The improved version of Citroen's third generation Berlingo van claims to offer more. Jonathan Crouch reports

Ten Second Review

The much improved version of Citroen's third generation Berlingo remains one of the market's best selling compact vans, offering a usefully large payload capacity and a maximum load volume of up to 4.4m3. It's now smarter looking than before and gets some extra tech, plus there's a longer-ranging EV version. The idea is to rejuvenate this model's buying proposition and on paper at least, the prospects are promising.

Background

Think of a compact but spacious van and it's really quite likely that you'll find yourself considering this one, Citroen's Berlingo. It is, after all, the model most people think of when considering this category. Here's an improved and more sophisticated version of the third generation model. It shares its engineering and EMP2 chassis with three other Stellantis Group models (the Peugeot Partner, the Vauxhall Combo and the Fiat Doblo), as well as one Toyota (the Proace City). It's Citroen though, that has the most heritage in this sector. This was the first brand to introduce a diesel powered LCV, the first to launch a van with an integrated load area and the first to launch an LCV model with three seats in the cabin. Compact vans of this kind from this French brand go all the way back to the C4 Fourgon model of 1928, which was succeeded in 1951 by arguably the most iconic small LCV of all time, the 2CV van, the world's first mass produced front wheel drive commercial vehicle. Nearly one and a quarter million examples of it were sold over 27 years of production and though successive models, the Arcadiane of 1978 and the C15 of 1984, sold quite well, they never attracted quite the same kind of following. The Berlingo model line though has, with well over 1.5 million sales to date, though it's hard to imagine examples of it ever becoming collector's items in the way the 2CV van now is. The Berlingo nameplate first arrived in the LCV segment in 1996, with a second generation version launched in 2008, then updated in 2015. Building on this strong heritage, this MK3 Berlingo Van - launched in late 2018 - marked a thorough renewal of this best-seller, built upon with this update in early 2024.

Driving Experience

The MK3 Berlingo van sits on the Stellantis Group's sophisticated, light 'EMP2' platform and uses an efficient pair of diesel engines. Most opt for the usual BlueHDi 100 diesel variant, this base engine providing 102hp and featuring a 6-speed manual gearbox. There's also a 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 powerplant; this top 130hp diesel unit comes only with EAT8 auto transmission. The key change made to the engineering of this updated model lies with changes made to the E-Berlingo EV version, which gains a new 52kWh battery providing for an increased range between charges of 205 miles. As before, the battery pack energises a 136hp front-mounted motor with 270Nm of torque. And there's a regenerative braking system that can now be activated at three different levels using steering wheel paddles. Citroen reckons that this is the most comfort-orientated compact van you can buy, thanks to its 'Advanced Comfort programme' development. This is based around special cushioned seats, top-level acoustic treatment and special suspension settings designed to filter out bumps you'd really feel on rival models. Another clever touch is the 'Magic Wash' function that maintains visibility during window washing and halves the amount of liquid required. As before, a Grip Control option is available on some models to increase traction, incorporating hill-start assist. We like the 'Flankguard' feature which informs the driver of the proximity of objects to the side of the manoeuvring vehicle by memorising the data recorded by sensors located in the front and rear bumpers, combined with the vehicle trajectory.

Design and Build

The updated version of this third generation Berlingo adopts the more distinctive stubby front-end style the brand first showed us with the E-C3 supermini. That sees the company's new logo on a more overt front-end grille. The result is a look that's a little more expressive and distinctively Citroen than before. This was, after all, the brand that brought us compact commercial style icons like the C4 Fourgon of the Thirties and the characterful post-war 2CV van. As before, there's a choice of two body styles (but still no high roof option): the standard 4.4-metre long M version and a 4.75-metre long XL variant that sits on its own, distinct lengthier wheelbase. In the cab, all Berlingo vans now benefit from the brand's 'Advanced Comfort' seats, which include specially engineered lateral supports that are enveloped in high-density memory foam. Apart from that, if you happen to be familiar with this third generation Berlingo, the main change you'll notice once inside plusher variants is the addition of a larger 10-inch central screen, accompanied by a digital instrument cluster of the same size. As previously, you can have your Berlingo fitted out with a load-through bulkhead and a dual passenger bench with under-seat storage. The 'Extenso' adaptable version of that bench seat allows three people to sit in the front and lets you push longer items through from the load bay. That means 400-litres more load capacity and an effective loading length of up to 3m for the M version and 3.35m for the XL variant. A writing table is integrated in the fold-down central seat back to convert the vehicle into a mobile office, and this layout features a padlocked storage area underneath the central seat. As you'd expect in this class, a Crew van' body style is also available with a fold-out second row bench.

