Review
Peugeot Partner Tepee mini MPV
Price: £12,795 - £16,795
/5
- Pros:
- Boxy shape gives great practicality
- Plenty of standard equipment
- Characterful alternative to conventional family car
- Cons:
- More costly than its Citroen cousin
- Wind noise on motorways
- Not the most attractive MPV around
pictured: Peugeot Partner mini MPV 2010 5 door
reviewed by Carbuyer
“Peugeot Partner people carrier looks like a van, but its versatility and driving experience will appeal to family motorists everywhere.”
At a glance
- The greenest
- Tepee S 1.6 e-HDi 92 Stop-Start EGC 5dr
£15,295 - The cheapest
- Tepee Urban 1.6 16v 98 5dr
£12,795 - The fastest
- Tepee S 1.6 16v 120 5dr
£13,895 - Top of the range
- Tepee Outdoor 1.6 HDi 115 5dr
£16,795
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Be prepared for family fun, great practicality and cheap running costs with the Peugeot Partner Tepee. It's a step up in specification, performance – and price – from its Citroen Berlingo cousin, and it provides versatile motoring, commercial vehicle levels of space and a choice of layouts and passenger accommodation. Sliding side doors and roof rails come as standard, adding to this model's usefulness.
Drive
Engines are capable performers
Petrol and diesel engines are both 1.6 litres, and neither is going to set the world on fire. However, their performance has been tweaked over the equivalent engines in the Partner's Citroen Berlingo cousin, so the Peugeot is even more capable both around town and on motorways. Despite the car's height, its handling is well controlled, and the it's surprisingly fun to drive.
Comfort
Roomy cabin is comfortable and looks smart
Extremely comfortable for both driver and passengers, with easy-to-adjust front seats and roomy, removable rear seats. The Peugeot Partner's sensible and attractive cabin layout provides plenty of storage bins and cubbies for family clutter, which frees up even more space for you and the kids.
Reliability
Simplicity means less is likely to go wrong
French cars are not traditionally known for being the most reliable or best built of machines – as is evidenced by Peugeot's poor ratings in these categories in the 2011 Driver Power reliability and customer satisfaction survey. However, the Partner Teepee's simplicity is possibly its saviour – there's less to go wrong!
Practicality
Boxy shape means there's plenty of room inside
The boxy body isn't the sleekest shape in the world, yet owners reap the rewards with vast space and stowage, plus great accessibility and versatility. Sliding doors are invaluable in tight supermarket car parks. Roof rails are standard fit, so carrying additional items on top of the car is an easy option. The top-spec Outdoor version gets chunky black plastic body cladding and a 10mm increase in ride height, giving the look of a junior SUV and further boosting practicality.
Value for money
Decent standard kit, and options are reasonably priced
It costs more than its Citroen Berlingo cousin, but the Partner Teepee has a more upmarket feel. There is ample standard-fit equipment, including air-conditioning, cruise control and alloy wheels, plus side and curtain airbags. Many luxuries are extra-cost options, but they are not too expensive. With a choice of five or seven seats, the Peugeot is great value compared to a similarly kitted-out family hatchback or more mainstream mini-MPV.
Running costs
Daily running costs will be reasonable
Respectable economy and emissions will keep day-to-day outlay for fuel and Road Tax to a minimum. Servicing shouldn’t prove expensive, and the Partner's impressive equipment levels help boost residual values – handy when you come to sell it on in the future.
