For many families, tradespeople and small business owners, the Berlingo represents a no-nonsense approach to motoring with plenty of room inside, durability and a character all its own. The current, third-generation car has been around since 2018, although it was given a major facelift in 2023. It offers a greater focus on modern technology and comfort than its predecessors – with a fully electric version now available for the first time – while still retaining the spirit that made those older vehicles so popular. However, with SUVs seemingly sweeping all that goes before, and strong competition from the likes of the Ford Tourneo Connect, does the Berlingo still have what it takes to not only survive but thrive? We’ve been taking a closer look to find out.
The Citroen Berlingo proves that practicality and comfort don’t have to be dull. With benign handling, clever modularity, and plenty of kit across the range, it’s one of the most family-friendly vehicles you can buy. Whether you’re ferrying children, carrying luggage, or loading tools and equipment, the Berlingo’s versatile interior and thoughtful storage solutions make life much easier.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioA look at Citroen’s price and specification guide shows that the cheapest option in the Berlingo range starts at a very reasonable £25,495 for an entry-level diesel. For an extra £125 you can buy the only petrol version in the lineup. Prices then rise to £29,855 for the range-topping Berlingo XL diesel (which has seven seats), significantly cheaper than the equivalent Ford Tourneo Connect. For buyers who want to go electric, the e-Berlingo kicks off at £32,315 for the entry-level model, rising to £35,035 if you want to get your hands on the top-of-the-range spec. Value can also be found on the used market, where plenty of second-hand Berlingo stock can be found listed on AA Cars. Post-facelift cars can be found for as little as £18,000 with electrified versions ranking among the cheapest. While this may sound like a bargain, it is worth remembering that EVs do depreciate significantly faster than their petrol equivalents, which could come back to bite you a few years down the line.
Citroen offers the Berlingo in a wide range of different powertrains, in a bid to appeal to as many different needs as possible. The sole petrol offering is a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 110 bhp. Elsewhere, diesel buyers can choose between two 1.5-litre units that produce either 100 bhp or 130 bhp, depending on which trim level you go for. All versions of the e-Berlingo get a 100 kW electric motor, which is paired with a 50 kWh battery to produce 136 bhp and take the vehicle from 0–62 in around 11.5 seconds. The system is also compatible with 100 kW DC fast charging, allowing drivers to regain most of their range in around 30–40 minutes.
The Berlingo represents an excellent all-round option that is capable of doing a little bit of everything you throw at it. Around town, it feels light and manoeuvrable, while the upright and raised seating position offers excellent visibility out onto the road. In urban environments, the e-Berlingo is particularly impressive thanks to its instant torque and acceleration, which make it adept in stop-start traffic and darting down side streets to avoid jams. When you get out of town and head for the motorway, the Berlingo remains stable and composed and is very comfortable at 70 mph. While it may not be the most refined offering that money can buy, with wind and road noise a bit of an issue at higher speeds, it is a very capable motorway cruiser if you are taking the family away for the weekend.
Unsurprisingly given its van-like body, the Berlingo’s handling is more functional than sporty. The suspension is soft and comfortable on most road surfaces, offering excellent protection to passengers and heavy loads inside the cabin. While the steering is pretty accurate, it does lack a bit of feedback, which, teamed with the Berlingo’s tall body, can lead to a fair bit of roll if you try to get too adventurous through the corners. While by no means exciting to drive, the Berlingo does at least feel well balanced, even on XL models which add extra rear overhang. Overall, the Berlingo delivers exactly what most buyers in this segment are looking for when it comes to a car’s handling: it is predictable, forgiving, and comfortable.
The Berlingo is a vehicle that puts practicality at its heart and that is very clear to see when you step inside the cabin. Whereas most modern SUVs are constantly trying to push the boat out and offer as much luxury as possible, back in the MPV space, the Berlingo is staying true to its roots. The interior is dominated by hard-wearing plastics with large and well-laid-out controls throughout. While some trims do look to add a splash of colour here and there, by and large the cabin is functional rather than plush.
This is where the Berlingo really comes into its own, with the standard car offering an impressive 775 litres of boot capacity, rising to 1,050 litres in XL models, which also add an extra row of seats. The seats themselves can be folded, slid or even removed altogether if necessary, leading to a total capacity of up to 5,000 litres in the back. The cabin features clever storage solutions including overhead ‘Top Box’ compartments, door bins, cupholders, and hidden cubbies which make it perfect for families, delivery drivers, or anyone who just likes a bit of order in the cabin. In the e-Berlingo there is also a small front storage area under the bonnet, ideal for storing charging cables.
While the Berlingo may put functionality first, that does not mean that Citroen have scrimped when it comes to kitting the Berlingo out properly. A 10-inch central touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is standard on most trims, while higher trims add digital instrument clusters, connected navigation, reversing cameras, and optional passenger-side screens for infotainment control, as well as heated front seats and ambient lighting. Optional packs can also be purchased to enhance parking, motorway safety, and interior luxury, meaning buyers can personalise the car to match their own needs.
Both regular and XL versions of the Berlingo come in two main trims: Feel and Flair XTR. While both offer excellent practicality, it is worth going for the latter if you can, which has a few more premium touches that are certainly very welcome. The bodywork can be finished in a choice of Ice White, Platinum Grey, Deep Blue, Perla Nera Black and Cumulus Grey, while optional colour packs for the fog light and Airbump surrounds can also be picked up in white, Anodised Blue or orange.
The Berlingo comes with a good level of safety kit as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, and driver attention alerts. Higher trims offer blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and parking aids. The car was last tested by Euro NCAP in 2018, when it got a four-star rating. The Berlingo’s simple approach has generally led to good reliability scores over the years, with the EV particularly strong on this front owing to it having fewer moving parts.
When it comes to efficiency, numbers vary depending on which trim level you go for but all vehicles do fall between 37.1 mpg and 54.4 mpg, according to official figures. Meanwhile, the e-Berlingo has a claimed range of up to 177 miles on a single charge. While this is very much at the lower end of what you would expect from a modern EV, it is more than enough for most day-to-day driving around town. When it comes to emissions, petrol and diesels fall between 149 g/km and 171 g/km, while the e-Berlingo sends out zero tailpipe emissions. As a fully electric vehicle, the e-Berlingo is no longer exempt from road tax and is now subject to a normal rate of £10 in the first year, then £195 from year two. For those who need to travel to London, it also qualifies for a 25% discount when driving in London’s congestion charge zone.
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