Compact van that’s gone upmarket

Once upon a time, we knew where we were with Citroen’s Berlingo van. It was a compact light commercial vehicle that on the was also marketed with seats and windows as a car. Arguably, with today’s second generation model, it’s the other way round. Here’s an LCV based on Citroen’s family-orientated C4 Picasso mini-MPV. Hardly very truck-like.

The first thing to point out is that it’s been shunted up-market in terms of size and sophistication. That was necessary not only to keep pace with competitors but also to distance the Berlingo from its smaller yet surprisingly spacious Nemo stablemate.

Our test vehicle has the 1.6-litre 90bhp HDi diesel engine that the majority of Berlingo van buyers will probably specify. It also has an impressively high specification for a van, with features like air conditioning and ESP stability control reminding us just how far vans have come on in recent years. Tight pricing and Citroen retailers’ legendary willingness to ‘do a deal’ means that you’re probably more likely to end up with extra features like this than you would do in a comparable rival.

We’re familiar with Citroen’s 1.6-litre HDi diesel, thanks to a current long term spell with a C4 Picasso which has a 110bhp version of that engine. To be honest, the 90bhp incarnation in our Berlingo van doesn’t feel much slower, delivering 215Nm of pulling power so that you don’t have to row it along with the gearlever in urban use. That’s important because the Berlingo now tips the scales at gross vehicle weights between 1,960kg and 2,130kg, depending on your choice of bodystyle, which is around 200kg more than the original. Despite this decent level of grunt, fuel economy has been impressive: we’ve been recording just under 50mpg in our time with the vehicle.

The latest Berlingo is a much more sophisticated product than of old. It uses independent front suspension and a transverse beam with angled shock absorbers at the rear with anti-roll bars at both ends. This larger Berlingo feels less agile and immediate in its responses than the original but most operators will accept a slight loss there, and in terms of cornering body control, because the van’s ride comfort and refinement are both very impressive. Road and engine noise are well contained making sure that big distances fly by and the steering is light, combining with the tight 11m turning circle to aid manoeuvring. Our only gripe is that the five-speed manual gearbox is something of a let down with its sloppy long throw action.

There are two Berlingo bodystyles to consider and both are on the large side of what we expect from a compact van. The space in the back is accessed through side-hinged doors which reveal a compartment that’s 1,800mm long in our L1 version and never less than 1,229mm wide. Sliding side doors are available as options as is a hinged roof flap through which long items can be poked. The loading lip at the rear is nice and low and the load bay gets excellent protection from its contents courtesy of panelling that extends halfway up the sides of the vehicle. The standard bulkhead is a ladder frame behind the driver’s seat only and an unusual touch is the load compartment light that can be detached and used as a torch.

Citroen offers the Berlingo in two trim levels, X and LX. Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, a trip computer, a CD stereo, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors. The LX adds remote central locking, heated electric wing mirrors and an external temperature sensor. There’s also the considerable pulling power of a standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and vehicle tracking system.

Internally, the Citroen Berlingo is an impressive piece of work with good quality materials and neat design. The storage space is abundant and buyers can choose between two front seats or a three-seater bench fitted to our test car. True, the middle seat legroom is severely impeded by the dash-mounted gearstick but it is useful to have if you’ve an extra child with you. Frequently, I’ve wanted to thank Citroen for fitting it when circumstances have required me to pick my older two kids up from school.

They seem to think that Berlingo motoring is huge fun and, in somewhat tempered fashion, I’m inclined to agree that this is a very likeable - and very usable - compact van that, well, isn’t that compact..