Peugeot Boxer van review (2023)

• Engines provide plenty of power
• Uncomfortable on longer journeys
• Noisy and not good to drive compared with modern rivals

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting the Boxer up to speed – whether it’s the newer 2.2-litre HDi turbodiesels or the older versions, the engines are willing and easily able to keep pace with motorway traffic.

You will also find the turning circle and general manoeuvrability impressive, even in the Boxer’s larger sizes.

Noisy and tiring to drive

However, refinement is not very good. The very latest 2.2-litre models are a little better, but you'll still find lots of road and engine noise fills the cab when travelling at even a moderate pace. This contributes to it feeling cheap and basic compared with more recently released alternatives – the Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit in particular.

Worse still, the Boxer tends to follow ruts in the road quite heavily, to the extent that at motorway speeds you may find yourself with a bit of a fight on your hands just to drive straight. It certainly isn’t very relaxing over longer distances, also being rather susceptible to side winds.

When travelling unloaded the suspension is harsh and bouncy – particularly with the 400-series' heavy-duty suspension. This should settle down once there is some weight in the back, but you’re unlikely to find the Boxer especially comfortable to drive.

Choice of only two power outputs

While the number of trim levels increased in 2020, the choice of available engine power outputs from the latest 2.2-litre range has been cut back to just two - a 120hp model with 310Nm of torque and 140hp model with 350Nm.

This makes the Boxer one of the least powerful large vans on sale.

Similarly, the only gearbox option is a six-speed manual transmission - many rivals offer highly effective automatics with many more gears now, making urban driving easier and keeping engines quieter on the motorway.

Visibility is a mixed bag

There are large, split-view door mirrors, and you can option both parking sensors and a reversing camera.

But the side windows are obstructed by a dividing quarter-light panel, and you need to be careful to judge the length of the Peugeot’s front bumper, which extends quite a long way forward and is out of sight from the driver’s seat.

• Spacious and reasonably equipped
• Some unusual ergonomics
• Poor refinement and long-distance comfort

When first launched we praised this generation of Boxer for its car-like driving environment, and it remains spacious for all three passengers.

Middle seat passengers will be particularly glad to see that the gearlever is very close to the steering wheel leaving them loads of knee room. Drivers will find this positioning makes it easier to manage the slightly reluctant shift mechanism, too.

The driver’s seat has plenty of adjustability, but the steering wheel is mounted quite low and flat.

Unusually, the handbrake is on the right side of the driver. Again this is a boon for the middle passenger - just watch you don't catch yourself on it getting in and out if you're the driver.

Peugeot Boxer in-cab storage

In-cab storage looks generous at first. But most of the cubbies are open rather than covered, and the door pockets aren’t as user friendly as some rivals. The availability of an overhead bin varies with model.

Build quality is generally acceptable; where the Boxer starts to struggle compared to more modern rivals is in terms of refinement and the physical driving experience.

• Good fuel economy
• Lengthy service intervals
• Reasonable standard equipment and value

Not being as modern as many rivals does at least make the Peugeot Boxer light in weight, which is good news for running costs.

Peugeot Boxer mpg

For the latest 2.2-litre HDi engines, Peugeot has adjusted the fuel economy figures in line with the newest WLTP standard, which means these Boxers look substantially less efficient than older models.

In the real world this should be the case, rather the adjustment should make the official figures more accurate. Though you should still consider them as more useful for comparison than working out exactly how much you'll be spending on fuel when you buy one.

For reference, then, the 120hp engine is claimed to return 26.6-34.9mpg, while the 140hp claims 25.5-34.2mpg.

Peugeot Boxer warranty and servicing

The Boxer comes with a two-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty, which is extended to three years for up to 100,000 miles – assuming that you stick to the correct service intervals.

This needn't be too galling, as service intervals for the latest 2.2-litre BlueHDI engines are now up to 32,000 miles, while the 2.0-litre BlueHDi engines promise 30,000 miles between dealer visits.

Those are two-year intervals - so whichever is sooner - though Peugeot also says heavier users should plan to see a service centre every 12,500 miles or one year.

