Citroen Berlingo van review (2025)

• Two diesel options
• Easy to drive with tidy handling and good visibility
• Comfortable ride 

The Citroen Berlingo is an easy van to drive, with a range of engines that suit its character well, although the least powerful BlueHDi 75 model may feel a little gutless when loaded up. This has now been ditched from the range, though.

What are the Citroen Berlingo diesel engines like?

The Berlingo was available with the following diesel engines at its launch in early 2019:

• BlueHDi 75: 1.6-litre, 75hp @ 3,500rpm / 230Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 100: 1.6-litre, 99hp @ 3,750rpm / 254Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 130: 1.5-litre, 131hp @ 3,750rpm / 300Nm @ 1,750rpm

By September 2019 the two 1.6-litre motors had also been replaced by more modern 1.5-litre equivalents (the BlueHDi 130 stayed as it was):

• BlueHDi 75: 1.5-litre, 76hp @ 3,500rpm / 230Nm @ 1,750rpm
• BlueHDi 100: 1.5-litre, 102hp @ 3,500rpm / 250Nm @ 1,750rpm

This will be slightly confusing for used buyers, as the newer 1.5-litre engines meet more stringent emissions regulations, giving them on-paper fuel economy that's actually worse, but in day-to-day use, you're unlikely to notice a great deal of difference.

The BlueHDi 75 is best suited to use around town with light loads, as it doesn't quite have the legs to get up and go on the motorway like the higher-output versions do. Failing to appeal to many buyers, it's now discontinued from the UK range.

The BlueHDi 100 is better for those splitting time between urban and faster roads, the combination of more power and a bit more usable torque making it a more effortless van to drive, and better able to cope with extra payload.

Move up to the BlueHDi 130 and you'll certainly appreciate the extra performance, making lighter work of big loads and longer journeys. At the time of writing it was only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The rest of the range originally had to make do with a five-speed manual. This is precise, but a little notchy, and makes the engine louder on the motorway. This has now been upgraded so every version gets the six-speed 'box, which helps reduce the noise it makes when travelling at faster speeds. Put all this together, and the BlueHDi 100 is the understandable biggest seller. 

What are the Citroen Berlingo petrol engines like?

Those using their Berlingo largely in town may be swayed by the 110hp PureTech petrol engine, especially if you’re concerned about the diesel emissions issues that have been hitting the headlines in recent times. You will have to shop for a used example now, though, and they’re quite hard to find as few chose their Berlingo without a diesel. 

This is a surprisingly eager engine with a characterful three-cylinder thrum, and despite its modest 151Nm has plenty of pull when going up hills – more so than you might expect.

However, it’s not always the smoothest and can become quite vocal at higher revs. Longer journeys may prove a chore for this reason, and it certainly won't match the diesels for mpg. The vast majority of buyers still choose the diesel, and the petrol is quite hard to find on the used market as a result. 

Citroen Berlingo handling and ride comfort

The way the Berlingo rides depends on the version you go for – we find the diesels ride best, most likely because of the greater weight of the four-cylinder engines up front.

By comparison, the lightweight PureTech 110 Berlingo feels quite bouncy and fidgety over rough surfaces. However, all versions deal with speed humps and rough surfaces more than acceptably for a small van, and better than most rivals can manage.

As for the Berlingo's handling, there's body roll, but it's well controlled and the van never feels like it's going to topple over.

The steering isn’t exactly full of feel, but it’s more responsive with greater feedback than the Peugeot Partner's small steering wheel setup. While it might look sporty in the Partner, it feels more natural and easier to place in the Citroen.

Forward visibility is good, thanks to high seating and big windows, though we sometimes find these vans seem wider than they actually are for some reason.

What if you go for the Citroen Berlingo Worksite Pack?

Go for a Berlingo with the Worksite Pack and it features Citroen's Grip Control system – to boost traction on slippery surfaces – and an extra 30mm of ground clearance with additional underside protection. It's intended to make the van better-suited to construction sites.

The Grip Control system is an advanced form of traction control that lets you twist a dial to adjust the settings based on the kind of road surface you’re driving on, and is complemented by a set of chunkier tyres for maximum effect.

It works well, even in pretty sticky mud, but if you need proper four-wheel drive, Citroen can offer a Berlingo with this capability via an approved aftermarket conversion.

