Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Citroen Berlingo 2014 Review

It looks French but don't hold that against it because the little Berlingo has a strong heart.
EXPERT RATING
7
Citroen has been making passenger-car-based vans for decades and the latest Berlingo benefits from this as it's on the same platform as a Citroen people mover.

Citroen has been making passenger-car-based vans for decades and the latest Berlingo benefits from this as it's on the same platform as a Citroen people mover. That translates into car-like drive feel and surprising dynamics from what is a work-a-day  vehicle.

It looks French but don't hold that against it because the little Berlingo has a strong heart and carries a big weight – up to 750kg in the 'long wheelbase' diesel we drove recently. There's a petrol job too in 'short wheelbase' even though they share the same measurement between front and rear axles – with the LWB having a longer rear overhang.

ENGINE

The test car had a simple 1.6-litre diesel donk up front with a single cam and turbocharging to achieve some 66kW/215Nm output. It doesn't sound a lot but is in fact adequate to push the wedge shaped delivery box along at a smart clip – even with a load in the rubber clad cargo space. Fuel economy is a very respectable 5.8-litres/100km. We did better than that on the highway.

DRIVING

They reckon it's big enough for two pallets in there and access is through wide opening rear barn doors and a low level load floor. The sides have protection cladding half way up. The side slider gives more access and all doors are centrally locked.

Driver (and passenger) comfort is good because of the Berlingo's origins as a passenger vehicle. You sit in it like a car with the wheel in a car-like position and a manual (only) gearshift mounted rally fashion up near the top of the centre console.

Numerous storage compartments dot the cabin including two large overhead bins, lidded bins in the dash and door bins. It has Bluetooth, a trip computer, air conditioning, cruise control and heated mirrors and the steering is rake/reach adjustable. A protection grille is fitted behind the driver who also gets an airbag.

Apart from being an affordable and economical work vehicle, what really surprises about the Berlingo is how it drives. The engine has plenty of pep and it rides, steers and corners like a car ironing out big bumps, hooking around tight corners with a flat stance and generally offering up an engaging drive feel. Very good...

The turning circle could be tighter especially for a vehicle destined to spend most of its life in the city. Rear vision could be helped by a reversing camera but we suspect most owners would fit one aftermarket.

VERDICT

Yes, if we had to spend the rest of our life in a small van delivering stuff – no problem.

Citroen Berlingo
Price: from $24,990 (diesel)
Engine: 1.6L turbodiesel, 66kW/215Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, FWD
Thirst: 5.5L / 100Km

Pricing guides

$11,275
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$7,920
Highest Price
$14,630

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
1.6 Short 1.6L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $8,140 – 11,440 2014 Citroen Berlingo 2014 1.6 Short Pricing and Specs
1.6 HDi Long 1.6L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $9,020 – 12,650 2014 Citroen Berlingo 2014 1.6 HDi Long Pricing and Specs
1.6 HDi ETG Long 1.6L, Diesel, 6 SP AUTO $10,670 – 14,630 2014 Citroen Berlingo 2014 1.6 HDi ETG Long Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
7
Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell

Share

Pricing Guide

$7,920

Lowest price, based on third party pricing data

View cars for sale
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.