Peugeot Expert Tepee 2011

Built as a joint venture with Fiat and Peugeot's sister company Citroen, the Peugeot Expert Tepee 2011 has a common platform that it shares with the Fiat Scudo Panorama and the Citroen Dispatch Combi. The van-like appearance maybe be slightly off-putting for some but in terms of moving lots of people and luggage around, the Expert Tepee is up there with the best of them.

While many people are looking for seven-seaters, the Peugeot Expert Tepee 2011 has seating for nine people, boasting three lots of three seating. That means that you and two friends can sit together in the front compartment and it’s handy for keeping an eye on children. The versatility of the seating arrangement means that using the sliding doors you can alter the amount of seats available, from three to nine. If you need a seven-seater, simply move the seats away that aren't needed and you can have a seven-seater and still mountains of boot space.

That said, the seats are fairly heavy and bulky to remove and it's best to keep some space clear in your garage for them. With all of the seats in place there is 283-litres of space, 553-litres with the rearmost seats out and over 1600-litres with all of the seats removed, and the practicality of a van. It's perfect for families and DIYers that have kids. When the seats aren't needed, it's a van with windows.

Peugeot Expert Partner Tepee pictured above.

One let-down of the Peugeot Expert Tepee 2011 is the frankly under-achieving engine for the sheer size and weight of the vehicle. The little 90bhp 1.6 HDI tries its best but it takes 18.5 seconds to get to 60mph or 20.7 seconds for the long-wheelbase version. The 2.0 HDI diesel engine with 120bhp would be the choice motor as it drives the 0-60mph time down to 13.5 seconds.

There is surprisingly good ride quality for the size and weight of the Expert. The driver is in tune with what's going on under the wheels and although it's difficult to park due to the size, on the motorway it wafts along with ease and on constant throttle, it's quiet too. That said, it's not the most 'green' of vehicles as it pumps out 198g/km CO2, although that is the equivalent of 22g/km CO2 per person at full occupancy, which turns the environmentally-friendly tables towards the extended people carrier.

The cost price of a Peugeot Expert Tepee 2011 starts from £20,000 although that only includes a driver's airbag and anti-lock brakes. There are more safety options which should be ticked when buying one, such as curtain air bags, electronic stability control and side impact air bags. With a few options added, the cost price could rise an additional £6,000 and unfortunately, as with many in the Peugeot 7 Seaters, the depreciation after the first year can be as high as 50%, which is certainly something to mull over if you're desperate to be the first owner. Buying second hand or nearly new could save you many pennies.