The PSA Group uses a shared platform for Citroen, Peugeot & Vauxhall small and medium vans.
Therefore, you may think that these popular vans are the same. But are they? Let's take a closer look at the PSA Group vans and find out!
Van platform sharing can easily be justified; think about the economic value it has. It's simply cheaper to share the platform than to build one from scratch. Sharing platforms is more common than you think and it's far more important what the manufacturer then does with the shared platform to make their branded vehicle individual.
Not all in the LCV market see the benefit of platform sharing, as others have complained about the PSA Group using the same platform for their small and medium vans saying it affects innovation and makes the design process harder. We wouldn't agree with that. We think that platform sharing leaves the manufacturer with a challenge to alter their vans and make them different. More needs to go into marketing and design to differentiate the vehicle to avoid saturating the market and to meet varied consumer needs. The only inconvenience here could be the fact that there are too many vans using the same platform. Did you know that Toyota uses the PSA Group shared platform too? Toyota uses this platform for their Proace and Proace City vans, meaning there are eight LCVs on the market that have distinct similarities.
What different PSA Group small vans share a platform?
Their badges may be different, but there are three competing small vans using the shared platform within the PSA Group:
What medium vans use PSA Group's shared platform?
In the medium van sector, you'll find the same manufacturers as the small PSA van group, but here we've got their bigger siblings:
Despite platform sharing, all these vans have their own individual badge, look and feel and each separate brand has created a reputation with its own pros and cons. They do indeed have some things in common but we can ensure you, this is not a bad thing at all.
Similarities between PSA Group vans on the shared platform
The main factors that commercial vehicles are rated on include the loading bay, engine and cabin and that's where all the PSA Group vans, both small vans and medium vans, are the most similar.
Loading bays - the PSA Group vans have excellent and, what's important, very practical loading bays with lashing points and sliding doors on both sides. Their payload ratings are also one of the highest on the market. Small vans can carry up to 1-tonne and up to 4.4m3, while medium vans easily transport loads of up to 1,500kg and up to 6.6m3. These are solid figures and make it obvious as to why the vehicles are popular.
Engines - Small PSA vans give you a choice between a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Medium vans share the fact that they are all diesel, either 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre. The majority of these engines offer fuel efficiency of around 40mpg. It is worth adding that the AdBlue tanks are also bigger than those of the rivals.
Cabins - although the cabins might not instantly look identical call, each share the same design. That's a good thing because it's a very practical and well-liked layout. The cabins are spacious, even those of the small vans, and the fabric feels like it will last. Generous in-cabin storage can't go unnoticed and comfortable driving height will surely be appreciated by those spending long hours on the road. We'd recommend adding a bench seat that comes with a fold-down desk if you're planning on using your van as a mobile office.
These are arguably some of the most important van factors and the shared platform has definitely got them right. What else matters when your van is pragmatic, efficient and comfortable to drive - and that is the same for all eight of the PSA platform vans.
Differences between PSA Group vans on the shared platform
Despite the PSA Group's shared small and medium van platform, there are differences between these vans (and not just their badges). We'll prove that these vans are not identical. Ready?
Small PSA Group vans
Citroen Berlingo
Let's start with the Citroen Berlingo, which was the first of the small PSA Group vans to come from the shared platform and go on sale in 2019. The Berlingo is a multi-award-winning van with a modern look, excellent driving experience and affordable pricing - and that's what makes it different, despite sharing a platform with Vauxhall Combo and Peugeot Partner. The Berlingo was the first small van with a low price that didn't compromise the things that make a van good - it really has it all.
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Vauxhall combo
Vauxhall Combo stands out amongst PSA vans from the shared platform as it offers an excellent traction control located on the centre console. With a twist of a knob, you can adapt this smart van to the type of terrain you're on - whether it's sand, mud, snow or grit, it will make sure you stay stuck to the road.
View our Vauxhall Combo deals
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Peugeot Partner
The Peugeot Partner is the only van from PSA Group's small vans on the shared platform using the innovative iCockpit system, which can otherwise only be found in Peugeot's passenger cars. In fact, the Peugeot Partner has a similar design but a different styled cabin from all PSA vans. It has been thoughtfully tailored to offer an outstanding layout with a classy steering wheel and incredibly comfortable driving position.
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Medium PSA Group vans
What makes the Vauxhall Vivaro, Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert different from other commercial vans (excluding the fact they share a platform) is that these vans are made right here in the UK. To be more precise, they are built at Vauxhall's factory in Luton. All these vans are well put together, robust and efficient. The latest version of the Citroen Dispatch is also the first with its own individual look making it stand out amongst the PSA crowd.
CITROEN DISPATCH
The Citroen Dispatch has a smart external look and an even more stylish interior. With adjustable, ergonomic seats, the Dispatch provides a comfortable drive. It has a marginally lower fuel efficiency than the Vauxhall Vivaro and its top speed is a little faster too.
View our Citroen Dispatch deals
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vauxhall vivaro
As standard, you're offered a comprehensive kit when leasing the Vivaro. This van championed the way for manufacturing PSA medium vans in Great Britain, with the Dispatch and Expert more recently joining their cousin on British soil. Being known for a typically British van makes the Vivaro stand out and gave it a headstart from its competitors.
View our Vauxhall Vivaro deals
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PEUGEOT EXPERT
The Peugeot Expert has similar fuel efficiency and top speeds as the Citroen Dispatch, making these two from the PSA shared platform very closely related. However, the driver's seat is arguably the most comfortable of all the vans and allows for a pleasant ride.
View our Peugeot Expert deals
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Summary: are the PSA Group vans the same?
As you can see, despite sharing a platform, they're not identical. Each van has something the others don't. Maybe there are too many of them on the market (including the Toyota vans) but this only encourages innovation in the designs, which is a good thing for the consumer. These vans have been, are and will be sharing platforms moving forward, and that's for a good reason. Platform sharing saves the manufacturers' money too and therefore allows them to offer the vans at such great prices (did you see how good our deals are!?). The PSA Group built its platform to share across eight small and medium vans (across 4 vehicle badges) so they can make tough and durable yet affordable LCVs for the European market. Let the haters hate if they don't like the shared platform, but the PSA vans have won many awards and are some of the top-selling commercial vehicles around, so you could say the shared platform is successful.
Please contact us if you'd like to discuss any of the above vans and don't forget to check our Top Van Deals!
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