Testing the Peugeot Rifter Long 1.5 BlueHDi by Tinkervan: the van that wanted to be an MPV and succeeded

The MPV segment enjoyed a period of great popularity but, over time, it has been absorbed by the seven-seat SUV segment. On the other hand, the van sector followed its own path without ever showing any reservations about MPVs, but there has come a point where brands such as Peugeot have wanted both worlds to converge. The French brand presented its new Rifter not only as a commercial vehicle, as its predecessors had been, but also as a car capable of acting as a conventional seven-seater and allowing people to travel in it as if it were a living room on wheels.

At Highmotor we wanted to check for ourselves how much MPV and how much van there is in the new Rifter. To do so, we hosted the French model for a week, equipped with the 100 CV 1.5 BlueHDi engine and a By Tinkervan conversion, which gives us access to certain components that turn the Peugeot Rifter into practically a motorhome.

Subtlety and refinement: two traits that soften the styling of the Peugeot Rifter

When we think of a van of the old days, a rough design with no great flourishes always comes to mind, since its only raison d’être was to transport goods efficiently, thus leaving aside the care of other aspects. However, with this new Rifter the lion brand has managed to offer, in each and every one of its variants, a much friendlier and more subtle design, something it achieves by inheriting many of the features of its smaller siblings.

The imposing front end already stands out for its striking dimensions but, above all, for the lion that presides over the chrome grille along its edges, a clear nod to exclusivity. The bumper, finished in black plastic, features a slim splitter that has led me to say that it gives it a certain sporty touch.

The side presents a much calmer and more relaxed composition, a sensation conveyed by soft lines without great flourishes. The protective cladding at the lower section and around the wheel arches stands out, designed to prevent damage to the paintwork and guiding the eye towards the rear. It is in this area that we can see two vertical tail lights and the double-opening tailgate, which I will tell you about later. Finally, we find once again a sturdy bumper and a rear section also finished in black plastic that continues to adorn the whole with touches of elegance and class.

Space, technology and yet more space: this is how the interior of the Peugeot Rifter is defined

Inside the cabin of the Peugeot Rifter we find a series of truly interesting and attractive details, which also serve as a practical solution when we need to store numerous items. At the same time, this capability is combined with an avant-garde and characterful design, very much in the style of the French brand and breaking with the calmer exterior.

Once we settle into the seats of the Peugeot Rifter there will be one element that quickly captivates us, which will cause some uncertainty but whose purpose we will understand later on: the i-Cockpit. This name refers to a new design philosophy used by the lion brand, reflected in a small-diameter steering wheel flattened both at the top and at the bottom and an instrument cluster positioned higher.

We will need a period of adjustment, but once we get used to it, we will appreciate this little helm, especially in vehicles of large dimensions such as the Peugeot Rifter Long. Thanks to it, manoeuvres become easier and completing turns successfully becomes a much less tedious task; but what really stands out is the surprising technological arsenal the French MPV features.

Ruling the dashboard is an 8-inch touchscreen, which offers a simple and intuitive infotainment system, although its position feels somewhat distant from the driver’s seat. One aspect that pleasantly surprised me is that the climate controls are physical buttons and do not risk being integrated into the multimedia system as happens in other models from the brand.

But if I must praise the Peugeot Rifter for anything, it is undoubtedly its overwhelming storage capacity. In the doors we find generous door pockets that will allow us to store countless items, but this impressive space is also found on the dashboard, where a double glovebox is installed, and the same goes for the centre console, where another storage compartment takes up most of it.

Above the sun visors we come across yet another huge recess that will let us place more items, something repeated in the rear seats. These have been treated to compartments in the floor itself, concealed by an upholstered cover like the mat covering the floor of the Rifter, and which can be used to store the toys of the little ones, for example.

And since we have mentioned the rear seats, let us get a little more involved and talk in detail about them. Over the seven days I was able to live with the Peugeot Rifter I found one great advantage and one small drawback regarding the rear seats: there are three real seats that show no difference in size between them and that will accommodate any child or adult regardless of height or build; the only counterpoint I found is that they cannot slide longitudinally, offering a single position with generous legroom but which prevents us from gaining more boot space.

One aspect worth highlighting is the opening of the tailgate, which requires a lot of space to avoid brushing against objects or other vehicles and, at the same time, to allow comfortable access to the loading area. However, the designers at the French house have devised a practical and clever solution: we are offered the option of opening just the rear window, a far less cumbersome option that also lets us place and retrieve items from the boot with relative ease.

Last but not least, I must mention the perceived quality of the interior of the Rifter. Overall, we can see correct fit and finish at all the touchpoints, although it is true that hard plastic is abundant, a material that could have been replaced with synthetic leather or substitutes to help accentuate the sense of comfort that the French MPV exudes and that is experienced both as a passenger and when driving it.

A house on wheels thanks to the By Tinkervan camperisation

As I mention in the title of this very test, the unit provided to us by the lion brand’s headquarters here in Spain had a very special feature: it was camperised. The phrase “By Tinkervan” that appears just below the model name is no mere coincidence, since there are several elements we will find inside the Peugeot Rifter that will make us feel at home straight away.

