Peugeot Partner Diesel Review

A drab grey colour palette and acres of hard plastics are the norm for the cabins of utilitarian vans. After all, the main purpose of these vehicles is to get goods or equipment to where they need to be, at as low a price as possible.

So, it came as a bit of a surprise when I first opened the door of this Peugeot Partner to find that it comes equipped with a multi-function steering wheel not dissimilar in design to the one found in the Peugeot e-2008.

Could this Peugeot Partner offer that right blend of practicality with just enough niceties to make it your ideal business partner?

The Peugeot Partner comes with sliding doors at either side and doors that open up to 180 degrees at the rear, ensuring easy access to any package within its 3,700-litre cargo space

The right looks

If it's stunning looks you're looking for in your business partner, this Peugeot won't leave you wanting. Compared to its EMP2 platform-based siblings (which include the Citroen Berlingo, Opel Combo, and Toyota Proace City), I reckon the Peugeot is the smartest looking of the bunch.

There's not much to differentiate them all from each other, but the Peugeot's head light design just manages to make it the more exciting thing to look at, as compared to the Citroen's simple rounded items, or the Opel's droopy lights.

The cabin of the van offers loads of storage spaces for all your receipts, stationary, water bottles, and any other equipment you might need

The right interior

Climb into the interior of the Peugeot Partner and you'll spot a few more differentiating touches that separates it from its siblings. The gear selector here, for example, takes the form of a rotary dial as opposed to the rocker switch that is now typically found in Peugeot's and Citroen's passenger cars.

Also different in the Peugeot is its instrument cluster, which looks positively sporty with its red needles, and even comes with an optimistic speedometer that goes all the way to 220km/h.

And of course, there's a multi-function steering wheel here, a feature that is also present in the Volkswagen Caddy and Opel Combo-e, but absent in the Citroen e-Berlingo when we tested it back in March 2022.

The 8.0-inch infotainment screen is responsive enough, but manually scrolling to your favourite radio channel is difficult when you're on the go

It's no doubt a minor touch, but I'm sure those that will be spending long hours behind the wheel will find these additions all welcome. Delivery drivers and handymen alike will also be pleased to note that this cabin offers plenty of knee room for the two seated at either end of the three-seat front, and unless all three are big burly types, you won't be rubbing shoulders in here either.

Also sure to be appreciated here is the wide sweep of storage options, which start from an overhead shelf, to the water bottle holders (one for each occupant), as well as the sizeable pockets offered in the door cards.

Not so great, however, is the fact that the Partner places all its cruise control buttons on a stalk behind the steering wheel. You'll need to get familiar with where all the buttons on this stalk are located before heading out, as trying to figure it all out when on the move requires you to take your eyes off the road.

The 1.5-litre unit delivers plenty of torque even from idle, ensuring that the Peugeot Partner never feels strained on the road

The right drive

Not that driving long distances in this Peugeot Partner is such a treat. For those looking at spending long hours making deliveries, note that road noise in this van is more than enough to grate. And keeping to lower speeds does little to alleviate matters. Drive on dirty roads and you'll constantly hear sand and all sorts of pebbles pinging off the body and wheel arches of the Partner. Some added underbody insulation is needed here.

Thankfully, the Peugeot redeems itself elsewhere. That small steering wheel is delightfully light, so you should have no problem steering out of tight loading bays, or accomplishing those difficult three-point turns needed when visiting worksites that allow contractors to dump equipment all along the driveway.

The 1.5-litre unit in this Partner is also a pleasant workhorse, delivering a swell of torque from idle so you never feel challenged when keeping up with traffic while managing to keep that diesel clatter sufficiently muted at idle. However, push the Partner hard and you'll find that it's not the most responsive thing to throttle inputs, while calling for a lower gear via the paddle shifters tends to result in lurching downshifts - make sure to schedule enough time for travelling between your different appointments.

For those looking for a compact van, the Peugeot Partner is a convincing option

The right partner

At $57,888 before COE (as of 30 October 2023), the Peugeot Partner marks itself as a competent logistics assistant. Its exterior dimensions mean it's not any more problematic to drive down narrow alleyways, while those sliding doors at either side and rear doors that can be locked at both the 90 and 180-degree position should make loading and unloading goods from its 3,700-litre rear easy.

Make it your partner for work, and for the road.

Shopping for a van for your business? Do also check these other reviews:

The Volkswagen Caddy delivers a sorted ride and plenty of cargo space

The Opel Combo-e is zippy, and pleasantly quiet to boot

The Citroen e-Berlingo is quiet and comes with a capable air-conditioning system