The Citroen Berlingo is a small van that can deal with a wide range of loads. It's comfortable to drive, has a good load area and offers a range of high-tech features to help you work more efficiently.
Payloads vary between models but you can expect to carry up to a maximum of 982kg. Towing capacity is also an important consideration for many van owners.
Rear load area
With the rear and front passenger seats folded and the through-loading hatch open, up to 3.4 cubic metres of load space can be achieved. This is the same maximum as that offered by the standard Citroen Berlingo van with its single sliding door, although with the XL version the cargo area extends up to 3050mm thanks to a longer overhang behind the rear wheel arches and twin sliding side doors.
Cargo volume and payloads are a vital consideration for any small van owner, particularly as you can expect to carry goods of all sizes. You'll also need to consider how much towing capacity you're looking for. Some models are capable of towing up to a 1200kg trailer, while others can tackle heavier loads.
For those who regularly carry a large amount of freight, the long wheelbase (LWB) version of the berlingo van is worth considering. It offers a lot of extra space, and is especially recommended for those who need to transport goods over long distances.
The LWB is available in two lengths, the M and XL, which are both 4.4m and 4.75m long, respectively. The M has a load volume of 3.3 cubic metres, while the XL offers a capacity of 3.8 cubic metres. The M is available with a through-loading bulkhead as well as a through-loading hatch, while the XL gets an Extenso pack which adds a through-loading bulkhead and an extra half a cubic metre of cargo volume where the front passenger seats are located.
You'll find plenty of storage in the berlingo van cabin, with an overhead compartment, deep door pockets, a box under the driver's seat and a top box that can carry a 15" laptop. There's also an optional 220V power socket and a USB port to keep your devices charged up.
The berlingo van range also includes the modular crew van, which has been designed to offer an alternative to the traditional panel van, providing greater flexibility for businesses and professional users who need to transport longer items and people. Its unique layout allows the second row of seats and adjustable mesh bulkhead to be repositioned to accommodate a wide variety of objects.
Load securing rings
If you're looking for a commercial vehicle that can tackle tough terrain, look no further than the ground clearance berlingo van. It comes in two body lengths and can carry a load of up to 3.8 cubic metres or 1,009kg, depending on the version. Its 60/40 split rear panel doors open to a full 180 degrees for easy loading, while its wide body means that it can carry two Euro pallets.
With a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, the Berlingo is an excellent choice for transporting loads and its spacious cabin offers plenty of room for working on the job. Its standard features include electronic stability control, hill start assist and a driver's airbag. It also has a 12V socket and a wireless smartphone charger as well as an overload indicator.
To make loading easier, the Berlingo comes with six tie-down hooks and a full bulkhead. The rear door can be slid open to provide extra space and all versions bar the entry-level X trim come with a protective load cover. Among its many other clever features, the Berlingo has an Overload Indicator that warns you when it's approaching or exceeding its maximum payload.
Citroen Berlingo has been a top seller in the UK for over a quarter of a century and its quirky looks, practical capabilities and low running costs have helped it to continue to be popular. The new 'New Berlingo Van' takes the successful formula and adds a modern, vivacious design with flowing lines that are free from aggression. Entrümpelung Berlin
The interior of the New Berlingo Van is designed with comfort in mind and features an acoustic treatment that filters out road imperfections to ensure a calmer drive, as well as smart materials throughout the cabin. For example, the dashboard is made of hardwearing TPO, the central console is made from solid wood and the doors and seats are manufactured from robust, smart materials.
Unlike other small vans on the market, the Worker version of the New Berlingo Van comes with 30mm of additional ground clearance and underbody protection, meaning it's more resilient to tough terrain. It also features three front seats, a protective plate under the engine and enhanced traction with Grip Control(r) and hill descent control.
Overload indicator
The ground clearance berlingo van is an excellent choice for businesses that transport heavy loads. It's comfortable to drive, economical to run and has a host of high-tech options available as standard.
It also comes with a wealth of safety features, including emergency braking and lane keeping assistance, along with adaptive cruise control and a surround view camera system. And there's more - a new Overload Indicator that alerts the driver when it's carrying too much weight, which should help to prevent fines and other penalties.
With a payload of up to 1050kg in some configurations, the Berlingo is an extremely capable small van, especially considering it's based on the same platform as the Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo. Its lighter underpinnings grant a shorter front overhang and smaller turning circle, so it's more agile and responsive than before.
Despite its light body, the new Berlingo retains a striking appearance and 'van spirit' with vertical lights on each side, a short and high bonnet and a bespoke body style reminiscent of the larger Citroen Dispatch. Alexandre Malval, Citroen's Design Director, led the development of the van's look, which takes inspiration from passenger models such as the C3 Aircross and C3 to add a sense of distinction.
While the redesigned body gives it an even more distinctive look than before, the Berlingo is still a practical and efficient work van that will prove to be popular with business owners. It's offered in two sizes - M and XL - and in 'Worker' and 'Driver' specifications - the former offering additional ground clearance and underbody protection.
In terms of driving comfort, the new van benefits from a modern dashboard layout and a range of useful in-vehicle technologies that enhance ease-of-use. The smart materials used on the dashboard, central console and doors are suited to business use, while the hardwearing TPO floor covering can be easily cleaned.
The new van also has a choice of two diesel engines, a BlueHDi 1.5 with 130PS and an all-new PureTech 1.2 with 110PS or 130PS. Both will be available with a six-speed manual or EAT8 automatic gearbox, and they are expected to offer more affordable fuel costs than their predecessors.
Grip control
Since its launch in 1996, the Berlingo has established itself as Britain’s best-selling light commercial vehicle. The third generation of this venerable model is now on sale and has brought plenty of innovation to the small van sector.
Grip control has been fitted to some models of the ground clearance berlingo, including the Worker, and is designed to help professionals working on building sites. This feature allows drivers to select one of five different modes - Standard, Snow, Sand, Mud or ESP Off - depending on the surface they’re driving on.
It’s a simple and effective feature that improves front wheel grip on slippery and uneven surfaces and is particularly useful in mud or sand. It also helps to prevent the wheels from locking up under heavy loads.
For the average driver, this is a feature that will make day-to-day driving a much more pleasant experience. In addition, it could save you money by helping to avoid costly damage to your van.
On our road test of the XTR model, we found that the Citroen Berlingo coped very well with steeper inclines than you might expect. We did have to switch into a lower gear at times, but it was still easy to drive on these kinds of surfaces and the brakes were responsive.
The XTR version also featured an interesting technology package, as the dashboard was dominated by a large infotainment screen. This screen is angled towards the driver, meaning that you don’t need to take your eyes off the road to see what’s happening inside, and it also offers a number of handy storage spaces.
As with the previous model, there are several trim levels to choose from. Entry-level X models come with a host of features and are great value for money, while the higher-spec versions offer extra safety features and high-tech equipment.
There are a number of engines to choose from, too. The most popular is the 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100, which has 75bhp and 185Nm of torque. You can pick it up in both diesel and petrol guise. It's a good choice for a Berlingo, as it balances performance and affordability without being too power-hungry or overly expensive to run.
