Citroën’s small panel van is one of the best-selling vans in Europe, meaning the new version needs to really impress if the French brand has any hopes of replicating the success of its predecessors.
Fortunately, the 2019 Berlingo Van has plenty of practical features to offer. Here are five you should know about…
Space
Of course the reason people buy vans is for the large cargo space in the back. And in the case of the Berlingo Van, storage room is not in short supply, despite its exterior dimension. Payload ranges from 650kg to 1,000kg and load volumes are generous to say the least – ranging from 3.3m3 to 3.9m3. Not only that, but cabin space is good too, with Citroën claiming there’s up to 113 litres of storage space in the cab alone, which is class-leading.
Engine range
If you’re after a Berlingo Van right now, you will be treated to a choice of three turbo diesel engines depending on your chosen specification. Horsepower ranges from 75bhp to 130bhp across the three engines and generally the larger the payload available, the larger the engine you should choose. All three engines are refined, efficient and economical, with each one offering at least 64mpg.
Tech
For a commercial vehicle, the Berlingo Van is impressive in terms of its car-like feel. Citroën offers 20 driver assistance systems, though it must be said that most are cost options. Some of these systems include active lane-departure warning, driver attention alert and active safety brake.
Inside the cabin, there is an eight-inch touchscreen that runs a simple-to-use infotainment system. What’s more, in the place of the rear-view mirror is the firm’s Surround View Camera setup, which gives you a great view out the rear due to the lack of rear windows.
Ride comfort
As well as payload and load volumes, another important feature of a van is the ride. If it’s too harsh, not only could the driver be uncomfortable and thrown around, so could any cargo that happens to be in the back. Although, at the same time, you don’t want the van’s suspension to be too soft, or the van won’t feel composed on the road. Luckily, the Berlingo gets the balance right, absorbing imperfections in the road, while being stable enough so that items in the back don’t move around too much. What must be noted, however, is that ride comfort will depend more on the weight of any loaded cargo.
See Available Citroen Berlingo deals
Seating
With Citroën’s Extenso Cab, you can carry three people thanks to a two-seat bench next to the driver’s seat. You can also adjust these seats to suit your needs. For example, you can fold the middle seat down to make a table or fold the entire bench up altogether to allow for extra room in the front. This means you can’t only maximise space in the rear, but in the cabin too.
