Electrification's current for MPV buyers. Jonathan Crouch drives Citroen's improved e-Berlingo

Ten Second Review

The electrified version of Citroen's Berlingo small MPV has remarkably few compromises over its combustion engine counterpart and for the 2024 model year was usefully improved with a smarter look and an enhanced 198 mile EV range to create the car we're going to look at here. In this form, it might be tempting option if you're looking for a full-electric compact family car and don't want a compact SUV. Here, there's the option of a seven-seat cabin too, which is rare to find in an EV at present.

Background

Most family EVs aren't particularly practical. But this one is - Citroen's e-Berlingo. This little MPV is based on the Berlingo van of course and it's been with us since 2020 when Citroen introduced it to replace combustion versions - before realising people still wanted them. Though the numbers sold here since then have been modest, they've been sufficient to convince the brand that there's still a market for the updated version we look at here. Which continues to sell alongside its near-identical Stellantis Group close cousins, the Peugeot E-Rifter and the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric. Actually, quite a lot of significance has changed here - driving range, cabin tech, seats and dash design. So it's more than just the usual front-end visual update, though we've got that too. As before, there's van-like interior space; and the choice of five or seven-seat versions. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Citroen has fitted this improved e-Berlingo with the Stellantis Group's latest 52kWh battery and that, as you might hope, makes a useful difference to range capability. That's now up by 20% to 205 miles between charges. The battery energises much the same 136hp motor as before and range can be enhanced by using a new regenerative braking system which the driver can adjust through three levels using paddles behind the steering wheel. The range figure we quoted earlier will only be distantly possible if you use the most frugal of the three provided drive modes - 'Eco'. You won't want to spend too long in 'ECO', unless you really are eeking out battery capacity because it reduces the powertrain's normal output to just 80hp and also restricts the climate system to conserve power. Citroen recommends that you do most of your driving in the 'Normal' setting, which increases the motor output to 107hp. The top 'Power' mode isn't really intended for sporty driving but for situations when you're carrying heavy loads. Like all electric vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the e-Berlingo when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly, but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than its combustion cousins. This e-Berlingo feels really at home in an urban environment - surprisingly really because it's quite a large car, especially in 'Long' wheelbase form. But you'll feel really confident in it on the school run because all-round visibility is great, the steering is light and the suspension deals with poorer surfaces quite well. Parking's easy because rear sensors and a reversing camera are standard-fit across the range.

Design and Build

You won't be choosing an e-Berlingo if vehicle aesthetics are top of your list of buying priorities, but you'll want at the very least for your choice of MPV not to look too van-like. Or at least modern anyway, which is the thinking behind this improved e-Berlingo's update of identity. All the main differences are at the front end where the grille and the bumper now form a single block with the brand's latest logo at the centre. The headlamps have been restyled too, with Citroen's latest three-segment light signature with a vertical bar and two horizontal bars meant to resemble blades. Top versions get an aluminium-effect skidplate too, with an infra-red strip each side. As before, the e-Berlingo comes in two sizes, 'M' (4.4m long) and 'XL' (4.75m long). As before, like its Vauxhall and Peugeot cousins, this car sits on the Stellantis Group's EV-compatible e-CMP platform. Inside, where there's an EV drive toggle switch in place of the usual gear selector, there's something to differentiate this Citroen from the Peugeot and Vauxhall versions of this design - the brand's well-stuffed 'Advanced Comfort' seats on top 'Max' versions, chairs which use unique architecture and specific high quality foam. These armchair-like pews have special side support and a three-colour quilted finish. Not the sort of thing you expect to find on a converted van. Citroen has updated the dashboard design so that it can accommodate a larger 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' connectivity and the brand's latest voice control system. There's also a new configurable digital instrument cluster. And the upper part of the dash features a gigantic 'TopBox' glovebox are made possible by the installation of the airbag in the roof. As before, there are three independent sliding folding seats in row two - though only on the top 'Max' version; otherwise, you get a conventional bench. The 'XL' variant has two additional removable seats in row three. Because the battery pack is mounted beneath this MPV model's floor, cabin space is not compromised at all over comparable combustion engined Berlingo models. Which means that there's simply loads of luggage room. Even the 5-seat short wheelbase 'M' model can swallow 775-litres in its boot, while the long wheelbase 'XL' version has a capacity of up to 1,050-litres. In addition, if you're taking really long items, the front passenger seat can be folded flat, allowing items like surfboards of up to 3,050mm long to be taken inside 'XL' models. The parcel shelf at the back can take up to 25kg of weight (so you can put the dog on top of the shopping). And dotted around the cabin are a multitude of storage areas which have a combined capacity of 167-litres.

Market and Model

Prices aren't too much different from before, starting from around £31,000 with base 'Plus' trim. Allow £900 more if you want to progress to the seven-seat 'XL' body style, which only comes with 'Plus'-spec. And allow a premium of around £2,500 over the base M version if you want the top 'Max' spec you'll need for the 'Advanced Comfort' seats and the individually sliding and reclining second row chairs. The 'Max' version also gets an opening rear window that opens independently of the tailgate, making it practical for quickly loading or unloading small items into or out of the boot. As before, customers can consider the optional 'Modutop' multifunction roof, which incorporates a translucent arch, a rear roof box, ambient lighting and a blackout panoramic glass roof with electric blinds. This improved e-Berlingo is available with up to 18 driving assistance technologies, such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, an electric parking brake, a rear view camera with 'Top Rear Vision', 'Grip Control' with Hill Assist Descent and Towbar Stability Control. This e-Berlingo also offers easier parking thanks to 12 parking sensors around the vehicle. In addition, images from the rear-view camera of the 'Top Rear Vision' system are displayed in high definition on the car's 10-inch central screen.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned the improved WLTP-rated range in our Driving Experience section - 205 miles. To optimise range, you'll need to make full use of the car's regenerative braking system, regularly activating the provided steering wheel paddleshifters to maximise energy recovery during braking. As you'd want, the e-Berlingo supports up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with an 80% re-charge taking less than 30 minutes, while a full charge from a 7.4kW single-phase wallbox takes 7.5 hours thanks to the 7.4kW on-board charger. Customers with access to three-phase power can specify an optional 11kW on-board charger that will charge the e-Berlingo in 4 hours 45 minutes, when using a wallbox that also supports this faster home-charging solution. As usual with a compact zero emissions EV model, there's a Benefit-in-Kind first year tax rate of just 2%. That applies until 2025, as does exemption from London congestion and ultra-low emissions charges. Insurance groupings are 20P or 21P. Maintenance intervals are much as they would be for a combustion model, but there'll be less for the workshop to do, so costs should be lower. There are plenty of Citroen outlets to choose from, so you should never be too far from one. So you can budget ahead, the French maker offers its 'Citroen Maintenance' scheme that lets you pay either a one-off fee or monthly instalments to cover the cost of the routine upkeep of your car for as long as three years and 35,000 miles.

Summary

There must be plenty of people out there who want a family-shaped compact electric vehicle - maybe as a second car - but don't want an SUV. It would have to be realistically priced, have an acceptable driving range and not look too van-like. This improved e-Berlingo, to our eyes anyway, ticks all these boxes. For whatever reason, there's a bit less of a whiff of LCV here than there is with this model's two Stellantis Group cousins, the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric and the Peugeot E-Rifter. And the option of having seven seats gives this Citroen a big advantage over a comparably sized (and probably pricier) all-electric compact SUV. Plus this Berlingo can be a van if you need it to be. Jack of all trades then; and master of one - the art of by-passing fuel stations.