VAN LEASING LIVE!

Ryan from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Peugeot Expert to see how the new panel van compares to some of its competitors:

With the new Peugeot Expert it’s out with old and in with the new. Clearly inspired by its Peugeot Boxer big brother, the tired, boxy-looking design has been replaced with a much more striking look. As well as this, the previously ‘size-challenged’ panel van is now bigger and with a wider range of size options available.

But let’s face it, if you’re looking a panel van for your next van lease or van contract hire deal then you’re not short of options. So how does the Peugeot Expert stack up?

Size Matters

Size is king in the van world – manufacturers can design vans to look better than all of their competitors but if it’s too big or too small then you won’t lease it. Peugeot clearly had this in the forefront of their minds when designing the new Expert and, unlike its much smaller predecessor, the Expert comes in a range of flexible roof, height and payload configurations. It also comes with platform cab, combi, window van and minibus options - making the Expert an ideal van leasing option for a number of different business types.

Creature Comforts

You’re next van lease or van contract hire agreement is going to last at least 36 months so you need to make sure your choice of panel van provides the comfort you and your colleagues need. The Peugeot Expert does just that with plenty of space for both driver and 2 passengers along with heaps of storage options in the cab area. The dash area may lack some of the finishes and subtle class of the more premium panel vans out there but the hard plastics are durable and practical – just what you need in your new van. Electric Windows and a CD Player come as standard, but there isn’t a huge amount else on the Expert (although many are available as optional extras). Some competitors in its class may have more as standard but this is reflected in the price and the Peugeot Expert really is a great value for money.

On the Road

It’s a well-known fact that Peugeot’s HDi common rail diesel engines are just what you need in a commercial vehicle of this size and this is a real plus point of the Expert. The 1.6HDi provides a smooth drive and is extremely fuel-efficient. It may be a bit on the sluggish side for some though and the 2.0HDi model offers all the speed, torque and horsepower you’ll ever need. All models offer a smooth drive with little vibrations in the cab – especially if you take a model with the optional bulkhead.

The Verdict

So you’re looking for your next van lease; should the Peugeot Expert be your vehicle of choice? It’s got to be in with a good shout – it’s a great looking vehicle that offers good comfort, flexible size options, drives smoothly and has Peugeot’s well proven HDi common rail engines. A few more standard extras and creature comforts would be nice, which you do get in some of the Expert’s more expensive competitors. For the price though it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to get your customised van leasing quote for a new Peugeot Expert

Peugeot Expert Van Leasing at a Glance – What you Need to Know

ENGINES: (HDi Common Rail diesel)
90bhp 1.6
120bhp 2.0
140bhp 2.0
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 1,000kg - 1,200kg
LOAD VOLUME: 5m3 - 7m3
KERB WEIGHT: 1,661kg - 1,763kg

Stuart from VanLeasingQuotes.com takes a look at the striking new Fiat Scudo to see whether the new model is more than just a pretty face:

Vans used to be all about function and practicality but manufacturers now realise that good looks are also on the agenda for the UK’s average van driver. The Fiat Scudo is a great example of modern, striking design and when put beside some of its competitors it’s certainly a head turner.

Design might be more important these days but we all know it’s never going to be on the top of the agenda for those looking to select a new model for their next van lease or van contract hire agreement.

So, looks aside, how does the Fiat Scudo fair against its competitors and could it be your next van?

Size Matters

The Scudo is larger than its predecessor. It used to occupy the void between Ford Transit-sized and Vauxhall Combo-sized vehicles but it’s now firmly competing with the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Transporter and Vauxhall Vivaro. Size-wise it has a number of varying roof height and wheel base options as well as a combi version and platform cab option for conversions. So it really is a flexible offer, which makes it an ideal van leasing option for a number of different business types. With two full height rear doors it’s also a breeze for load access.

Creature Comforts

You’re next van lease or van contract hire agreement is going to last at least 36 months so you best make sure your van of choice provides the comfort you and your colleagues need! In that case you’ll be happy to know that the Scudo is a great van in terms of comfort. The cab area offers supportive seating, a comfortable driving position and lots of extra storage space. With a CD player, power steering, remote central locking and an adjustable drivers seat as standard, Fiat really have taken comfort into consideration with this upgraded model. One downside is that, whilst the Scudo offers great comfort for 2 in the cab area, it does become a bit of a squeeze with all 3 seats occupied… better make sure your 3rd van man (or woman) is a skinny one!

On the Road

As you’d expect when leasing a Fiat vehicle, the Multijet diesel engines in both the 1.6 and 2.0 litre options are strong and offer plenty of torque. Add to this the surprisingly light steering and good cornering for a panel van of its size as well as powerful braking with EBD and ABS as standard. This is a great van to drive with the possible exception of a fairly noisy cab area if you opt for a model without the full bulkhead – but I’m nit picking!

The Verdict

So your looking for your next van lease; should the Fiat Scudo be your vehicle of choice? Quite probably I would say – It’s a great looking, modern van that drives well and is comfortable… what more could you want for your van leasing or van contract hire agreement? The only thing I would say is that Fiat might be missing a trick by increasing the size of the van to compete with the likes of the Transporter and Vivaro. The Scudo used to fill that void between van sizes and made a nice little niche for itself. Now it’s competing with the big boys, however this is a great van and there’s no reason you wouldn’t lease this vehicle over a Transporter, Vivaro or Transit.

Scudo Van Leasing at a Glance – What you Need to Know

ENGINES: (Multijet diesel)
90bhp 1.6
120bhp 2.0
140bhp 2.0

MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 1,000kg - 1,200kg

LOAD VOLUME: 5m3 - 7m3

KERB WEIGHT: 1,661kg - 1,763kg

Click here to get your customised van leasing quote for a new Fiat Scudo