BERLINGO CITROËN
It may be strictly no frills but the Berlingo is starting to prove its worth as a reliable and competent performer, says James Dallas
Long-term Test Final Report
Enterprise Edition Crew Van XL BlueHDi 100
Mileage 1,165
Official combined fuel economy 47.0mpg Our average consumption Price (ex VAT) Warranty
42.7mpg £25,130
Service intervals Load length
3yrs/60,000mls 2yrs/25,000mls 1,450mm
Load width (min/max) 1,229mm/1,550mm Load bay height
1,243mm
Load volume (with seats folded) 3.8 m3 Gross payload
Braked towing weight Engine size/power CO2
843kg 1,250kg
1,499cc/102hp 158g/km
Options (prices ex VAT) Rear parking sensors
Colour touchscreen with Citroen Connect Navigation
‘
ack to basics’ was a political slogan coined by then prime minister John Major in the 1990s that quite rapidly came to be viewed as being as hollow as the promises made about Brexit two decades later by some of his predecessors.
B When the phrase is applied to our
long-term Berlingo Enterprise Edition Crew Van, however, it can be seen in a more positive light. If you’re looking for a stylish, head-
turner of an LCV packed to the gills with the latest gizmos then it’s not for you, but if you’re after a practical, frugal workhorse that drives well too, then it could be just the job.
The Enterprise Edition is not without creature comforts, the air-conditioning efficiently keeps the cabin cool in hot weather, DAB radio is included as standard and the 8in touchscreen is clear and easy to use. The Citroën Connect Navigation included on my van as an option can be relied upon to get you to your destination while the height and reach-adjustable steering wheel and six-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support make it easy to find
@whatvan
the most suitable driving position. I like the single passenger seat layout in the crew van that provides both driver and front passenger with plenty of shoulder room, allows for a manual handbrake to be fitted between the seats and means there is never a temptation to squeeze an unfortunate third person into the front of the cab. In addition, the front passenger seat in the crew van can be folded down to create more loadspace. The 1.5-litre 100hp BlueHDI engine does not deliver blistering pace but performs well both in urban and extra- urban environments, is impressively torque-y even at low speeds and pulls strongly across the rev range. A turning circle of 11.4m helps to make the Enterprise XL easy to manoeuvre in tight city streets. This puts it on a par with the long-wheelbase Renault Kangoo but compares favourably to other LWB rivals such as the Ford Transit Connect (12.2m) and Volkswagen Caddy Maxi (12.1m).
The steering is nicely weighted and offers decent feedback when needed on winding roads where it combines well with the surprisingly slick six- speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile,
July 2023 WhatVan? 29
the Berlingo seems to be equally content plodding along long stretches of motorway although the fact that the cruise control is not adaptable means I have not made use of it as I believe this can be more of a hindrance than a help to safety if you chance upon slow- moving or stationary traffic. Back within city limits and the Enterprise Edition’s side rubbing strips and hubcap-clad 16in steel wheels help to guard against the occupational hazards that could result in scrapes and scuffs.
Spare wheel
£200
£450 £105
Report card Handling/performance
4/5
For a no-nonsense working van both are impressive.
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