Peugeot Expert 2024 Refrigerated Van Review – The Ultimate Buying Guide
The Peugeot Expert 2024 Refrigerated Van emerges as a formidable contender in the mid-size refrigerated transport segment, blending compact agility with robust cooling capabilities. Tailored for businesses that need reliable temperature control without sacrificing manoeuvrability, this van excels in urban deliveries, small-scale food transport, and pharmaceutical logistics. With a refreshed design for 2024, it builds on Peugeot’s legacy of practical commercial vehicles, enhanced by Glacier Vehicles’ expert refrigeration conversions. This review explores every facet—performance, refrigeration prowess, cargo capacity, running costs, and real-world utility—to determine if this van is your next business powerhouse.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Peugeot Expert 2024 Refrigerated Van |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity | 1,001 kg |
| Temperature Range | +5°C (chilled) to -25°C (frozen), dual-zone capable |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Transmission | Manual/Automatic |
| MPG (Fuel Economy) | 38-42 MPG |
| Load Volume | 6.1 m³ |
| Noise Level | 38 dB (GAH system) |
| Ideal Use Case | Urban Food Delivery, Small Pharma Runs, Catering |
The Peugeot Expert 2024 stands out with its fuel efficiency and compact footprint, making it a versatile choice for businesses balancing cost and performance in tight spaces.
Van Overview
Peugeot has long crafted vans that marry practicality with efficiency, and the 2024 Expert continues this tradition with a modern twist. Measuring 4.95 metres in length and 1.9 metres in height (standard L2 H1 configuration), it’s smaller than heavyweights like the Ford Transit, yet it punches above its weight with a Glacier Vehicles conversion that turns it into a refrigerated dynamo. The 2024 refresh brings sharper styling, improved aerodynamics, and a reinforced chassis, ensuring it’s as durable as it is nimble. Whether you’re weaving through city streets or servicing suburban routes, this van offers a balance of size and capability that’s hard to ignore.
Under the hood, the 2.0L BlueHDi diesel engine delivers 120-145 hp, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Glacier Vehicles takes this base model and elevates it with a custom refrigeration setup, making it a standout option for small to medium enterprises needing precision cooling without the bulk of larger vans.
Refrigeration System & Temperature Control
The heart of the Peugeot Expert 2024’s refrigerated prowess lies in its GAH SRF250 refrigeration unit, a compact yet powerful system engineered for efficiency and reliability. Delivering 2.0 kW of cooling power, it maintains a temperature range from +5°C for chilled goods to -25°C for deep-frozen items. What sets it apart is its dual-zone capability—split the cargo space to run +5°C on one side for dairy and -20°C on the other for ice cream, all within a single van. Operating at a hushed 38 dB, it’s quieter than many competitors, a boon for urban deliveries where noise regulations tighten.
Glacier Vehicles enhances this with 50mm Styrofoam insulation for chilled setups or 75mm for freezer applications, ensuring thermal stability even in punishing conditions. Testing shows it holds -20°C steady with an external temperature of 38°C, thanks to the insulation’s high-density construction and the GAH unit’s low-energy draw. An optional electric standby feature allows overnight cooling for up to 10 hours without engine use, slashing fuel costs by approximately £250 annually compared to idling alternatives. This combination of precision and efficiency makes the Expert a cold chain champion.
Load Capacity & Cargo Space
Despite its mid-size stature, the Peugeot Expert 2024 offers a respectable 1,001 kg payload, outpacing smaller rivals like the Citroën Berlingo (935 kg) while staying nimble for city work. Its 6.1 cubic metres of load volume accommodates up to five Euro pallets, a practical capacity for small-scale operations. The cargo area, enhanced by Glacier Vehicles, features a hygienic GRP resin interior that’s easy to clean and resistant to wear, paired with six tie-down points for secure loads.
Customisation is a key strength here. Businesses can opt for adjustable shelving to stack perishables vertically or instal a movable partition to separate temperature zones. While it doesn’t match the Ford Transit’s 10.5 m³ or Mercedes Sprinter’s 14 m³, the Expert’s compact design ensures it slips into tight loading bays and parking spaces where larger vans falter. For urban florists or boutique caterers, this balance of space and accessibility is a game-changer.
Fuel Efficiency & Running Costs
The Peugeot Expert 2024 shines in fuel efficiency, boasting 38-42 MPG from its 2.0L BlueHDi diesel engine—a standout figure that edges out the Ford Transit’s 30-35 MPG and the Mercedes Sprinter’s 28-32 MPG. This translates to real savings: at £1.50 per litre and 20,000 miles annually, the Expert costs £2,400-£2,600 to fuel, compared to £3,000-£3,400 for the Transit—a £600-£800 yearly advantage. The GAH SRF250’s optimised design further reduces fuel draw by 12% compared to budget refrigeration units, adding another £150-£200 in annual savings.
Upfront, the Expert starts at £28,500 pre-conversion, with Glacier Vehicles’ refrigeration adding £4,500-£6,000 depending on specs—call it £33,000-£34,500 total. Compare that to a £32,000 Ford Transit or £27,000 Peugeot Boxer: the Expert’s £6,000 premium over the Boxer is offset by £12,000 lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over five years (£38,000 vs. £50,000), factoring in fuel, repairs, and resale. Resale value holds strong at £12,000 after three years, beating the Boxer’s £9,000 thanks to Peugeot’s durability and Glacier’s quality build.
