Citroen Berlingo 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

The Berlingo was launched by Citroen back in 1996, and was claimed by its maker to be the first small van of its kind. Functional, and with distinctive French styling, the original Berlingo survived a 17-year production run until it was overlapped by the current model back in 2008.

But with an all-new Citroen Berlingo just around the corner, we thought the run-out model was worth another look.

Powered by a 72kW/152Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, the French-built light commercial van offers up to 850kg payload via a dual sliding side or rear barn-style doors. The Berlingo L1’s cargo bay offers up to 3300 litres (or 3.7 cubic metres) of usable space but is not wide enough to accommodate a standard Australian pallet between the wheel arches.

The Berlingo’s tow rating is set at 1100kg (braked).

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249626" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-4.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

How much will it cost?

The Berlingo has always offered plenty of van for the money. But with the B9C-series currently in run-out, Citroen is offering drive-away deals across the three-variant line-up.

The entry-spec short-wheelbase Berlingo L1 (72kW petrol) on test is yours for $19,990 while the mid-grade Berlingo L2 (66kW turbo-diesel) is now $23,990. Add an automatic transmission and gutsier 73kW turbo-diesel to the mix and the L2 sells for $27,990. All prices are drive-away.

A Look Pack including fog lights, LED daytime running lights and cornering lights, body-coloured door handles, bumpers and wing mirrors, and a chrome grille adds $800 to the list price, as does metallic paint (on any hue bar white). Side and passenger airbags are likewise an $800 option. None of these options were fitted to our test car.

Citroen offers a three-year/100,000km warranty on its commercial vehicle range with included roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first).

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-18.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249638" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-18.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?

Obviously, the Berlingo is made for people with a need to carry things regularly and who don’t need the open carrying space or off-road ability afforded by a 4WD dual-cab ute, for example.

The Berlingo offers a decent mix of infotainment and safety gear including a 7.0-inch touchscreen with reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony, and voice activation.

Ergonomics are decent, without being exemplary. The seat is adjustable through the usual ranges and the slightly (inboard) offset steering column offering tilt and reach adjustment. Door pockets join a 4.1-litre storage compartment behind the steering wheel, and a decent glovebox in adding sufficient oddment storage for most users. Navigation comes courtesy of screen mirroring via your smartphone.

The Berlingo handles itself reasonably well in busy city traffic, the multipoint injected 1.6-litre engine needing 3500rpm or more to keep pace with the flow. Gear shifts present a long but positive throw with a light but high clutch take-up, the ratio spread is wonderfully matched to the application with a low first and second for load lugging, and high (overdrive) fifth for highway fuel economy.

We found the ride well sorted considering the relatively short wheelbase (2728mm), a little weight soon settling the stiffer coil-sprung trailing arm rear-end. By contrast, the MacPherson strut front-end feels almost car-like in its compliance, and in conjunction with variable electro-hydraulic steering points accurately in corners. Citroen claims a 11.0m turning circle for the Berlingo, which is decent considering the van’s 4380mm overall length.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-11.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249631" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-11.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

When is it available in Australia?

The Citroen Berlingo range is available now, however, stocks are limited. The all-new model – based on PSA Group’s EMP2 platform and shared with the Peugeot Partner – is expected in local showrooms by September. It’s believed the new model will offer improved driver dynamics, a larger cabin area, and additional load space. Payload will increase to 1000kg (+150kg).

Additional safety and infotainment technology is also expected with the new model’s arrivals, Citroen detailing dual-zone climate control, head-up display, wireless phone charging, auto lights and wipers, and an electric park brake in early correspondence. A larger 8.0-inch infotainment array with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control are also on the list.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-20-5wpj.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249639" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-20-5wpj.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

Who will it appeal to?

It’s at this point that everyone suggests florists. Weird, eh? But realistically, the Berlingo is a great fit for most trade or light agricultural operators, courier and delivery drivers, maintenance outfits, landscapers… you get the idea.

With better cargo area security than a ute, a lower load-bed height, and more agile manoeuvrability, the Berlingo is a terrific option to increasingly large – and increasingly expensive – light commercial utilities. It’s also cheaper to run and service, and with skinny 15 x 6.5-inch steel wheels and 195/65 tyres a bargain to reshoe.

Safety items extend to anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, a driver’s airbag, reversing camera and cruise control. The Berlingo scored a three-star EuroNCAP safety rating when tested in 2014.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-16.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249636" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-16.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

Where does it fit?

VFACTS bundles the Citroen Berlingo in the sub-2.5-tonne van category. Here it competes with the likes of the Fiat Doblo, (recently discontinued) Peugeot Partner, Renault Kangoo, (also discontinued) Suzuki APV and Volkswagen Caddy.

Year-to-date, Citroen has sold just 63 examples of the Berlingo for a 4.9 per cent share of the segment. Volkswagen leads the field with 871 Caddy sales ahead of the Renault Kangoo (320 units) and Fiat Doblo (36 units).

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-15.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249635" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-15.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

So, what do we think?

The Berlingo’s cabin décor and hard plastics might fall short of the mark in 2018, but the two-seat cabin is nonetheless well thought-out. For trade or delivery use, the little Citroen packs in a lot of flexibility, and with a surprisingly generous payload capacity challenges many high-spec dual-cab utilities (it’s just 57kg shy of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, for example) while also being a fraction of the price.

It might feel a little outmoded, but the Citroen Berlingo certainly lives up to its claims. It’s efficient, immensely practical, seemingly well-built and easy to live with; and at $19,990 drive-away a bargain when viewed against its immediate peers.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-249628" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/citroen-berlingo-6.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

How much does a 2018 Citroen Berlingo L1 cost?

Price: $19,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 72kW/152Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined); 7.1L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Three-star EuroNCAP (2014)

Related reading:

>> New Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner revealed
>> Geneva Motor Show: Citroen Berlingo renewed