Citroen Berlingo van review (2024)

• Three diesel options and one petrol
• Easy to drive with tidy handling and good visibility
• Comfortable ride – better on diesel Berlingos

The Citroen Berlingo is an easy van to drive, with a range of engines that suit its character well, although the least powerful BlueHDi 75 model may feel a little gutless when loaded up. This has now been ditched from the range though.

What are the Citroen Berlingo diesel engines like?

The Berlingo was available with the following diesel engines at its launch in early 2019:

• BlueHDi 75: 1.6-litre, 75hp @ 3,500rpm / 230Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 100: 1.6-litre, 99hp @ 3,750rpm / 254Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 130: 1.5-litre, 131hp @ 3,750rpm / 300Nm @ 1,750rpm

By September 2019 the two 1.6-litre motors had also been replaced by more modern 1.5-litre equivalents (the BlueHDi 130 stayed as it was):

• BlueHDi 75: 1.5-litre, 76hp @ 3,500rpm / 230Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 100: 1.5-litre, 102hp @ 3,500rpm / 250Nm @ 1,750rpm

This will be slightly confusing for used buyers, as the newer 1.5-litre engines meet more stringent emissions regulations, giving them on-paper fuel economy that's actually worse, but in day-to-day use you're unlikely to notice a great deal of difference.

The BlueHDi 75 is best suited to use around town with light loads, as it doesn't quite have the legs to get up and go on the motorway like the higher-output versions do. Failing to appeal to many buyers, it's now been discontinued from the UK range.

The BlueHDi 100 is better for those splitting time between urban and faster roads, the combination of more power and a bit more usable torque making it a more effortless van to drive, and better able to cope with extra payload.

Move up to the BlueHDi 130 and you'll certainly appreciate the extra performance, making lighter work of big loads and longer journeys.

There's even an eight-speed automatic option, but we're not sure how many businesses will feel this is worth the cost in a small van.

The rest of the range originally had to make do with a five-speed manual. This is precise, but a little notchy, and makes the engine louder on the motorway. This has now been upgraded so every version gets the six-speed 'box, which helps reduce the noise it makes when travelling at faster speeds.

Put all this together, and the BlueHDi 100 is the understandable biggest seller, but we'd still go for a 130 if we could.

What are the Citroen Berlingo petrol engines like?

Those using their Berlingo largely in town may be swayed by the 110hp PureTech petrol engine, especially if you’re concerned about the diesel emissions issues that have been hitting the headlines in recent times.

This is a surprisingly eager engine with a characterful three-cylinder thrum, and despite its modest 151Nm has plenty of pull when going up hills – more so than you might expect.

However, it’s not always the smoothest and can become quite vocal at higher revs. Longer journeys may prove a chore for this reason, and it certainly won't match the diesels for mpg.

Citroen Berlingo handling and ride comfort

The way the Berlingo rides depends on the version you go for – we find the diesels ride best, most likely because of the greater weight of the four-cylinder engines up front.

By comparison, the lightweight PureTech 110 Berlingo feels quite bouncy and fidgety over rough surfaces. However, all versions deal with speed humps and rough surfaces more than acceptably for a small van, and better than most rivals can manage.

As for the Berlingo's handling, there's body roll, but it's well controlled and the van never feels like it's going to topple over.

The steering isn’t exactly full of feel, but it’s more responsive with greater feedback than the Peugeot Partner's small steering wheel setup. While it might look sporty in the Partner, it feels more natural and easier to place in the Citroen.

Forward visibility is good, thanks to high seating and big windows, though we sometimes find these vans seem wider than they actually are for some reason.

What if you go for the Citroen Berlingo Worksite Pack?

Go for a Berlingo with the Worksite Pack and it features Citroen's Grip Control system – to boost traction on slippery surfaces – and an extra 30mm of ground clearance with additional underside protection. It's intended to make the van better-suited to construction sites.

The Grip Control system is an advanced form of traction control that lets you twist a dial to adjust the settings based on the kind of road surface you’re driving on, and is complemented by a set of chunkier tyres for maximum effect.