Maintenance & Reliability
Reliability is a cornerstone of the Peugeot Expert 2024, with a failure rate below 3%—lower than the Boxer’s 5% (prone to clutch issues) and competitive with the Transit’s 2%. The BlueHDi engine is a proven workhorse, requiring oil changes every 20,000 miles and timing belt swaps at 100,000. Glacier Vehicles’ GAH SRF250 unit demands annual servicing (£99 via Glacier’s UK-wide network), a small price for its 98% uptime record. Peugeot backs this with a 3-year/100,000-mile warranty, while Glacier adds a 2-year refrigeration guarantee—five years of coverage total.
Glacier’s support shines here: free UK callouts and optional GAH Connect monitoring (£150/yr) preempt issues, saving £400-£600 annually in downtime costs compared to rivals without such service. Minor gripes—like occasional turbo lag in early units—are rare and fixed under warranty, making this van a dependable partner for the long haul.
Technology & Safety Features
The Peugeot Expert 2024 blends modern tech with practical safety. Its e-Toggle dashboard features a 7-inch touchscreen with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit system—think Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GPS navigation—keeping drivers connected and on route. Glacier Vehicles integrates remote temperature monitoring, letting you check cargo conditions via smartphone, a £200 add-on that’s worth every penny for peace of mind. Payload sensors alert you to overloading, a nod to compliance and safety.
On the safety front, the Expert boasts ABS, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist, paired with lane departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring (optional £300 package). The refrigerated cargo area gets reinforced GRP panels and advanced door locks, crash-tested to 45 MPH—ensuring goods and drivers stay secure. It’s not as camera-heavy as the Transit’s 360° setup, but for its class, the safety suite is robust.
Real-World Performance & User Experience
In the field, the Peugeot Expert 2024 earns rave reviews—4.7/5 from 40+ UK business owners surveyed by Glacier Vehicles. Users laud its fuel economy and tight 11.3-metre turning circle, perfect for city grids. A London baker shared, “My Expert’s 6.1 m³ hauls 50 pastry boxes daily—cooling’s spot-on, and I’ve saved £700 on fuel this year.” Another, a florist, praised the dual-zone setup: “+5°C for roses, -10°C for preps—flawless.”
The downside? Its £34,000 price tag stings compared to the Boxer’s £27,000, but owners counter that the £12,000 five-year TCO savings (fuel, repairs, resale) make it a steal. Some note the 1,001 kg payload limits heavy loads—Sprinter’s 1,500 kg wins there—but for mid-size needs, the Expert’s agility and efficiency reign supreme.
Best Refrigerated Vans for Different Use Cases
| Use Case | Best Model | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Food Delivery | Peugeot Expert 2024 | 42 MPG + 6.1 m³—tops Transit’s 35 MPG |
| Pharmaceuticals | Mercedes Sprinter Fridge Van | 1,500 kg payload—50% more than Expert |
| Urban Transport | Peugeot Expert 2024 | 11.3m turn radius—30% tighter than Sprinter |
| Budget Option | Peugeot Boxer Fridge Van | £27k, but 5% failure rate lags Expert’s 3% |
The Expert’s fuel efficiency and urban agility give it an edge for food and city runs, though it cedes payload to the Sprinter for pharma-heavy hauls.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Refrigerated Van
Choosing the right refrigerated van starts with your needs. Need -25°C for frozen goods or +5°C for chilled? The Expert’s dual-zone GAH system covers both. Volume matters—6.1 m³ suits small ops, but fleets might eye the Transit’s 10.5 m³. Compliance is non-negotiable: the Expert meets ECWTA pharma standards and UK food safety regs, a must for regulated sectors.
Cost analysis seals the deal. The Expert’s £34,000 upfront cost beats the Sprinter’s £38,000, and its £38,000 five-year TCO crushes the Boxer’s £50,000—fuel savings and resale tip the scales. Test drive it with Glacier Vehicles to feel the difference—urban agility and quiet cooling make it a standout for mid-size needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best refrigerated van for small businesses?
How long does the 2024 Peugeot Expert maintain its temperature?
Is it better to buy or lease the Peugeot Expert refrigerated van?
What’s the best alternative to the Peugeot Expert in its category?
Conclusion
The Peugeot Expert 2024 Refrigerated Van is a mid-size marvel, blending 42 MPG efficiency, a 1,001 kg payload, and Glacier Vehicles’ GAH-powered -25°C cooling into a package that dominates urban and small-scale transport. At £34,000, it’s a premium buy that saves £12,000 over five years against budget rivals—fuel savings, reliability, and resale value make it a no-brainer. For food delivery or pharma runs, it’s a precision tool that pays off.
Ready to chill smarter? Glacier Vehicles converts the Expert to your exact specs—buy direct from their UK network. Get a free quote today and save £250 on your order—contact them now for full details or a test drive. Your business deserves the Expert’s frosty edge.
