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A lot of car companies will try and convince you their cars are ideal for those with active lifestyles. The Peugeot Partner Tepee though probably gets closer than most, because Peugeot’s van-based people-mover is enormously spacious despite not taking up that much space on the road, making it suitable for everyone from family buyers to those who really do need to shift bicycles, camping gear, and other active lifestyle paraphernalia around.
Peugeot replaced the Partner Tepee with the Rifter in 2018, which means that with a few years under its belt, the Tepee isn’t just practical but pretty good value too. It’s equipment and driving manners don’t quite match up to the average modern SUV or MPV but for the space you get, it’s still a good buy.
Similar models include the Citroen Berlingo Multispace, very similar to the Tepee in all but badging and specification, as well as the Ford Tourneo Connect and Volkswagen Caddy Life - and if you’ve got the budget for something newer, then the Peugeot Rifter is an even better package.
Choosing a car like the Peugeot Partner Tepee does require making a few compromises. You’ll have to be comfortable with a vehicle that not only looks like a van on the outside, but isn’t quite as sharp as a car to drive, and isn’t quite as refined as one either.
If you’re happy with such compromises though, then the Partner Tepee makes a strong case for itself. That van-like body means practicality that most conventional MPVs and crossovers can only dream of, from a large and sensibly-shaped boot (that extends to true van proportions with the rear seats folded or removed), to abundant room for passengers, and a cabin with more storage cubbies than an Ikea display.
The generation we’re looking at lasted between 2008 and 2018, at which point it was replaced by the Peugeot Rifter. That makes even the newest Partner Tepees a few years old now, but also means it’s an affordable way of getting into an incredibly useful family wagon.
The Partner’s van origins mean the cabin isn’t quite as touchy-feely as proper cars but it’s rugged and will shrug off the rigours of family life as a result. Equipment levels are low compared to the very latest cars but you still get air conditioning and a radio with USB connections and Bluetooth even in the basic Active trim.
On the open road you won’t find many driving thrills, but the Partner Tepee strikes a decent balance of ride and handling - it’ll lean a little in corners and can’t smother out all bumps, but it still grips well and settles down at a cruise. It’s not a quick car either, but the diesels especially get down the road well enough. Manual models are better than the slightly jerky ETG automated manuals, but the latter doesn’t impact economy much, if you really need an auto.
If you’re sold on the van-with-windows concept but not the Partner Tepee, then the Citroen Berlingo Multispace was the Peugeot’s equivalent from its sister brand, while the Ford Tourneo Connect and Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life are alternatives from other brands. Or, there are traditional MPVs like the Renault Scenic and Citroen C4 Picasso, which are more car-like to drive, but not as enormous inside.
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The diesel engines probably make the most sense in the Peugeot Partner Tepee, unless you’re planning on spending most of your time pottering around town. Performance is in the same ballpark across the range but their extra economy will be welcome for most buyers, and with the cars now several years old, the difference in price will be negligible. This also makes the most powerful 120PS BlueHDi worth seeking out.
As for trim levels, we’d suggest looking for one of the Outdoor spec models. They look better for a start, with some earthy colour schemes and body cladding that distance them from the Partner’s humble van roots, and while the raised ride height won’t have you tackling tracks that only Land Rovers fear to tread, it’s a little extra clearance for rough tracks and camping fields. Plus, the Outdoor has a much better level of standard equipment.
With the latest examples now more than five years old and the earliest more than a decade and a half, it’s important to note that while the Partner Tepee was decently equipped for its time, it’s neither quite up there with more car-like MPVs from the period, and certainly lacks a few features you might expect from a newer vehicle. Peugeot’s trim levels were simple to understand at least, with an entry-level Active model, and a better-equipped Outdoor, which climbed on the pseudo off-road bandwagon with chunkier styling and slightly raised suspension.
The Peugeot Partner Tepee’s dimensions are:
The Peugeot Partner Tepee’s boot size is:
A small number of later Peugeot Partner Tepee models will be taxed according to the flat VED or ‘road tax’ rate introduced from April 2017, which means a yearly bill of £180, regardless of the model. Prior to this, you’ll be taxed on CO2 emissions, and the BlueHDi 100 will be cheapest - its 109g/km corresponds to only £20 a year.
Insurance bills for the Peugeot Partner Tepee shouldn’t sting too much. Cheapest to insure should be the 1.6 VTi, which starts in group 10, while the range rises to group 18 (out of 50) for the BlueHDi 120 in Outdoor trim. For comparison, a conventional SUV like the Peugeot 3008 ranges all the way from group 22 to group 38.
Read our full Peugeot Partner Tepee review