THE Peugeot Rifter MPV is a great transporter for active families as it’s smooth to drive, very spacious and comfortable.
And in the case of the tested top spec GT Line, the popular French marque has packed it with goodies. In fact, the Rifter is light years away from the MPVs of old that not only looked like vans but behaved like them when it came to handling and performance.
One of the key components that makes the Rifter feel more like a car is Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, which features three key elements.
Firstly, there’s a raised instrument panel that’s clear to read and very much in the motorist’s field of vision as they stare out of the large windscreen, making the most of the commanding driving position to survey the road.
Then there is the compact, satisfyingly chunky, multi-function, perforated leather steering wheel that adds a sense of agility and sportiness to the MPV.
The third component is the eight-inch colour touchscreen (from mid-grade Allure upwards) for the infotainment set-up, which sits atop the dash jauntily angled towards the driver for ease of use.
This includes a DAB radio, smartphone mirroring, with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, voice recognition and 3D sat nav, as well as access to various car systems.
Other useful kit includes keyless entry and start, cruise control and speed limiter, rear parking sensors, electric windows and electric, heated, folding door mirrors, dual-zone air con, rain-sensing wipers and auto lights with fog light cornering function.
Lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking with a collision threat alert, blind spot monitoring and Peugeot Connect SOS and Assistance to contact the emergency services should the worst happen are among the safety features.
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Sinking into the supportive cloth seats – with three, proper, individual ones in the rear – there’s plenty of room for everyone to stretch out, as well as lots of cubby holes.
Another quite cool feature is the Zenith panoramic glass roof with a floating translucent arch and storage compartments. This floods the cabin with light and has LED ambient lighting that gives off a soothing glow at night.
The boot is a massive 775 litres below the parcel shelf line and can easily swallow up all manner of sports and outdoor gear. Fold the rear seats and remove the parcel shelf and you’ve got a whopping 3000 litres of space.
The test car was powered by a 101hp 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox – the lever situated high on the centre console to free up extra storage space.
This powertrain is good for an official average of 46.1-51.6mpg, which I got very close to, with CO2 emissions of 112-117g/km. The sprint time to 62mph has still to be confirmed but a top speed of 109mph meant this Rifter was a refined cruiser at legal speeds on the motorway.
The suspension set-up was neither too soft nor too firm, while the acceleration and braking were smooth and undramatic.
I felt this MPV, priced from £23,695, really suited a relaxed driving style of the kind you want after a day of outdoor activity, and it behaved very well both in town and on the open road.
The GT Line has some contemporary design cues, too, including some striking LED daytime lights and gloss black detailing for the grille, roof rails, door mirrors and door sill protectors.
As the test car came with the £350 optional Advanced Grip Control traction system, it also sat proudly on sturdy 16in five twin-spoke alloys.
Factfile:
- Model: Peugeot Rifter GT Line BlueHDi 100
- Engine: 1.5-litre diesel
- Power: 101hp
- Top speed: 109mph
- 0-62mph: TBC
- Average mpg: 46.1-51.6
- CO2 emissions: 112-117g/km
- Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles
- Price: £23,695
