The Peugeot Rifter is an MPV that was first revealed back in 2017 and it is based on the same platform as the equally popular Citroen Berlingo and many other similar Stellantis-owned models. The Rifter is now in its second generation which is surprisingly modern as it offers EV versions as well. So, is Peugeot Rifter a good car?
The Peugeot Rifter is a really good car as it is a modern, practical, nice-to-drive, and fairly affordable multi-purpose van that is commonly being used both privately and commercially. Peugeot managed to sell a lot of these over the years which underlines the fact that the Rifter is indeed a really good car for what it is made to do.
The engines on offer include gasoline, diesel, and electric powertrains which means that everyone can find what they are after with the Rifter. The design isn’t particularly exciting or attraction-seeking, but that is to be expected from a car like this. On the other hand, the interior of the Rifter is actually really nice.
The driving experience is nothing to brag about while reliability seems to be fairly decent. Value-wise, you are getting a lot of car for the money while practicality is as good as it can be because the main focus of the Rifter is to be practical and with great space management.
Peugeot Rifer – The Powertrain
The Peugeot Rifter is available with a few distinct powertrain options which include gasoline, diesel, and electric versions. The only gasoline engine available is the 1.2L PureTech inline 3-cylinder, but it comes in two stages of tune which include a 110hp and a 130hp variant depending on your needs.
The 1.5L BlueHDi diesel is also available for the Rifter, and it also comes in two stages of tune which include a 100hp model and a 130hp model. Finally, we also need to mention the e-Rifter which makes use of the familiar 50kWh battery from Stellantis that offers around 180 miles of range and 136hp with a 20-80% fast-charging DC 100kW rate of about 25 minutes.
The Rifter comes as standard with a manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive, but you can upgrade to an automatic transmission if you so desire. Overall, the Rifter is a well-rounded MPV that has a really wide engine palette that should be enough for most people.
Peugeot Rifter – Design and Driving
We can all agree that the Rifter isn’t going to turn any heads as it rolls by as it does look fairly basic and unassuming which is a bit strange for modern-day Peugeot models which do look much more daring than this. However, this is an MPV and most MPV buyers aren’t buying them to show off. On the other hand, the interior of the Rifter is a really pleasant place to be.
The driving experience is surefooted and stable, but there is quite a bit of wiggle in the corners. The Rifter isn’t overly sporty which is to be expected as Peugeot never intended it to be. It is a docile and relatively comfortable small van, nothing more than that.
Peugeot Rifter – Reliability and Common Issues
The Rifter seems to be doing okay in the reliability department as there aren’t too many grave issues to talk about. These need to be maintained correctly whenever needed, otherwise, they will experience loads of issues, some of which can be detrimental to the car’s essential systems.
The most common issues include problems with a faulty handbrake that can sometimes let go. The steering system can also fail due to problems with the steering column and the tire rods. The fuel can leak through the fuel pump and the hoses while seatbelts and the engine can also experience issues with lack of restraint and lack of power.
Peugeot Rifter – Value and Practicality
You can expect to pay between £25,140 – £29,630 for the Rifter which is a good price considering how much space you are getting and the fact that it comes with an electric powertrain. Used examples can often tank in value if they acquire a lot of miles on the clock too quickly which is to be expected as these aren’t necessarily all that desirable.
Practicality with the Rifter is likely one of its strong points as it does not lack any space both in the seating and in the cargo department. The long version of the Rifter can sit up to seven people without any issues, visibility is excellent due to a short front overhang.
FAQ Section
Is the Peugeot RIfter a luxurious car?
Some people believe that even though the Rifter offers a nice interior, it lacks sophistication compared to some of its rivals like the new VW Caddy. As such, the Rifter is far from being a luxury car, but the reality is that this segment isn’t designed with luxury cars in mind anyway.
As such, the Rifter does offer a fairly coherent and conclusive experience as a car from the economy segment, but it is far from being a luxury car.
Is the Peugeot e-Rifter better than the Rifter?
It depends on your specific usage scenario. If you are someone who tends to spend most of your time in the city doing choirs and commuting, and you have a place to park and charge the car, the e-Rifter is a much better choice as it is going to be cheaper to live with, cheaper to insure, more reliable, and you are certainly going to appreciate having 100% of the power under your right foot instantly.
On the other hand, if you are not a fan of EVs and you don’t have the infrastructure to support them, you are better off with the normal Rifter which does offer a substantially longer range with a full tank of diesel or gasoline.
When is the new Peugeot Rifter coming out?
The Peugeot Rifter has gotten an update for the 2022 model year which means that it is likely going to stay the same for the next 2-4 years. After that, Peugeot is going to come out with a new version of the RIfter if that makes sense. If it does, chances are that the next-gen Rifter is going to be an EV and a gasoline-hybrid with no diesel engines anymore.
