Overall Rating |  |
Ulysse, along with Synergie and Peugeot 806, is a practical but unremarkable first generation family MPV. Neither as stylish nor as popular as Galaxy/Sharan, it's becoming good value now.
For
- Cheaper than most MPV rivals
- Easy to drive with good all-round vision
- Flexible passenger accommodation and load space
Against
- Boxy body shared by delivery van
- Some early cars lack air conditioning
- Interior doesn't wear well
Road Test
Ulysse is plain but practical, with angular lines that are shared by a Fiat van. And the current Ulysse makes this one look dated. But it's spacious and flexible, with sliding rear doors that are particularly family-friendly. Rear seats on eight-seater versions are cramped.
Turbodiesels are favoured; the 1.9TD (to late 1999) is a sturdy slogger, comfortably bettered by the livelier, less thirsty 2.0 JTD. The old eight-valve 2.0 petrol unit does the job, but the post-2000 2.0 16v beats it for pulling power and fuel economy.
Unlike some MPVs, Ulysse is quite light to drive, with accurate steering and not much body roll. It's easy to manoeuvre in town and when parking.
Equipment on early cars is not good - air con didn't become a standard item until early 1998, and only the top EL offered standard ABS. Safety is adequate: the closely related Peugeot 806 gained three NCAP stars.
Need To Know
NCAP: Not tested
Best Models: 2.0 JTD EL from 1999; 7-seaters
Worst Models: 2.0 S 5-seater; any without air con
Replacement: by current generation Ulysse in early 2003
Alternatives
|
Star Ratings
Handling Comfort  Quality & Reliability Performance Roominess Running Costs Value for Money Stereo/Sat Nav  |
|
|
|
|
