Peugeot Expert L3 2.2 automatic: a van that drives like a car

Peugeot Expert: who this van is for

The Peugeot Expert is a mid-size van whose current generation has been on the market since 2016 and which was updated in 2024 with a new front end and richer equipment. The update changed neither the suspension, the gearbox line-up nor the basic diesel engine concept. The van we have for sale is a 2025 model in Team trim with the L3 body: a 2.2-litre diesel producing 132 kW, automatic gearbox, front-wheel drive, five seats, four doors and silver paint.

What the motoring press tends to praise about this generation is above all its payload and the way it drives – the Expert's handling has been compared to a passenger car, the suspension is considered soft and cabin noise well contained. On the other side of the ledger, reviewers note that load volume is not the best in the class: if the bulk of your cargo matters more than its weight, it is worth comparing larger vans too. The L3 body is the longest of the variants, which softens that shortcoming.

Engine, gearbox and the way it drives

A 132 kW diesel is a muscular choice in this class. Tests have stressed that the stronger engine earns its keep precisely when the van is loaded, the route is hilly or there is a trailer behind – and that the automatic gearbox suits city traffic especially well, where driving is constant stop-start. For the diesel versions of this generation, trailer weights of up to 750 kg unbraked and up to 2500 kg braked have been quoted; the figures for any individual vehicle should still be checked against its registration certificate. This van has a towbar fitted.

The choice of driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) lets you match the engine's character to the load. Drive is to the front wheels – four-wheel drive is not offered on this generation of the Expert. In an Estonian winter that means proper winter tyres and a sensible distribution of the load matter more than any electronic aid. The van comes with studded winter tyres on alloy wheels, plus 16-inch alloys with summer tyres.

Equipment that counts in daily work

In Team trim, the Expert is quite well appointed for a working vehicle. The main points:

• Bulkhead with window and a side door – cargo stays separate from the cab and loading from the side is easy
• Rear parking sensors and a 360-degree reversing camera – a real help in tight yards and at loading ramps
• Heated, electrically folding door mirrors (the mirrors on this model have drawn criticism in the past; the heating at least helps in winter)
• Seat heating on both front seats, heated steering wheel, leather-trimmed multifunction wheel and a column adjustable for height and reach
• Air conditioning, rain sensor, cruise control and Comfort seats
• Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, DAB radio, USB sockets, hands-free system and a digital instrument cluster
• On the safety side, collision-mitigating braking, lane keeping assist, stability and traction control, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam
• LED daytime running lights, dipped and main beam plus fog lights – a noticeable difference to halogen during a dark Estonian autumn

Reviewers have voiced some criticism of the cabin as well: three adults up front is a squeeze, the seats are slightly offset and there is a shortage of places to stow small items. The driving position was revised as part of the update, but before buying it is simply worth climbing in and seeing whether the position suits you – especially if you spend many hours a day behind the wheel.

What to check on a used Expert

Stellantis mid-size vans are generally regarded as low-risk mechanically, with good parts availability. Even so, a few recurring themes have been recorded for this model line over the years, mostly concerning earlier vehicles – how relevant they are to a newer van is unclear, but checking does no harm:

• AdBlue/exhaust after-treatment and particulate filter warnings, particularly on vans used mainly for short trips
• Cold starting: smoke, uneven running
• How smoothly the automatic gearbox shifts, both cold and warm
• Uneven front tyre wear, which often points to a need for alignment
• Electrical oddities: central locking, screens, battery drain, moisture in the door wiring
• Corrosion, especially if the van has covered winter distances on salted roads

Topping up AdBlue and keeping an eye on service intervals come with this engine; frequent short journeys shorten the service interval.

Peugeot Expert from Autosky Rent

This silver Peugeot Expert L3 is for sale in Tallinn. Autosky Rent sells cars outright, takes them on consignment and, through its partner network, arranges better terms for customers on servicing, tyre work, car washing and fuel.

If you prefer a fixed monthly payment and would rather not have running costs on your mind every day, full-service car rental is worth considering. Depending on the package, the monthly payment covers motor insurance and comprehensive cover including superkasko, servicing and repairs for normal wear, summer and winter tyres with changeovers and storage, a replacement car when needed, handling of insurance claims, 24h roadside assistance across Europe through the insurance partner, and Autosky Rent's 24/7 customer support. For a company whose van is a tool of the trade, that means predictable costs and less downtime.

The best way to decide is still to try it yourself: sit behind the wheel, look over the load area and consider whether the L3 length and this Peugeot Expert's strong diesel match what you haul. Get in touch and arrange a viewing.