VAN LEASING LIVE!

Ally from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Peugeot Bipper to see how it stacks up against some of its competitors:

Since its original release the Peugeot Bipper has proven itself to be a popular choice amongst the van community. Both its quirky design and unique ‘in-between’ size have been a hit with drivers and small business owners alike. But how does the Bipper stack up against its competitors and could it be the perfect next van lease for you?

Size Matters

The Bipper is unique in terms of size – sitting somewhere in between a micro van such as the Ford Fiesta Van and what would be classed as a small van such as the Volkswagen Caddy. At 3.9m in length it’s the perfect size for those urban deliveries and still has a rather surprising 70kg payload with both sliding rearside door and twin asymmetric rear doors. The Bipper also comes with 6 tie-down points, half-height steel bulkhead and meshe grille as standard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not right for everyone but if it’s a smaller van you’re looking for then it’s a great size and, compared to the likes of a Fiesta or Corsavan, it gives you much more space and better loading capabilities.

Creature Comforts

Van leasing or van contract hire agreements last a minimum of 36 months so it’s important to ensure your choice of van provides the comfort both you and your colleagues need. The good news is that the Peugeot Bipper does just that. With seat height adjust, a drivers armrest, lumbar support and plenty of storage space for a van of its size, the Bipper provides all the comfort and storage you need. A special mention also needs to be given to the very neat A5 document holder, which pops up from the top of the dashboard and is a very welcome innovation that will prove very handy and practical for the average van driver. It does need to be said that, although the Bipper does provide more than adequate headroom, if you are taller than average then legroom is a bit limited. Basically, if you are 6’5” you might want to opt for a bigger van!

If you’re a sucker for gadgets and added extras then the Professional model offers great extra features including air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows, heated outdoor mirrors and an MP3 compatible CD player with steering control.

On the Road

We tested the 1.3 Litre HDi version of the Bipper, which although a bit slow away from the mark initially, does accelerate briskly through the gears and sits more than comfortably on the motorway at 70mph. It handles extremely well and has the most responsive steering of any van of its size.

Probably the most impressive thing about the Bipper is just how fuel-efficient it is. Innovations such as Stop + Start and shift indicator, which both come as standard, all help achieve a combined fuel efficiency of over 63mpg.

One downside of the Bipper is that it is quite noisy on the road with engine, road and wind noise all quite prominent in the cab, A small point overall though one which leaves you wishing Peugeot did just a bit more to soundproof the cab.

The Verdict

So, is the Peugeot Bipper the perfect van lease for you? It could very well be – it’s a great van that handles well, is extremely fuel-efficient and comes with brilliant added gadgets and extra features. The biggest downside of the Bipper is a bit of a noisy cab in the road, oh, and if you are 6’5” you might want to opt for a van with a bit more legroom! Overall though it really is a great van leasing deal.

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

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