Quick and slick Peugeot Expert is a stylish performer

Peugeot Expert L1 HDi 163 Auto

Road Test review by COLIN DAWSON

What is it?

THERE’S an imperceptible stylishness about Peugeot’s Expert van. It looks sleek outside while the three-seat cab has a quality feel, with good-looking controls and instrumentation. The Expert can be had in a broad range of configurations, with two length and roof heights. Our test vehicle was the shorter wheelbase, lower roof height 163 Auto model. The cab is a undoubtedly a very pleasant place to be and the comfortable seating offers a good driving position. Unusually, the handbrake is positioned on the right rather than between the seats, which takes a little getting used to. The driver’s view is good and the decent-sized door mirrors help rearwards.

The electrically adjustable mirrors are a cost option along with the highly effective rear parking sensors, as is the easy-to-use sat-nav with Bluetooth system. The cab also offers an abundance of storage areas including overhead stowage on passenger and driver’s side, and there are also holders for drinks bottles and cups. Our test vehicle was powered by a 2.0-litre diesel producing 163hp and 340Nm of torque. Two other engines options have 90hp and 128hp power outputs. The most powerful 163hp version in the test vehicle propels the Expert to 62mph from standstill in 11.6 seconds – sluggish it’s most definitely not! The smooth six-speed auto box helps make the driving experience pleasurable, especially coupled with the Expert’s comfortable ride and secure handling. Combined fuel consumption figure is stated at 44.1mpg with CO2 emissions at 168g/km. The 5sq m of loadspace will take a 2,255mm long load and with 1,250mm between wheel arches, a standard Euro 1 pallet can be accommodated. Maximum payload including driver is 1,186kg. A braked trailer up to 2,000kg can also be towed. Access to the load area is first class with side doors on both left and right and large 180-degree opening rear doors. The Peugeot Expert carries a three-year/100,000-mile warranty. Service intervals are 20,000 miles.

What’s hot?

• Stylish, quality feel
• Beefy engine coupled to a smooth six-speed auto gearbox
• Excellent access to load area
• Economy is good

What’s not?

• Options such as sat-nav and rear parking sensors and alarm are on the costly side
• Middle seat passenger could feel cramped (a single passenger seat is another cost option at £140)

Business Vans verdict

There’s much to be said for the Peugeot Expert, and especially the 163 Auto model. It’s quick and slick, has a decent cargo capacity and payload. It’s big enough for a host of small business uses but not so big for around-town operations to be hampered.

What you need to know

On the road price ex VAT:	£24,696
Load length:	2,255mm
Load width (max):	1,602mm
Load height:	1,450mm
Load capacity:	5sq m
Payload:	1,186kg
GVW:	2,917kg
Towing capacity braked/unbraked:	2,000kg/750kg
Engine:	1,997cc 4-cyl diesel
Power/Torque:	163hp/340Nm
Economy (combined):	44.1mpg
CO2 emissions:	168g/km