At first you’re surprised, then you’re impressed, and before you know it, you can’t do without it. The practicality of the Citroen Berlingo, as the most versatile representative of the LCV segment, is hard to overstate, and now it’s even more convenient, though it has lost some of its uniqueness with the updates.
It seems Citroen has shifted its design direction. The new lead designer clearly isn’t a fan of bold makeup and leans towards restrained classic lines. Perhaps this style will appeal to most consumers who don’t like to attract attention on the road. For me, the update of the third generation stripped the Berlingo of one of its biggest advantages – its expressive design that made it stand out among the other twins of the group: Opel Combo Life, Peugeot Rifter, and Fiat Doblo. Now, it’s even hard to recognize.
Still, it was the Berlingo that first became a van-based vehicle in 1996, offering incredible practicality and ample space in the family market with almost no frills. Always a bold move from Citroen. Since then, more than 1.5 million family vans have flown off the shelves worldwide.
With each generation, Berlingo offered more and more, and in 2021 with the third generation, we got a pretty cool product with an impressive design and plump shapes, as well as an original interior with lively colors. You could almost forget the drawbacks like the bulky plastic in the cabin and somewhat squeaky seats.
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Citroen couldn’t stop there, so in 2024 we’re meeting the updates. Of course, it all started with changing the chevron logo: the brand’s signature is now less loud and more modest, also framed in an oval. Of course, some characteristic outlines in the form of three stripes remain. And if you look very closely, you can see them in the fresh LED optics. And they scattered those stripes around the car’s perimeter like Easter eggs. But they’re reflective — actually a practical thing!
Of course, the family van’s body should not be susceptible to easy scratches. Just think about how kids swing their toys around, not to mention the love of tiny drivers to crash-test their strollers against their parents’ vehicle. And that’s not even mentioning clumsy craftsmen and loaders. Fortunately, designers thought of everything, protecting the body perimeter with robust plastic overlays. Not the most charming addition, but definitely useful and well-placed. But that’s not a new feature, though it changes with the design.
At the rear, almost no changes – it’s nearly impossible to distinguish the new model from its predecessor: the same lights, bumpers, and upward-opening doors, however, the logo has disappeared from the rear door, leaving only the inscriptions. They kept the handy rear window opening, as an option, of course. Just make sure to find the button, which is hidden near the regular trunk opening button, so don’t break the wiper. Though, it would have made more sense to put the lock right there.
The update list also includes a slightly redesigned interior with improved technology and more accessible, pleasing features. Instead of a multitude of levers, all controls have been entrusted to a new multifunctional steering wheel. It seems to me that those designers at Citroen, with those weird horizontal four spokes, came up with it and then spread it to other brands, just changing the logo. Maybe only Peugeot with its i-Cockpit will differ, but that’s another story.
They tried to keep the suitcase vibe that has been characteristic of the “chevron” representatives recently. The stitching of the wide seats reminds you of the boxiness, there are checks and horizontal stripes. Wide pockets and endless space everywhere you look. If desired, you can install additional storage capacities – there are many interesting accessories in the options. Of course, the large overhead shelf is preserved.
I won’t go into how convenient this weird gear shift button that’s located in the center near the steering wheel is. No need to reach far, but the clicking is somehow inappropriate given the vehicle’s serious dimensions and capabilities. Don’t forget, the parking itself is just a button. For me, they could have kept a lever, like on a manual. Good that the armrests lower and adjust, so there’s somewhere to put your arm.
The climate control system is far from convenient. It’s better to set it once and not touch it, especially while driving. There are buttons and keys, of course, which is good, but the functions on them are somewhat awkwardly distributed. It’s very inconvenient to reach for the fan power adjustment. And changing the direction of the airflow is completely blocked by the steering wheel.
It’s worth paying close attention to the configurations because sometimes they lack what’s critical. For example, climate control, and better yet, dual-zone, because by default, all versions only have air conditioning. Among the options, there is also a winter package with heated windshields, steering wheels, seats, which saves in the cold, as diesel heats up not so quickly. Pay attention to the sliding doors with sliding glass – either only on the right or on both sides. Led optics in maximum configuration or also in options, but a full power package is already in the base. Central lock and wipers with Magic Wash spray are also included.
And most importantly — now a 10-inch monitor in the center will be standard, as well as wireless smartphone connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging is possible for an additional fee. A 10-inch digital color instrument panel is a privilege of top versions, at the start it will be monochrome. You can choose from several variations of displaying information from the onboard computer, and basically that’s it. The central multimedia also doesn’t thrill with a wealth of settings. Everything is restrained, concise, and purely informative. However, what’s more important is that everything works without glitches, confidently and well.
