Full electrification's the fashion at present, even for MPV buyers. Jonathan Crouch looks at Peugeot's improved E-Rifter

Ten Second Review

Full electrification's the fashion at present, even for MPV buyers. Well here's one you might like - the improved version of Peugeot's E-Rifter. If you can afford the asking price and can cope with the now enhanced 199 mile driving range, then for those unafflicted by van segment snobbery there aren't too many other downsides in opting for this fully electric Peugeot E-Rifter compact family MPV. It certainly might be tempting option if you're looking for a full-electric compact family car and don't want a compact SUV. Here, there's the option of a 7-seat cabin too, which is rare to find in an EV at present. Except with the Citroen and Vauxhall models than share this one's design.

Background

The segment for compact People Carriers has recently gained something of a fresh lease of life, courtesy of EV power. The Stellantis Group has doggedly continued to sell small MPVs as sales in this sector have declined and now may reap the benefit, with fully electrified versions of the Citroen Berlingo, the Vauxhall Combo and the subject of this test, Peugeot's E-Rifter. All have been usefully updated in recent times. This car still uses the 50kWh battery that featured before, but in improved, longer-range form. And it's been built into the car in a way that doesn't compromise cabin space. Sounds interesting.

Driving Experience

As part of this update, we'd expected that Peugeot would fit the new 54kWh battery lately added to its more car-like EV models. Instead, the previous 50kWh battery is retained, but updated so that it can now take the E-Rifter up to 199 miles between charges, 25 miles further than before. There's not too much to get used to in driving this Peugeot. You're offered three driving modes - 'ECO', 'Normal' and 'Power'. You won't want to spend too long in 'ECO', unless you really are eeking out battery capacity because it reduces the powertrain's normal 136hp output to just 80bhp and also restricts the climate system to conserve power. Peugeot suggests that you do most of your driving in the 'Normal' setting, which increases the motor output to 107hp. The top 'Power' mode isn't really intended for sporty driving but for situations when you're carrying heavy loads. The powertrain also has a 'B' setting which increases the level of regenerative braking to a point where the car slows so much when you come off throttle that you'll very rarely need to use the brake, unless you're coming to a complete stop. Like all electric vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the e-Rifter when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly, but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than its combustion cousins.

Design and Build

This isn't a new generation E-Rifter, but Peugeot wants you to think it is, hence the redesigned front end with its smarter grille, different bumper and revised headlights, which incorporate the brand's usual '3-claw' motif. All of which quite effectively distracts your attention from the boxy van-like looks. The slab-sided profile still comes in two forms, short wheelbase (4.4m) and long wheelbase (4.7m), the latter with seven seats. Both versions have sliding side doors. You'll really need the extra embellishment of top 'GT' trim though, if you want to distract the attention of passers-by that all you've actually really got here is a Peugeot Partner van with extra seats and windows. There are significant changes inside too. Peugeot has updated the dashboard design so that it can accommodate a larger 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' connectivity and the latest 'OK Peugeot' voice control system. Smarter light grey fabric makes the cabin feel more car-like (and even more spacious) and a heated steering wheel can be fitted. Because the battery pack is mounted beneath this MPV model's floor, cabin space is not compromised. Which means that there's simply loads of luggage space. Even the 5-seat short wheelbase 'M' model can swallow 775-litres in its boot, while the long wheelbase 'XL' version has a capacity of up to 1,050-litres. In addition, if you're taking really long items, the front passenger seat can be folded flat, allowing items like surfboards of up to 3,050mm long to be taken inside 'XL' models. The parcel shelf at the back can take up to 25kg of weight (so you can put the dog on top of the shopping). And dotted around the cabin are a multitude of storage areas which have a combined capacity of 167-litres. As before, like its Vauxhall and Citroen cousins, this car sits on the Stellantis Group's EV-compatible e-CMP platform.

Market and Model

There are two trim levels on offer - 'Allure' and 'GT'. Both use the same 50kWh 100kW battery and both can be had in either standard or 'Long' body lengths, the latter with seven seats. Prices start from around £34,000 and you'll need to allow a premium of around £2,000 for the long wheelbase version. Graduating from 'Alure' to 'GT' trim costs around £2,000 more too. Two new colours - 'Sirkka Green' and 'Kiama Blue', have been added to the range. All models are delivered as standard with a capacitive 10-inch touchscreen featuring wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Inside, there's a folding front passenger seat and a 1/3-2/3 folding second row bench. All models come with tray tables on the back of the front seats too. The 'GT' version gets smart 17-inch alloy wheels and an opening tailgate window. Plus automatic air conditioning, power-folding mirrors and a reversing camera. Across the range, the E-Rifter's safety tally's reasonable too, all models fitted with Peugeot's Safety Pack that features Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Safety Brake, Cruise Control with a Speed Limiter, Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation, and Driver Attention Alert. Plus all models also come as standard with rear parking sensors.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned the improved WLTP-rated range in our Driving Experience section - 199 miles. To optimise range, you'll need to make full use of the car's regenerative braking system, regularly activating the provided 'B' mode via the central console to maximise energy recovery during braking. As you'd want, the e-Rifter supports up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with an 80% re-charge taking 30 minutes, while a full charge from a 7.4 kW single-phase wallbox takes 7.5 hours thanks to the 7.4kW on-board charger. Customers with access to three-phase power can specify an optional 11kW on-board charger that will charge the e-Rifter in 5 hours, when using a wallbox that also supports this faster home-charging solution. As usual with a compact zero emissions EV model, there's a Benefit-in-Kind first year tax rate of just 2%. And until 2025 exemption from London congestion and ultra-low emissions charges. Maintenance intervals are much as they would be for a combustion model, but there'll be less for the workshop to do, so costs should be lower. There are plenty of Peugeot outlets to choose from, so you should never be too far from one. So you can budget ahead, the French maker offers a pre-paid servicing scheme that lets you pay either a one-off fee or monthly instalments to cover the cost of the routine upkeep of your car for as long as three years and 35,000 miles.

Summary

There must be plenty of people out there who want a family-shaped compact electric vehicle - maybe as a second car - but don't want an SUV. It would have to be realistically priced, have an acceptable driving range and not look too van-like. This improved E-Rifter, to our eyes anyway, ticks all these boxes. For whatever reason, with the right spec in place, there's a bit less of a whiff of LCV here than there is with this model's two Stellantis Group cousins, the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric and the Citroen's e-Berlingo. And if you take up the long wheelbase version's offered option of having 7 seats, then this Peugeot has a big advantage over a comparably sized (and probably pricier) all-electric compact SUV. Plus this Rifter can be a van if you need it to be. Jack of all trades then; and master of one - the art of by-passing fuel stations.