The new Peugeot RifterCaroline drives the 2019 Peugeot Rifter.
Van-based MPVs will never be the sexiest of people carriers. But what they do offer is outstanding practicality at good value pricing! The new Peugeot Rifter is a case in point. The replacement for the Peugeot Partner Tepee MPV sports new styling, a versatile and practical interior as well as the latest in Peugeot technology, engines and interior design.
With pricing starting from just €23,540, the new Peugeot Rifter is a boxy people carrier available with five or seven seats. There’s also a short wheelbase or long wheelbase variant. The Rifter is no oil painting but it does bear the look of the new generation of Peugeot models with a characteristic front end. It’s also available in a high spec GT Line (pictured), which gives the Rifter considerable more visual chutzpah at a price.
The Peugeot Rifter is exceptionally spacious and practicalSo what’s so great about the 2019 Peugeot Rifter?
Still, beauty is hardly the point here. And you will certainly find a reason to smile when you see all the space inside of this vehicle! The van DNA means that the Rifter is primed for carrying people and their gear. Sliding doors feature and reveal wide openings that make access and egress very easy. There are three individual rear seats in row 2 and lots of leg and headroom.
There are many storage spaces around the cabin. The boot is simply magnifique at 775 litres with a very low sill and flat floor. The boot also doubles as a great place to relax should you wish to take a quick break on your road trip! The large boot lid makes a great canopy also. The Rifter is sounding more like a great buy by the paragraph.
Inside, Rifter gets Peugeot’s new generation interior. You sit quite high in the Rifter but Peugeot has done a good job to make it feel more car-like with a well-finished dashboard and a nice mix of materials and colours on our GT Line test model. Peugeot’s compact steering wheel and digital instrument cluster feature and the infotainment screen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The interior of the new Peugeot RifterWhat are my options?
The new Peugeot Rifter is listed with a choice of three trims: Active, Allure and GT Line. Standard equipment includes 8” touchscreen, digital instrument panel, 16” wheels, full size spare wheel, air conditioning, Active Safety Brake, Lane Keeping Assist and Speed Limit Recognition. My GT Line test car (from €28,400) adds 17” alloys, keyless access and start, High Beam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Advanced Driver Attention Alert, dark tinted rear windows, front and rear parking aid, dual zone climatronic air conditioning and GT Line styling.
In Ireland the Rifter is offered with the 1.2 PureTech petrol 110bhp 6-speed manual; 1.2 PureTech petrol 130bhp automatic 8-speed automatic, a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 75bhp 5-speed manual; a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 100bhp 5-speed manual; a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130bhp 6-speed manual; and a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 130bhp 8-speed automatic.
There are three individual seats in row 2Driving the Peugeot Rifter
My test car was the 1.5-litre diesel with 130 hp and a 6-speed manual gearbox. It does well in the Rigter with reasonable refinement and plenty of power. Motor tax is €200 per year while over a week of driving my average fuel consumption was 6.4l/100km.
On the road, the Rifter does a decent job of offering occupants a comfortable and refined drive. It’s agile around town with light steering and handles reasonably well for a van!
You soon settle into life with the Rifter. The big Peugeot has moved on in terms of offering buyers more refinement and cabin ambience. It’s hugely practical and spacious with a great range of engines. A petrol engine option also gives it an edge on rivals. Good value pricing and lots of equipment means that the Rifter is definitely worth a test drive if you are looking for a super practical and affordable way to carry people and their stuff.
The new Peugeot Rifter goes on sale in Ireland priced from €23,540Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Peugeot Rifter GT Line 1.5 BlueHDi 130bhp 6-speed
Price: €31,000 (Range from €23,540)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo diesel
Power: 130 hp
Torque: 300 Nm
0-100km/h: 11.6 seconds
Top speed: 183 km/h
Fuel economy: 5.9 l/100km
CO2 emissions: 155 g/km
Motor tax: €200 per year