diesel power in your Partner. From the launch of this updated MK2 model in 2015, this French brand chose to update its aging 1.6 VTi 95bhp petrol unit to Euro6 status, so that engine was initially offered in this improved design for the few operators likely to want it. An even rarer sight on our roads was the clever all-electric version.
Overall
Peugeot's improved second generation Partner van became cleverer and more sophisticated in this post-2015 Euro6 guise, whilst still retaining the practicality that made it an LCV favourite. The option of BlueHDi engine technology made a big difference to running costs and if you get yourself a variant with the clever 7-inch infotainment screen inside, then your little compact van will feel very up to date indeed.
Overall then, what are we looking at? A sensible business Partner? Well that's one way of putting it. You might though, prefer to simply see this model in the way that many owners do: as their right hand van.
