Peugeot Traveller Review (2016-present)

Multi-seat MPVs used to be extremely popular, but the growth of SUVs and crossovers decimated the traditional MPV market. However, it's quite easy for manufacturers to a multi-seat passenger vehicle spin-off of an existing van, and the commercial vehicle equivalent of the Traveller (i.e. the version without seats) is the Peugeot Expert and, along with the name change and the seats, Peugeot added more exterior colour choices, some windows in place of panels, sliding doors on both sides, alloy wheels, and extra equipment to create the Traveller.

It was introduced by Peugeot in 2017, and replaced the Expert Tepee. Like many rivals, the Peugeot Traveller underlines just how far vans have come in the past decade or so. As of mid-2022 Peugeot only offers the car in an all-electric e-Traveller guise, which means that its appeal isn’t as broad as it was.

It's immensely practical because, even with all of its eight seats filled, there’s still space for plenty of luggage and things. As with the van, you can order both standard- and long-wheelbase versions, and the second and third rows each have three individual seats. There's also a seven-seat version with a pair of individual second-row seats, which allows a degree of sliding and folding – and they can even be removed completely.

Then there’s the sliding rear doors that mean car park access will never be a problem, even in tight spots. On Allure models they’re electrically powered and feature a neat hands-free operation that means you only need to wave your foot across a sensor mounted under the car to open the door.

Even with all eight seats occupied, the standard length model offers a whopping 603-litres of boot space up to the rear windows, and nearly 800-litres if you load it to the roof. The long-wheelbase increases that to 989 and 1,384-litres respectively, and both versions have the option to either fold or remove rows of seats. Do so, and the standard length Traveller can swallow as much as 3,968-litres of cargo, and the long-wheelbase and enormous 4,554-litres.

Bear in mind, however, that those seats are fairly hefty and an assistant might be required if you want to avoid an expensive chiropractor’s bill.

There’s also loads of handy storage, including a large seven-litre glovebox plus front door bins that each have 10-litres of space and will accommodate a 1.5-litre bottle. You’ll also find numerous cupholders dotted around the cabin, while the rear door bins have a five-litre capacity and will hold 500ml drinks containers.

On the flagship Allure, you’ll family-friendly additions such as a separate child observation mirror that allows you to keep an eye on young ones sat in the back, retractable blinds for the rear windows and aircraft-style tray tables for those sat in the second row.

The Traveller is fairly forgettable to drive, but that’s hardly a fault as it’s competent and composed in most situations. If you’re buying used then we’d recommend at least the mid-level diesel choice for better pace, while the Allure specification adds, among many things, acoustic glass which helps to quieten down the cabin. It’s refined enough, but compared to a regular passenger car, you’ll hear the odd knock from the suspension – amplified by the large space behind you – and while it’s capable enough on the road, it’s far from exciting or engaging.

However, there’s a certain warm satisfaction about driving something so useful and spacious, and the high driving position, as well as the flat sides and rear, make positioning it in parking spaces and on the road really easy.

The series of diesel engines starts with the 120hp 1.5-litre BlueHDI unit with a six-speed manual transmission, which is only available with the cheaper Active model. Above that, there’s a 145bhp 2.0-litre HDI diesel with a choice of two power outputs – 145bhp and 180bhp – again with a standard six-speed manual or, in Active trim, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox (in Active trim). The most powerful version with an automatic gearbox is arguably the combo to have, especially if you regularly travel with a full complement of passengers.

Peugeot added an alternative to the diesel engines in 2019, when it introduced the electric e-Traveller, with a 50kWh battery pack mated to a 134bhp electric motor. It offers emissions-free motoring for up to 148 miles on a single charge, which limits its potential usage, but for some inner-city buyers, the e-Traveller is a potential solution. However, from mid-2022 ever tightening EU emissions regulations mean that this battery-powered version is now the only model you can buy new.

Peugeot has kept it simple with the Traveller, offering just Active and Allure models from the outset. Active models feature the bare basics, but that does mean you get features such as air conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise control, power fold mirrors, electric windows and remote central locking.

Allure is the better equipped option, with leather seats, powered front seats, quieter acoustic glass, a panoramic glass roof, automatic dual-zone climate control, a head-up display as well as other useful features such as electric sliding side doors, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors and more. It's also the only one of the two trim levels available with a long wheelbase.

A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is standard across the range and features DAB radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection. The Allure adds sat-nav to this lot, as well as an uprated hi-fi with five speakers, four tweeters and a subwoofer.

The biggest running cost for all versions of the Traveller will be depreciation, but against upmarket rivals such as the Volkswagen Caravelle and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, the Peugeot fares rather well, not least because of its lower starting price. Fuel consumption will be higher than a regular family car, but it’s not so bad as to be a concern, with the best official fuel economy of 40.9-46.5mpg for the 1.5-litre Active BlueHDI 120bhp model. In reality, it’ll be more than that, because the 120bhp engine needs working pretty hard to make decent progress, so while the 2.0-litre engine's official 36.6-42.5mpg is lower, it’ll likely be easier to achieve in real-world driving.

There’s no penalty in relation to consumption with the most powerful diesel automatic version, as its official consumption is 36.2-42.2mpg, and it's reasonable to expect it to get close to those figures in daily driving. Insurance groups range from 24 to 26E, while CO2 emissions of 167-205g/km put it at the upper end of the VED tax rate. All but the entry-level Active model will sneak under the Government’s £40,000 premium vehicle bracket, which ups the road tax for the first six years of ownership.

For the ultimate in tax and fuel-pump avoidance, the e-Traveller cannot be beaten, but its limited range means it won't suit everyone. You’ll also want a home charger to make the most of it.