Peugeot Boxer

Boxer key facts and latest specifications

Origins: Sevel and the Peugeot J5

In the late 1970s Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroën agreed to develop a light commercial vehicle together. The joint venture, Sevel, began building the Fiat Ducato in 1981. Peugeot's version was the J5, built from October 1981 to 1993, and Citroën sold the C25.

The old 1cars text notes that the J5 sold well in France but lagged behind the Ducato in the rest of Europe. For the second-generation design of 1994, Peugeot chose a new name, Boxer. The three brands have shared bodies, engines and factory ever since, with differences mainly in the grille, badges and equipment. Most vans come from the Sevel Sud plant at Atessa in central Italy.

Boxer I (1994–2006)

Production of the first Boxer started in March 1994. The Boxer, Jumper and Ducato were together voted International Van of the Year 1994. Peugeot offered a 2.0-litre petrol engine and several diesels, from a 1.9-litre with about 51 kW (70 hp) to 2.5-litre units. From 2000, a 2.8-litre common-rail HDi diesel gave 94 kW (128 PS).

An April 2002 facelift brought a new front with clear-lens headlights, a new dashboard, a standard driver's airbag and ABS on the larger engines. The first generation ended in 2006. According to French production data, Peugeot built between 31,000 and 45,000 Boxers a year in this period.

Boxer II (2006–2014): a bigger van

The second-generation Boxer was launched on 15 June 2006, alongside the new Ducato and Jumper. It was larger, with up to 17 m³ of load space and a payload of up to 2,100 kg. At launch, three common-rail turbo diesels gave 74 to 116 kW (101 to 157 PS).

A 2011 update for Euro 5 brought 2.2 HDi engines with 81, 96 and 110 kW (110, 131 and 150 PS) and a 3.0-litre with 130 kW (177 PS). It also stretched the service interval to 48,000 km and added daytime running lights and hill-start assist. The old 1cars text gives a top speed of about 142 km/h for an early second-generation van and a combined fuel figure of about 7 l/100 km.

The 2014 facelift and later updates

In May 2014 Sevel gave the van a major facelift, which Fiat counts as a new generation (X290). The front, lights and cabin changed, and the doors gained reinforced hinges, according to the old 1cars text. It quotes 96 kW (130 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp) versions of the 2.2 diesel, with top speeds of 155 and 162 km/h, and a rare 3.0-litre with 180 hp. Later Euro 6 BlueHDi diesels replaced the HDi units.

For model year 2024 the range was updated again, with the announcement in October 2023. A new Euro 6e version of the 2.2 BlueHDi diesel comes in three outputs, listed in the table above. All have a six-speed manual, and the two stronger versions can have an eight-speed automatic. Full LED headlights, a 7-inch digital cluster and a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring arrived at the same time.

E-Boxer: the electric version

Peugeot first offered the e-Boxer around 2020–2021 with 37 or 75 kWh batteries and an electric motor of about 90 kW. WLTP ranges were 117 km and 248 km, which limited it to urban work.

The 2024 E-Boxer is a different proposition. Its 110 kWh battery feeds a 200 kW (272 PS) motor with 400 Nm, and the WLTP range is about 420–430 km, depending on the source. It charges at up to 11 kW on AC and 150 kW on DC, taking about 55 minutes from 0 to 80 %. Drive modes limit power to 160 kW in Normal and 120 kW in Eco, and top speed is 130 km/h.

By our calculation, the larger battery's figures equal roughly 26 kWh per 100 km. A DC charge from 0 to 80 % adds about 88 kWh in 55 minutes, an average of close to 96 kW. Cargo volume for the E-Boxer ranges from 13 to 17 m³ on two wheelbases.

Load space, sizes and payload

Vans come in four lengths, from 4,963 mm (L1) to 6,363 mm (L4), on three wheelbases and with up to three roof heights.

The old 1cars text describes eight body configurations with 8 to 17 m³ of space, which makes the Boxer one of the roomiest vans in its class. Four gross weight ratings, from three to four tonnes, let operators choose between a standard licence and higher payloads. In Europe a standard car licence usually covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The same text gives a ground clearance of 176 mm, a height of 2,254 mm and a width of 2,050 mm for a 2018 van.

About two-thirds of European motorhomes use the Ducato family as a base, and the Boxer shares that platform.

Fuel consumption and running costs

Official figures depend on body, weight and test cycle. The old 1cars text quotes about 7 l/100 km combined for a second-generation diesel, while real use with load and a roof box is often higher. Diesel versions run long service intervals, and the 2.2 engines are shared with millions of Ducatos and Jumpers, so parts are easy to find. To estimate yearly fuel spending, use the 1cars fuel cost calculator.

Cabin, equipment and owner experience

The old 1cars text praises the mobile-office features, such as a folding table in the centre seat and about 73 litres of storage in the cabin.

Owners quoted in the old text praised the large load space, easy loading and low running costs. One reported 195,000 km in a 2015 van with daily trips of 300–400 km. Common complaints were a noisy, rattling cabin, a handbrake mounted on the left side of the driver's seat and wear of clutches, wheel bearings and steering parts on hard-worked vans.

Safety and driver assistance

Large vans rarely get a Euro NCAP star rating, so check the equipment list. According to the old 1cars text, ESP and a driver's airbag were standard on the 2018–2019 van, which was not true of every rival. The 2024 update added a long list of assistants: automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition, driver fatigue alert, an intelligent speed limiter and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.

Production of the Peugeot Boxer

By our calculation, annual output more than doubled from 1994 to 2017, despite a sharp fall during the 2009 financial crisis. French data put total Boxer production at more than one million by 2017.

Rivals of the Peugeot Boxer

The Ford Transit and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are the main rivals, with the Renault Master close behind. The old 1cars review gave the Boxer the edge for load space and economy, but criticised its paint quality, firm suspension and ergonomics. Compare the vans side by side in the 1cars comparison tool.