Peugeot e-Rifter 2022 UK Review - Better than the Berlingo?

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If you can afford the higher asking price and can cope with the 172 mile driving range, then there aren't too many other downsides in opting for the fully electric Peugeot e-Rifter, the only Rifter variant now on offer. 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 Peugeot models than share this one's design.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:53 Background
01:44 Driving Experience
04:50 Design & Build
16:38 Market & Model Range
21:39 Cost of Ownership
24:47 Summary
Background
The segment for compact People Carriers has recently gained something of a fresh lease of life, courtesy of EV power. What used to be called the PSA 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.
As with those two in-house rivals, it gets the 50kWh battery that Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall seem to fit to every EV they make, even the biggest MPVs. Here of course, a battery of that size is far more appropriate and it's been built into the car in a way that doesn't compromise cabin space. Sounds interesting.
Driving Experience
There's not too much to get used to in driving an e-Rifter. 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 134bhp 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 107bhp. 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.
You'll want to know about driving range, which is claimed at 172 miles for this Standard length model, around 30 miles less than the full-electric Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 superminis that also use this battery. But it's much closer to the range figure of the Citroen e-C4, which also uses it. 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
There's very little outward differentiation to identify this particular Rifter's all-electric status. Unless you notice the lack of tailpipes and the addition of a charging flap, extra badging and trim accents are the only giveaways. 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. That 'GT' spec gets you 17-inch 'Aoraki' alloy wheels, plus front and rear scuff plates and door sill protectors with gloss black inserts for that SUV look. As with a normal combustion-powered Rifter, you get a choice of wheelbases - 'M' (for 'Medium'); or 'XL', the latter enabling the fitment of a third row of seats. Like its Vauxhall and Citroen cousins, this car sits on the PSA Group's EV-compatible e-CMP platform. Because the battery pack is mounted beneath this MPV model's floor, cabin space is not compromised at all over comparable combustion engined Rifter models. Which means that there's simply loads of luggage space.
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[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Would you consider the e-Rifter?

[@volt8684]

Yes if I could afford it. Ridiculous prices. There is going to be a bubble burst for worlds economy soon as per late 70s 80s

[@beefiron]

Absolutely. With 4 kids, it's top of my list when changing. When the rear windscreen opened, was that a plug socket behind the wiper?

[@bobadams7654]

Maybe, it's just the small range that's off putting.

[@ryanjamescorey2838]

@@beefiron no - it’s looks like a plug socket. But it’s basically the power feed for the the wiper itself.

[@saif1002]

In the UK Peugeot decided to stop sales of petrol and diesel rifters. That was a terrible financial mistake. There are about 1000 taxis divers in the uk that need the combustion engine rifter and that's not counting the disability customers because nobody is converting e-rifters to wheelchair accessible. Overall Peugeot must have lost about 3000 rifter sales this year, O well at least vw and Ford still make combustion engine people carrier vans. Did like the drive on the Peugeot but if they stoped making them in the spec we need then we will have to go elsewhere.

[@willdatsun]

BTW the previous B9 model Berlingo/Partner also had 3 individual removable rear seats from around 2012 on.

[@beefiron]

Excellent review. I love this car, so that helped 😁

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching Micheál! It's a great MPV, you chose well 👍 Make sure to subscribe for more in-depth vehicle reviews - bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@B2C2007]

Excellent review. A full 26 minutes packed with info. Thanks

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks Ed, glad you found the review helpful! Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date with our in-depth reviews of the latest vehicles - bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@peterlawson6567]

Will the second row of seats fold flat with the driver's seat furthest back? Not possible on the LWB, but what about the shorter vehicle?

[@willdatsun]

Good review. Im interested in either this or the Berlingo, or the LWB panel van version.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching, Will! Our Vehicle Specialists can best advise the ideal vehicle for you suited to your needs and requirements. 👍 Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@willdatsun]

Would like it if you could spec it without the 3rd row seats, as they would just sit in the garage and never be used.

[@willdatsun]

How does the attention alert work?

[@andreasmalmqvist3087]

Is this greater then the e-berlingo? How do the seats compare?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi Andreas, our team can help with this. We supply every make and model in the UK and we help customers find their perfect next vehicle. Get in touch on 01903 538835 or click here to book a call at a convenient time - bit.ly/3soFVbF

[@reko3103]

When is FIAT gonna get a version of this?

[@F1Kamel_1992]

Next year

[@willdatsun]

I think you might mean projector lamps rather than halogen. (Most lamps are halogen)

[@vadimkachanov7667]

Winter 130km, summer 215

[@medic14]

has it off road grip control?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hello Adrian 👋 Peugeot's Advanced Grip Control which is suitable for off-road environments, can be included as an add-on when purchasing the vehicle. If you're interested in the e-Rifter, our Vehicle Specialists can get you behind the wheel of this car, simply fill-in this form and we'll be in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@bobadams7654]

"We got 135 miles " wtf! And that's with the shorter wheelbase.

[@CosgroveNotts]

It won't do 172, stop kidding yourselves.

[@yeahmyrealnameright5967]

According to my local Peugeot dealer its more like 100 miles.

[@kresimirkalman6113]

EV car with halogen headlamps OMG!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Has this put you off getting one, Kresimir? Or do you have something else in mind?

[@kresimirkalman6113]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply I like MPV concept for weekend time, but unfortunately yes, It seems to me a bit strange spec option for such a modern car