Peugeot EXPERT

Peugeot Expert at a glance

More Peugeot models are listed in our Peugeot catalogue, and the company's story is told in our history of Peugeot.

History

The Expert's history as a production model began in the mid-1990s. From the start it was offered not only as a van but also in crew and passenger versions, and it became a success in many markets. The second generation was unveiled in 2007 and updated in 2012 with an improved exterior and cabin and a longer list of options; it was built in France until 2016. In spring 2016 Peugeot showed the third-generation Expert online, with an elegant look, a wide range of factory versions, modern equipment and powerful yet economical engines.

Exterior

Although it is a commercial vehicle, the third-generation Expert looks stylish and bright and attracts attention on the road, with some sculpting and plenty of decorative details. Most of the changes are at the front, which is short but tall and wide. The bonnet is slightly recessed in the centre and raised at the sides. The small trapezoidal grille sits directly below the bonnet, with a grid of wide horizontal and vertical bars and chrome trim around its edge. The oval headlights, with several recesses at the bottom, wrap well around onto the sides of the body.

Almost all the lower bumper is given over to cooling: a small rectangular opening at the top and a wide, long U-shaped intake below, flanked by LED daytime running-light strips, with small round fog lamps further down.

In profile the wheel arches have small flares, the lower body is slightly recessed, and a neat skirt runs along the bottom. The mirrors are square with integrated indicators. Depending on the body, there are two or six side windows. Each side can have a wide sliding door. Standard wheels are 16-inch steel wheels with an interesting design, and ground clearance is an average 175 mm — enough for everyday city driving. More expensive versions can have an improved traction package, ground clearance raised by 20 mm, underbody protection and larger 17-inch wheels.

The rear is less striking. Half of it is taken up by large rear-door windows, with modest vertical rectangular lights at the sides. A small step at the bottom makes it easier to reach the load area and carries a pair of rear lights. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the Expert is easy to park.

Interior

The third generation offers several cabin layouts: two or three front seats, passenger versions and cargo versions. Materials include leather, fabric, plastics and a little metal. The driver has a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, slightly flattened at the bottom and trimmed in plastic and leather, with buttons for the audio system and assistance systems. The instrument panel is modest, with an analogue speedometer and rev counter in large, easy-to-read dials and a trip computer between them showing fuel level, oil temperature and more.

The seats in the van are comfortable, upholstered in good-quality fabric, with a wide range of adjustment and decent side support; the trim is hard but well finished. There are nets for magazines or documents, factory-tinted windows, large door pockets and a big, ventilated glovebox. The centre console is not crowded with technology: a compact 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and voice control, surrounded by a few buttons, with more rows of switches for comfort functions below. Base versions are simpler. As in most modern vans, there is no tunnel, so the gear lever and a storage tray are mounted on the dashboard.

Passenger versions carry two to nine people. Cargo versions offer 4.6 to 6.1 m³ of load space and a load floor length of 2,162 to 2,862 mm, with a payload of up to 1.5 tonnes depending on the version. The optional Moduwork system, with a folding passenger-seat cushion and a hatch in the bulkhead, allows items 3,324 to 4,024 mm long to be carried and increases load volume to 5.1–6.6 m³. The load area is reached through sliding doors on both sides and rear doors that open to 180 degrees.

Engines and transmissions

These two engines were offered in some markets; in Europe the range centred on 1.5 BlueHDi diesels with 75 and 88 kW (102 and 120 PS) and 2.0 BlueHDi units with up to 130 kW (177 PS), and electric versions with up to a 75 kWh battery followed later. Both diesels have 16 valves, a turbocharger and an intercooler. Depending on the version, the Expert reaches 100 km/h in 9.5–15.3 seconds and has a top speed of 145–185 km/h, with combined consumption of 5.9–6.2 l/100 km — a good result.

The Expert is front-wheel drive as standard, and a 4x4 version is available. It uses a viscous coupling that automatically sends torque to the rear wheels when needed, and the driver can select a mode with a switch on the dashboard: ECO, which drives only the front wheels, and 4WD, which makes driving on slippery or wet surfaces easier and helps on difficult terrain. Versions for rough roads have reinforced suspension, extra protection for the electrical systems against moisture and heat, ground clearance raised by 25 mm and steel underbody protection for the engine and gearbox. Grip Control traction management is optional.

Chassis

The third-generation Expert van uses the modular EMP2 platform, with front-wheel drive, a transverse engine and a body made largely of high-strength steel. The front suspension uses MacPherson struts and the rear a semi-independent design, with anti-roll bars and hydraulic dampers at both axles. Steering is rack-and-pinion with power assistance. All four wheels have disc brakes, ventilated at the front, with ABS, EBD and other electronic aids.

Safety and equipment

Although the Expert is designed for practicality rather than comfort, Peugeot did not neglect safety. Depending on the version it offers lane departure warning, speed-limit sign recognition, driver attention monitoring with an interior camera, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, a distance alert, airbags and ABS and ESP.

Even a typical entry version has central locking that locks automatically when driving, ABS with emergency brake assist, stability and traction control, a tyre-puncture warning, driver and passenger front airbags, a full-size steel spare wheel, one-touch electric windows, heated electric mirrors, cruise control, three-stage heated front seats, front fog lamps, a right-hand sliding door, 16-inch steel wheels and heated washer jets. Higher trims add hill-start assist, air conditioning, a driver fatigue reminder, the 7-inch infotainment system, reinforced suspension, engine and gearbox protection, Moduwork and the more powerful engine with an automatic gearbox.

What owners say

Owners praise the Expert's modern, attractive looks, decent rough-road ability, affordable price, build quality and good chassis. They also mention good performance, payload, low running costs, economical yet torquey diesels and helpful electronic systems, and they appreciate the range of versions — including raised, all-wheel-drive models for use outside the city. On the downside, noise insulation is mediocre, repairs to the diesel injection system are not cheap and not every workshop has the expertise, some settings take time to master and the cabin can be tiring on long journeys.

Rivals

The Expert competes with the Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Renault Trafic, Citroën Jumpy (Dispatch), Toyota ProAce and Ford Transit Custom.