Peugeot: Partner up and deliver us from life's mishaps

The Partner handles the rigours of a workhorse and a daily runabout with ease. Photo / Supplied

It's not often I drive a delivery van, but with a broken dishwasher to fix Peugeot came to the rescue.

Its Partner isn't yet on rental fleets, but should be. It must be the easiest-to-drive minivan I've ever sampled.

The 66kW/215Nm 1.6-litre diesel engine under the bonnet is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Peugeot claims a 5.8 litres/100km thirst - exactly what we achieved after several hundred kilometres of driving, much of it with two people (and a dishwasher) aboard.

While we had it, we used it as an everyday driver. Yes, those slab-sides compromise rear three-quarter vision, and yes, any one-box van makes more road noise than a car.

But you can ignore the 3.7cu m load space, and treat the Partner like your family runabout. It's about the same size. It's got airbags, and stability control; it's got cupholders; indeed it boasts everything most cars have, and some - certainly there's more cabin storage than any sane person could fill. Cancel that - I saw the paperwork that appliance men carry round.

Those appliance men admired the standard cargo barrier to keep the driver safe from flying freight in a crash; the standard tie-down loops and sliding door each side; the large mirrors - and the $36,990 price.

This is the first commercial vehicle for Peugeot NZ, with sales just starting. Given buyers are focused on efficiency, a car-like drive with efficient cargo space and low running costs could be an advantage.

As for me, the dishwasher's fixed and I won't buy a van any time soon - but the Smeg man just might.