Peugeot Expert review (1996-2006)
PROS
- Easy to use
- Potent 110bhp HDi
CONS
- Not as good as the Transit Connect
Summary
Peugeot's Expert van is a fruit of the same project as the Citroën Dispatch and Fiat Scudo, and underwent a major revision in 2004, perhaps to help stave off the threat from Ford's new entrant in the light van sector.
The diesel-only Expert has a comfortable on-road performance advantage over the Transit Connect, but is based on an older design so doesn't quite offer as complete a package. As well as the panel van, Peugeot also offers a five-seat window van called the Combi, which is sometimes used as a private hire vehicle.
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The Expert is easy to drive, and when fitted with the 2.0HDi engine offers effortless performance. Despite its spacious interior, it always feels like a compact van and an easy-to-reach gearstick and standard power steering ensures driving the Expert never feels part of the job.
Engine noise is relatively muted and the Expert always feels responsive with 255Nm of torque available at 1750rpm. It corners well, with limited body roll and with some weight on board provides a comfortable ride. The 1.9D Expert offers 71hp at 4600rpm and 127Nm of torque at 2600rpm, and always feels like it's working harder than the HDi.
The Peugeot Expert, and its sister vans the Citroën Dispatch and Fiat Scudo, were developed using some of the same components as the Peugeot 806, Citroën Synergie and Fiat Ulysse. It means the dashboard and interior fittings are surprisingly car-like. The seats were improved for the 2004 version of the Expert, becoming larger and with extra side support and with a greater level of adjustment.
Versions with a dual passenger seat incorporated a fold-down writing surface containing cup holders on the centre seat cushion back. The wide instrument binnacle was easy on the eye, and the gearstick was placed conveniently on the dashboard.
To maximise space in the centre of the cabin, the handbrake was situated to the right of the driver. A CD/radio was standard as of 2004, and a ladder-style bulkhead behind the driver was also standard.
The Expert won't hold its value quite as well as the Ford Transit Connect. However, you can expect close to 40mpg in everyday driving and an 80-litre fuel tank means it won't have to visit the petrol station very often.
HDi models can go two years or 20,000 miles without a service (the 1.9D needs to visit the dealer every 10,000 miles or two years).
The Expert does without some of the complex electrical gadgets fitted to Peugeot cars so should suffer from fewer glitches. The diesel engines are capable of high mileage.
The Expert came with a driver's airbag as standard as well as seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters. R
emote central locking was standard but you still had to pay extra for anti-lock brakes.
