Road Test: Citroën Berlingo Multispace Feel BlueHDI 100 S&S
Berlingo is a true multi-purpose utility vehicle, says Dan Gilkes.
SECTOR Medium MPV PRICE £18,175-£23,435 FUEL 49.6-68.9mpg CO2 108-130g/km
With Fleet World already tested both the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall’s Combo Life, there is little to add in terms of specification and layout when it comes to Citroën’s Berlingo. You get the same choice of 1.5-litre diesel engines and 1.2-litre petrols, with five and six-speed manual gearboxes, or an eight-speed auto for the most powerful models.
Where the Citroën does differ from its PSA stablemates is in the Gallic flair of its appearance. I wouldn’t personally specify the Soft Sand colour scheme of our test car, with its white highlights and Airbump rubbing strips, but it certainly stands out.
There are differences inside too. Opt for the Peugeot and you get the firm’s i-Cockpit interior, with its undersized steering wheel and high-mounted dash. Go with the Citroën, or indeed the Vauxhall, and you get a larger wheel and conventional dash console.
Citroën has two trim levels available, in both M and the longer XL body styles. Feel is the lower of the two, making do with steel wheels and without roof bars. You do however get cornering front fog lights, an eight-inch touchscreen with DAB radio, Bluetooth and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Go up to the Flair trim and you add alloy wheels, gloss black roof bars, electric parking brake, rear parking sensors and a Connected 3D navigation system with voice recognition. Both come with air conditioning, cruise control, one-touch electric front windows, two sliding side doors and a host of safety and driver assistance systems.
Berlingo is an incredibly practical car, capable of carrying five in comfort, or seven in the longer XL model, with plenty of luggage. It won’t suit everyone, but for an active family looking for something a little bit left-field, there is a certain appeal.