Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 18 October 2023

Overview

As you’d expect from something with a small ‘e’ prefacing its name, the Citroen e-Berlingo is the all-electric version of the regular Berlingo. Available with one battery and electric motor option, you do at least get a choice of normal five-seat or longer seven-seat models.

Don’t worry, we cover the internal combustion models in our main Citroen Berlingo review where you’ll also find greater detail on the space and practicality. After all, unlike some electric versions of cars, the Berlingo’s interior is unaffected by which propulsion method.

Rivals are getting harder to find these days, with most manufacturers favouring van-based MPVs such as this. Indeed, the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life are essentially the same mechanically. Similarly, the Ford Tourneo Connect and Volkswagen Caddy Life are also based on vans. If you’re feeling sniffy, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, Mercedes B-Class and Volkswagen Touran remain as dedicated MPVs with more car-like driving manners.

What’s it like inside?

Citroen has done well in disguising the Berlingo’s van origins with colourful trims and a faux strap on the top of the dash, but it’s more of a fake moustache than skilled prosthetics. The high roofline, big windows and high driving position all scream van. It is a simple to operate environment thanks in part to physical controls for the heater and a big volume knob within easy reach of your front seat passenger.

Given that it’s also wider than most cars, space for passengers is generous. You’ll have no trouble fitting four adults inside, and it’s wide enough for a fifth to be relatively comfy, too. Front seat passengers have loads of space, although the lack of storage between the front seats is disappointing.

Those in the back have tonnes of headroom with good legroom, making the Berlingo more spacious than similarly priced SUVs or estates. XL models are longer to give a third row of seats big enough for another couple of adults to sit comfortably while all versions get sliding rear doors.

Boot space is very impressive, with more cargo carrying capacity than many far larger SUVs and estates. That’s especially true of the XL once you’ve folded the third row and tumbled them forwards. If you need even more space, you can haul the heavy rear chairs out and fold the centre row flat with the boot floor to make a van. To accommodate really long items, the front passenger seat even folds flat.

All e-Berlingos get an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with top-spec XTR adding sat nav. The system is a little sluggish to respond and doesn’t have the clearest menus but works OK once you’ve got used to it and is less confusing than the Volkswagen Caddy system. For even more detail on the interior, infotainment and practicality, have a look at our main Berlingo review.

Comfort

You’ll find the Berlingo’s driving position is decent, with seat, pedals and wheel lining up nicely. The front seats especially feel well-padded, although some additional side bolstering to hold you in place better when cornering would be welcome. Some also found the seat base was a little too short, failing to support their thighs adequately.

Those in the middle row will appreciate the opening windows in the sliding doors and the three equally sized chairs. That means the centre passenger isn’t perched on something designed for only occasional use, which combined with the flat floor make it a great option for those who regularly have a car full of people.

Range and charging

Although official range is around 170 miles, with well-equipped XL models dipping below this figure and sparsely specced Ms rising above, expect to see far less in mixed driving. If you spend a fair amount of time on the motorway and fast flowing A roads, expect around 120 miles, less in winter. Stick to an urban environment and you’ll get nearer the official figure.

The Berlingo can charge at up to 100kW, meaning a 10-80% top up takes just 30 minutes on a CCS rapid charger than can support it. Those with a regular wallbox will need around seven and a half hours to get from 0-100%.

Safety

While the Citroen Berlingo’s four-star Euro NCAP crash test score might not be headline-grabbing, it’s a step up from its predecessor’s three-star rating. It is worth pointing out that this was carried out under less strict testing in 2018, so can’t be directly compared to rivals tested under newer guidelines.

Still, not only is it less likely to injure you in an accident than before, it’s less likely to have one in the first place. Automatic emergency braking, lane assist and electronic stability control are all standard, although blind spot monitoring is optional and only as part of a pack on top XTR models.

What’s it like to drive?

The e-Berlingo gets a 50kWh battery and 136hp electric motor to give performance that’s just about adequate on the open road, with 0-62mph taking nearly 12 seconds in the smaller, lighter M. Heavier XL models are predictably slower still. Both are nippy around town, but acceleration tails off noticeably above 60mph even with just a driver aboard.

We’ve yet to drive a Berlingo with the optional Advanced Grip Control, but the system has proved effective on other PSA cars fitted with the system. Essentially it’s a sophisticated traction control system that meters power and torque to the front wheels in specific ways to maximise traction on surfaces such as ice, mud and sand.

Unlike many manufacturers that promise a sporty drive from the most sensible of family cars, Citroen does things differently. Comfort is the priority here, with soft suspension delivering a relaxing ride. Severe potholes and lumps do cause the suspension to trip up slightly, but it’s a rare enough occurrence to not cause bother.

That’s not to say that the Berlingo handles badly – far from it. In fact, for a high-sided, van-based car, it’s neat and tidy around corners, with a lot less body lean than you might expect. Even so, the Berlingo doesn’t feel particularly agile or willing, with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Ford S-Max proving far more enjoyable in the bends.

The Berlingo’s light steering is precise enough but doesn’t give a great sense of connection to the road’s surface. In other words, it’s perfectly capable if not something you’ll be looking for excuses to drive.

What models and trims are available?

There are just two trim levels, both of which are available in M or XL guise. Entry-level Feel gets all the safety basics you need plus auto wipers, manual air con, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and 16in steel wheels with wheeltrims.

We’d plump for the top spec Flair XTR, though. It’s not much more to buy so we’d expect a minimal monthly finance increase for which you get 17in alloy wheels, an auto dimming rear-view mirror, funkier body styling with orange accents, a leather steering wheel, plusher interior trimmings, dual-zone climate control, power folding door mirrors, a digital driver’s display, rear electric windows and sat nav.