Peugeot's improved Boxer van is a more confident contender in the large LCV segment. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

Peugeot's Boxer is a large LCV that has forensically focused on the things that make a real difference to fleet operators in order to give its heavyweight the best chance of a unanimous decision. Let's check out this revised model with its smarter look, updated cabin, tougher diesel auto gearbox and bigger-battery EV drivetrain.

Background

When choosing a van that can punch above its weight, Peugeot might not be the first name that springs to mind. In fact, you might well associate the brand with smaller commercials like the Partner and Expert. If you need something very big and tough, chances are that you might have looked at the Ford Transit, the Mercedes Sprinter or maybe the Volkswagen Crafter. Overlooking Peugeot's contender, the Boxer, is easy to do but could well bring on an acute case of buyer's remorse. The Boxer's been with us since 2007 but here we look at the updated version of the third generation design. Peugeot launched this improved model here in Spring 2024. This is basically the same Stellantis Group design as rival Vauxhall Movano, Citroen Relay, Fiat Ducato and Toyota Proace Max models. And the updated design we look at here is a beneficiary of more than two million miles of testing in extreme conditions, bringing the sort of quality, robustness and durability that commercial operators demand. Couple that with what's promised to be the best diesel fuel economy in the market, a much-improved full-EV option if you want it and a wide range of bodies and load capacities and you have a vehicle that's capable of doing the business.

Driving Experience

This Boxer now offers a couple of 2.2-litre BlueHDi diesel engine options. Most will choose the 140hp variant, which delivers 340Nm of torque. There's also a 180hp model. Both can be ordered with manual transmission or the brand's latest EAT8 automatic 8-speed gearbox. This auto transmission is distinguished by its new design of clutch which optimises the passage of the eight gears thanks to efficient management of the engine torque, which can reach 450Nm with the BlueHDi 180 engine. That is 80Nm more than the previous manual transmission, achieving best-in-class torque within the segment. Another innovation of this EAT8 automatic is a hydraulic accumulator, which makes it possible to leverage the most from the engine's power by reducing the gearbox response time and promoting the smoother operation of the Start & Stop system. Big brakes, strong suspension mountings and a rigid body all help with the Boxer's driving characteristics. Peugeot has listened to feedback from existing users who expressed a concern that road noise in the cabin was higher than the class benchmark and this Boxer features shock absorber mountings designed specifically to reduce the amount of suspension bump and thump entering the cabin. If running costs are everything and your business is urban-based, there's also a full-electric model too, now improved with a larger 110kWh battery, a gutsier 270hp electric motor (with 410Nm of torque) and a 261 mile electric driving range. The ESP stability control system is particularly refined on this van, with a Load Adaptive Control function which adapts the point at which the ESP intervenes, according to the load in the vehicle and its distribution. There's also Hill Start Assist, built into the ESP software. This system is activated when the vehicle is stationary, engine running, foot on the brake pedal, on a slope steeper than 5 per cent, in forward gear going up or reverse gear going down. Under these conditions, braking pressure is maintained for around two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal, offering assurance and ease in moving off without the vehicle dropping back, whatever the load in the vehicle.

Design and Build

In this updated form, the Boxer features the latest Peugeot brand shield logo and gets a redesigned front bumper, revised rear-view mirrors and a smarter body-colour grille incorporating automatically controlled sections to regulate airflow. The E-Boxer also gains full-LED front headlights and redesigned rear lights. As before, there are two body styles - Panel and Window van. The Panel and Window van can be specified in three lengths (L2, L3 and L4) and three heights for the Panel van (two in the Window van). The Panel van offers loadspace options between 8m3 and 17m3. The interior has also been extensively overhauled with fresh design for the steering wheel, dashboard, seat fabrics and door panels. Infotainment is now provided by a 10-inch touchscreen with 'Apple CarPlay', 'Android Auto' and 3D Connected Navigation. Automatic climate control, a wireless phone charger and keyless entry and start provide greater comfort and convenience. Despite that, this van is tough - and feels it. This Boxer has benefited from testing such as 1,500 hours at temperatures from -20°C to +40°C to ensure that the components and materials used in mechanical, plastic and electronic parts won't easily age. It's been subjected to 1,000 dunkings in 10cm of water or 3cm with saline spray, with no washing of the vehicle during the following 1,000 km, to validate the sealing and resistance to corrosion. Half a million door opening test cycles were carried out at temperatures of -30°C to +80°C, to simulate ten years of hard use.

Market and Model

Peugeot's fighting for a share of a revitalised large van market, which now represents around 500,000 vehicles a year in Europe. Ex-VAT prices start from around £30,000 for the combustion models. If you want the full-electric E-Boxer, ex-VAT prices (after subtraction of the available £5,000 government grant) start from around £44,500. There's a single trim level, badged 'Professional'. All include a reasonable level of equipment. Every model features Bluetooth with a USB input, a full steel buckhead and deadlocks. Plus air conditioning, an alarm, cruise control with a speed limiter, a rear parking aid and a 10-inch colour central touchscreen. This monitor allows the operation of all functions, such as audio streaming, reading SMS text messages and an integrated satellite navigation system, as well as the display of the image from the reversing camera. Safety inclusions across the range run to anti-lock brakes, a driver's airbag and ESP electronic stability control with emergency braking assistance. There's also various storage areas, as well as a document holder and writing table built into the folding backrest of the centre seat.

Practicalities and Costs

The Boxer panel van is available in three lengths (L2, L3 and L4) and three roof heights for a total of four bodies offering from 13-17m3. The Boxer with a 4.04m wheelbase is also available as a single cab L3 or L4 chassis, and a double cab L3 or L4 chassis. There are 335 and 435 tonne Gross Vehicle Weights for the diesel - it's 440 for the EV. The medium wheelbase L2 model offers a load deck length of 3120mm. Should you really need some capacity, the lengthier L3 format may well be all you need. In this configuration, the Boxer van has a load deck length of 3705mm. The Boxer also offers a load width of 1.87m and 1.42m between wheel arches, a low load sill, between 493 and 602mm, one or two sliding doors and rear doors that open to 96-degrees and extend to 180-degrees due to a folding check strap - and to 270-degrees as an optional feature. The Euro6 2.2 litre BlueHDi diesel engines offer better fuel economy than before, with the 140hp unit returning up to 40.1mpg and up to 219g/km of CO2. If running costs are everything and your business is urban-based, there's also a full-electric E-Boxer model too. This goes up to 261 miles on a single charge of its 110kWh battery, which can be charge at up to 150kW via an 11kW three-phase onboard charger. The battery can be replenished to 80% in 55 minutes via a 150kW DC rapid charger. An 11kW AC charger needs 12 hours for a full charge.

Summary

The Boxer is faced with some really strong rivals but rather than shy away from the challenge, Peugeot has come out swinging with this updated model. The cab now feels properly up to date, the diesel's latest EAT8 auto gearbox is a big improvement and the bigger-battery EV model is at last worthy of really credible consideration. Perhaps the most interesting challenge to the Boxer will be the one from its almost identically-engineered sister vehicles, the Citroen Relay, the Fiat Ducato, the Vauxhall Movano and the Toyota Proace Max. Much will come down to the individual deals you can gain from your dealer there, but the Peugeot might just win out, in this country at least. A lot of thought has gone into making the Boxer work for its operators and we think that could make quite a difference. Peugeot hopes you'll agree.