Used Peugeot Rifter 2018-present review

The Peugeot Rifter is for those who, when asked 'will we all fit inside your car comfortably?' or 'will this item be able to fit in the boot?', simply laugh. This is an incredibly spacious and practical MPV, to the point where it can handle almost anything you throw at it – or rather, throw into it.

There’s a choice of one 109bhp turbocharged three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel that comes in three different states of tune: 74bhp, 99bhp and 128bhp. The petrol shouldn’t be discounted despite it only having three-cylinders because it is still perfectly capable of coping with a full car load. However, the diesels are still pretty refined and, as long as you avoid the lowest-output 74bhp version, are brisk enough for everyday life. If you go for the most powerful version, there’s the option of a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox. As of 2022, the Rifter is electric only.

Much like the Citroën Berlingo, the Peugeot Rifter is an easy vehicle to drive with light steering, a commanding driving position, big mirrors and a compliant ride, although examples with bigger 17in wheels can feel a bit crashy at lower speeds in town. Road noise is quelled well, even on the more coarse surfaces of our motorway network. Wind noise can be heard thanks to the fairly steep windscreen, but never to an excessive degree.

It’ll come as no surprise that the Rifter will be a great vehicle for families. We tested the Vauxhall Combo Life (a car to which the Rifter is closely related) as part of a car child seat test and found that you could fit three separate child seats across the second row. One word of warning though is that if you go for the longer, seven seater version, you shouldn’t put child seats in the third row according to safety experts at EuroNCAP because they’re just not suitable enough. Older family members who don’t need a safety seat should be fine because the seats can be moved forwards and backwards to increase leg room at the expense of luggage capacity.

On the subject of luggage capacity, both the regular five and seven seat models have cavernous boots that are very square, and should have no trouble swallowing big, bulky items. Five seat versions can have extra storage areas on the ceiling for storing smaller items such as sunglasses out of the way. Some might find the lack of a traditional glove box as being a bit remiss, but there is a cubby in the top section of the dashboard where the passenger airbag would normally go. It does still have a passenger airbag, but it deploys from the roof lining, if you were wondering. Mid-range Allure models and above have a standard centre console between the front seats (an option on the Berlingo) with additional spaces to put things and two extra air vents for rear seat passengers.

The entry-level Active is perhaps a little too basic because it does without the 8in infotainment system, but you do get air con, cruise control, lane keep assistance, speed limit recognition and automatic emergency braking. Mid-range Allure is better with 16in alloys, the 8in touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear parking sensors, electric rear windows, lumbar support for front seats and a centre console. GT line make the exterior slightly smarter but on adds 17in alloys, dual zone climate control and sat nav.

If you're interested in finding a used Rifter, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for a Peugeot Rifter at the time of writing start at £14,000 for a 2018 version. Spend between £15,000 and £18,000 on a 2019 or 2020 car and between £18,000 and £22,000 on a 2021 or 2022 model. To keep up to date with used Rifter prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.

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MPG

Even the petrol version is fairly economical with a combined fuel economy figure of 42.4mpg (WLTP). Both the 74bhp and 99bhp 1.5-litre diesel achieve 51.6mpg, while the 128bhp version is a tiny bit thirstier at 50.1mpg

Road tax

All versions of the Rifter fall under the current road tax system which means they’ll all pay the same flat rate fee. This is currently £165 a year. Find out more about the current road tax costs here.

Servicing

The first year’s service is £199 with the second year coming in at £249. Thereafter, they alternate between a minor service for £179, and a more intensive major one for £299, which is exactly the same price you’d pay for a Citroën Berlingo.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine is more than capable of dealing with a carload of people and their luggage; it’s just that there aren’t that many of them around at the moment on the used market. There are, however, a lot more diesel-powered Rifters available, and as long as you avoid the least powerful 74bhp version, both the 99bhp and 128bhp alternatives are flexible enough, with the higher-powered version being the better of the two if you’re regularly driving around a full complement of passengers.

Allure examples are the ones to go for because it looks much smarter than entry-level Active models, and GT Line is fine if you can get one for the same money as an Allure, but doesn’t get you any more useful equipment over the mid-range model.

Our favourite Peugeot Rifter: 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Allure

The Citroën Berlingo matches the Peugeot Rifter for interior roominess and equipment. It’s also a little bit cheaper, too

Taxi drivers needn't be the only people to appreciate the Ford Galaxy's enjoyable driving experience, nor its fine engines or third row seating that is spacious enough to fit adults. It doesn't have any clever storage solutions inside, though, and misses out on sliding rear doors, too. There are plenty of them around, though, so finding a tidy one should be easy.

Alternatively, try a Volkswagen Sharan or its virtually identical sibling, the Seat Alhambra. Both of them are huge inside, have well-appointed interiors and the benefit of sliding rear doors that should prevent your passengers from opening them on a car parked next to you.

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If you're interested in finding a used Rifter, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.