2025 Citroen Berlingo: Everything You Need To Know
While mid-size vans continue to rule sales charts, the Citroen Berlingo nevertheless stands proud as the best-selling small van in the UK.
Such status is no mean feat either. In a UK market dominated by Ford in the large van (Transit), mid-size van (Transit Custom) and pick-up (Ranger) segments, the Citroen Berlingo breaks the deadlock as Britain’s most popular small commercial vehicle.
Moreover, it does so despite having four almost identical direct rivals in the Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo, Fiat Doblo and Toyota Proace City, which are all spun off from the same platform.
So, what makes the Citroen Berlingo particularly appealing in such a hotly contested market space?
The Citroen Berlingo Has A Famous Ancestor
While there isn’t much to separate the Berlingo from its Partner/Combo/Doblo/Proace siblings in its current guise, what Citroen does have in droves in the commercial sector is heritage.
In fact, Citroen can lay claim to bringing the world one of the most iconic vans of all time – the Citroen 2CV Utility.
A panelled version of the classic 2CV, a model that was already borne out of a desire to give French labourers are hard-wearing machine to cross rutted terrains without breaking eggs, the 2CV Utility was built to be robust and durable, allowing many to remain on the road decades later.
The 2CV Utility morphed into the more practical Acadiane between 1977 and 1987 before it was replaced by the Citroen C15. Based on the Visa the C15 became a familiar sight on British roads through the late 80s and early 90s, staying on sale longer than the model it derived its underpinnings from.
However, it was that model’s replacement, the Berlingo, that really firmed up Citroen’s big sway in the commercial market.
Launched alongside the Partner, from fellow PSA members Peugeot, the Berlingo quickly gained a foothold in the UK market, both as a van and as a passenger model.
Since then, the Berlingo nameplate has endured and is now in its third generation, where it offers a choice of diesel and electric powertrains, plus several clever practical touches that have helped bolster sales against rivals as the Ford Transit Connect and Renault Kangoo.
Moreover, it recently received a facelift to brandish Citroen’s new corporate logo in line with its passenger models.
2025 Citroen Berlingo: Dimensions, Trims & Body Styles
Length: 4403mm (M), 4753mm (XL)
Height: 1796mm (M), 1812mm (XL)
Wheelbase: 2785mm (M), 2975mm (XL)
Payload:
Diesel: 982-984kg (M), 927-939kg (XL)
Electric: 759-781kg (M), 642-709kg (XL)
Cargo Capacity: 3300 litres (M), 3900 litres (XL)
Towing Capacity: 1000kg (Turbodiesel), 750kg (Electric)
Clever packaging is a big calling card of the Citroen Berlingo with what is already a large cargo bay in its own right enhanced by a few smart touches that help to accentuate its versatility.
Available in two lengths, referred to as Medium (L1) and XL (L2), plus the option of standard panel van and crew cab body styles, the Berlingo already vies for class-leading cargo capacity in standard guise.
Choose the Medium variant and the Berlingo offers a generous 3300 litres in the load bay, but this rises to 3900 litres when selecting the longer wheelbase XL.
Better still, Berlingo comes with a nifty hatch in the bulkhead that can be opened. Once you have folded the seat that sits in front of the bulkhead, it extends a portion of the load bay from a length of 1817mm (M)-2167mm (XL) to 3090mm or 3440mm respectively.
While it only applies to a section of the load area, it is ideal for transporting particularly long items, such as poles or timber, without having to secure an opened rear door.
Moreover, the Berlingo is one of only a handful of small vans on the market that can be equipped with three seats up front. While the two-person bench seat isn’t too wide, it can also be folded down to leave a flat working surface for the driver to utilise or open to a storage area.
2025 Citroen Berlingo: Engine, Performance & Drivetrains
1.5-litre Turbodiesel (101bhp, 129bhp)
52kWh Electric (134bhp)
Citroen was one of the pioneers of an electric van movement that is slowly gaining momentum. In fact, it dabbled with electric power as early as 2010, though technology has come a long way in the 15 years since.
Three different power options are available with the Citroen Berlingo: two 1.5-litre turbodiesel models generating 101bhp and 129bhp, plus a 52kWh electric version with 134bhp on tap.
Except for power output, where the turbodiesel BlueHDi 100 and BlueHDi 130 (as they are known) differ from one another is the transmission. The entry-level BlueHDi 100 is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the BlueHDi comes with an automatic transmission.
The most powerful of the trio, however, is the electric e-Berlingo, which backs up its sprightly nature with an impressive 213 miles of range on a WLTP combined cycle. This makes the e-Berlingo one of the most frugal in an increasingly competitive small electric van marketplace.
Moreover, 0-80% of charge can be achieved using a 100kW rapid charger in just 30 minutes.
It makes the e-Berlingo ideal for ‘last mile deliveries’ with its generous range flexibility and short turnaround time.
2025 Citroen Berlingo: Interior, Specification & Features
Three trim levels are available with the Citroen Berlingo: Enterprise, Enterprise-Plus and Driver.
Each trim is generously equipped with standard kit available at Enterprise level – and therefore all other trims – including air-conditioning, electric power assisted steering wheel, electric front windows, six-way adjustable seating, Bluetooth and USB socket, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, electronic stability control, driver/passenger/side airbags, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, cruise control, driver attention alert, tyre pressure monitoring, LED headlights, electric door mirrors, and twin sliding doors (XL only).
Upgrade to Enterprise-Plus and the smartphone cradle in the Enterprise models is replaced by a multimedia audio system that features a 10-inch HD colour touchscreen, Wi-Fi mirroring, 2 USB connections and two speakers. The trim also comes with a folding passenger bench to allow three people to sit up front, while the seats themselves are developed from Citroen’s own innovative EXTENSO comfort design.
Choose Driver as your trim and you get all of the above, plus Dynamic Surround View, which features a digital rear-view mirror and lateral side view, blind spot detection, front and rear park assist and a reversing camera.
It also comes with rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, remote control alarm system, a fully integrated satellite navigation system, 4G connectivity with voice control and front fog lights.
Lease A Citroen Van With Vansdirect
The Citroen Berlingo is the smallest of the commercial options available to lease with Vansdirect.
It is joined in Vansdirect’s Citroen commercial range by the mid-size Citroen Berlingo , which is available in diesel or electric powertrains (Citroen e-Dispatch).
At the top of the Citroen commercial range is the Citroen Berlingo, which is available in standard, long and high body styles, as well as diesel and electric powertrains (Citroen e-Relay).
