The improved version of this third generation mid-sized Dispatch van is very important to Citroen. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The Dispatch is Citroen's idea of what a medium-sized van should be and goes up against some tough LCV rivals in this sector like Ford's Transit Custom and Volkswagen's Transporter. Style, size and technology are all factors that now rank in this third generation model's favour, especially in this updated form, though it shares most of its Stellantis Group design with competitors from Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat and Toyota. Still, this package remains one that has much to offer in its tightly-fought segment.

Background

With this third generation Dispatch, Citroen has been aiming to almost double its market share in the LCV sector, so the early 2024 update to this design were very signifiant for the brand. This is Citroen's entrant in the volume medium-range van sector, where VW Transporters, Mercedes Vitos, Renault Trafics and Ford Transit Custom models often rule the roost. Taking on this lot isn't something you'd want to do single-handed, so the French brand has chosen to share this design not only with its partner Peugeot's Expert model, but also with Toyota's Proace, Vauxhall's Vivaro and Fiat's Scudo: all these five Stellantis Group vans share the same platform. The previous generation pre-2018-era version of this vehicle didn't significantly trouble the main players in this segment. But this MK3 model got itself sorted out, with more sophisticated design and larger load volumes that rival anything in the class. You get clever design, proven engines and low running costs in a package that certainly works on paper. Whether it'll cut the mustard day-in-day-out though is what we're here to find out.

Driving Experience

Citroen reckons that the handling on this MK3 model Dispatch has narrowed the dynamic gap in this regard to the class-leading Transit Custom. Engine choice in a Dispatch is pretty straightforward, provided you've a clear idea of the kind of work you want it to do. If your needs are mainly based around lighter loads and short distance urban work, then the entry-level 120hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 120 unit (paired with manual transmission) may well be quite sufficient. Otherwise, you'll probably be looking at a 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel with 145hp, which comes with the option of 8-speed EAT8 automatic transmission. There's also a full-electric version, the e-Dispatch, which now offers a 217 mile driving range from its 75kWh battery (12 miles more than the equivalent pre-facelift model). A key factor behind the success of previous generation Dispatch models has been found in the way that this French LCV is able to remain compact and wieldy in the manner of smaller, more car-like vans from the class below. This MK3 model's bigger of course than those older designs, but it retains much of that same usability around town and rides much better thanks to supple suspension and a stiff EMP2 platform. Special wishbone filtering dampens the impacts of our country's terrible tarmac and the variable stiffness springs and shock absorbers deliver surprising levels of comfort whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded. Citroen's also done a lot of work to improve refinement. And we like the 'Driving time warning system' which flashes up a dash warning after two hours of uninterrupted driving at speeds of 40mph and above.

Design and Build

With both combustion and EV models, there's a choice of short wheelbase M or long wheelbase XL variants, but Citroen doesn't offer a high roof option with either powertrain. This facelifted Dispatch model features a fresh front-end design with an 'optimised' bumper for enhanced aerodynamics, plus redesigned LED headlamps and a restyled radiator grille that incorporates the brand's latest visual signature. On the sides of the vehicle, smarter wheel colours complete the revised look Inside, the redesigned dashboard of this facelifted model features an elegant new design, but it's also more practical. The size of existing storage compartments has been increased and new ones have been added, meaning that Dispatch can better act as an extension of the office. The steering wheel is now smarter too, with integrated controls for key features, such as driving aids, telephone, and multimedia. The now-larger 10-inch centre infotainment screen has a Power Flow option which shows you at any given time what's being powered by what. There's quite a low seating position (for a van), with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment. As usual in this class, a three-person bench seat is fitted and with pricier trim (or as an option), there's a Moduwork bulkhead flap so that longer items can be pushed through from the cargo area. That set-up comes together with a fold-down section for the centre seat that when flattened, doubles as a work surface. The e-Dispatch cabin is pretty identical to the Dispatch diesel, though in place of the rev counter, you get an energy gauge for the battery. The gear lever meanwhile, gets replaced by a drive selector for switching between the various driving modes. A fuel gauge is provided but of course the purpose here is to show the remaining battery capacity. The water temperature gauge from the diesel Dispatch is replaced by one showing energy consumption by the climate control system.

