Australian Car Advice | News Blog

2008 Peugeot Expert FAP Professional Review & Road Test

Look the goods, and deliver them too!

Model Tested:

• 2008 Peugeot Expert L2 2.0 HDi FAP Professional Six Speed Manual - $41,590 (RRP)

Options:

• Metallic Paint $790; Steel Cargo Bulkhead $340 (Fitted); ESP $450; Passenger Airbag $360; Alloy Wheels $695

Comfortable & Easy to Drive, Usable Power, Great Fuel Economy
Rear Visibility, Front Drive Dynamics Evident, Barn Door Hinges

CarAdvice Rating:

- Matt Brogan

White vans. The mere thought conjures a perception of boredom, necessity, practicality and very little else. They drive like a refrigerator tipped long ways and usually have the style and driving dynamics to match. They’re uncomfortable, noisy and unrefined - hardly worth a mention really. Then how is it the Expert exists? Surely it’s an oxymoron.

Peugeot’s new LCV (light commercial van) range takes all these tragic ideals and completely destroys them. In fact were it not for the simple fact that this is so very obviously a white van, you would almost think that I’d muddled up my reviews. It really is that good, in fact the Expert may just change “white van” thinking for ever. Seriously!

Expert shown in ‘Bianca White’

OK, that’s a big claim, and as someone who has spent a great deal of time in white vans in my formative years I can tell you that seeing this on my schedule list did nothing to thrill me. But after five minutes behind the wheel I was forced to eat my hat. The Expert makes driving a commercial van easy, almost relaxing and very nearly pleasurable.

But before we jump in to all that, let’s kick the tyres and take a quick look around outside. From the front Expert is car-like, very Peugeot-esque (naturally), and the big mouth certainly bears an unmistakable family resemblance. It’s more aerodynamic than is usually the case for a box van and even from the rear remains crisp and taut with all lateral lines following aftward in a uniform fashion.

Once behind the wheel a couple of nice surprises lay in store. For starters it’s quiet, the driving position is actually comfortable, neutral and it remains that way even after hours and hours of sitting there. I dislike the word ergonomic, but that is exactly what this is.

I drove through heavy peak hour traffic (which is 6am ’til 7pm in Melbourne), the demanding warrens of various industrial estates and wiggled down tight inner city lanes for the best part of a week and still jumped out at the end of each day surprised at just how good I felt. What’s more it’s easy to jump in and out of. There are no grab handles, you don’t need them. Just pop the door open and step in. Simple! Courier drivers will love this van.

Surprise number two was just how well the Expert drives. It’s a breeze. The clutch may be a touch heavy for some, but it’s certainly not burdensome. All the controls are light, obvious and fall readily to hand which leaves your focus where it is meant to be - on the road ahead.

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