Peugeot Partner 2019
Introduction
The Peugeot Partner is one of the best-selling small vans in the UK, and the French manufacturer recently unveiled the third generation of the model. The Peugeot Partner 2019 is now one of the most advanced and efficient vans in the segment, with a whole host of useful safety and comfort features, and a wide range of engines.
Since the first-generation Partner was launched in 1996, Peugeot has gone on to sell over 3.3 million examples worldwide, with 165,000 sales in 2017 alone. As with the previous models, the 2019 Peugeot Partner will share the same platform and drivelines as its sibling, the Citroen Berlingo 2019, but – for the first time – the Vauxhall Combo 2019 also.
Cab and interior
The cab of the Partner is surprisingly spacious and there are plenty of useful storage compartments dotted around the cab, including 39 litres under the passenger seats and lidded compartments on top of the dashboard but, owing to the low seating position, the visibility is quite low.
Peugeot has stamped its personal mark on the Partner with the i-Cockpit, which is standard across the Partner range and consists of a smaller and a more ‘agile’ steering wheel and a convenient head-up display
Peugeot Partner 2019 specifications
In response to light van customers becoming more varied over recent years, Peugeot is now offering four trim levels on the Partner; the entry-level ‘S’ model, the mid-spec ‘Professional’ and then the range-topping ‘Asphalt’ model, while the ‘Grip’ model is a slightly specced-up ‘S’ but with a couple of extra features to enhance its off-road capabilities.
S models, as one would expect, cover all the basics with front electric windows, a driver’s airbag, ESC, Hill Start Assist, remote control central locking, a full steel bulkhead, electronically-adjustable door mirrors and a nearside side loading door (both sides on the long wheelbase).
Moving up to the Professional, customers also receive air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise-control with speed limiter, automatic electric parking brake, 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted controls, heated door mirrors, a 4-way adjustable driver’s seat with armrest, front fog lights and the very innovative ‘Multi-Flex’; a folding passenger bench with pivoting writing table and load-through bulkhead.
Meaning buyers opting to push the boat out for the flagship ‘Asphalt’ trim are treated to a more comfortable premium driver’s seat, additional damp proofing to provide benchmark cabin refinement, automatic windscreen wipers, front parking sensors, rear and side parking camera, satellite navigation with voice commands, and a more sophisticated look thanks to body-coloured bumpers, handles, mirrors and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Rather than creating an off-road pack, Peugeot has developed a separate model for those wanting a bit more capability once they’ve left the beaten track. The Peugeot Partner Grip is based largely on the S, but also comes with Grip Control (a system which adapts the ESP and torque distribution according to the terrain), underbody protection, overload indicator, Multi-Flex, the 4-way adjustable driver’s seat, fog lights and a 220v socket.
Peugeot Partner 2019 loading and dimensions
Peugeot offers two wheelbases on the Partner van, but there is a standard load width (1,630mm; 1,229mm between the arches) and height of 1,243mm. The short wheelbase provides a maximum load length of 1,871mm (up to 3,090mm with the Multi-Flex load-through) and volume of 3.3m³, while the long wheelbase measures 2,167mm (3,440mm with Multi-Flex) and 3.9m³.
There are two nominal gross vehicle weights (2,000kg and 2,400kg), providing payloads of between 667kg and 1,050kg – one of the highest in the small van segment. Towing capacities for braked trailers vary between 850kg and 1.5 tonnes.
For £240, the overload indicator (standard on ‘Grip’ models) is a very useful feature for those operators who are regularly close to tipping the scales. It informs the driver when the vehicle has reached 80% of the payload, and again when they are overloading.
Other useful features include the nearside side loading door (twin side loading doors on LWB models) and six lashing points. From the Professional grade, there is a hard-wearing plastic floor lining and the Multi-Flex load-through facility.
The Partner comes with the option of a 1.2-litre ‘Puretech’ petrol (one standard power rating of 109hp/180Nm) or a newly-developed 1.5-litre ‘BlueHDi’ diesel (129hp/300Nm) and, for a limited time, the outgoing 1.6-litre ‘BlueHDi’ with power ratings of 74hp/230Nm and 99hp/254Nm.
Lower outputs are mated to a five-speed manual, while the more powerful ratings are hooked to a six-speed, with the option of an eight-speed automatic (for the first time in the small van segment) on the 128hp 1.5-litre engine.
The 1.2 PureTech was lethargic with 300kg on board, largely due to the low torque figure of 180Nm. While the 1.6 74 had little difficulty moving off, reaching traffic speed took quite a while, and we only felt assured half-laden with the 1.6 99 and 1.5 129 under the bonnet.
Thanks to the low centre of gravity, the Peugeot Partner handles remarkably well and the steering feels connected and agile, although – with the exception of the Asphalt model – there was a noticeable amount of road noise.
Peugeot Partner 2019 price and running costs
Prices range from £15,825 to £22,970 plus VAT, and are backed by a 3-year, 100,000 mile warranty. Service intervals have yet to be announced, although the 1.6-litre is expected to be set at 12,000 miles or two years and intervals on the 1.5-litre to be significantly longer. Fuel economy is impressive; an average of up to 67.3mpg combined on the 1.6-litre and 65.7mpg on the 1.5.
Peugeot Partner 2019 technical information
Engine: 1.2 (1,199cc) petrol, 1.5 (1,499cc) diesel, 1.6 (1,560cc) diesel
Performance: 109hp/200Nm (1.2 petrol), 74hp/210Nm, 99hp/250Nm (1.6 diesel) and 128hp/300Nm (1.5 diesel).
Fuel economy: 67.3mpg (petrol) and 64.2mpg – 65.6mpg (diesel)
Load lengths: 1,871mm/2,167mm
Load height: 1,243mm
Load width: 1,630mm
Between the wheelarches: 1,229mm
GVWs: 2.0t-2.4t
Payload range: 658kg – 1,021kg
Load volume range (m³): 3.3 – 3.9
Warranty: 3-years, 100,000 miles
Starting price: £15,825 plus VAT
