Kratek tests Citroën Berlingo Multispace BlueHDi 120 XTR

This isn't much of a problem anymore. At one time, such cars were more like a van with seats than very practical family cars, but over the years and development things have turned out to be much more in favor of family use. The updated Citroën Berlingo is a great proof of how far we have come.

Of course, the plastic is hard, and here and there you will find sharper edges on the back of some plastic part, but if we look at the essence, that is, comfort and safety, Berlingo is a very personal variety. During the last update, it received some safety accessories, including an automatic braking system at city speeds (up to 30 km / h), and above all, a large LCD display (of course, touch), which makes it easier to control the infotainment system . the functions are much nicer. In addition, the connection with smartphones is better.

In this respect, such a Berlingo is completely equivalent to passenger cars in the same price category, but far surpasses them in terms of ease of use. The square back means a huge trunk that already eats up all the festive family luggage under the shelf (and there is no more space there), but if you install a partition behind the bench back (which is a chore that takes 30 seconds to XNUMX seconds). per minute), you can go into the sea not only the contents of the refrigerator, but also the refrigerator itself. Sometimes we said that this is a car for the Czechs. Of course, Berlingo cannot completely hide its delivery roots (or the fact that it is closely related to the delivery version). We've already mentioned the materials in the interior, the same applies (when it comes to taller drivers) to the driving position, and also in terms of sound insulation, it's not exactly the best in the class.

The driver may also be bothered by a sloppy and loud gear lever (this is a well-known transmission disease in the PSA group, but which has already been successfully tamed in more personal models), but it must be admitted that the six-speed manual transmission is well-designed, therefore it is the most powerful diesel engine 120 horsepower, capable of quickly moving the Berlingo even when it is heavier, while still consuming quite well. The XTR designation means this Berlingo looks a little more off-road after lifting the belly off the ground, which also means plastic trim on the sides and front. That this is an unusual Berlingo is also confirmed by the Grip Control button, which controls the wheel slip control (and stability control) and allows the driver to choose between the settings for asphalt, snow, gravel (sand) or mud.

Or the system is disabled (but only up to a speed of 50 kilometers per hour). When we tested it (on the C5) in more extreme conditions some time ago, it turned out to be quite widely used in the test Berlingo, but on (even bad) gravel roads, in all honesty, we did not need it. It is to be expected that the steering wheel is also of an indirect type and that the chassis allows for considerable body tilt (but therefore this, especially if the Berlingo is not completely empty, comfortable) is also not surprising (and not disturbing). . Such things just have to be in a car like this - and those who want a car that can easily take a family with luggage or instantly turn into a car that can easily sweep bikes (or even a motorcycle) or other larger sports equipment will know. Why are compromises needed? There could be fewer of them - but not by 23 thousand.

Dušan Lukič, photo: Saša Kapetanovič.

Citroen Berlingo Multispace BlueHDi 120 XTR

Basic data

Base model price:	14.910 €
Test model cost:	14.910 €
Power:	88kW (120 KM)

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.560 cm3 - maximum power 88 kW (120 hp) at 3.500 rpm - maximum torque 300 Nm at 1.750 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 205/65 R 15 T (Michelin Latitude Tour).
Capacity:	176 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 11,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 4,9/4,2/4,4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 115 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.398 kg - permissible gross weight 2.085 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.384 mm - width 1.810 mm - height 1.862 mm - wheelbase 2.728 mm
Box:	trunk 675–3.000 l – 60 l fuel tank.

We praise and reproach

engine

consumption

utility

trunk

Equipment

too short longitudinal offset of the front seats

windows in the second pair of doors open only to the door

shift lever