The second-generation Partner, built between 2008 and 2018, is one of the leading players in changing the shape of the small van.

Yes, the car-cube had been seen in the Fiat Fiorino and Renault Extra many years BB (Before Berlingo), but it was the bumptious mono-spacious Citroen and its Partner partner with which PSA sealed the fate of the traditional car-derived van – and every maker had to follow.

Globally speaking, the Citroen Berlingo always outsold the Peugeot, but not by much, and although they shared all the same components, the clever marketing campaigns by both sides of the PSA coin, in the UK at least, kept both models equally in the spotlight.

This generation had a major facelift for 2015, keeping up the momentum for another three years. The facelifted front end came with upgraded Euro6 diesels, and various equipment levels were increased.

There is a choice of two lengths, with L1 and L2 producing loadspace lengths of 1.8m or 2.05m respectively. Combined with a loadspace height of 1.25m and maximum internal width of 1.5m, this translates into usable load volumes ranging from 3.3-3.7m³. The lift-to-load height is reasonable at around 600mm, and the rear door aperture is 1.25m wide by 1.15m high.

The van will take between 625kg and 850kg of payload, which at the upper end at least is acceptable for this class. Overall, the Partner is compact enough to thread through urban chess games and park neatly on a domestic driveway at 4.38m or 4.62m long with a beam of 1.81m, sans mirrors.

Motive power comes courtesy of Citroen-Peugeot’s ubiquitous HDi diesel family in 1.6-litre guise. From 2015 onwards these had to be Euro6-compliant, which did nothing to dent their abilities. Power outputs are 100hp and 120hp compared to 75hp and 90hp before.