Citroën’s utilitarian family holdall is likeable and sophisticated, and a very sensible used buy
SUV owners like you to believe they lead lives filled with adventure, but owners of the Citroën Berlingo Multispace actually do. Go to any campsite and you’re likely to see Berlingos at the heart of family escapades, doubling as living areas as well as a means of travel.The second-generation Multispace covered here was in production from 2008 to 2018. With traditional MPVs such as the Vauxhall Zafira available, the more utilitarian and separate-looking Multispace was always going to appeal to buyers with very specific requirements. It might explain why there aren’t that many on the used car market – unless, of course, it’s because their besotted owners can’t bear to part with them…The model shared its basic platform architecture and drivetrains with the Citroën C4 and Peugeot 308, lending it a civilised feel and mature driving manners.That said, the 1.6-litre petrol engines lack puff and sound strained; not so, the punchy and economical 1.2 Puretech with 108bhp that arrived relatively late in 2016.It’s our pick of the petrols, but it’s the diesels that serve the Berlingo better and which dominate the market. They were all 1.6s throughout the model’s life but with different power outputs and technologies.The early 74bhp and 89bhp units are gutless but cheap; more expensive but better all round are the later 99bhp and 118bhp Blue HDi diesels, although the latter is extremely rare. Both are Euro 6.For a while, early 89bhp diesels were available with an EGS6 semi-automatic gearbox. It can be rough and jerky and dents performance. Its successor, the ETG6 that was fitted as an option to 99bhp diesels, is smoother but equally as pace-sapping, although economical. The regular manual gearbox is not great – it has a long throw and dislikes being rushed – but does the job.The Multispace’s passenger car connections mean it’s composed over bumps and crests. It’s softly sprung and its tyres have deep sidewalls so it rides comfortably, although it struggles to mask serious surface imperfections and potholes. Despite its soft springs and tall profile, it is quite fun to thread along a twisty road.The interior has plenty of space for passengers and their luggage. On that point, the boot alone is 675 litres, but remove the rear seats in top-spec versions and there’s a mighty 3000 litres to work with. All versions have underfloor storage. The Berlingo’s fixtures and fittings are tough and the exterior’s alternative looks are carried over to an equally characterful dashboard dominated by a large centre console.Immediately below it is the gear lever, mounted clear of the floor. Entry-level VT and the later Touch trim versions are basic – the rear seat is just a split/fold affair and they have black bumpers – but they’re mercifully few and far between.Mid-spec VTR, the mildly off-road-ready XTR, the later mid-spec Feel and high-spec Flair are more plentiful, attractive and useful. All have body-coloured fittings and features including air-con, front electric windows, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a split-opening tailgate.Higher-spec versions add larger alloy wheels, roof bars and an infotainment system with a 7in screen. They also have a reversing camera, individual and removable seats (they are heavy, though) and seatback tables. One option worth looking out for is the Modutop roof with its 170 litres of storage. Bring on that adventure.
