Citroën Berlingo Review: The Surprisingly Cool Family Van People Are Trading SUVs For

You know that moment when everyone is ready to leave—but the car isn’t? The stroller doesn’t fit without dismantling it. The dog crate blocks a rear seat. Someone’s backpack gets crushed under groceries. And somewhere in the chaos, you start wondering why your so-called “family car” seems designed for stock photos, not real life.

This is exactly the gap the Citroën Berlingo steps into—and, for many families, quietly fixes.

On paper, it’s a compact van. In reality, it’s more like a rolling living room and gear locker in one, built for people whose lives don’t fit inside sleek SUV marketing.

Meet the Citroën Berlingo: A Car That Thinks Like You Do

The Citroën Berlingo is Citroën’s ultra-practical MPV/van, offered as the electric ë-Berlingo in many markets. Instead of chasing aggressive styling or fake off-road credibility, it doubles down on what most of us actually need: space, flexibility, comfort, and low running costs.

Citroën, now part of Stellantis N.V. (ISIN: NL00150001Q9), has reshaped the humble van into something that’s genuinely family-friendly—and increasingly lifestyle-friendly too. Think: surfers, cyclists, small businesses, dog owners, and anyone who’s tired of playing luggage Tetris.

Why this specific model?

The Berlingo stands out in a world of copy-paste crossovers because it leans into its boxy shape instead of hiding it. That brings very real advantages:

• Massive space in a compact footprint: The high roof and straight sides mean you can actually use all the space. Adults fit comfortably in every seat, and the trunk can swallow bikes, strollers, tools, or camping gear with room to spare.
• Two lengths, up to 7 seats (depending on market/version): In many regions, you get a standard size and an extended version, which can be configured with up to seven seats. That’s school-run plus grandparents, without graduating to a giant van.
• Electric option (ë?Berlingo): Citroën offers a battery-electric version with a WLTP range around the mid-200 km mark (exact range depends on version and market). For typical urban and suburban use—school runs, commuting, errands—that’s often plenty, with the bonus of lower running costs and no tailpipe emissions.
• Sliding rear doors: Hugely underrated. Kids, child seats, and tight parking spaces suddenly become a lot less stressful when doors don’t swing outward.
• Comfort-focused ride: Reviewers consistently point out that the Berlingo rides softer and more comfortably than many rivals. It’s not pretending to be sporty. It’s built to keep the family calm on bad roads and long trips.

In other words: it’s not trying to impress your neighbors; it’s trying to make your Tuesdays easier.

At a Glance: The Facts

Specs vary by market and trim, but these are the headline features that matter in day-to-day life, translated into real-world benefits.

Feature	User Benefit
Boxy MPV/van body with high roof	Huge headroom and cargo space, easy entry/exit, and less bending when installing child seats or loading bulky items.
Sliding rear side doors	Stress-free access in tight parking spaces and when parked next to walls or other cars; safer for kids getting in and out.
Available up to 7 seats (depending on version/market)	Room for larger families or occasional extra passengers without moving to a full-size van.
ë?Berlingo all-electric variants	Quieter, smoother driving with no tailpipe emissions and the potential for much lower energy and maintenance costs.
Flat, square cargo bay	Usable space right to the corners; easier to load furniture, bikes, boxes, or work gear than in many SUVs.
Comfort-oriented suspension tuning (as reported in reviews)	Softer, more relaxed ride that keeps passengers comfortable on long journeys and rough urban roads.
High seating position and large glass area	Commanding view of the road and good all-round visibility, which many drivers find confidence-inspiring.

What Users Are Saying

Dig into real-world discussions on forums and Reddit, and a clear pattern emerges: people who “get” the Berlingo absolutely love it. Many bought it after realizing their SUV simply couldn’t keep up with their everyday logistics.

