Peugeot Partner Tepee. One of our own among strangers / Peugeot test drives

Peugeot Partner Tepee. Price: from 515,000 rubles. On sale: since July 2008

Peugeot Partner has always been popular throughout its career on the assembly line. Twelve years later, it was replaced by the Tepee — a model that not only inherited the strengths of its predecessor but also added a lot of new features.

Test pilot

Oleg Kalaushin, 39 years old, automotive journalist, driving experience — 21 years, personal car — Renault Logan.

2008 Peugeot Partner Tepee
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso

The new Partner looks noticeably more attractive than its predecessor. Its exterior no longer has that utilitarian simplicity that made the car perceived solely as a delivery van. Now the Tepee doesn't hide in the corner of the showroom, embarrassed by its "workhorse" look, but calmly coexists with more expensive models. Calling it one hundred percent beautiful is hard, but the appearance is captivating. The front end is especially successful — executed in Peugeot's signature style, it visually links the Tepee with the rest of the lineup. Previously, such cars were not just alien to dynamics and expressiveness, but almost contraindicated. Now it's hard to take your eyes off it. The profile is also interesting: large wheel arches, a noticeable molding on the doors, and an unusual shape for the second-row windows and trunk. But the rear let it down — the flat and inexpressive tailgate stands out from the overall impression. It feels like, having been carried away by the front and sides, the designers returned to this element at the finish line and decided to simplify it as much as possible.

2008 Peugeot Partner Tepee
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso

The interior is a completely different matter. The huge space, even by cargo van standards, allowed designers not to worry about saving space but to calmly implement their ideas. It turned out nicely. For example, the holes for air ducts on the central console are also holders for water bottles. Clever. In general, with compartments for small items, the Tepee is in perfect order: they are scattered throughout the cabin — from ceiling to floor. And we're not just talking about the trunk: there are hidden compartments under the feet of second-row passengers.

And how are things with real cargo? As it turned out, also excellent. The trunk volume up to the window line is 675 liters. If loaded to the ceiling — already 1350 liters. But the most impressive is the space with the seats folded: 3000 liters. The seats themselves transform and fold away without much effort. True, depending on the trim, the second row can have either two or three seats — and with the latter option, it's obviously easier to manage.

2008 Peugeot Partner Tepee
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso

The Peugeot Partner Tepee is offered with a petrol or diesel engine. We got a 1.6-liter petrol unit with 90 hp for the test. Throughout the entire time, we never regretted the lack of power. Of course, you shouldn't expect outstanding dynamics from such an engine — you won't launch off the line, and acceleration to 100 km/h isn't fast. But for confident driving in the city and on the highway, it's more than enough. And considering that in the urban cycle, this not-so-small car asks for about 11 liters per 100 km, it becomes quite pleasant. On the highway, consumption drops to 7 liters.

It was on the highway that it became clear that the designers still couldn't defeat the hum characteristic of cars in this class. The body is large — there's a lot of noise, and a compromise here is apparently impossible. Although, if you remember that this is almost the only drawback we managed to find (except that the parking brake handle is inconveniently located — too close to the driver's seat), then this shortcoming can easily be overlooked. The Tepee has far more advantages.

Trims

2008 Peugeot Partner Tepee
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso

Today, the Tepee is available in two trims. The base Confort includes one sliding second-row door, two airbags, ABS, and electric windows. The Confort Pack version adds electric mirrors, driver's seat height adjustment, fog lights, and a second sliding door. Optionally, you can order the Zenith roof: it fills the cabin with light, provides additional airflow through air ducts, and offers more space for small items — there's a special box above the second-row passengers. Additionally, the Zenith is equipped with roof rails that can withstand loads up to 80 kg, expanding cargo-carrying capabilities.

Driving
On the road, the car behaves impeccably, but you should be prepared for rocking in crosswinds due to its large sail area.

Interior
Spacious and comfortable. Particularly appealing is the ability to turn an almost passenger car into a full-fledged van.

Comfort
The car is equipped with all modern amenities.

Safety
Two airbags and ABS are already in the base version.

Price
Corresponds to the class and level of equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Spacious interior, large load capacity, torquey engine, ability to transform the cabin into a cargo compartment.
− Insufficient sound insulation.

Specifications

Make and model — Peugeot Partner Tepee
Dimensions — 4380x1810x1801 mm
Engine — petrol, 1584 cm³, 90 hp at 5500 rpm
Transmission — manual, 5-speed
Dynamics — 159 km/h max., 17.5 s to 100 km/h
Competitors — Ford Transit Connect.

Our opinion

The new appearance will surely attract serious attention from buyers to the Peugeot Partner. Don't forget that fans of outdoor activities are growing every year, so the demand for cars of this type will also increase.