Filipinos sure love vans, huh?
It makes sense, really. Like Dominic Torretto, we Filipinos are all about family. And with a population of over 110 million, we’re not exactly short on relatives. So driving out of town with a van full of people is about as Filipino as eating adobo on a warm, humid evening.
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The Puegeot Traveller Premium, however, is not exactly on many Filipinos’ shortlist. In a segment dominated by names like Urvan, Starex, and Hiace, the Traveller is a faraway thought for most Pinoys. Part of that is due to the fact that it bears a badge most buyers struggle to pronounce, let alone remember. But another factor is its price—at over P3 million, this thing teeters towards the premium end of the scale.
Expensive. What exactly are we looking at?
A hulking chunk of metal that still manages to exude a bit of style. The front end is a snub-nosed affair that eats into the van’s already high beltline. It gets vertical slats along the grille and a big lion emblem in the middle. Big xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights take up the rest of the front fascia’s real estate.
Along the sides, the aforementioned high beltline results in daunting doors fit to hide any VIP who wishes to remain anonymous. The rear, meanwhile, is home to a split tailgate that looks great but falls short on the practicality scale. Rounding off the package are 17-inch tires with alloy wheels.
And inside?
A van’s true luxury shows in its interior, and the Traveller certainly delivers. The front two seats are adorned in leather and come with arm rests, with seating positions that make you feel as though you’re hoisted high above the commoners in a palanquin. In front of these is a fuss-free dashboard where everything is within easy reach and a large tiller that sits upright.
In the back, the seats have a 3+3 layout and are likewise shrouded in leather. Behind the rearmost seats is the cargo compartment, which is has a promised volume of 1,060 liters.
Also worth pointing out is the build quality. Here, you get the expected thick doors and quality noise cancellation from inside the cabin. The seats are also of good stock, providing plenty of comfort for all from front to rear.
Conveniences abound here, eh?
Oh, yes. As mentioned, the front seats get arm rests to keep you comfy over a long drive. The seven-inch infotainment screen in front comes with Anrdoid Auto and Apple CarPlay. Overhead is a panoramic sunroof that stretches to the rear passengers.
Perhaps the most passenger-friendly feature here are the power-sliding doors on both sides of the van. With the press of a button, the doors slide open or closed. All the people in the rear have to do is roll out the red carpet.
What’s it like to drive?
At the heart of the Traveller is a 2.0-liter diesel mill capable of 150hp and 340Nm, paired to an eight-speed automatic. Despite the engine’s modest size and numbers, its low-end torque is capable enough of propelling the van to highway speeds with little trouble even with a full load load. The trouble comes with the drivetrain layout. While climbing through uphill twisties, the van struggles just a bit. Natural given its weight and load, but you can’t help but wonder if the added oomph of a rear-drive layout would’ve been preferable.
Another nitpick is the braking setup. While you can only fight against the laws of physics for so long, the van could do with a more biting set of discs. During said twisties, I relied heavily on engine braking to maneuver the Traveller safely. Yes, gravity and weight are what they are, but a behemoth of a people mover deserves better stopping power.
There are upsides, though. The front-engine layout means the car’s dynamics are mostly car-like, save for the extra length you need to account for when turning. The steering reminds you of a small truck, but it’s weighted well for the vehicle’s size. The transmission dial takes a bit of getting used to—turning it to neutral then hoisting the handbrake from the floor is a particular chore–but becomes manageable in due time.
A solid choice?
At P3,215,000 for this eight-seater variant, the van is a pricey proposition. But for those looking for luxurious comfort without sacrificing seat capacity, the Traveller proves an able companion. It ticks all the right boxes you expect from a van packed into a premium European package that will ensure comfort during any road trip.
