Five reasons why a van trumps a dual-cab ute for tradies

When it comes to trades, you need the right person for the job. There is no point getting a plumber to re-wire the house, right?

That specialist philosophy also applies to tradespeople themselves – from the tools you need, to having the right vehicle to get you and your gear to and from the worksite. Which begs the question, “Why choose a dual-cab ute over a dedicated work van?”

These days, dual-cab utes have been created to appeal to a broader audience than ever before and are therefore designed to perform many tasks, making them more like the four-wheeled equivalent of a handyman, rather than a specialist.

However, cargo and delivery vans, like the Peugeot Expert, are purpose built for a hard day’s work.

So, let’s look at the five key reasons why you should choose a van over a dual-cab ute for your next work vehicle.

For starters, the Peugeot Expert range is very affordably priced, with an array of variants and price points that compare favourably with many dual-cab utes currently on sale in Australia.

It is available in six model variants, starting with the entry-level short-wheelbase City through the mid-level Pro and flagship Premium grades, both of which can be had in either short- or long-wheelbase configuration.

The City is exclusively offered with a six-speed manual gearbox while the Premium has an eight-speed automatic as standard. Uniquely, the short-wheelbase Pro can only be had with the self-shifting transmission while the long-wheelbase version has the option for both manual and auto.

Prices start at $43,397 (plus on-road costs) for the City and top-out at $53,265 (plus ORCs) for the range-topping Premium Long Wheelbase.

All models are powered by an ultra-efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 110kW of power and 370Nm of torque; outputs on par with some larger-capacity engines in dual-cab utes.

While the Peugeot Expert punches well above its weight in terms of performance, it also delivers exceptional fuel economy. With an incredibly low claimed average consumption of just 6.0L/100km (with a manual transmission – 6.3L/100km with an auto), the Peugeot Expert stacks up incredibly well at the fuel pump compared to most dual-cab utes.

And with a 70L fuel tank delivering an impressive potential range of around 1100km between fill-ups, your business will benefit from boosted productivity as well as modest fuel bills.

All models in Peugeot’s light commercial vehicle range are covered by a five year/200,000km warranty (with three years for paintwork and 12 months for corrosion) that also includes free roadside assistance for the duration.

Peugeot’s Price Promise Program, meanwhile, ensures owners are provided with a quality service for a maximum price anywhere in Australia for the first five years.

But customers can also bundle pre-paid servicing plans into the purchase price, which not only provide substantial savings but offer protection against inflation for parts and labour. A three-year plan for City and Pro models costs $1200 and will save you $521 while a five-year plan for Premium versions costs from $2100 and offers savings of between $926 to $988.

All Expert models have 12-month/20,000km service intervals and an electronic Maintenance Booklet function within the MyPeugeot smartphone app, which records the history of each operation on the vehicle.

Dual-cab utes are great for carrying tools and equipment, but they are in many ways heavily compromised.

For starters, the open layout of a tray back only provides enough space for low items to be carried without the added cost of a tonneau cover, a canopy, or an expensive custom configuration. Even then, it can be difficult to access equipment over the sides and at the front of the tray, and a (literal) pain in the back to load heavy items, especially in high-riding four-wheel drive models.

In any case, and as many tradies will attest, carrying expensive tools and equipment in a ute’s tray can prove an irresistible temptation for opportunistic thieves.

The Peugeot Expert solves these issues. For starters, the entire cargo space is contained within the bodywork to provide more security.

And it is much easier to access, as all models come standard with twin sliding side doors and two barn rear doors that open to 180 degrees.

Even in short wheelbase form, the Expert offers more cargo carrying space than any dual-cab ute. In this configuration, it has a total capacity of 5.3 cubic metres to the bulkhead, in a load bay that measures 2430mm long, 1628mm wide and 1397mm high. There’s also a roomy 1258mm between its wheel arches, so the Peugeot Expert will easily accommodate a standard Australian pallet.

