Peugeot 806: Which Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a Peugeot 806 comes down to three priorities: performance, low-rev torque, and transmission. The original Compact Van, produced from June 1994 through September 1998, offers six versions; its quickest option is the turbocharged Gasoline 2.0 MT with 147 hp.
Choosing a Peugeot 806 comes down to three priorities: performance, low-rev torque, and transmission. The original Compact Van, produced from June 1994 through September 1998, offers six versions; its quickest option is the turbocharged Gasoline 2.0 MT with 147 hp. The restyled Minivan, produced from October 1998 through May 2002, narrows the range to three versions and adds the only Automatic option in the data. Every listed Peugeot 806 is FWD, has an 80-litre tank and 140 mm of ground clearance.
Peugeot 806 generations: what changed?
The original Peugeot 806 is identified as the 1 generation and uses a Compact Van body. Its six versions span 1,762–2,088 cc and 90–147 hp. Buyers can choose naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, a turbocharged Gasoline engine, or turbocharged Diesel engines. All six use a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Their front suspension is Independent, spring, while the rear suspension is Dependent, spring.
The 1 generation, restyling uses a Minivan body and has three versions. All three engines displace 1,997 cc: a 109 hp turbo Diesel and two 136 hp naturally aspirated Gasoline alternatives. The restyling introduces a 4-speed Automatic alongside the 5-speed Manual. It also changes the rear suspension specification to Independent, spring, matching the front suspension.
Peugeot 806 engine and specs comparison
Identical version names are distinguished by power and fuel here because the database contains several different entries called 2.0 MT and 1.9 MT.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 1.8 MT | 99 hp | 147 Nm | 1,762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 121 hp | 121 hp | 170 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 147 hp | 147 hp | 235 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 196 Nm | 1,905 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 92 hp | 92 hp | 196 Nm | 1,905 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 2.1 MT | 109 hp | 250 Nm | 2,088 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 109 hp | 109 hp | 250 Nm | 1,997 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 AT | 136 hp | 190 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 190 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The 147 hp 2.0 MT has the highest specific output at about 73.6 hp per litre. The restyled 136 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT each produce about 68.1 hp per litre, while the 121 hp 2.0 MT produces about 60.6 hp per litre. Among the Diesel choices, the restyled 109 hp 2.0 MT develops about 54.6 hp per litre, compared with about 52.2 hp per litre for the earlier 2.1 MT.
Peugeot 806 performance and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 1.8 MT | 16.2 s | 165 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 121 hp | 14.6 s | 177 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 147 hp | 11.0 s | 195 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 90 hp | 15.5 s | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 92 hp | 17.2 s | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.1 MT | 14.1 s | 175 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 109 hp | 15.8 s | 175 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 AT | 12.8 s | 183 km/h | 13.5 | 9.7 | 7.6 |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 11.9 s | 186 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
For outright performance, choose the original 147 hp 2.0 MT. Its 11.0-second acceleration time is 0.9 seconds quicker than the restyled 136 hp 2.0 MT and 1.8 seconds quicker than the 2.0 AT. Its 195 km/h maximum is also 9 km/h above the restyled Gasoline Manual and 12 km/h above the Automatic.
The restyled Gasoline pair shows what the gearbox choice changes with the same 1,997 cc displacement, 136 hp and 190 Nm. The 2.0 MT reaches 100 km/h 0.9 seconds sooner and has a 3 km/h higher top speed than the 2.0 AT. The Automatic is nevertheless the only version for which consumption figures are supplied: 13.5 city, 9.7 highway and 7.6 combined. Units are not specified in the data, and consumption for every other version is not measured.
For Diesel buyers, the original 2.1 MT is the quickest at 14.1 seconds to 100 km/h. The restyled 109 hp 2.0 MT matches its 250 Nm and 175 km/h top speed but takes 1.7 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. The two original 1.9 MT versions both deliver 196 Nm and 160 km/h; surprisingly, the 90 hp entry is 1.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 92 hp entry.
Peugeot 806 dimensions, weight and capacity
Overall exterior dimensions, luggage-compartment dimensions, interior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. The available size-related specifications are weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 1.8 MT | 1,445 kg | 2,085 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 121 hp | 1,585 kg | 2,300 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.0 MT, 147 hp | 1,650 kg | 2,360 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 90 hp | 1,640 kg | 2,360 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 92 hp | 1,615 kg | 2,385 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 2.1 MT | 1,615 kg | 2,385 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 109 hp | 1,670 kg | 2,395 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 AT | not measured | 2,315 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
| 1 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 1,600 kg | 2,315 kg | 140 mm | 80 L | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the 147 hp 2.0 MT has the strongest power-to-weight result at roughly 11.2 kg per hp. The restyled 136 hp 2.0 MT follows at about 11.8 kg per hp. The original 1.8 MT carries about 14.6 kg per hp, while the original 90 hp 1.9 MT has the highest figure at about 18.2 kg per hp. A kerb-weight comparison cannot be calculated for the 2.0 AT because that value is not measured.
Which Peugeot 806 version should you buy?
For the best performance, the original 147 hp 2.0 MT is the clear choice. It combines the fastest 0–100 km/h time, the highest top speed and the best calculated weight-per-horsepower result. Compared with the naturally aspirated 121 hp 2.0 MT from the same generation, it adds 26 hp and 65 Nm, cuts 3.6 seconds from the acceleration time and raises top speed by 18 km/h.
For the strongest low-speed Diesel specification, choose between the original 2.1 MT and the restyled 109 hp 2.0 MT. Both make 250 Nm, but the original reaches that output at 2,000 rpm and accelerates more quickly; the restyled engine reaches 250 Nm at 1,750 rpm, or 250 rpm earlier. The restyled version also brings Independent, spring rear suspension, whereas the original uses Dependent, spring rear suspension.
For an Automatic gearbox, the 2.0 AT is the sole candidate. It gives away 0.9 seconds to the equivalent 136 hp 2.0 MT in acceleration and 3 km/h in maximum speed. Its advantage is simply the 4-speed Automatic transmission, plus the only measured consumption set in the catalogue.
For the lightest recorded Peugeot 806, select the 1.8 MT at 1,445 kg. It is 205 kg lighter than the original 147 hp 2.0 MT, but it also has 48 hp less power, 88 Nm less torque, takes 5.2 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and has a 30 km/h lower maximum speed.
The most balanced choice on the supplied figures is the restyled 136 hp 2.0 MT. It is only 0.9 seconds behind the fastest version to 100 km/h, weighs 50 kg less, and provides the later Minivan specification with Independent, spring suspension at both ends. Buyers prioritizing torque over acceleration should instead choose the original 2.1 MT or the restyled Diesel 2.0 MT; buyers requiring an Automatic have only the 2.0 AT. Price, reliability, known problems, service history and vehicles for sale cannot be compared because those details are not measured in the supplied data.