In this improved e-SpaceTourer, the double-Chevron brand brings us a more credible version of its large BEV People Carrier. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

There are more options than you might expect for full-electric power with really large MPVs. Here's Citroen's take on this concept, the e-SpaceTourer, here usefully improved with a larger 75kWh battery. It still won't go particularly far on a single charge, but it'll seat up to nine, help you move house or function as an executive minibus. All without using a drop of fuel.

Background

Very soon, no segment of the automotive market will lack full-EV model options. One of these sectors lately gaining improved BEV models has been that for large People Carriers. This isn't really because manufacturers think this to be much of a potential growth area. It's more because really big MPVs are always based on the kind of mid-sized vans that car makers, pressurised by governments, are starting to offer in full-electric form these days. The Mercedes Vito, Peugeot Expert, Vauxhall Vivaro and Citroen Dispatch LCVs can all be had in full-EV form. So their MPV counterparts (the Mercedes V-Class, the Peugeot Traveller, the Vauxhall Vivaro Life and the Citroen Space Tourer) also get the BEV treatment. The Peugeot, the Vauxhall and the Citroen are essentially the same underneath, sharing the same Stellantis Group powertrain; it's the Citroen model, badged the 'e-SpaceTourer' that's the subject of this review, originally launched in 2020, then enhanced three years on to create the car we look at here.

Driving Experience

Why Citroen offered the original version of this model with a 50kWh battery more suited to an EV supermini is difficult to understand. It's also difficult to see why the brand still sells the e-SpaceTourer in this form, a guise in which range is limited to just 139 miles. Far more usable is the 217 mile range of the added 75kWh model that most will want (about the same as the class-leading Mercedes EQV). Both these two types of lithium-ion battery are mated to the same 136bhp electric motor, which now works with a new three-stage regenerative braking system controlled by paddles behind the steering wheel. Using this MPV is straightforward. You turn the key in the ignition, wait for the starting beep, then flick the gear toggle into Drive. There's a drive-mode selector that allows drivers to switch between ECO, NORMAL and POWER modes. Top speed is just 84mph. Through the corners, as you would expect, there's plenty of body roll if, rather unwisely, you start throwing the thing about. If you can ignore both that and the slightly vague steering and find yourself absolutely having to push on, you'll find that there's reasonable grip and traction. The power steering is now electrically assisted (instead of electro-hydraulic) to reduce effort and improve manoeuvrability.

Design and Build

This improved e-SpaceTourer has been brought in line with Citroën's latest design identity. This is particularly visible on the grille, which incorporates the brand's new oval logo, linked on either side to the headlamps by a striped black band that echoes the chevron motifs. The headlights have been redesigned and now feature a distinctive sign of Citroën's new identity, the light signature is now characterised by a vertical bar linking two horizontal bars. With a height of 1.90m, this Citroen provides easy access to underground car parks. As before, it's available in two body lengths, 'M' (4.98m) and 'L' (5.33m) and can accommodate up to nine passengers in a wide range of seat configurations. Inside, the revised dashboard features a new 10-inch central HD touchscreen plus there are storage compartments larger, more numerous, and more cleverly designed. For example, the cupholders at each side of the upper dashboard have been modified to accommodate smartphones as well, providing a safer place for this essential item. The new upper storage area in the centre has been enlarged and can now accommodate tablets. The central section of the dashboard features a smarter control interface that houses the gear selector and driving mode selector, as well as an enlarged storage area. The steering wheel is also new with a selection of integrated controls and the ability to be heated. Private customers can choose between five, seven and eight-seater versions, while professional customers will find a solution that can be customised to suit their needs and carry from five to nine occupants, including the 'Business Lounge' pack, a top-of-the-range version with a reversible second row and seating up to seven people. In the first row, the passenger seat can be folded flat allowing long objects to be loaded or the view to be unobstructed for passengers in row two. In the second and third rows, the three-seater bench seats, split 60:40, are sliding, folding and removable. The rear seats can be easily removed to create a completely flat floor with up to 4,554 litres of boot volume. The sliding side doors can be motorised with a hands-free feature and an opening rear window makes it easy to load the boot or to access it if you don't have the space to open the tailgate.

Market and Model

Prices start from around £38,000 for the 50kWh model and there's a choice of two body lengths and two trim levels, 'You!' and 'MAX'. This revised model is well connected across the range, fitted with up to four USB-C sockets (two on the dashboard and two in row 2) as well as two 12V sockets. Inside, this improved model features the latest 'My Citroen Play' infotainment system, which is based on the new 10-inch HD touchscreen located in the centre of the dashboard. It controls the onboard features, such as music or the telephone, and the vehicle's configuration functions. It can also replicate smartphones wirelessly via the MirrorScreen functionality, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while also featuring natural voice recognition. In its most advanced version, 'My Citroën Drive Plus', it incorporates a connected 3D navigation that takes account of traffic conditions in real-time. An optional wireless smartphone charger is located on the centre console, within reach of the two front passengers. This improved e-SpaceTourer offers 17 practical driving aids for safe, stress-free driving. Technologies that make life easier, such as keyless entry and start, hill-start assist and a reversing camera with 'Top Rear Vision', plus adaptive cruise control with a Stop & Go function. In addition, there are safety-enhancing technologies including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver attention alert, lane keeping assist, collision warning, automatic headlight dipping and traffic sign recognition.

Cost of Ownership

To get close to the 75kWh model's quoted 217 mile range figure, you'll need to engage 'Eco' mode frequently - which reduces power output to 80hp. To maximise range, you'll also need to regularly engage the fiercest of the regenerative braking settings, activated by steering wheel paddles. Because the e-SpaceTourer supports up to 100kW rapid charging technology, an 80 per cent charge in the 75kWh model will take 45 minutes (it's 30 minutes with the 50kWh version). This EV People Carrier also features a 7.4kW on-board charger. A full charge from a 7.4kW domestic wallbox takes 11 hours 20 minutes with the 75kWh model (or 7 hours 30 minutes with the 50kWh version). With the alternative 11kW wallbox, you can reduce that to seven and a half hours with the 75kWh battery (or four and three-quarter hours with the 50kWh battery). For peace of mind, the lithium-ion battery packs offered in this model come with an eight year/100,000 mile warranty, for up to 70% of the initial battery capacity. The included 'Citroen Connect Box' package allows the driver to set up deferred charging or to pre-condition the vehicle via the MyCitroen mobile app on their smartphone. This app also allows drivers to initiate or schedule thermal preconditioning and view, schedule, start or deferred charging remotely.

Summary

Our main criticism when we tested the original version of this model was its feeble driving range. Now that's been usefully improved, the e-SpaceTourer has become a more credible choice in its segment. We like the way that the battery powertrain has been built into this People Carrier without any compromise to interior space. It's quiet and well built, looks contemporary and is well equipped. If you can live with the range now on offer - as some city based families and business users will be able to - there's potentially a lot to like here, though it's less easy to see why you'd choose the Citroen version of this design, rather than the near-identical Peugeot e-Traveller or Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric models. If the range and the deal is right for you though, this big French MPV might be worth a look.