ONE might imagine there isn’t a lot to check between vans. One can also assume that each one short-wheel base vans are the identical, however they’re not. Take the 2020 Peugeot Professional and 2020 Mitsubishi Specific for instance.
The variations between the 2 may be, in some instances, evening and day. However we’re right here to assist, by looking at each of them, and serving to you resolve which of those two market main vans ought to be your subsequent workhorse.
Exterior Styling
On this area, each vans are remarkably comparable. The Mitsubishi Specific is extra pronounced, with sharper edges, and extra of an oblong box-like look, whereas the Peugeot Professional has smoother strains, and contours round its form.
They each have an equally pronounced nostril, with the Mitsubishi Specific demonstrating bigger actual property protection, with greater headlights, whereas the Peugeot Professional stays humble on this division.
From a typical van stance, the Mitsubishi Specific seems to be way more just like the classical van from the entrance finish (and never dissimilar to the Renault Trafic on which it’s primarily based). The Professional has a extra sedan-like really feel to it.
Each vans have twin sliding doorways on either side, making for simple entry to the cargo maintain. Equally, each autos have appropriate barn-style doorways within the rear, and we might fee each vans equally on this class.
Color choices within the Mitsubishi are restricted to White, Silver, Purple, and Black, whereas the Peugeot has just a few extra flavours to select from, reminiscent of Aluminium Gray, Platinum Gray, Perla Nera Black, Flame Purple, and White.
Cabin Expertise
After telling you about how these two vans are fairly comparable from the surface, the alternative is true for the cabin. They might not be extra completely different, with the Specific providing a way more primary and easy inside.
Let’s begin with expertise, as a result of, effectively that’s the place the largest rift is. The Mitsubishi Specific has an old style radio deck, like the type you had in your Ford Falcon in 1988, albeit with the added bonus of Bluetooth connectivity.
This was extremely disappointing, as your means to make use of any navigation from a smartphone shouldn’t be attainable. It does have a telephone mount/cradle built-in although, so that you makes utilizing that for navigation or calls just a little simpler.
The Peugeot Professional on the hand, gives a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, smashing it out of the half when it comes to driver connectivity and expertise integration.
Cabin design is minimalist within the Mitsubishi Specific, which for some will really feel like a aid on this expertise fuelled period. There are easy dials for local weather controls, an old style stick shift, detachable rubber flooring mats, and a reversing digital camera constructed into the rear-view mirror.
Deep pockets within the driver and passenger doorways maintain your drinks, books and pens in place, and there’s espresso cup holders within the dashboard.
The Peugeot Professional is the alternative, with a dial primarily based gearshift system, together with blind spot monitoring, velocity recognition and warning, and driver consideration alert. What’s lacking within the Professional although are detachable rubber flooring covers.
It feels extra delicate, or a minimum of extra vulnerable to put on within the Peugeot, with the Mitsubishi feeling more durable, extra rugged, nearly indestructible. It’s nearly like you’ve gotten to choose between toughness and expertise at this level.
Engine and Trip Really feel
As soon as once more, the 2 vans present some variations right here, particularly when it comes to torque, energy, and gas effectivity. Within the Mitsubishi Specific, you’ve gotten a turbo-charged 2.0-litre 4-cyclinder, bolted to a 6-speed auto, and pushing out 125kW and 380Nm.
Gas consumption is rated to run at 7.3-litres/100km. You additionally rating a turbo-charged 2.0-litre 4-cyclinder engine within the Peugeot Professional, nevertheless it solely generates 110kW and 370Nm through its 6-speed auto. Its gas consumption is rated at 6.4-litres/100km.
The numbers ought to communicate for themselves. There’s definitely extra grunt within the Mitsubishi, and due to this fact this could present extra pulling energy and cargo capability, however that’s not fairly the case sadly (extra on masses shortly).
And there’s a huge persona distinction when driving these two autos too. You barely recognise that you just’re in a van within the Peugeot, and which may be intentional for the Professional. It feels and handles like a sedan and is sort of the pleasure to drive.
The one downside for us was small side-view mirrors, making it just a little difficult to see on both facet. You don’t wish to depend on driver aids in these circumstances. The mirrors simply wanted to be bigger, to go well with the dimensions of the van.
The Mitsubishi additionally had a superb really feel to drive and dealt with fairly effectively, but nonetheless felt like a van at coronary heart. There was extra bounce from the suspension when not loaded, supplying you with a little bit of curler coaster feeling.
The side-view mirrors weren’t a problem, as they had been massive and proud, offering simple view of both sides of the van.
Measurement, Load and Security
It could shock you, given the ability of the Mitsubishi Specific, that its payload is lower than that of the Peugeot Professional, at 1115kg versus 1300kg (respectively). Measurement-wise, the cargo maintain within the Specific is 2.53m lengthy, 1.66m extensive, and 1.38m excessive.
Mitsubishi have additionally included rubber flooring all through the load space, which is a good benefit for shielding your flooring. Twelve tie-down factors throughout the ground and partitions supply additional security when securing your load as effectively.
A sturdy cage wall sits between cabin and van space, offering an unobstructed view ought to you might want to verify within the again throughout transport. It does imply you possibly can scent the contents of your cargo space although.
The Peugeot Professional’s load space measures 2.51m lengthy, 1.63m extensive, and 1.64m excessive, which is barely bigger than its competitor. There’s no rubber mat, which implies you might be loading straight onto naked painted flooring.
We may solely rely six anchor factors, all on the ground. Not like the Mitsubishi Specific, the Peugeot has a stable metal panel between cabin and cargo maintain, with a small glassed and caged window according to the rear-view mirror.
This might be a bonus should you’re carting cats or canine or smelly fish, however does restrict your view of the cabin considerably in comparison with the Mitsubishi. Each autos have the usual ABS, and ESC, in addition to driver and passenger airbags.
Which one wins?
Earlier than we lead into the winner, we must always discuss value factors. The Mitsubishi Specific retails for $39,490 (drive away) and is backed by a whopping 10-year guarantee and 10 yr/100,000km capped value servicing.
The Peugeot is barely dearer, at $42,490 (plus on-roads). The guarantee is a decrease at 5-years and 200,000km. And whereas it’s a tough choice to decide on between the Renault-sourced Specific and its French rival, we’ve to provide the Peugeot the win.
The expertise inclusions can’t be ignored, and the additional payload and cargo maintain area makes the Professional the chief. Contemplating all of the driving you might want to do, expertise and connectivity today aren’t a luxurious, they’re a necessity.
The Mitsubishi will nonetheless show to be a favorite for these customers preferring simplicity in cabin expertise, and difficult, rugged utility of their vans. As well as, the worth and lengthy guarantee reveals a whole lot of confidence within the product Mitsubishi has to supply.
Our check autos had been supplied by Mitsubishi Australia and Peugeot Australia. To search out out extra in regards to the 2020 Mitsubishi Specific or the 2020 Peugeot Professional, contact your native Mitsubishi or Peugeot seller.