Common positives from owners and reviewers:

• Space is the star: Users rave about how much stuff they can fit—bikes upright with wheels on, big dogs, DIY materials, holiday luggage for five without playing packing games.
• Family-friendly design: Sliding doors get repeated praise. So do the wide rear openings and high roof, which make child seats and booster seats far less of a workout.
• Easy to drive: Despite the van-like shape, people are often surprised by how car-like it feels behind the wheel and how well it fits into urban life.
• Comfort over sportiness: Many owners say they appreciate the soft, relaxed feel—even if it means a bit more body roll—because it makes long trips less tiring.
• Electric serenity (ë?Berlingo): Those with the electric versions highlight the quiet cabin and smooth acceleration as standout perks.

Honest drawbacks people mention:

• Not a style icon: Some buyers admit they had to “get over” the van look. If you want something that screams performance or luxury, this isn’t it.
• Interior materials are functional, not premium: Common feedback is that the cabin is practical and hard-wearing, but doesn’t feel as upscale as some SUVs or crossovers.
• Handling is about comfort, not sport: If you love attacking corners, the Berlingo’s softer suspension and taller stance won’t thrill you.
• EV range is fine for daily life, less so for long-haul (ë?Berlingo): Most owners see the electric Berlingo as a local and regional vehicle rather than a cross-continent mile eater.

Overall sentiment: people who buy the Berlingo for what it is—a practical family and lifestyle tool—are overwhelmingly happy. Most of the criticism comes from expecting it to be something it’s not, like a sporty SUV or long-distance EV tourer.

Alternatives vs. Citroën Berlingo

The Berlingo doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Its closest competitors are other compact MPVs and van-based people carriers, along with larger crossovers that try to play the practicality card.

• Peugeot Rifter / Opel Combo Life: These are closely related siblings (also under the Stellantis umbrella) and share much of the Berlingo’s core hardware. Styling, interior feel, and brand identity will be the main differences. If you like the idea but prefer a different badge or slightly different design, they’re worth a look.
• Volkswagen Caddy: A direct rival that often feels a bit more conservative and, in many markets, can be more expensive when similarly equipped. It’s well-regarded, but some owners report the Berlingo rides softer.
• Compact SUVs (various brands): These win on image and sometimes on cabin plushness, but almost always lose badly on sheer usable space, especially for taller passengers or big cargo. If you regularly haul gear, a Berlingo can feel like a class above—even if the footprint is similar.
• Electric crossovers: If you’re considering the ë?Berlingo, you might also look at EV crossovers. They can offer more range or faster charging in some cases, but usually at the expense of the Berlingo’s van-like cargo versatility.

Where the Citroën Berlingo really shines is its blend of price, space, and laid-back comfort. It’s not the flashiest option, but it is often the most rational—and increasingly, that’s what savvy buyers are looking for.

Who the Citroën Berlingo Is Actually For

If you recognize yourself in any of these, the Berlingo should be on your shortlist:

• Growing families who are outgrowing hatchbacks and compact SUVs, and need real room for kids plus everything that comes with them.
• Outdoor and hobby lovers—cyclists, surfers, campers, dog owners—who regularly move large or messy gear and want to do it without a trailer.
• Urban dwellers who want big interior space in a vehicle that can still handle city streets and parking garages.
• Small business owners and freelancers who need weekday practicality for tools and deliveries, plus weekend usability for family life.
• EV-curious drivers whose daily mileage is modest and who value running-cost savings and quiet driving over long-distance range.

Final Verdict

The Citroën Berlingo will never be the poster car for a racing game. It’s not meant to be. Instead, it’s something arguably more valuable: a car that makes your real life feel easier, calmer, and less cramped.

If you peel away the SUV hype and simply ask, “What would genuinely work best for my family, my gear, my pets, my business?”, the Berlingo lands at the top of the list more often than you’d think. Its unmatched space, clever practicality, relaxed comfort, and the availability of an all-electric ë?Berlingo variant make it one of the most sensible—and quietly satisfying—vehicles in its class.

If your daily life is bursting at the seams and your current car feels like the bottleneck, the Citroën Berlingo isn’t just another model to test drive. It’s the moment you realize you don’t have to compromise between what looks good on a brochure and what actually works on a Monday morning.