It works well, even in pretty sticky mud, but if you need proper four-wheel drive, Citroen can offer a Berlingo with this capability via an approved aftermarket conversion.

• Light and spacious inside
• Lots of storage
• Infotainment from Citroen passenger cars

Jump inside the cabin of the Berlingo and you'll find a driver-focused dashboard dominated by a large infotainment screen protruding from the top, angled slightly toward the person behind the steering wheel in an effort to make it easier to use; more on this below.

The impressive appearance of this screen means you won't necessarily notice all the useful storage spaces straight away, or the manner in which the ventilation controls seem to have been tucked too far away beneath it.

Still, at least there are buttons, rather than having all the controls moved to the touchscreen. We digress.

Citroen Berlingo driving position

It’s easy to get comfortable inside the Berlingo – easier than in the Peugeot Partner with its i-Cockpit and associated tiny steering wheel – with plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column, and a good view of the road ahead.

The gearlever is mounted high on the centre console, placing it within easy reach, while an electronic handbrake frees up space in the middle of cabin where two seats are fitted, and means no awkward fishing around for a lever on three-seater models.

The seats are firm and seem supportive, so driver and outer passenger should be ok on longer journeys. Any middle-seat passenger will have to contend with the gearlever pod eating into their knee room, which may not be fun for extended periods.

Citroen Berlingo storage

Citroen, together with Peugeot and Vauxhall, claims there are class-leading levels of storage in this Berlingo, with up to 113 litres of space for stuff in the cab.

This is distributed between a small glovebox, large door bins, a shelf above the front seats, a dashboard box large enough for an average laptop where a passenger airbag would normally be (it’s moved to the roof), and another box on top of the dials if you don’t specify the optional head-up display.

There’s also a small tray ideal for a mobile phone (wireless charging is available here) located just beneath the heating and ventilation controls, keeping your valuables tucked away.

Citroen Berlingo touchscreen infotainment system

The Berlingo uses a multimedia system with a large 8.0-inch touchscreen sitting proud of the dashboard and angled slightly towards the driver.

Its location makes it easy to reach, and it controls everything from the sat-nav and radio to the phone and general vehicle settings. Operating it on the move is a bit hit and miss - literally - as with all touchscreens, as you don't always touch the right bit on the first attempt when bouncing around over British tarmac.

It’s not the slickest system – you’ll probably find it easier to make your way around a Volkswagen touchscreen, for example – and things like the graphics on the sat-nav display can be slow to render and respond when you go round corners, which can occasionally lead to missed turnings.

A set of small air-con ventilation controls sit beneath the screen, pushed quite far back, making it a little tricky to quickly use these. The need to take your eyes off the road to change the temperature is a disappointment.

Any other interesting technology on-board?

Rear visibility is always an issue in vans, and while most drivers quickly come to terms with this, van makers are increasingly turning to technology to try and improve the situation.

So, in addition to conventional blindspot monitors, the Berlingo (as well as the Partner and the Combo), is available with a camera system that pairs with a 5.0-inch screen that sits where a conventional rear view mirror would be located.

At the press of a button this gives you a view of the road behind or a view down the passenger side of the van, and either view can be left on permanently.

The bad news is that neither camera is particularly high resolution, meaning that the images are a little blurry and can become rather poor once it begins to get dark.

During the day we have certainly found the regular rear view a helpful addition to the cab, but would prefer to see Citroen spend the money on a better camera for this view instead of also offering the side view, which we found less easy to get on with and not really any more use than regular blindspot monitors.

Citroen calls its version of this system Surround Rear Vision, and the package also comes with front and rear parking sensors; the rear camera has a second setting that allows it to function as a parking camera, too.

For a while, Citroen offered an overload sensor as an option and on Worker Pro models, but there were periods where this was not available due to parts availability and it was finally discontinued in July 2022.

• BlueHDi diesel engines return good mpg
• Lots of standard kit
• Should prove cost effective

A wide choice of trim levels, modern engines and reasonable service intervals should make the Berlingo an attractively priced choice when it comes to running costs.

How much does the Citroen Berlingo van cost?

