Test Citroën ë-Berlingo: a lot of space (even if there are seven of you) | self test

car testë-Berlingo is a strange one. Even at Citroën, where they are accustomed to quirky models. It turned out to be very convenient to use.

Citroën ë-Berlingo (136 hp / 100 kW), from 38,715 euros

The Berlingo is now called ë-Berlingo because of its electric motor; Hence ë. Meanwhile, Citroen has fortunately lost a little of its original character. You sit nice and high, on good seats, and they are available in seven.

The high ceiling leads to an enormous height. Tall people benefit from this, but you can also stack things higher. In any case, the interior is impressive: the legs also have a lot of space. With two rows of seats, the luggage space is enormous, with the third row of seats used, there is little left. The third row of seats is removable: easy to use! But it was a pity that he could not disappear to the ground with a simple fist.

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

You can easily access the second row of seats thanks to two sliding doors. It also helps you to load your luggage. The same is true of the large tailgate which, while heavy to handle, leads to a huge loading hatch. Only its size can cause problems when opening in tight parking spaces.

These cars used to be quite noisy, but now that the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor and a 50 kWh battery pack, it’s amazing how quiet the Berlingo is. Comfort in the spring is good, but while driving you get some feeling of being on the road with a truck or minivan. Sports drivers have no business here and that’s not a bad thing: for the purpose the handling is good enough.

View prices and specifications of all versions of Citroën Berlingo, compiled by AutoWeek.

The electric motor drives this Citroën smoothly forward in the city, but it is disappointing on the motorway. Its top speed is 130 km/h and above 100 km/h the ë-Berlingo becomes completely sluggish. Also, a range of 280 kilometers (during this test 256 kilometers) is nothing to write home about.

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Plus
+ What a seating area!
+ Manual sliding doors.
+ Seven seats (option).
+ Comfortable.

minute
Limited electric range.
– The driving force is not really strong.
Poor radio reception.

conclusion
It is a pity that the limited range prevents the Berlingo from being a true travel car. Because in many ways: quiet, comfortable, very practical to use and very spacious.

Additional test notes

Radio reception is also poor in Citroën. Our tests with cars of this brand regularly show this: sometimes parts of the broadcast are repeated, as if the record is stuck.

The app that comes with it is fully updated, which helps you to download. The same is true of the large 8-inch screen for entertainment and information.

Reaching the third row of seats is not easy. So you have to push yourself after the second row of seats. And it’s really not very spacious in the third row of seats. On the other hand, it remains special that you can sit in such a compact seven-wheeler.

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

There was a time when Kangoo, Berlingo and Partner were sovereign. Passenger cars based on trucks: precisely they brought with them all kinds of practical characteristics. But with the popularity of SUVs and the demise of the MPV, the popularity of these types of cars has also declined.

Those that are similar to the Berlingo by definition are poorly aerodynamic and this results in a relatively high fuel consumption. But this is no longer the case with the latest generation of Berlingo. It now has a fully electric motor. However, it’s the same air resistance that’s now also in the way of the electric driving range.

All driving assistance and safety systems from Citroën passenger cars are also available in Berlingo.

It can charge up to a maximum of 100 kW after which the batteries will be filled to 80 percent in half an hour at the correct charging point. With 11kW charging box, you need 5 hours and with 7.4kW you need 7.5 hours.

Handy is the so-called top box located above the right of the dashboard: an additional storage compartment with a flap that you can cool down if necessary.

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

You do not always have to open the entire tailgate, because the rear window can also be opened separately (optionally).

The Citroën Berlingo is available in two lengths, M and XL. Both M and XL are available with 5 or 7 seats. With a longer wheelbase and larger rear section, the XL is 35 cm longer than the M.

Citroën ë-Berlingo is on sale from €38,715.

You will find all the previously published tests in our comprehensive automatic test file.

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield

Bart Hogfield
© Bart Hogfield



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