Introduction
What Car? says...
It’s no secret that the Peugeot Expert isn’t exactly what you’d call unique. It’s a badge-engineered medium van – which is to say, it’s identical to several related models, with the exception of a few styling tweaks and the logo on its nose. And that means a large chunk of the competition is… well, the same, or as near as makes no difference.
The Expert, to prove the point, shares everything from the bonnet backwards with its platform-mates, the Citroën Dispatch, the Fiat Scudo, the Toyota Proace and the Vauxhall Vivaro. In fact, the only real differences come when you look at the headlights, front bumper and grille, which have been styled to fit in with Peugeot’s latest design language.
The entry-level Expert models come equipped with a 99bhp 1.5-litre engine (badged BlueHDi 100). If you want a bit more oomph, you can upgrade to the 143bhp 2.0-litre unit (aka BlueHDi 145), which is available either with a manual gearbox, or with an eight-speed automatic that can be controlled using paddles behind the steering wheel.
Another advantage of the Peugeot’s car-based front end is that it can be offered as an electric van. We've covered that in our Peugeot e-Expert review.
There’s only one roof height available, but you do get a choice of two lengths – standard and long wheelbase. There are also two equipment levels. Professional Premium Plus is the more utilitarian version, although it does get air-con and a colour touchscreen. Asphalt Premium Plus adds sat-nav, a parking camera, a full steel bulkhead and Peugeot’s clever Moduwork seating for added flexibility.
For a a run-down of the Peugeot Expert’s driving characteristics, practicality and costs, keep reading the rest of our review. And once you've decided which van to get, you can find the best leasing deals going by checking our What Car? Leasing pages.
FAQs
Our review goes into greater detail on this, but it probably gives you a fair idea to note that the Expert is a well-regarded van that often features in our list of the best medium vans on sale.
Yes, the Expert is available with a choice of two diesel engines. There's also an electric van version available – you can read about that in our Peugeot e-Expert review.
Yes, for the most part, but it’s worth noting that the Expert has been subject to quite a few recalls since it was launched in 2016, and build quality in the cab isn’t the greatest. That said, the Expert is unlikely to leave you stranded.
Prices are changing all the time so it’s best to double check the official price lists if you want to know for certain, but the entry-level Expert starts at just over £30,000.
Our favourite version is the 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Professional Premium Plus. It’s the most affordable, the cheapest to run, and it still comes with enough toys that it doesn’t feel like a bare-bones option. If you have heavier loads to haul, though, an upgrade to the 2.0-litre engine is worth considering.
Standard-wheelbase Experts rated at 1,000kg of payload stand 1.89m tall, while those rated at 1,400kg, and all long-wheelbase models are a little higher, at 1.94m. In length, the standard-wheelbase van measures 4.96m, while the long-wheelbase model comes in at 5.31m.
