Model tested: Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi 16v (90bhp) VTR, Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi 16v (110bhp) XTR
Price as tested: £12,375, £14,625 (£10,995 - £14,625)
Insurance group as tested: 5E, 6E
Insurance group range: 3E – 6E
CO2 emissions as tested: 150g/km, 147g/km (Band C, £120)
CO2 emissions range: 147-195g/km
EuroNCAP result: ****
On sale date: Now
Date and place tested: June 2008, Bedfordshire
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Launched in 1998, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace has become one of Citroen's most popular vehicles, selling 53,000 in the UK alone, and more than one million in total.

In fact, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace dominates the value MPV segment, and Citroen says it sells more than all its rivals combined.

The French manufacturer has a difficult job to do – keep what was good about the original Citroen Berlingo Multispace, while broadening its appeal to attract new buyers.

We sent Stuart Milne to Bedfordshire to find out if the new car is a success.

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Many badge snobs look past the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and its kind when looking for an MPV; unable to get past the cars' van-derived heritage.

But the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace is a different beast entirely.

It boasts the floorpan and suspension from the Citroen C4 Picasso, and a range of engines which have been fitted to any number of Citroen and Peugeot hatchbacks.

This isn't just a van with windows.

The front end is as striking as the C4 hatchback, with a pair of parallel chrome strips serving the dual purpose of displaying the bold Citroen chevron logo and cooling the engine. And there are hints of Mercedes' compact van range from the rear, which is no bad thing.

Choose the rugged range topping XTR model, and two-tone bumpers and big side rubbing strips beef up the looks to appeal to Citroen's target markets: individuals with active lifestyles.

Space race

But it’s the interior where the Citroen Berlingo Multispace really comes alive.

There are up to 20 storage spaces (depending on model) within reach of the driver and passenger, ranging from small cubbyholes in the doors and horizontal drink holders in the dash to an enormous shelf above the windscreen.

More storage is available in drawers under the front seats, and large compartments in the floor under the rear passengers' footwell. There's also a handy 'takeaway' hook by the front passenger seat to stop bags spilling over.

And the optional Modutop system offers even more practicality in the form of overhead storage areas, including cubbyholes along the length of the vehicle, a removable box which sits between the front seats and a clever aeroplane-style overhead storage locker which hinges down to allow loading from the boot, as well as two sliding panels to aid access from the rear seats.

This offers added security as none of the overhead storage can be seen from the outside.

One particularly ingenious feature, which is standard on the XTR model, is an internal roofbar arrangement, which allows long objects, such as timber or skis to be stowed in the car, rather than on the roof. This increases both safety and fuel consumption by improving aerodynamics.

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There's a vast amount of space in the rear for tall passengers, thanks to a high roofline, and access is made easy by a pair of sliding doors. And there's a real sense of space all round, thanks to a large panoramic windscreen, huge side windows and the optional glass panels in the roof fitted to one of our test cars.

The Citroen Berlingo Multispace has a vast 675-litre boot – 51 litres more than the old model – access to which is easy thanks to a low floor. The three rear seats individually recline, fold, tumble forward or can be removed to increase load space to a staggering 3,000 litres.

Seven-seat Berlingo Multispace?

Citroen says a long wheelbase version is in development, which will offer even more room; although a spokesman was tight-lipped on whether a seven seat version will be offered to take on the Fiat Doblo Family.

The Citroen Berlingo Multispace still offers a relatively involving drive.

Its passenger car-developed underpinnings are evident, and while its no hot hatch, it can be hustled through bends. The steering is a little too light at speed but there's enough feedback to know what's going on.

We tested the 90bhp and 110bhp versions of the 1.6-litre HDi diesel and found them both eager, although the extra performance was noticeable from the higher power unit; and could be needed if carrying a heavy load.

A 75bhp diesel is also available, alongside a pair of 1.6 petrols, offering 90 and 110bhp.

Performance is adequate for the higher power models, but sluggish for the low powers, with 0-62mph times ranging from 12.5 to 17.1 seconds and top speeds from 94 to 107mph. In the real world, the 110bhp HDi is likely to be the quickest, although the 90bhp diesel is tipped to be the best seller.

And the 1.6 HDi 110 should be the cheapest model to run too, due to lower emissions thanks to a smog-reducing diesel particulate filter (DPF). This means its 147g/km of CO2 falls into tax band C which is £120 a year.

It's the most frugal model as well, returning an official average figure of 50.4mpg, about 1mpg more than the other diesels and almost 16mpg more than the two petrol options.

With the Berlingo Multispace success story, Citroen has done more than enough to keep its value MPV at the top of its class. And it's cheaper than the original too.

• Like the Citroen Xsara Picasso, which is on sale as a budget alternative to the C4 Picasso, the original Berlingo Multispace will remain on sale, badged as the Berlingo First for just £8,500 after cashback.

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