The long-wheelbase models obviously offer even more space, with a total of capacity 6.1 cubic metres to the bulkhead in a load bay that measures 2780mm long with the same dimensions for width and height.

Cleverly, Premium models have a removable bulkhead load-through flap to accommodate longer items – up to 3674mm in the short-wheelbase model and 4024mm in the long-wheelbase model.

Don’t assume you cannot use all that space either, as the Peugeot Expert makes light work of a heavy load. The City and all long-wheelbase models have a Gross Vehicle Mass of 3100kg and can carry a payload of up 1433kg – appreciably more than most dual-cab utes.

Vehicles fitted with a manual transmission can also tow up to 1500kg with a braked trailer, while those with an automatic can pull 2165kg and 1800kg in short- and long-wheelbase configurations respectively.

Working on the road shouldn’t be a chore.

The Peugeot Expert takes this into consideration with several thoughtful functions that make it comfortable and safe to drive, and a convenient space from which you can operate a mobile business.

Firstly, the cabin is equipped with a generous list of standard equipment that includes air conditioning, six-way adjustment with lumbar support for the driver’s seat, rake and reach adjustment for the steering wheel, sturdy cloth trim with a leather effect, and electric front windows. Pro and Premium models, meanwhile, come with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth and USB connections and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.

In all models, the Expert has plenty of convenient storage solutions and the Premium comes equipped with Peugeot’s unique ModuWork system that incorporates additional under-seat storage, the load-through bulkhead and a flip-down workstation that makes using tablets or laptops easier when on the road.

All models are fitted with electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, emergency braking assistance, cruise control with speed limiter, driver and passenger front airbags and remote central locking. The Pro and Premium models also come with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, a wide-view reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

On top of that, the Premium model adds some extra niceties such as body-coloured bumpers and door handles, keyless entry with push-button start, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels.

One of the biggest benefits in favour of owning a van rather than a dual-cab ute is the ability to make your business really stand out.

The Peugeot Expert’s sleek European design adds a sense of premium style that is particularly attractive to boutique operators such as florists, nurseries, bakeries, and fashion retailers, but it serves as a superb ‘mobile billboard’ for any business.

With much larger areas of bodywork than a dual-cab ute, a Peugeot Expert provides more space for small businesses to expose their brand to the public by adding their logo, contact details or a unique design to the vehicle.

The cargo space is also a blank canvas and can be tailored to suit specific storage or usage requirements, from customised racks to mobile coffee machines.

Above all of that, the Peugeot Expert delivers a more comfortable, relaxed driving character.

Where most dual-cab utes are based on a ladder-frame chassis, the Peugeot Expert utilises the latest iteration of the PSA Group’s modular EMP2 platform that also underpins popular passenger cars like the Peugeot 308 and 408 and the related 3008 and 4008 SUVs.

This ensures the Expert feels more car-like to drive, especially in urban environments. While it measures 4959mm in overall length (5309mm for the long-wheelbase models), it has a turning circle of just 12.4m, which makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight confines such as backstreet loading docks. And it only stands 1940mm high (1948mm in long-wheelbase configuration), which allows for it to easily navigate undercover carparks.

The car-like suspension is able to better absorb pockmarked roads than a dual-cab ute, and its lower centre of gravity helps to improve stability when cornering. Its expansive glasshouse also provides a clearer view of the road ahead.

If anything, the Expert feels just as nimble and as comfortable to drive as a conventional passenger car – even when carrying a heavy load.

In the end, for many tradies, the Peugeot Expert is a smarter choice. It is easier to drive, economical to own, has more cargo space with better security, and has the ability to make your business stand out.

What’s more, Peugeot is offering ABN holders a $3000 factory bonus for vehicles purchased before the end of the 2022/2023 financial year, so now is the perfect time to see what a Peugeot Expert can do for you and your business.

For more information on the Peugeot Expert visit the Peugeot Australia web page.