Citroen Berlingo CDV 2010 Van Review

We take the Citroen Berlingo XTR+ through its paces and review its performance in the snow and ice.

A year ago, the Editor took a Citroen Dispatch XTR+ to the far and frozen north in the search for snow and ice. This time, it was the turn of the newly introduced XTR+ version of the Citroen Berlingo. He was impressed with the ‘enhanced traction’ capabilities last time, and was just as impressed this time – even though the weather was worse!

In fact, it was worse than worse! I spent the weekend at the Snowman Rally in Inverness and used the van to get to and from the snow filled and ice covered Special Stages, and not once did I get stuck, or anywhere near being stuck.

In fact, for a small front wheel drive van with an electronic ‘limited slip differential’, it was highly impressive. It was also fitted with Michelin Synchrone 4x4 tyres which offered a more open tread pattern with good tread block edges for additional grip, and these undoubtedly enhanced the vehicle’s already admirable qualities.

Naturally, and purely in the interests of journalistic investigation, I tried to provoke the van into getting stuck, but within what I thought should be reasonably expected of it. After all, it is no Land Rover Defender so there is absolutely no point in trying to conquer 3 foot snowdrifts. Even so, ride height has been raised slightly by some 30mm. So it’s no ditch-wader, but it will cope easily with a rutted forest gravel road where the logging lorries have been on transport duty.

Instead, I wanted to drive the van in the kind of conditions that those people who would use such a vehicle would experience, for instance, foresters, farmers and outdoor utility workers as well as those working in very muddy construction sites. There will always be tasks which require more extreme off-road vehicles, but having driven this wee van, anyone who thinks they need such a terrain-conquering monster might like to re-appraise their expectations!

I tried some heavy braking and harsh acceleration on virgin snow and hard-packed snow, and even with lots of scrabbling from the front wheels and clicking from the ECU, the van either pulled up or pulled away in a straight line. Naturally braking distances were longer than usual, but that is to be expected. On sheet ice, it was a different matter. Nothing short of studs works on such a surface, but even so, forward momentum could be maintained and direction controlled by easing right off the pedal and being gentle with the steering.

In fact, the only thing I didn’t like on the long trip north and return journey was the seat. It was not designed for the long-haul courier, but it is perfectly acceptable for a small delivery van on local work. The cab also made the most of its compact dimensions with overhead shelves and underseat storage in addition to the usual door pockets and glovebox. It also had another trick up its sleeve. The centre seat back folded down to provide a small ‘desktop’ with cup recesses, while the passenger seat back alsofolded down to create an extended floor length if carrying goods and no passengers.

Making the most of the loadspace, the test vehicle had two sliding side doors and although a bit narrow for squeezing a burly pair of shoulders through the gap, they do provide worthwhile ‘extras’ on the basic spec. And with a pile of boxes behind the rear doors, these side doors provided access to tools, boots and jackets hanging on the back of the half mesh bulkhead.

Performance

Fuel consumption during the 400 mile appraisal was around 44 mpg, but what I did notice was that on both mornings in Inverness where it was minus 9 degrees, it dropped. And it dropped further in the Cairngorm foothills where it was minus 14 degrees! In fact, the severe cold weather cost me 3 mpg until I got back into the sunshine.

There were no complaints about the engine either. Even with a five speed ‘box it goes well, and it would be wrong to criticise it for not having a ‘cruising’ sixth gear because that’s not what this van is about.

What Citroen have done with the Berlingo XTR+ is provide a highly practical and flexible small van with enhanced capabilities where budgets are tight and off-road needs modest.

Conclusion

So if you want to get chainsaws and fuel into the forest, feed to snowbound stock on the hill, or light materials on to a building site where the roads haven’t been finished, this is well worth a look at two thirds of the price of a four wheel drive pickup – and you don’t need to buy a canopy to keep the loadbed dry or keep tools out of sight.