Reviews - Peugeot

Overall Rating

The 2002 revision of the Peugeot Partner has re-enforced its values of being a cost effective option to the small business driver. Enhanced interior and exterior changes have modernized the look. Peugeot understand everyone has individual needs and allow buyers to pick their requirements across the range.

• Cost effective
• Modernised interior
• Good quality engine choice

• Petrol engine overshadowed by diesel

The revised Peugeot Partner has been given a chunkier, robust with a new shape bonnet, headlights are larger and the bumper grille has been accentuated. The biggest area of improvement has been to be the interior; the grey plastic has been toned down with a neater, higher quality look. The inside look is now more super-mini than commercial vehicle. Storage space hasn't been forgotten with shelves, glove box and cubby-holes. The main selling point is that now buyers can specify a Partner that suits their needs and line of work with a line-up of nine load access configurations, two mainstream payload capacities and a platform cab ready to be modified. Improved safety to standard with driver's airbag and optional passenger airbag. A range of three engine options are available in both petrol and diesel power. There are two trim levels, L or LX, and there are two differing payload capacities 600kg or 800kg. There's a 1.9-litre 70bhp engine or a more modern 90bhp 2.0-litre HDi common-rail injection version. The sole petrol option is a 1.4-litre with 75bhp but it can't match the low-end torque of either diesel when you need to pull away with a heavy load on the back, or the fuel economy. Suspension modifications have taken place with an anti-roll bar, and trailing arms with transverse torsion bars to prop up the load bay at the back. The LX derivative can be ordered with raised suspension and an under-engine protection plate to give it some limited off-road ability.

Revised form the original launch in 1996 the 2002 models have seen refinements both inside and exterior. A cost effective option especially the 2.0 HDi which is probably one of the best in its sector.