Only those who have ever been searching for the most practical vehicle for family, business, and travel will understand how difficult it is to find a vehicle that meets all these tasks. And they hardly ever think of compact LCVs first, but eventually come to the conclusion that there’s nothing better. Here are five and seven-seater salons (two body lengths 4410 mm and 4760 mm) with ample space for luggage, and simply an endless number of pockets, storage capacities, and the load capacity of a pickup. You can easily drop three kids off at schools, pick up goods from the warehouse, deliver them to the necessary place, and also save on delivery during renovations. And that’s almost without mentioning the limitations in dimensions and sometimes forgetting about refueling.
The classic family van can carry around a ton of cargo: from 690 kg to 725 kg depending on the version. Just fold or even remove the seats and fit a pallet of ceramic tiles covering 40 square meters – easy peasy. And such a loaded buddy will even handle better than an empty one. Not to mention the cargo modifications. The updated Citroen Berlingo still has two wheelbases at 2785 mm and 2975 mm. Accordingly, the cargo compartment volume comprises 983 liters and, 1538 liters. And this figure is one of the best in the segment.
They always underestimated this class only because of their lack of presentability and the simplicity of the cabin, unceremoniously decorated with hard plastic, as well as due to quite outdated mechanics and sluggish dynamics. Now, with each update, they are becoming better in every sense. Starting with the diesel turbocharged engine 1.5 BlueHDi in two boosts: 100 hp or 130 hp and 250 Nm and 300 Nm respectively. Also, a recent addition is an 8-speed automatic Aisin, for both family versions and vans. And paired with a powerful diesel, this is really a great duo, even delivering pleasure.
These are frugal engines that have long been installed in the company’s models, which speaks to their reliability and ease of finding spare parts. They perform quite well even with a loaded car, picking up from the lows and revving up nicely. And they can go far on just one tank. From my experience, I can vouch that the Berlingo easily covers more than 700 km, with a tank that only holds 50 liters of diesel and 17 liters of Adblue. Over time, it seems like this tank is just bottomless. This workhorse consumes about 5 liters per 100 km. So that’s a pleasure on its own.
The gearbox’s precision leaves no room for complaints, nor does the chassis performance, which has remained consistent for a long time. Its handling is appropriate for its class and you wouldn’t expect a behemoth to behave like a sprinter. Here, the chassis configuration is constant: a comfortable independent MacPherson type suspension at the front, and a beam with stabilizers and reinforced springs at the back. It will be noisy, sometimes rough. It seems to keep you on the edge of comfort and discomfort. Only when the car is loaded does it feel like the suspension is really doing its job.
No segment of the commercial line or minivans can cover as wide a range of tasks as this shuttle. It’s easily ranked among the best family vehicles, chosen by enterprises for most of their fleets, and these models are modified in countless different versions from a mobile coffee shop to a kebab stand.
Stellantis has managed to offer the market a competitive model under various badges and even with different characters, but united in the best — space, ease, economy, load capacity, and convenience. Thus, Berlingo among Opel Combo Life, Fiat Doblo, and Peugeot Rifter will find its consumer, who will like not only the appearance but also the historical heritage of the brand.
Another argument will be the price, which remains competitive in the market starting from 943,500 UAH ($22,765), but a comfortable version will already reach the mark of 1,255,300 UAH ($30,288) with an extra charge for pleasant options. Even among crossovers, it’s hard to find a worthy competitor for this price.
PROS: versatility, space, capacity, visibility, load capacity, economy.
CONS: noise insulation, dynamics, design.
| Body type | Hatchbackstation wagon |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4410x1848x1775 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2785 |
| Declared clearance, mm | 150 |
| Trunk volume, L. | 9832126 |
| Equipped weight, kg | 1535 |
| Engine | R4 turbo diesel |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1.5 |
| Power, hp | 150 |
| Torque, Nm | 300 |
| Drive type | Front |
| Suspension | Independent beam with stabilizer |
| Transmission | 8AT |
| Acceleration 0-100, s | 12.9 |
| Top speed, km/h | 185 |
| Fuel consumption, L (mixed) | 4.3 |
| Cost, UAH | From 943,500 |
| Cost of test car, UAH | 1,255,300 |
| Competitors | Opel Combo Life, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Rifter, Toyota Proace City, VW Caddy, Renault Kangoo |
