Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Peugeot Partner Tepee MPV (2008-2018)

"The Peugeot Partner people carrier looks like a van, but its versatility and driving experience will appeal to budget-conscious family motorists"

Carbuyer Rating

3.5 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.3 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Plenty of kit
  • Very practical
  • Alternative to normal family car

Cons

  • Not much fun to drive
  • Noisy on motorways
  • More expensive than Citroen sister model

The Peugeot Partner Tepee is a very practical and economical MPV. It's similar in specification, performance and price to its Citroen Berlingo sister model and it provides lots of space and a choice of seating layouts. Sliding side doors and roof rails come as standard, adding to this model's usefulness. So, if you don’t mind the boxy looks, the Peugeot has all the makings of a durable, rugged and versatile family car.

MPG, running costs & CO2

Efficient engines help keep running costs low

Both the petrol and diesel engines offer respectable fuel economy, but our picks of the bunch are the 100 or 120bhp version of the BlueHDi diesel. The former is capable of 112g/km emissions and 67.3mpg economy, while the latter manages 115g/km and 64.2mpg respectively. There's also a relatively underpowered 1.6-litre petrol and a surprisingly smooth and economical 1.2-litre petrol.

Servicing and insurance cover shouldn’t prove too expensive, either, and the Partner’s impressive equipment standard equipment helps boost its residual values – handy when you come to sell it on in the future.

Engines, drive & performance

Engines are capable performers

The Partner Tepee’s petrol and diesel engines are both 1.6 litres in size and neither is going to set the world on fire. However, they don’t necessarily feel slow, despite the BlueHDi 100 taking more than 13 seconds to get the car from 0-62mph. The petrol engines offer more get-up-and-go. The 1.2-litre engine is the best of the bunch here, with a 12.2 second 0-62mph time.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The driving experience is expectedly van-like, as the car’s tall stature means body lean in corners is inevitable, while the heavy steering and clunky gearbox don’t make for a thrilling drive, either. However, that’s not what the Partner Tepee is for. In the two areas where it matters – in town and on motorways – it’s a capable performer.

Interior & comfort

Roomy cabin is comfortable and looks smart

The only two models on offer are the Active and Outdoor, but both are well equipped. Active features cruise control, manual air-conditioning and LED daytime running lights. The Outdoor trim throws in a touchscreen infotainment system with Mirrorlink smartphone connection, DAB digital radio, dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels and a reversing camera. Parking sensors, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers make the cut, too, so the Outdoor is just as well equipped as high-spec rivals.

The Partner provides fairly comfortable transport for both driver and passengers, with easy-to-adjust front seats and roomy removable rear seats. The sensible and attractive cabin layout provides plenty of storage bins and cubbyholes for holding family clutter, which frees up even more space for you and the kids.

Practicality & boot space

Boxy shape gives you plenty of room inside

The Partner's boxy body is far from the sleekest shape in the world, yet you reap the reward of vast interior space, plus great accessibility and versatility. The boot is a large 675 litres with five seats, though that will decrease if fitted with the optional two extra seats. A maximum load of 3,000 litres can be had when all of the rear seats have been removed, making it just like the Partner commercial van.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The sliding doors are invaluable in tight supermarket car parks, while roof rails come as standard, so carrying additional items on top of the car is easy. There's an optional overhead storage system inside, too. The top-spec Outdoor version gets chunky black plastic body cladding and a 10mm increase in ride height, giving it the look of a junior SUV and further boosting practicality.

Reliability & safety

Simplicity means there’s not much to go wrong

French cars are not traditionally known for top-notch reliability or build quality, but the Citroen Berlingo, which is a sister model to the Partner Tepee, placed a mid-table 69th out of the top 200 cars in our Driver Power 2015 survey. Peugeot has moved up the manufacturer rankings, too, and the Partner Tepee’s relative simplicity works in its favour here – there’s simply not much to go wrong.

The Peugeot Partner was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2014, but only received three out of a possible five stars, mainly due to a 56% score in the adult occupant protection category, putting it well behind leading rivals. An active city braking system is now optional equipment.

Price, value for money & options

Decent standard kit, but feels more like a van than a car

The top-spec Peugeot Partner model costs more than the most expensive Citroen Berlingo, but the Partner has a more upmarket feel. There's lots of standard equipment, including air-conditioning, cruise control and curtain airbags. The Outdoor trim can get expensive, but bear in mind it does come with a lot of kit.

With a choice of five or seven seats, the Peugeot is good value compared to a similarly kitted-out family hatchback or more mainstream mini-MPV – as long as you value practicality over everything else.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
22 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

More on Partner Tepee

Electric Peugeot Partner Tepee for Geneva reveal
It looks no different to the standard car
News
17 Feb 2017

Electric Peugeot Partner Tepee for Geneva reveal

New five-seat Peugeot Partner Tepee Electric MPV boasts electric power and a 100-mile range
Top 10: Britain’s slowest cars
News
21 Mar 2016

Top 10: Britain’s slowest cars

If you thought the days of pedestrian acceleration times were over, think again. Here’s our list of the 10 slowest cars available today.
Peugeot Traveller MPV offers up to nine seats
News
11 Feb 2016

Peugeot Traveller MPV offers up to nine seats

Sister model to Citroen SpaceTourer will also debut at Geneva show

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024