At the time of writing in January 2024, the Berlingo van is priced from £19,320, excluding VAT. This represents a notable increase over the original pricing from when it was launched but this is an industry wide issue, and certainly not unique to the Berlingo.

Citroen announced a new method of buying a Berlingo (or any of its commercial vehicles) as of December 2022. The theory is you reserve one online for £199 and then someone will get in touch with you within the hour to complete the process.

Citroen Berlingo van mpg

The latest Berlingo van models have the following claimed WLTP fuel economy:

• BlueHDi 100 diesel: 47.0-55.7mpg / 144-158g/km CO2
• BlueHDi 130 diesel: 45.1-54.3mpg / 152-164g/km CO2
• PureTech 110 petrol: 37.3-45.0mpg / 158-171g/km CO2

All the diesels require AdBlue, and are fitted with a 17-litre tank for this. The now discontinued BlueHDi 75 claimed 45.6-51.4mpg WLTP.

Citroen Berlingo van warranty

All Citroen vans come with a three-year / 100,000-mile warranty, although the first two years of this warranty allow unlimited mileage.

Citroen Berlingo van service intervals

Service intervals are variable dependent on use, but the van will notify the user when a service is required. Typically, the intervals are:

• 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel models: 15,000 miles or one year
• 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel models: 25,000 miles or two years
• 1.2-litre PureTech petrol models: 12,500 miles or one year

Citroen Berlingo van trim levels and standard equipment

These are the latest trim levels for the Citroen Berlingo van.

Citroen Berlingo van Enterprise standard equipment highlights:

• Air-conditioning
• Cruise control with variable speed limiter
• Automatic electronic parking brake
• Alarm
• Heated electric folding door mirrors with black mirror caps
• Tyre pressure monitor
• Driver's seat with height and lumbar adjustment
• Extenso modular folding passenger bench seat with load-through bulkhead and writing table
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth, DAB digital radio and USB port
• Front foglights

Citroen Berlingo van Driver standard equipment highlights (in addition to Enterprise ):

• Citroen Advanced Comfort package with Comfort driver’s seat
• Extra sound insulation
• Automatic wipers
• 16-inch black alloy wheels
• Body colour rear bumper (front bumper remains black plastic), mirrors and door handles
• 10.0-inch infotainment system with Citroen Connect Navigation with multifunction steering wheel and voice recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear parking camera
• Hard plastic load floor protection

The previous Berlingo sold in huge numbers and features components that have also been used for a long time, many of which have been carried over to this new model. This should be good news for reliability.

Newer parts are shared with PSA’s more recent passenger vehicles and have proven dependable, although issues with the touchscreen media systems aren't uncommon.

There has already been a recall on this generation of Berlingo, too, in order to fix a potential fault with the handbrake mechanism on a small number of vehicles.

The Berlingo has performed well in the latest FN50 reliability survey, finishing in the top 10 list of the most reliable vans in the UK.

• Citroen proud of 20 available driver assistance systems
• Surround Rear Vision camera system helps visibility
• EMP2 platform should mean it’s safer and more solid

There are as many as 20 driver assistance systems available on the Berlingo – the most that has ever been available on one of Citroen's commercial vehicles, boding well for its safety rating.

Citroen Berlingo safety

Here’s a list of the systems available:

• Head-up display
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go function
• Lane-departure warning
• Driver attention alert
• Coffee break alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Blindspot monitoring
• Distance alert
• Active safety brake
• Automatic high beam
• Cornering lights
• Hill-start assist
• Side park assist
• Reversing camera
• Trailer stability control
• Grip Control with Hill Descent Assist
• Surround rear vision

You'll have to pay extra for most of these features on many models, however.

The only standard kit throughout the range is a driver's airbag, electronic stability control and automatic activation of the hazard warning lights during emergency braking. Though you do also get the Citroen Connect Box, which can automatically call the emergency services in the event of a crash.

Citroen Berlingo security

In terms of security, one of the biggest things Citroen is keen to point out about the Berlingo is that the hinges for the rear doors are hidden, which makes it far more difficult for any potential thieves to gain access.

Enterprise and Driver models, including later Pro versions, feature an alarm as standard.