CITROEN BERLINGO MULTISPACE ESTATE 2002-2008 Review
Good Points
- Light steering that makes the ride comfortable and smooth
- Front windows give good visibility
- Enough space to seat five people with ease
- Massive boot space
- Relatively cheap to buy
Bad Points
- Not well equipped
- Diesel engines can be noisy
- Body lean in corners
Engines
The engines available to Berlingo owners are two petrol engines, a 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre, and two 1.6-litre diesel engines. Prior to 2005 the two diesel engines being used were from the first generation Berlingo, the 1.9-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines giving 70bhp and 89bhp respectively.
Performance & Economy
The Berlingo comes with power steering which helps keeps it inline when cornering and parking but there is a lot of lean in the corners due to the height. The driver gets a very commanding view of the road thanks to the big windows and windscreen making parking a lot easier. The engines are acceptable with the 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol not as slow as many people think, however, the 1.6-litre engine with 110bhp is the better option as it comes with a better fuel economy of just under 40mpg and it is surprisingly fun to drive. With the introduction of the two new 75bhp and 92bhp 1.6-litre diesel engines, there has been a vast improvement in the performance of the car. The turbocharged 92bhp engine is more refined and smoother than its non turbocharged counter part. However, both of these engines perform far better than the original 1.9-litre and 2.0-litre diesels that were phased out in 2005 as they come with a better fuel efficiency of 47.9mpg and lower Co2 emissions.
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Introduction
The Berlingo Multispace is a car that will take some beating when it comes to practicality and versatility within the same price bracket. The Berlingo may look like a van but it makes a prefect people carrier fitting 5 adults in with ease and with loads of room to spare for luggage. It rides well on bumpy roads, but because of its height, it does tend to lean in the corners.
Exterior & Interior
The Berlingo still keeps its original van look so won't win any beauty contests but when it comes to practicality and versatility it is unbeatable. The wide front doors and the two rear sliding doors make it easy for people to get in and out of even in tight spaces. The seats are nice and soft but some people may find this uncomfortable as it doesn't give much leg support. You will not get many accessories in the Berlingo, the ones you do get will likely be extra's like the CD player, air-con and alloys. As standard you only get power steering, a radio and electric windows, but if you're buying the Berlingo it's not for its creature comforts. The space inside the Berlingo is impressive with loads of room for the driver and passengers, and an extremely big boot. The rear row of seats can also be folded down to increase the boot space for any extra large or awkward shaped objects. There are also lots of cubbyholes and pockets for any small or loose objects.
Drive
Some people may find the soft seats uncomfortable and the position of the steering wheel may also feel a bit awkward. However, the Berlingo is unexpectedly enjoyable to drive despite the body roll in the corners as the engines provide ample power to drag around a fully laden vehicle and its sharp handling.
Faults & Repairs
There have been multiple faults reported with the Berlingo with most of them regarding the electrics. There have been reports of the dashboard failing completely as well as the engine failing, which most garages struggle to find a reason for or explain. The aerial in the roof also allows water to enter the cabin in some vehicles with the seal on the passenger's door also allowing water in. The interior trim has also been known to fall off and break. The cost for servicing is the same as most of their rivals of the same class.
