Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Peugeoet Boxer Facelift Test Drive Review
BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Peugeoet Boxer Facelift Test Drive Review

Date: 22 September 2014   |   Author:

The large van trio of the Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Relay and Fiat Ducato have all been given a mid-life refresh.

The three vans are now more visually diverse from each other, with the Boxer taking on styling that better links it to Peugeot's car range.

Daytime running lights are now standard, with LEDs an option, and the developers have made a number of engineering changes including strengthening the body structure, revising the mechanism for the side and rear doors, larger brakes and new suspension damping. From a cost of ownership point of view, the engine range now comes fitted with a timing chain designed to last the life of the vehicle, and service intervals have been extended to two years or 30,000 miles.

But it's the interior and spec improvements that are the biggest draw, especially on the Professional specification, the higher of the two offered. For an attractive extra £1000, equipment including integrated TomTom-based satnav, aircon, cruise control, an alarm and rear parking sensors join what's already offered on the standard specification version, with all Boxers now coming with ESP, a full-steel bulkhead, DAB radio and Bluetooth.

The cabin is improved, especially with the new central stack dominated on the Professional model by the five-inch touch-screen system that can read text messages as well as housing the audio and satnav systems. But, overall, it's still more a traditional commercial vehicle than the new breed of car-like interior quality that is available elsewhere, with too much hard plastic evident.

From a loading perspective, Peugeot spins its front-wheel drive layout as a positive, claiming the Boxer doesn't suffer from the payload reduction that comes with the extra weight of a rear-drive layout that's better for traction and towing. The load width of 142cm between the wheel arches is the widest on the market, while the low load sill is also useful.

To drive, the Boxer is still pretty noisy compared with more refined and newer rivals, while the engineering changes don't bring it up to the level of the Mercedes Sprinter or particularly the new Ford Transit. But there's nothing to dislike particularly, and a part-load in the least powerful 110hp diesel didn't seem to create too much hindrance. At higher speeds the 130hp might be more useful and increase the leisurely pick-up on motorways, and that model also comes with stop-start for an extra £200 in L3H2 Professional mode, which improves fuel economy by around 1.0mpg, while reducing CO2 emissions to 189g/km, making it currently the most efficient model in the class.

There is also a 180hp 3.0-litre diesel model, although that only comes with the 4.0-tonne version of the Boxer.

The range of four vehicle lengths and three heights gives eight different sizes of van, from 8.0m3 to 17.0m3 of load space, while a window van is also available in four different sizes.

As mid-life freshen-ups go, this is a decent effort, and the equipment levels on the Professional level in particular make for an attractive package, especially for drivers spending lengthy periods in the cabin. On paper, there's nothing to dislike about the Boxer, with the claimed durability improvements also welcome, but in cabin quality, drive and overall appeal it just can't match the class best. This is a van originally launched eight years ago, and the van market has moved on at a rapid pace.

Price (ex VAT) £23,755
Price range (ex VAT) £19,355-£29,705
Insurance (1-50) group 7 (est.)
Warranty 3yrs/60,000mls
Service interval 2yrs/30,000mls
Load length 3120mm
Load width (min/max) 1422mm/1870mm
Load bay height 1932mm
Gross payload 1390kg
Load volume 11.5m3
Engine size/power 2198cc/130hp
Combined fuel economy 37.7mpg
CO2 199g/km
On sale May 2014

Verdict


Improved, but newer rivals are still more appealing
7/10

Share


Subscribe