• Welcome improvement as part of 2024 update
• Light and spacious inside
• Easy-to-use technology

The biggest change made as part of the Berlingo’s 2024 update is inside. This van already had a driver-focused layout, but that’s improved further now, especially on all but the base trim that comes with a much-improved 10-inch touchscreen and easily customisable digital dial display. 

The impressive appearance of this screen means you won't necessarily notice all the useful storage spaces straight away, or the manner in which the ventilation controls seem to have been tucked too far away beneath it. Still, at least there are buttons, rather than having all the controls moved to the touchscreen. We digress.

On Crew Cab models with seats in the back, rear passengers enjoy plenty of legroom, though it’s rather tight for three across the bench especially if they’re more burly than ballerina. You won’t really want to do any long trips, though, as the unglazed side doors mean it’s very cave-like back there. And the seating area itself is very Spartan, with little trim on the doors and no armrests, making it less than hospitable.

The sliding bulkhead is It’s a frankly brilliant piece of design. Balancing load area with passenger space is one thing, but this offers true separation of the two parts of the van making life safer for all occupants.

The mesh bulkhead essentially hangs from two rails in the ceiling. In its standard position, it sits behind the second row of seats. All you have to do is fold the middle row flat into the floor – very easily done – and then twist two handles, and then you can slide the bulkhead forward to sit just behind the front two seats.

It locks into place with the two aforementioned handles and two catches that seat themselves in the B-pillar.

It’s a very easy process, though annoyingly those catches don’t stay open – so to make it a one-person job, you’d need to position yourself awkwardly between the two front seats to grab them both at once. Far easier to have someone help you out.

With the bulkhead in its rearmost position, the load area is 1,450mm long with a 1.8m3 load volume – that’s big enough to comfortably accommodate a Euro pallet.

Fold the middle row of seats and slide the bulkhead forward and you’ll liberate a 2,000mm load length and 3.5m3 volume.

The bulkhead also has a load-through hatch, allowing you to carry longer items – up to 3,050mm.

Citroen Berlingo driving position

It’s easy to get comfortable inside the Berlingo – easier than in the Peugeot Partner with its i-Cockpit and associated tiny steering wheel – with plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column, and a good view of the road ahead.

The gearlever is mounted high on the centre console, placing it within easy reach, while an electronic handbrake frees up space in the middle of cabin where two seats are fitted, and means no awkward fishing around for a lever on three-seater models.

As with most Citroens, the seats are also fantastic. We did a four-hour journey with the Berlingo and never felt like we needed to stop because the seats were soft and supportive. If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel of your van, it’s worth trying the Berlingo for this reason alone. 

Citroen Berlingo storage

Citroen, together with Peugeot and Vauxhall, claims there are class-leading levels of storage in this Berlingo, with up to 113 litres of space for stuff in the cab.

This is distributed between a small glovebox, large door bins, a shelf above the front seats, a dashboard box large enough for an average laptop where a passenger airbag would normally be (it’s moved to the roof), and another box on top of the dials if you don’t specify the optional head-up display.

There’s also a small tray ideal for a mobile phone (wireless charging is available here) located just beneath the heating and ventilation controls, keeping your valuables tucked away.

Citroen Berlingo touchscreen infotainment system

The Berlingo’s previous 8.0-inch screen has now been upgraded to 10 inches, bringing a big improvement in terms of usability. All but the entry-level Enterprise model come with this as standard, and it’s the same system borrowed from Citroen’s car line-up. That brings some big improvements in usability, with the screen now being far more responsive and generally easier to use than the previous system. Its location makes it easy to reach, and it controls everything from the sat-nav and radio to the phone and general vehicle settings.

A set of small air-con ventilation controls sit beneath the screen, pushed quite far back, making it a little tricky to quickly use these. The need to take your eyes off the road to change the temperature is a disappointment, though as we’ve mentioned, at least they are not permanently on the screen like a Volkswagen Caddy.

Any other interesting technology on-board?

Rear visibility is always an issue in vans, and while most drivers quickly come to terms with this, van makers are increasingly turning to technology to try and improve the situation.

So, in addition to conventional blindspot monitors, the Berlingo (as well as the Partner and the Combo), is available with a camera system that pairs with a 5.0-inch screen that sits where a conventional rear view mirror would be located. You can choose to have it on or off but it significantly improves rear visibility. It’s only included on the top-spec Driver specification, though. 

• BlueHDi diesel engines return good mpg
• Lots of standard kit
• Should prove cost-effective

A wide choice of trim levels, modern engines and reasonable service intervals should make the Berlingo an attractively priced choice when it comes to running costs.