Market and Model

The revised version of this MK3 model Berlingo van is priced very similarly to its predecessor, which means that most combustion variants will price in the £19,500 to £26,000 bracket (excl. VAT) across the two body lengths (size 'M' and size 'XL'). The E-Berlingo full-EV version costs from around £25,500 ex VAT, once the £2,500 government Plug-in Grant is deducted from the asking price. A sliding door on the left side is standard with the M body shape, while twin sliding side doors are standard with the lengthier XL version. At the back, the unglazed asymmetric rear doors open to 180-degrees. Citroen offers two Berlingo van trim levels - 'Enterprise' and 'Driver'. You'll need plusher 'Driver' spec if you want the useful 'Extenso' opening bulkhead and the latest 10-inch central infotainment screen. But all Berlingos get rear parking sensors, cruise control with a programmable speed limiter, remote control central locking with deadlocks, an overhead storage shelf in the cabin and air conditioning. Plus there's plenty of safety kit, including airbags for the driver and front passenger, lane keep assist, an advanced emergency braking system, driver attention alert, high beam assist and intelligent speed assistance speed limit information.

Practicalities and Costs

This Berlingo Van is available in a variety of configurations, with one or two sliding side doors. At the rear the van is equipped with 60/40 split unglazed rear doors, which open to 180-degrees. Thanks to this third generation model's EMP2 platform, a decent payload is possible (up to 1,000kg in the diesel versions). A neat touch for this MK3 design is a neat 'Overload Indicator', which informs the user when they approach, or exceed, the authorised weight limit. The load volume is 3.3m3 in size 'M', or 3.9m3 in size 'XL', figures you can increase respectively by 0.5m3 if you utilise the extra loading length of the 'Extenso' cab feature (optional with base spec) and push longer items through into the driving area. The cargo bay has a usable length of up to 1.81m in size 'M', or up to 2.16m in size 'XL'. This Citroen retains a usefully wide width between the wheel arches (1.23m) that makes it possible load up to two euro pallets. As usual, an optional plywood lining (floor and side panels) is available for enhanced load area protection. The maximum braked towing weight for the model is 1,500kg. Running costs remain competitive. The popular 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 diesel model manages 56.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 148g/km of CO2. The E-Berlingo EV can now go 205 miles between charges which take 7.5 hours from a 7kW garage wallbox.

Summary

Citroen's extensive heritage in the compact van segment is in good hands with the latest version of this third generation Berlingo, a product usefully refreshed in several major areas. The looks and the cabin are much more modern, as is the infotainment provision. As ever with a Berlingo, you get very class-competitive payload and carriage capacity figures, which are further aided by the extended length of the longer 'XL' version. Plus as before, there's the flexibility of the Extenso modular seating system and a frugal of running costs with either powertrain. Add in a very comfortable ride and one of the widest choices of factory-built models in the class and you've a strong business proposition. Issues are few. Pricing is a bit higher than we'd ideally like to have seen. We wish there was the option of a high-roof body style. And the manual gear shift can be a bit notchy. That's about it. Of course, you could argue that pretty much everything that's on offer here is also available from this model's Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Toyota design stablemates - and you'd be right. But loyal Berlingo buyers reckon that this Citroen provides it all with just a bit more Gallic flair - and we can understand their perspective. In summary, providing that this French maker can thoroughly communicate everything this van has to offer to business buyers, those customers should agree with us that this LCV's offering in this closely-fought market segment has been rejuvenated. Quite simply, it delivers more of what really matters.