You shouldn't need to pump for a good pedal and they should feel better not worse than your 2002 model van!

If I was you, I would book it back in with the dealer who supplied it. Explain whats occuring as you have in your post above above and say you'd like them inspected to be sure.

It may be that the pads need to 'bed in' which is fine and you will see an improvement as you put some miles on them but to be honest in 6 weeks I expect you've done a few miles so they should be ok by now.

The brake system may need bleeding again although it should have been spot on when it left production....who know's! I think you're well within your rights to have them properly looked at and I'm sure they will do this for you.

Good luck.

Dan