How much does the Citroen Berlingo van cost?

At the time of writing in May 2025, the Berlingo van is priced from £21,545, excluding VAT. This represents a notable increase over the original pricing from when it was launched but this is an industry-wide issue, and certainly not unique to the Berlingo. Pricing is identical to the Peugeot Partner, but it’s around £600 cheaper than a Vauxhall Combo panel van. 

It’s well worth paying an additional £600 for the Enterprise-Plus trim, which represents great value for money, and costs from £22,195, while the top-spec £23,585. It’s £900 more expensive to have a Berlingo in long-wheelbase XL form,too.

Citroen Berlingo van mpg

The latest Berlingo van models have the following claimed WLTP fuel economy:

• BlueHDi 100 diesel: 46.0-54.4mpg / 136-161g/km CO2
• BlueHDi 130 diesel: 43.0-51.9mpg / 143-171g/km CO2

All the diesels require AdBlue, and are fitted with a 17-litre tank for this. The now-discontinued BlueHDi 75 claimed 45.6-51.4mpg WLTP.

Citroen Berlingo van warranty

All Citroen vans come with a three-year / 100,000-mile warranty, although the first two years of this warranty allow unlimited mileage.

Citroen Berlingo van service intervals

Service intervals are variable dependent on use, but the van will notify the user when a service is required. Typically, the intervals are:

• 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel models: 15,000 miles or one year
• 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel models: 25,000 miles or two years
• 1.2-litre PureTech petrol models: 12,500 miles or one year

Citroen Berlingo van Enterprise standard equipment:

• Air conditioning
• Electric front windows
• 6-way adjustable driver’s seat
• Phone mount
• Bluetooth and USB socket
• Remote locking
• Rear parking sensors
• Cruise control with speed limiter
• Manual handbrake
• Automatic LED headlights with high beam assist

Citroen Berlingo van Enterprise Plus standard equipment (in addition to Enterprise):

• 10-inch digital instrument cluster
• Electric parking brake
• Modular folding passenger seat
• 10-inch touchscrreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Citroen Berlingo van Driver standard equipment highlights (in addition to Enterprise Plus )

• Digital rear view mirror
• Front parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Blind spot monitoring
• Automatic wipers
• Remote alarm system
• Body colour rear bumpers
• Front fog lights
• Electric folding mirrors

The previous Berlingo sold in huge numbers and features components that have also been used for a long time, many of which have been carried over to this new model. This should be good news for reliability.

Newer parts are shared with PSA’s more recent passenger vehicles and have proven dependable, although issues with the touchscreen media systems aren't uncommon. We would also avoid the petrol PureTech engine, which features a ‘wetbelt’ design where the cambelt needs to run through oil to be lubricated, and therefore needs regular maintenance and oil changes, which are often neglected on commercial vehicles. 

There has already been a recall on this generation of Berlingo, too, in order to fix a potential fault with the handbrake mechanism on a small number of vehicles.

The Berlingo has performed well in the latest FN50 reliability survey, though its performance has continued to get worse each year since the latest model first featured.

• Citroen is proud of 20 available driver assistance systems
• Surround Rear Vision camera system helps visibility 
• EMP2 platform should mean it’s safer and more solid

There are as many as 20 driver assistance systems available on the Berlingo – the most that has ever been available on one of Citroen's commercial vehicles, boding well for its safety rating.

Citroen Berlingo safety

Here’s a list of the systems available:

• Head-up display
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go function
• Lane-departure warning
• Driver attention alert
• Coffee break alert
• Traffic sign recognition 
• Blindspot monitoring
• Distance alert
• Active safety brake
• Automatic high beam
• Cornering lights
• Hill-start assist
• Side park assist
• Reversing camera
• Trailer stability control
• Grip Control with Hill Descent Assist
• Surround rear vision

Standard equipment is quite comprehensive by van standards, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, a driver attention alert, high beam assist and rear parking sensors. Many of the further features on top of this are optional extras, however. 

Citroen Berlingo security

In terms of security, one of the biggest things Citroen is keen to point out about the Berlingo is that the hinges for the rear doors are hidden, which makes it far more difficult for any potential thieves to gain access.

Be aware that you don’t get an alarm as standard until the top-spec Driver model, though, so you might want to choose this as an optional extra if you care about your van and its belongings.