Peugeot

E-Traveller

The Peugeot E-Traveller is a fully electrified people carrier that can transport between five and nine people. There is a choice of Standard or Long wheelbases and customers can select between trim levels called Active and Allure.

Test Drive

Peugeot E-Traveller Active long (2024)

With its boxy van-like styling, the clue to the Peugeot E-Traveller’s appeal is in its name – it’s a very practical, fully electrified people mover.

It comes in two trims called Active and Allure and customers can also choose between two lengths. The first is called ‘Standard’ and stretches 4.98 metres while the second, aptly named ‘Long’, extends to 5.33 metres. There is also the option to specify the vehicle with between five and nine seats.

We opted for the E-Traveller Active Long with eight seats for our test drive which carried a price-tag of £49,895, increasing to £54,440 with options.

While the latest vehicle gets a stronger road presence thanks to a partial redesign and also boasts interior upgrades with advanced technology compared to its predecessor, the main improvement comes in the form of a larger battery.

The previous model was powered by a small 50kWh unit with a woefully low driving range of just 143 miles. The new E-Traveller gains a 75kWh battery and that sees the driving range between charges rise to a far more respectable 217 miles.

The 2024 E-Traveller has a fresh new look, adopting Peugeot’s latest design language. Eye-catching features include a redesigned grille housing Peugeot’s new-look emblem, enhanced light clusters featuring the company’s trademark three-claw signature, plus a fresh bumper that offers added protection and improved efficiency.

Moving inside, the interior has also been updated with a new 10-inch infotainment screen with TomTom sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, plus over-the-air software updates.

There is a smart looking 10-inch digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel which can be configured to taste and this is where all the vital stats such as speed, battery charge levels and driving range are clearly shown.

The seats have plenty of manual adjustment and, along with the steering wheel, can be heated to fend off the winter blues.

An app can be used to keep an eye on all the relevant trip data and to pre-programme navigation instructions etc. But possibly it’s most valuable use is to pre-heat and schedule charging for the vehicle.

The larger 75kWh battery pack delivers 136hp and 260Nm of torque which enables the E-Traveller to reach 62mph from a standing start in 14.3 seconds and it has a maximum speed of 81mph.

So not the most dynamic to drive, but this front-wheel drive vehicle is all about practicality rather than pace. That said; it will cruise at 70mph on a motorway and is surprisingly confident through twisting country lanes.

Then in the busier town centres, the E-Traveller boasts perfectly-weighted steering for easy manoeuvrability and the steering wheel paddles can be used to strengthen or reduce the levels of regenerative braking. In addition, drive modes called Eco, Normal and Power alter the driving characteristics of the vehicle.

The acceleration through the single-speed transmission is smooth and fairly responsive, with another plus-point being the excellent all-round driver visibility.

There are sliding doors each side of the vehicle and these can be automatically opened or closed via a dashboard switch, the key fob, door handle or a button inside the cabin. This offers easy access to the second row of seats, which in turn, can be folded, tilted and slid forwards or backwards making it relatively easy to get into the trio of rear seats. And the good news for anyone relegated to the back row is the generous amount of legroom which is suitable for adults.

The boot is accessed via a huge tailgate that requires plenty of space to open fully and there is room to store 2,100 litres of luggage with all seats in use. Drop the third row and the capacity increases to 3,100 litres and with just the front seats upright, the load limit rises to a whopping 4,900 litres.

Additional storage space throughout the vehicle includes a chilled glovebox, some large open compartments, door bins, cup holders each end of the dashboard, trays, two USB-C ports up front, along with another two connecting ports for second row occupants that are rather strangely positioned to the far left of the cabin.

When it comes to charging the 75kWh battery, it takes 11 hours, 20 minutes from zero to 100 per cent if using a 7.4kW wallbox, or 45 minutes from five to 80 per cent via a 100kW rapid charger.

So, the new Peugeot E-Traveller is the complete package for businesses that need to shuttle large groups of people from A to B and will be ideal for airport runs and the like with its zero carbon emissions making it exempt from Congestion Charge and ULEZ fees.

But it does carry quite a hefty price-tag and there are some rather cheap-looking hard plastic surfaces that let the cabin quality down considerably. In addition, there are many rival models vying for sales in this sector these days, so we will have to see how successful this new E-Traveller proves to be.

Test Drive

Peugeot e-Traveller Business VIP Long (2023)

Big box-like people movers are gaining popularity again with manufacturers such as Citroen, Mercedes and Toyota offering their own take on the MPV.

But one of the latest arrivals comes from Peugeot in the shape of the e-Traveller, a fully electrified vehicle with seating for up to nine people.

Customers can choose between two trim levels called Business and Business VIP with prices ranging from £42,935 to £49,685. In addition, there are two wheelbase lengths called Standard and Long.

We opted for the range-topping e-Traveller Long in Business VIP specification with seven seats in a two, two, three formation for our week-long test.

There’s no getting away from the fact the e-Traveller looks like a van and that’s because it has been designed with practicality and versatility in mind rather than driving dynamics and styling.

Stretching 5.3 metres in length, it boasts neat lighting with LED light signatures, large sliding doors, a huge and somewhat heavy tailgate, side steps and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The interior is fairly basic in its design and layout, but features a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, along with a seven-inch touchscreen that offers access to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and sat nav. A voice recognition function is easy to use and can assist with fairly basic tasks and all the vital driving information is clearly shown on a driver display screen behind the steering wheel.

One stat you will need to keep a watchful eye on is the driving range, as the e-Traveller has quite a low limit due to its small 50kWh battery pack. The official WLTP-tested range is 148 miles, but you will see a lot less if you venture onto a motorway, especially if you have passengers and luggage onboard.

With 136hp and 260Nm of torque, this MPV is quick out the starting blocks and can reach 60mph in 10.8 seconds with a top speed of 81mph. It’s deceptively agile for its size too and can cope well on twisting B roads with impressive grip and the elevated seating offering a clear view across the hedgerows.

A ‘B’ setting will help recoup maximum energy under braking and there are drive modes called Eco, Normal and Power that alter the handling. Eco restricts power output, speed and climate control levels while Power adds a certain zip to the performance … at the price of the range though.

Comfort levels are good with the suspension set-up and great insulation helping to deliver a nicely refined driving experience.

The pair of individual seats in row two can be slid and folded to offer easy access to the back of the car. And these seats can also be removed and rotated to face the back passengers with a fold-out table for added convenience. However, it’s advisable to get help if attempting this as the seats are heavy to lift on you own.

The electric sliding doors can be opened using the key fob, door handle or dashboard controls and there is a button in the door frame to close them quickly.

With all seats in use, there is still a decent amount of storage space, but make sure you leave plenty of room behind the vehicle as the tailgate is really large and opens out a long way.

Throughout the vehicle are a number of handy storage options, such as a glovebox, covered dashboard tray, wide door bins, four cup holders, seat back nets and fold-out trays. Window blinds offer extra privacy for second-row passengers and there are ISOFIX fixtures to safely secure child seats.

When it comes to charging the e-Traveller’s 50kWh battery, a 10 to 80 per cent boost via a 100kW fast charger takes 30 minutes, a 0 to 100 per cent charge can be completed in five hours using a 11kW wallbox, while the same capacity is achieved in seven-and-a-half hours via a 7.4kW box.

With a wealth of safety features and driver assistance aids helping the vehicle gain a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, this people mover certainly has bundles of plus point. But hopefully the limited range will not prove too much of a deterrent.