Thinking of getting a Citroen Berlingo?
The style of the car
The Citroen Berlingo’s no-nonsense approach starts with its styling and a tall, wide body that’s designed to maximise interior space. As a multi-purpose vehicle, or MPV, it does resemble a van somewhat, but that’s because the Berlingo is also available in van form. The latest version (sold from 2018) has a more distinctive look than older models, with some SUV-styling details. Seven-seat XL models have a longer body for even more space.
How it drives
The Berlingo feels much like any other mid-size car from behind the steering wheel. It’s actually quite nimble, which makes nipping around town easy. And it’s not as wide as it looks, so manoeuvring into tight parking spaces is straightforward. It’s very comfortable and you and your passengers have a panoramic view out through enormous windows. Petrol and diesel engines with manual or automatic gearboxes are available. The more powerful engines are best if you regularly carry heavy loads or do long motorway journeys.
The interior
The Berlingo is a mid-size MPV with five or seven seats and a vast interior. It’s one of the few cars this size that can comfortably accommodate an adult in every seat. Three child seats fit side-by-side across the back seats and access is really easy through sliding doors. The boot is huge with the back seats in place and van-like with them folded down. With 28 storage compartments dotted around the interior, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need more space. The dashboard is user-friendly and the interior feels very sturdy. All models have air con, smartphone connectivity and cruise control.
Find out why the Berlingo is one of the best cars for fitting three child seats.
Running costs
The Berlingo costs about the same as other mid-size MPVs but, considering how much more space you get, it’s great value for money. According to official figures, petrol models give fuel economy of around 40mpg and diesels give 50mpg or more. Road tax and insurance costs are low, too. Safety experts Euro NCAP gave the Berlingo a solid four-star rating.
How it compares with similar cars
The Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life are essentially the same car as the Citroen Berlingo, with different styling details. Other rivals include the Ford Tourneo Connect and Volkswagen Caddy Life, plus more car-like MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran and Renault Scenic. The Berlingo isn’t the most sophisticated or high-tech car. But, if you want the maximum space for you and your family in a comfortable car that costs little to run, you really can’t beat the Berlingo.
Looking for a car with room for more than five people? We’ve selected our favourite used seven-seaters here.
