PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

Peugeot's facelifted Partner Tepee can't decide whether it's a van or a car and that's good news for families on a budget. Jonathan Crouch reports.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

Families seeking space, versatility and low costs from their next vehicle have a ready-made candidate in the improved Euro5 Peugeot Partner Tepee which now boasts best-in-class emissions. They'll have to put up with sluggish performance and the odd jibe about driving a van with windows but on the price to practicality ratio, it's a winner.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

It still wouldn't be strictly true to say that the stigma surrounding van-based passenger cars has gone but it certainly seems to be dissipating. Maybe this is down to the growing sophistication of modern commercial vehicles or perhaps the public has realised just how cost-effective and useful they can be when converted into people carrier form. Whatever the reason, van-based MPVs are no longer seen as a last resort for the over-fertile or cash-strapped and Peugeot hopes its Partner Tepee can benefit from this levelled playing field.

The Partner Tepee has a lot to thank its immediate predecessor for. The Peugeot Partner Combi along with its Citroen Berlingo Multispace sister vehicle and Renault's Kangoo were the three musketeers that joined forces to combat the initial suspicion that UK buyers held for vans with windows passing themselves off as family-friendly MPVs. The idea of strapping your offspring into the back of something designed for parcels and plumbing equipment seemed a trifle unkind but we soon got used to the idea and the French threesome sold in big numbers. They spawned a gaggle of imitators in the process too and today, there are even purpose-built small MPV products that aim to capture the simple utility of the van-based originals. Peugeot's Partner Tepee may have a tougher task than ever staying at the top but it's certainly been equipped for the task, even offering buyers a useful 7-seat option pack for increased versatility. The improved version we look at here has a sleeker look, Euro 5 engines, higher-tech equipment and class-leading low emissions.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

The engine range is weighted three to two in favour of diesel, Peugeot obviously deeming 1.6-litres the optimum for the propelling the Partner Tepee as all five of its engines share that capacity. The oil-burners are the 1.6 HDi common-rail injection units that are found across the Peugeot line-up. They're dependable and economical with a smooth power delivery but exactly how much power is delivered depends on your choice of HDi 75, HDi 90 or HDi 110. The smaller two units are self explanatory but the HDi 110 range-topper can't quite live up to its 110 billing. It has a 107bhp output. The petrol engines are rated at 89bhp and 120bhp and, predictably, are a bit smoother, a bit quieter and a lot thirstier.

The Partner engine range lacks variety and how far buyers should bother to climb up it will depend on the kind of usage they intent to put their Tepee through. The entry level petrol and diesels will be quite adequate for the low mileage, school run and shopping trip routine that is the Partner's stock in trade but the more powerful options are worth shelling out for if the vehicle is going to be regularly faced with long journeys, heavy loads or a family holiday entailing both. Whichever engine you choose, the Partner isn't going to be fast, the 14s of the 1.6-litre petrol being its liveliest 0-60mph sprint time.

The Partner Tepee might be van-based but these days that's something of a misnomer because the Partner van is car-based. If you think that sounds confusing, you'd be right but the fact is that the van shares its underpinnings with various Peugeot and Citroen passenger cars including the 308 family hatch. What all boils down to is that today's Partner Tepee has a more advanced car-like suspension set-up and in general feels far less rough around the edges that the old model. Along with the rigidity in the suspension, a little of the cornering stability has gone but that's a trade most will make for the enhanced ride quality and comfort.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

There's a sleeker look to the front of this revised version but let's not get distracted by that. The unique selling point of vehicles of this ilk has always been their ability to carry five passengers and a lot of luggage in a compact and nimble package. The Partner Tepee is now substantially larger than the vehicle it replaced and while some of the manoeuvrability may have ebbed away the space inside is bigger than ever - hence the opportunity for Peugeot to offer a 7-seat option pack. Legroom on the main back seat is fine for adults and positively luxurious for small children. The boot measures in at 574 litres which surpasses the luggage space in pricier compact MPVs like Citroen's C4 Picasso and Ford's C-MAX. Peugeot has also worked hard on the look and feel of the interior. The quality of the materials and of the construction might not be the classiest you'll experience but they certainly don't speak too loudly of a hastily reconfigured van.

Raw space was never going to be a problem for the Partner Tepee but the designers have also made sure that owners can get the most from it. Storage solutions abound under every flap and in every crevice with more ingenious inclusions as you ascend the range. Go the whole hog and, on top of the basic door pockets, shelves and glove boxes, buyers can find items to cram into under seat draws, under floor cubbies, a centre storage console and an internal roof-rack that stores long items securely within the vehicle that would normally need to be clamped on to the top. Access to the rear seats is through the van-style sliding side doors which are ideal in tight spaces and you get at the boot though the large tailgate, although there's the option of an opening rear screen so you don't need to lift the whole tailgate all the time.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

The Partner Tepee comes in three trim levels, Urban, S and Outdoor, the top two available with the 7-seat option pack. The first two trim specs are reasonably straightforward, the Urban offering a nice collection of basics like remote central locking, electric front windows, a CD stereo, twin front airbags and ABS with EBA. The S then adds body-coloured exterior trim, front fog lights and some handy practical accessories. It's the Outdoor model that does things a bit differently by incorporating 4x4 styling features like an under body protection tray, side mouldings, roof bars and raised suspension. Off-road driving should not be attempted but the Outdoor looks a shade more purposeful than the unassuming standard models.

The Partner will have to persuade buyers looking for small family vehicles that it makes more sense that the Renault Kangoo or the Citroen Berlingo Multispace. It will have a tough time of it with the Citroen in particular as the two are almost identical bar the badges on the front. Then there are some other interesting options offering family-sized space on a budget, such as Skoda's Roomster and Nissan's Note but when you look at the Teepe's pricing and capacity, it should be in with a good chance.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

The modest performance from the Partner Tepee's Euro5 engines helps them turn in good fuel economy and low emissions, even if you don't choose the most frugal e-HDi versions which feature Stop & Start systems. The 34mpg average of the entry-level petrol model is nothing to get over excited about but the diesels all pepper the 50mpg mark with the range-topping 1.6 HDi 110 engine actually delivering the best economy with 50.4mpg. Emissions can be as low as 125g/km - which is class-leading.

PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE ESTATE 1.6 98 URBAN 5DR

The days of poking fun at van-based MPVs like Peugeot's Partner Tepee could be at an end. The commercial vehicles that form the basis of these low-cost people movers are growing increasingly sophisticated and the impressive utility contained within them is now widely recognised. The Partner Tepee does the family thing very well with masses of space, intelligent design and low running costs. It's cheap to buy too and that will be crucial in persuading buyers to take the plunge.

This vehicle feels far less like a van with seats and widows than you might imagine. The materials quality is good and standard equipment levels don't leave you wanting for much. Performance is pretty sluggish regardless of the engine choice but the Tepee is a comfortable car to travel in and offers good manoeuvrability despite its considerable size. With improved emissions, a sleeker look and as much practicality as ever, it's the family car few will consider but many ought to.