fbpx

Independent, impartial advice for car buyers and car owners

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Citroën Berlingo (2018 to 2022)

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Citroën Berlingo (2018 to 2022)

(2018 – 2022)

    Summary


    The third-generation Citroën Berlingo launched in 2018 as a no-nonsense small people-carrier based on a van. This is Citroën’s second-biggest global seller after the C3, but was discontinued in early 2022 in favour of the all-electric ë-Berlingo people carrier.

    The MPV is also part of one of those manufacturer alliances – the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life are effectively the same car with the main distinction of the Citroën some slightly quirky styling panels which give it a little more presence than its siblings.

    The car was offered in two varieties – a standard five-seater and a 35cm longer XL version with seven seats. Engine choices were between two petrol and two diesel – most reviewers favoured the diesels for their combination of performance and economy.

    All versions were marketed on what you got on a budget, and reviews emphasised this. Auto Express called the Berlingo “one of the best-value ways to transport a growing family and all that goes with it,” while Top Gear dubbed it “epic value”. As of September 2023, the Citroën Berlingo holds a Used Car Expert Rating of 76%.

    Reviewers highlighted the space – basing the car on a van profile meant loads of room for both people and their belongings. The interior was still somewhat basic, with no posh digital touchscreens and the like, but despite the hard plastics several testers noted that the quality of the fit and finish had stepped up significantly over the previous version.  

    On the road, reviewers found the Berlingo “surprisingly good”, with smooth, refined progress. However, at high speeds the wind noise became intrusive while big bumps could crash their way around the cabin.

    The petrol-powered Berlingo is now no longer in production as Citroën shifts its focus to electric models. As such, the conventional Berlingo has been replaced by the all-electric version called the ë-Berlingo.

    Berlingo highlights

    • Loads of space for both people and luggage
    • Cheap to buy and run, low insurance premiums
    • Refined on road
    • Tight turning circle
    • Build quality better than previous model

    Berlingo lowlights

    • Less fun to drive than car-based alternatives
    • Body rolls a lot in corners
    • Wind noise at high speeds
    • Overall quality still basic
    • Autonomous braking not wholly effective

    Key specifications


    Body style: Small MPV
    Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
    Price when new: From £22,135 on-road

    Launched: Summer 2018
    Last updated: Winter 2020/21
    Discontinued: Winter 2021/22


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Company Car Today

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 4 stars
    Date tested: August 2018
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 91%
    Child protection: 81%
    Vulnerable road users: 58%
    Safety assist: 68%

    The Citroën Berlingo’s four-star safety rating is based on Euro NCAP’s testing of the almost-identical Peugeot Rifter. The only real differences are some cosmetic body panels in the nose section, and Citroën would have been required to demonstrate that those differences would not affect the Berlingo’s performance in a crash.

    Areas that prevented a full five-star rating included the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking, which while performing well at low speeds was rated ‘marginal’ at motorway speeds and in its reaction to pedestrians. 

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of October 2022, the Citroën ë-Berlingo has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    As of October 2022, the Citroën Berlingo has an excellent reliability rating of 78%, according to extended warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both this version of the Berlingo as well as both older (pre-2018) models, although the data is currently only based on a small number of warranty claims.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Citroën Berlingo has received

    2022

    • Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best MPV

    2021

    • Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best MPV
    • DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Utility Vehicle

    2020

    • Autocar Britain’s Best Car Awards – Best Large Car
    • What Car? Awards – Best MPV
    • Parkers New Car Awards – Best Medium Family Car

    2019

    • Auto Express Awards – Best MPV

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Citroën Berlingo, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Fiat Doblò Passenger | Ford Tourneo Connect | Peugeot Rifter | Vauxhall Combo Life | Volkswagen Caddy Life

    Buy a used Citroën Berlingo


    If you’re looking to buy a Citroën Berlingo, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Find your next used car with Cazoo. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more

    Subscribe to a Citroën Berlingo


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Drive Fuze logo 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Drive Fuze.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    The van-based Citroën Berlingo offers massive space and economical motoring, making it one of the best-value family MPVs around.Citroën Berlingo (2018 to 2022)