Citroen Berlingo vs. Renault Kangoo: Which Is The Best Small Van?
When it comes to vans, some nations have established a long and illustrious history of understanding the commercial vehicle market inside out.
The UK is one such example with the ubiquitous Ford Transit, while Germany has for a long time relied on models like the Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
However, when it comes to small vans, no nation understands what makes a successful compact commercial vehicle more than France.
With models like the 2CV Van and Fourgonnette, French powerhouses Citroen and Renault established the small van market coined on the principles of providing spacious, robust yet easy-to-manoeuvre models that could trundle over cobbles through tight and twisting towns delivering fresh boulangerie.
It’s a philosophy that has evolved over the years to ensure both manufacturers retain a significant foothold in the small van market with its latest creations, the Citroen Berlingo and Renault Kangoo.
Today, both models do far more than transport baguettes and eggs, so which is the better small van for the modern world?
Lease the Citroen Berlingo if...
- You’re thinking of going electric
- You need a large load bay and payload capacity
- You’re transporting awkward and long loads
- You spend more time driving in cities
Lease the Renault Kangoo if...
- Safety is top of your agenda
- You’re leasing a long-wheelbase small van
- You need a diesel with low running costs
- You will be towing
Lease A Citroen or Renault Van With Vansdirect
Leasing a new electric van with Vansdirect has never been easier and better value.
Get the right van at the right deal, right now with the best small van leasing deals available across a wide range of models, including the Citroen Berlingo and Renault Kangoo.
Speak to our expert team today and you could be driving a new small van for less than you think, sooner than you thought.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Cargo Load, Dimensions & Practicality
Deciding whether Citroen Berlingo or the Renault Kangoo is the more practical small van largely comes down to a fairly simple question - are you looking to lease a standard wheelbase van or a long-wheelbase van?
Indeed, while both models are available in medium or extended configuration, the Berlingo is the better packaged small van in its standard configuration, while the Kangoo trumps its rival for outright room in the larger body style.
Standard trim for the Berlingo is referred to as ‘M’, while the Kangoo is known as MWB (medium wheelbase), while the larger versions are Berlingo XL and Kangoo LWB. Both are also available in Crew Van specification with at least five seats.
In M and MWB guise, the Berlingo and Kangoo are fairly evenly matched in terms of dimensions.
Of the two, the Kangoo is slightly longer at 4486mm than the Berlingo’s 4403mm, while the former is also fractionally taller and wider.
This translates to a similar cargo volume space of 3.3 cubic metres each, though the Berlingo benefits from a slightly longer load length of 1817mm, compared to the Kangoo’s 1810mm.
The Berlingo also has a larger opening at the rear-doors, while the side sliding doors open wider at 675mm compared to 615mm for the Kangoo.
However, though the Kangoo has options to include a swivelling bulkhead and rear roof flap to allow for awkward loads, it is not as substantial as Citroen’s ‘Extenso’ system that features a load through hatch in the bulkhead on the passenger side.
Together with the opportunity to fold the front bench, it extends the load length where the hatch is situated from 1817mm to 3090mm and raises cargo capacity to 3.8 cubic metres.
It’s this expert packaging – plus the option of fitting three seats – that makes the Berlingo more preferable for those seeking a versatile standard small van.
However, if you’re in the market for an extended length or crew van, the Kangoo trumps the Berlingo for outright space.
Much of this is made possible by the Kangoo’s generous 4910mm of length, which is excess of the Berlingo’s 4753mm in its longest XL guise.
This is made possible by the Kangoo placing almost its entire extended length between the wheels, whereas the Berlingo splits the extra millimetres between the wheels and at the rear overhang.
The greater length of the Kangoo has other notable benefits too. While the side sliding door on the Berlingo M and XL versions is the same size (675mm), the Kangoo LWB opens up to 830mm.
While the Extenso option on the Berlingo XL allows for a vast 3400mm in load length, from the bulkhead back the Kangoo is the bigger van at 2230mm, compared to 2167mm.
In terms of load capacity, the Kangoo LWB beats the Berlingo XL comfortably with 4.2 cubic metres of space versus 3.9 cubic metres for the latter. In Crew Van guise, the Kangoo also betters its rival at 2.0 cubic metres to 1.8 cubic metres.
| DIMENSIONS | CITROEN BERLINGO M | RENAULT KANGOO MWB | CITROEN BERLINGO XL | RENAULT KANGOO LWB | |
| Exterior Length (mm) | 4403 | 4486 | 4753 | 4910 | |
| Exterior Height (mm) | 1796-1860 | 1864 | 1812-1860 | 1854 | |
| Exterior Width inc mirrors (mm) | 2107 | 2159 | 2107 | 2159 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2785 | 2716 | 2975 | 3100 | |
| Max Width of Side Sliding Door (mm) | 675 | 615 | 675 | 830 | |
| Max Width of Rear Opening (mm) | 1241 | 1256 | 1241 | 1256 | |
| Max Load Height of Rear Opening (mm) | 1196 | 1115 | 1196 | 1115 | |
| Max Load Length at Floor (mm) | 1817 / 3090 | 1810 | 2167 / 3440 | 2230 | |
| Max Load Height (mm) | 1200 | 1215 | 1270 | 1215 | |
| Max Load Width (mm) | 1527 | 1570 | 1527 | 1570 | |
| Width Between Wheelarches (mm) | 1229 | 1248 | 1229 | 1248 | |
| Max Load Volume (cu m) | 3.3 / 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.9 / 4.4 | 4.2 |
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Weights, Loads & Towing
For those likely to carry heavy loads, of the two small vans here, the Citroen Berlingo betters the Renault Kangoo comfortably across diesel and electric.