Market and Model

Pricing for the improved version of this third generation Dispatch is, as you might expect, pretty much identical to that of its Peugeot Expert design stablemate. That means VAT-exclusive asking figures that'll probably see you paying somewhere in the £27,000 to £31,000 bracket for your diesel Dispatch, depending upon the bodystyle you choose. As well as the usual panel van, there's is a Crew Van option. Panel van customers get a choice of Standard 'M' or 'XL' long wheelbase body lengths. Diesel customers choose between a 120hp 1.5-litre manual variant and a 2.0-litre 145hp model, the latter available with the option of EAT8 8-speed auto transmission. And there are two trim levels - 'Enterprise' and 'Driver'. The e-Dispatch full-electric models start from around £36,000 (ex. VAT) after deduction of the £5,000 government Plug-in grant and now come only in 75kWh form. Equipment levels across the range are a lot more complete than they used to be for Dispatch owners. 'Enterprise' versions feature a premium Mistral Black dashboard and full 10-inch LED instrument cluster, plus an ergonomic six-way driver's seat with lumbar support and an arm rest. The updated 'My Citroen Play Plus' infotainment system includes a 10-inch HD central touchscreen, Mirror Screen technology with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, steering wheel controls and a range of safety technology and driver assistance systems including Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert. Plusher 'Driver' variants add the brand's 'Dynamic Surround View' system, a reversing camera with 'Top Rear Vision', a blind spot assistant and 'Front Park Assist', in addition to design cues including body-colour exterior finishing, 17-inch wheel trims and front fog lights. 'Driver' versions get 'My Citroen Drive Plus' 3D navigation built into the 10-inch HD central touchscreen (an option on 'Enterprise' trim). This takes account of traffic conditions in real-time.

Practicalities and Costs

Buyers choose between two key Dispatch bodystyles - panel van or Crew van. Most will want the panel van, which claims best in class interior space and comes with a choice of two lengths - 'M' and 'XL'. As for carriage capacity, the biggest 'XL'-spec van version can take up to 6.6m3, while the mid-range 'M' version manages 5.8m3. Depending on bodystyle, the loading length is up to 4.02m and there's 1.26m of width between the wheelarches. The 'M' model gets 1.90m of interior height, this increasing to 1.93m in the 'XL' variant. The oblique wishbone rear suspension supports a payload of 1,400kg to make the most of the load volume. There's a towing capacity of up to 2.5-tonnes. Twin sliding side doors are standard and they can be ordered in a form that'll allow you to open them with a wave of your foot - ideal if your hands are full. Most models will be fitted with 50/50 swing doors, and these can be specified to swing round to 250-degrees. Inside the cargo area, there are the usual options to trim up the sides or to add a full ply-lining kit. A nice touch is the optional Moduwork feature. Here, the side passenger seat can be lifted to provide extra space with a flat floor and a large flap in the bulkhead, offering a useful storage length of up to 4m. As for running costs, well depending on BlueHDi diesel engine choice, you'll manage between 45 and 55mpg on the combined cycle and between 174 and 200g/km of CO2. As for the full-electric models (which aren't compromised in load space but have a lower payload), well the sole 75kWh version has a WLTP range of up to 217 miles and can support up to 100kW Rapid Charging, with an 80% top-up taking just 30 minutes.

Summary

This is easily the most credible mid-sized van Citroen has ever brought us and much of the reason why still lies with the light, stiff 'EMP2' platform it sits upon. This can support cutting-edge electronics, at the same time as allowing this Citroen to deliver quite an absorbent standard of ride. As for problems with this LCV, well there aren't too many and they tend to be things that may not bother many potential company buyers very much. Otherwise, this Dispatch's main issue probably lies in the fact that much the same package at much the same price is available badged as either a Peugeot Expert, a Vauxhall Vivaro, a Fiat Scudo or a Toyota Proace. This model's advantage over these four design stablemates probably lies less in product design and more in after-sales service. Citroen has been a major player in the LCV industry for longer than Peugeot, Fiat or Toyota, which is why the brand has a larger and more experienced 'Citroen Business Centre' dealer network. In short, it's a package that should get the job done. Which of course, is what owning a van should be all about.