One of the most important aspects to bear in mind about this camperisation is that much of the Rifter’s loading space is lost, so we will only have a fairly deep but narrow compartment. This is because a (folding) bed, a fridge and a portable shower are the enchantments the French MPV will offer us when we choose this option.

The first thing to highlight is the bed, which is simple and quick to set up, although it is always advisable to have a second person to help speed up the process. The second half of it sits right between the bed itself and the second-row seats; to install it, we fold the seats, hook the end part onto a plastic piece that already has the section extended, and that’s it, we will have a more than adequate sleeping area for an impromptu getaway.

The space of the bed once assembled is surprising, since children can sleep there without any problem and two adults comfortably. At the same time, we also have a table that fits into the grab handle of the second-row seats once folded and, thanks to the bed’s headrest being adjustable to different heights, we can turn the Rifter into a real living and dining room.

The fridge also has easy access and the shower will be perfect for those hot summer days, since the experience of getting wet outdoors in the middle of winter or autumn would not be very pleasant. To counteract the cold or the scorching heat, the Peugeot Rifter offers stationary heating and ventilation, an option that helps us stay in perfect harmony with the environment you breathe inside it.

A van that has managed to become an MPV

But enough about the space and liveability of the Peugeot Rifter, since the time has come to focus on one of the most important aspects: its driving dynamics. The test unit was powered by the 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine capable of delivering 100 CV of power and 250 Nm of torque, figures that are managed through a five-speed manual gearbox.

As soon as I got behind the wheel of the Peugeot Rifter, the first thing that caught my attention was the driving position it offers, which is much more reminiscent of an MPV than a traditional van. This setup provides comfort and is ideal for covering long distances without our back suffering, but we must get through a short adjustment period.

The steering wheel, thanks to its small dimensions, makes manoeuvres much easier when parking or when facing the city. It is true that this is not the most suitable terrain for getting around in the Peugeot Rifter, especially if it is a unit with the Long bodywork as was the case here, since it feels uncomfortable on rather narrow streets.

But it is on country roads and motorways where the lion brand has wanted its new Rifter to show what it is really for. A suspension tune that is neither too hard nor too soft allows us to get over all the irregularities of the road almost without feeling them, while offering impeccable comfort over long distances. The same goes for the steering, which, although its weight is quite appropriate, I missed a little more feedback.

It is true that Peugeot has managed to offer good acoustic insulation from the engine, which only becomes somewhat noisy while it warms up and at certain moments at idle. However, because of the Rifter’s size, it is easy to notice certain aerodynamic noises that can become a little annoying after hours, and precisely because of its dimensions we will also feel some body sway at high speeds.

But leaving aside its aerodynamics, which were not designed to tackle twisty roads — nor does it aim to — I must highlight one of its most pleasant and surprising aspects, its engine. At first, 100 CV may sound like too little to move with ease the more than 1,600 kilos the French van registers on the scales, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Its quick and powerful delivery of torque provides considerable push, and reaching 120 km/h will be easy, although we should not expect a splendid response at the top of the rev counter, where it gradually runs out of breath. But we must keep in mind that, when it is loaded and we encounter a fairly steep hill, the Peugeot Rifter will struggle and will force us to drop a gear to get over it with ease.

We find gear ratios that are fairly well spaced, something that is a benefit for relaxed driving more focused on comfort. However, the feel of the gear lever is somewhat spongy, and its high position, far from the driver’s seat and its long travel can make it difficult to engage some gears.

Motorway consumption during our usual Madrid–Vigo route settled at 6.7 litres per 100 km, a figure that could probably be lower, but we must bear in mind the extra weight the camperisation involves. Given that this will be its main territory, we can consider the Peugeot Rifter an ideal vehicle not only for weekend getaways but also for covering long journeys.

Conclusion

With this latest Rifter, Peugeot has managed to leave behind the image of an industrial vehicle to allow its users to see it as a true-bred MPV. A more eye-catching design without great flourishes takes care of dispelling the van appearance, just as happens with its cabin, an area that has been seasoned with the brand’s latest technology and which allows us to overlook the presence of certain hard plastics.

The 1.5-litre, 100 CV BlueHDi engine will be more than sufficient with both the conventional bodywork and the Long variant. However, we must bear in mind the extra kilos added by the Tinkervan camperisation, so it would be advisable to consider the 130 CV option if we are going to make numerous trips on motorways or secondary roads, to strengthen overtaking and enable a more relaxed driving style.

With a starting price of 20,320 euros in Active trim with the Long bodywork, the Peugeot Rifter presents itself as a model in the MPV sector that is well worth considering. It is true that for our unit the total figure rises to 23,850 euros on the configurator price, but with the brand’s own discounts and financing, we can reduce that price considerably and in return enjoy a vehicle perfect for the whole family or for couples to enjoy.

Technical specifications of this car

Small Passenger VanPeugeot Rifter11 versions · from 29,085 €