Indeed, the Berlingo ranks as one of the small van segment’s most generous models with regards to payload capacity with two variants able to exceed 1000kg in payload.
This comes from the Berlingo 1.5 BlueHDi 100 M and Berlingo 1.5 BlueHDi 130 M models, which offer up to 1057kg and 1059kg respectively.
Regardless of which Berlingo you choose, however, the payload is impressive with most models exceeding 900kg when paired with a petrol or diesel engine.
Both models are available as BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) with the e-Berlingo offering a superior maximum payload of 781kg at standard length, while MWB Kangoo E-Tech musters 608kg.
In extended trim, however, the Kangoo E-Tech LWB can manage 764kg, while the e-Berlingo XL will max out at 709kg.
In terms of towing capacity, the Kangoo offers the most generous braked capacity of 1500kg across the range, whereas the Berlingo ranges between 750kg and 1050kg.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Engine, Performance & Running Costs
While the Berlingoand Kangoo offer like-for-like engine options across their diesel and electric ranges, there is one noticeable difference in that the Renault is also available with a petrol variant.
Indeed, while diesel has become the ‘du jour’ engine choice for most manufacturers, the Kangoo comes with the option of a 1.3-litre 101bhp petrol engine that matches the diesels for performance, if not for fuel economy at 40.9mpg.
As such, the diesels remain the best option if you want a conventionally fuelled small van.
The Berlingo is the more powerful option of the two with its 1.5-litre Blue HDi 100 and 130 models generating 102bhp and 131bhp respectively, compared with the Kangoo’s 1.5 dCi 95 and 115 generating 94bhp and 114bhp by comparison.
Its greater ponies allow the Berlingo to have the upper hand in terms of pure performance, but on the flip-side the Kangoo is the more frugal.
Whereas the Berlingo plateaus between 43 and 46mpg for its diesels, the Kangoo can manage a up to a superior 54mpg. The Renault is also cleaner in terms of CO2.
However, the tables are flipped if you’re keen on going electric. Citroen’s 52kWh unit is larger than the Kangoo’s 44kWh battery, a bigger size that means more range at 220 miles for the former and 186 miles for the latter, while the e-Berlingo is also quicker to charge going from 0-80% in 30mins, whereas the Kangoo trails at 40mins for a 20-80% charge.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Cab & Interior
Both models benefit from hard-wearing materials in their attractive cabins that should be robust and easy to navigate.
While the base specification Berlingo has a mobile phone cradle atop the fascia, higher-specification models have a 10-inch instrument cluster displaying Bluetooth connectivity and wi-fi mirroring. The Kangoo, meanwhile, has an eight-inch display.
Of the two, the Kangoo offers the better-quality materials and is a comfortable place to spend time, while higher-spec versions of the Berlingo benefit from being equipped with Citroen’s Advanced Comfort seats.
In terms of interior room, however, the Berlingo exceeds the Kangoo comfortably with a mammoth 186-litres of space from 28 cubbies holes dotted around the cabin. This includes under the front seats and an overhead storage shelf.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Standard Equipment & Features
The Citroen Berlingo is available with three trim levels each - Enterprise, Enterprise-Plus and Driver - while Renault Renault Kangoo has two – Advance and Extra.
In base trim both models are well-kitted out with air-conditioning, alarm/deadlocking, electric mirrors, rear parking sensors and LED headlights.
The Berlingo Enterprise Plus adds a 10-inch colour touchscreen, Extenso folding passenger bench with load through hatch and electric parking brake. The Berlingo Driver gets Dynamic Surround View with a reversing camera and blind spot detection.
The Kangoo Extra adds keyless start, faux leather steering wheel, automatic air-conditioning, 360-degree parking sensors and heat pump (E-Tech only).
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Reliability
The Citroen Berlingo comes with a standard three-year/100,000-mile warranty, while on top of this is a five-year anti-perforation warranty. The e-Berlingo has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for its battery.
The Renault Kangoo has a three-year/100,000-mile warranty, though this can be extended to five years at extra cost.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: Safety
Both the Berlingo and Kangoo are filled to the rafters with safety-related tech designed around keeping drivers alert and secure on the road.
In base trim, each come with driver/passenger/side airbags, cruise control with speed limiter, emergency braking system and driver attention alert.
Both models have been tested by EuroNCAP on the strength of their safety features and their effectiveness in simulated tests.
From this, the Kangoo emerged well from these tests, receiving a full 86% rating to earn it the uppermost Platinum award from EuroNCAP.
By contrast, the Berlingo’s safety systems weren’t as effective in practice, earning it 62%, enough for a Gold award.
Berlingo vs Kangoo: THE VERDICT
While the philosophy of a small van – compact, easy to drive with Tardis-like practicality - hasn’t changed much over the decades, both the Citroen Berlingo and Renault Kangoo show how much the segment has evolved in that time.
The Berlingo is a true master of packaging with a remarkable amount of cargo space being squeezed into a vehicle that measures little more than a Ford Focus, while it is brimming with clever practical touches to increase that space or hide your belongings in the cabin.
Paired with its punchy and frugal 220-mile electric powertrain and the e-Berlingo especially makes for a tempting proposition if you need maximum space and a generous payload capacity in an easy-to-manage small van with penny-pinching running costs.
If you need an extended small van for you business, however, the Kangoo LWB is the more practical model with acres of space making it ideal for sizeable loads or as a crew van.
The Kangoo is also the more economical when chosen with a diesel engine and has arguably the more pleasant interior, while the higher safety rating and better towing capacity should also be taken into account.
