With style and size on its side, the third generation Peugeot Expert is ready to do battle with the small panel van sector's big hitters. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Background

Want a job done properly? Then call in an Expert. In this case, we're talking LCVs, medium-sized ones to be exact. This is Peugeot's Euro6.2-compatible entry in the volume medium-range van sector, where VW Transporters, Vauxhall Vivaros, Mercedes Vitos, Renault Trafics and Ford Transit Custom models rule the roost. Taking on this lot isn't something you'd want to do single-handed, so the French brand has chosen to share this design not only with its partner Citroen's Dispatch model, but also with Vauxhall's Vivaro, Toyota's Proace and Fiat's Scudo: all these vans share the same platform. The previous generation version of this vehicle didn't significantly trouble the main players in this segment. This MK3 model though, has got itself sorted out, with more sophisticated design and larger load volumes that rival anything in the class. You get clever design, proven engines and low running costs in a package that certainly works on paper. Whether it'll cut the mustard day-in-day-out though is what we're here to find out.

Driving Experience

Engine choice in an Expert is pretty straightforward, provided you've a clear idea of the kind of work you want it to do. Sensibly, all the Euro6.2-compliant units on offer are diesels and if your needs are mainly based around lighter loads and short distance urban work, then the entry-level 100hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi unit may well be quite sufficient. Otherwise, you'll probably be looking at the 145hp 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel, either in manual or EAT8 auto forms. There's additionally a full-electric version, the e-Expert, which offers a 148 mile driving range with a 50kWh battery or a 211 mile range with a 75kWh battery. A key factor behind the success of the previous generation Expert was the way it remained compact and wieldy in the manner of smaller, more car-like vans from the class below. This model's bigger of course, but it retains much of that same usability around town and rides much better thanks to revised suspension and a stiffer EMP2 platform. Special wishbone filtering dampens the impacts of our country's terrible tarmac and the variable stiffness springs and shock absorbers deliver surprising levels of comfort whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded. Peugeot also claims that refinement is much improved this time round. And, as before, there's the option of a Grip Control traction system. We also like the 'Driving time warning system' which flashes up a dash warning after two hours of uninterrupted driving at speeds of 40mph and above.

Design and Build

This MK3 Expert certainly has a little more road presence than its predecessor. The grille features a smart brand logo, while the sleekly designed side panels are structured with sharp lines and sculpted by concave door sills. There are low side protection strips and a solid black front bumper, this integrating air inlets across the entire width of the vehicle and aiming to emphasise what Peugeot hopes is a robust appearance. Visually, it's quite hard to pigeon-hole this vehicle into a particular market category. You can see that it's bigger than something like a Berlingo or Kangoo-sized Peugeot Partner but you might question whether it has the volume to take on medium range vans of Transit Custom or Vito size. As we'll see, it has. On board, Peugeot's designers have concentrated on improving ergonomics and driving comfort this time round. You get the usual high seating position and three-person bench. This isn't the most spacious-feeling cab interior you'll find in the class but there's certainly plenty storage space - 49-litres of it. Possibly the first thing you'll probably notice about the interior is 7-inch colour touchscreen. It can work with voice control and offers the usual 'phone and media features, plus an optional 3D Navigation system. There's quite a low seating position (for a van), with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment. As usual in this class, a three-person bench seat is fitted and with pricier trim (or as an option), there's a Moduwork bulkhead flap so that longer items can be pushed through from the cargo area. That set-up comes together with a fold-down section for the centre seat that when flattened, doubles as a work surface. The dashboard is almost identical to that you'll find in the other versions of this design, which means that most functions are on the central touchscreen, though the climate controls are separated out below.

Market and Model

Basic list pricing suggests that you'll probably be paying somewhere in the £26,000 to £32,000 bracket for a diesel Expert, depending upon the bodystyle and trim level you choose. As well as the usual panel van, there is a Crew Van option. Van customers get a choice of 'Standard' or 'Long' body lengths. Trim levels start with 'Professional Premium+', then run to 'Asphalt Premium+'. Buyers choose between Euro 6.2 WLTP-compliant BlueHDi diesel engines - a 1.5 or a couple of 2.0-litre units with an automatic option. Or two full-electric options (50kWh or 75kWh), with basic prices starting from around £35,000 after deduction of the available £5,000 government grant. Equipment levels across the range are a lot more complete than they used to be for Expert owners. All models get twin front airbags, a DAB radio, Bluetooth 'phone compatibility, cruise control with a speed limiter and twin sliding side doors. As usual, there's a full steel bulkhead and a three-person front bench. 'Asphalt Premium+' models further include navigation, 17-inch wheels, a rear parking camera, metallic paint, auto headlamps and wipers, body-coloured bumpers and a 'Moduwork' front bench seat with fold-down section. Safety features include Road sign reading that flashes road signs up on the dash as you pass them. Plus, depending on trim level, your Expert can come with things like 'Driver Attention Alert' to combat drowsiness, a Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Monitoring, Automatic main beam switching, a head-up display and Active Cruise Control. You might also want to specify the 'VisioPark' camera system.

Practicalities and Costs

There are two Expert bodystyles - panel van or Crew van (with second row seating). Most will want the panel van, which claims best in class interior space and comes with a choice of 'Standard' and 'Long' variants. As for carriage capacity, the biggest 'Long'-spec van version can take up to 6.6m3, while the 'Standard' version manages 5.8m3. Depending on bodystyle, the loading length is up to 4.02m and there's 1.26m of width between the wheelarches. The 'Standard' model gets 1.90m of interior height, this increasing to 1.94m in the 'Long' variant. The new oblique wishbone rear suspension supports a payload of 1,400kg to make the most of the load volume. There's a towing capacity of up to 2.5-tonnes. Twin sliding side doors are standard and they can be ordered in a form that'll allow you to open them with a wave of your foot - ideal if your hands are full. Most models will be fitted with 50/50 swing doors, and these can be specified to swing round to 250-degrees. Inside the cargo area, there are the usual options to trim up the sides or to add a full ply-lining kit. As for running costs, well depending on BlueHDi diesel engine choice, you'll manage between 45 and 55mpg on the combined cycle and between 133 and 151g/km of CO2. As for the full-electric models, well the base 50kWh has a WLTP range of up to 148miles and can be charged by an iikWh wallbox in four hours and 45 minutes. The 75kWh version has a WLTP range of up to 211 miles and can support up to 100kW Rapid Charging, with an 80% top-up taking just 30 minutes.

Summary

Despite the recent growth in sales of ever-larger compact vans, you can see why so many operators still choose to play it safe and opt for a larger but still relatively light and manoeuvrable LCV like this one. The Expert's designers have clearly looked very closely at what modern businesses need and this smarter new generation Euro6 version makes even more sense on the balance sheet. It's more than competitive against the Transit Customs and Renault Trafics of this world, but whether you'd want one over its Citroen, Toyota and Fiat design stablemates will depend as usual much upon the deal that you're offered and the proximity of your local franchise. Still, Peugeot's huge dealer network and tight pricing sets it up nicely here. It's user-friendly - just like this van.