At their max, those are both an increase over the 24,000-mile intervals of the Euro 5 2.2-litre engines, themselves a significant improvement over the Euro 4 models, some of which require servicing every 12,500 miles.

Peugeot Boxer standard equipment

The current Boxer range comes in four trim levels: S, Professional, Grip and Asphalt - matching the rest of the Peugeot van range. These are the current standard equipment highlights (at time of writing in January 2021).

Peugeot Boxer S standard equipment highlights:

• DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Peugeot Connect telematics box for Free2Move Connect Fleet Services
• Reach-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• Electric windows
• Twin-lens door mirrors with electric adjustment and heated upper lenses
• Rear doors with 180-degree opening
• Sliding side door on the passenger side
• Full steel bulkhead
• Half-height load area protection

Peugeot Boxer Grip standard equipment highlights (in addition to S):

• Cruise control with variable speed limiter
• Lower central glovebox (instead of cupholders and phone storage)
• Lumbar adjustment and armrest for driver's seat
• Grip Control electronic traction control system with Hill Descent Control
• Underbody protection plate
• Reinforced suspension
• All-season tyres
• Front and rear mudflaps

Peugeot Boxer Professional standard equipment highlights (in addition to S rather than Grip):

• Touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav
• Air-conditioning
• Cruise control with variable speed limiter
• Touchscreen infotainment system with 5.0-inch screen
• Rear parking sensors
• Lower central glovebox (instead of cupholders and phone storage)
• Lumbar adjustment and armrest for driver's seat

Peugeot Boxer Asphalt standard equipment highlights (in addition to Professional):

• Rear parking camera
• LED daytime running lights in the headlights
• Automatic lights and wipers
• USB charging socket and tablet holder on dashboard
• Driver Assist Pack for added safety equipment

As you can see, the Grip and Asphalt models are more specialised versions, with the Grip designed to make life easier on slippery work sites and similar, while the Asphalt is intended to improve comfort and convenience for long-distance drivers.

For more details of safety and security equipment, see the Safety and Security section of this review.

Previous generations of the Boxer van have proved largely reliable with no reports of any significant issues or problems.

The older diesel engines in this model have a proven track record, and the newer 2.0-litre motors have undergone an extensive testing programmed to make sure they’re up to the task of hauling a heavy van; since they are also a development of an engine that’s been in use in Peugeot’s cars since 2013, they should prove dependable.

Peugeot Boxer Recalls

This model of Boxer has been subject to a number of recalls – with the most serious concerns relating to braking efficiency, steering stiffness and the handbrake not working correctly.

Other issues include spare wheels becoming detached, indicators not working properly, engine stalling problems and – most recently – instrument displays switching themselves off.

If you’re buying new all of these troubles should have been corrected on the production line, but if you’re buying used it’s worth making sure any applicable recalls have been completed.

• Not much in the way of the latest safety kit
• Alarm standard on Professional trim level

As one of the oldest vans on the market, the Boxer can't compete with newer rivals when it comes to the latest safety kit. Here's what you get - and what you miss out on.

Peugeot Boxer safety equipment

A driver’s airbag is fitted as standard with the option of passenger airbag (which can be deactivated via a key), side airbags and curtain airbags. The three-point seat belts are fitted with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Electronic stability control and Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection are standard, too. But the Boxer is too old to be offered with many of the latest active safety aids that are starting to appear in the van world such as blindspot monitors and lane-keeping assistance.

That said, automonous emergency braking and lane departure warning have been made standard on the heaviest 4.0-tonne gross vehicle weight versions (badged 440), however, and come as part of the Driver Assist Pack on the new Asphalt trim level. These are also available as options on the rest of the range.

All but the most S models get standard cruise control as well, although conversely this is not available on the 4.0t models.

Peugeot Boxer security equipment

All Boxers are fitted with an immobiliser as standard, while the Professional and Asphalt models are fitted with an alarm.

The door locks can be operated independently, with the key fob able to unlock only the cab doors or unlock only the load space doors or unlock all doors.

Standard deadlocks also means that even if a window is smashed the door cannot be unlocked via the interior door handle.