Peugeot Partner (02-10) - Review

The Peugeot Partner has enough to offer to cover the needs of most people who need a small van for their businesses. There is a petrol option for diesel-phobes or those who may want to carry out an LPG conversion, while there is a choice of diesels, which have been updated througout the model's life. Customers buying new can also choose from several options to make the van easier to live with day-to-day. The Partner is also a decent drive. The Peugeot Partner is nearly identical to the Citroen Berlingo and is built at the same factory.

The Partner offers a pleasant driving environment with a few decent storage areas. Steering adjusts for height so most people should be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. A radio/cassette player is standard with steering column-mounted audio controls. Customers buying new can upgrade the radio/cassette to a radio/CD player, add air conditioning, choose heated rear windows and rear wipers. LX models come with an overhead storage shelf and extra 12v power points.

The Partner is not a bad drive, thanks, in part, to front suspension derived from the Peugeot 306 car. A 75bhp petrol engine has been available since launch, while the diesels available include a normally aspirated 1.9 with 70bhp or a 90bhp 2.0 HDi turbo. For 2007, the 2.0 HDi has been replaced by a more efficient 1.6 HDi with a choice of 75bhp or 90bhp outputs. While the less powerful engines are fine for multi-drop urban work, the 90bhp engines are preferable for their more effortless performance, particularly with a part or full load in the back. The Partner turns in neatly and resists body roll very well, especially with some extra weight low down in the business end.