Citroen Dispatch Crew Van (2024 -) review

Payloads range from 915-1242kg across electric and diesel models, with the electrics offering the sub-1000kg payloads. Due to the second row of seats and fixed bulkhead, load lengths are shorter than panel versions with the M version providing 2m and the XL version providing 2.36m at floor height. Load widths are the same for both versions at 1.25m between the wheel arches and a max load width of 1.6m. Load volumes are pretty good for a crew van with the M models offering 3.2 cubic metres and the XLs offering up to four cubic metres. The two back doors are unglazed, but the two side doors are glazed befitting a crew vehicle so passengers don’t feel claustrophobic. The Dispatch Crew Van is highly practical offering exactly what a crew van should – space, comfort, durability and a load space that can actually be usefully utilised. We rate it.

The interior of the Citroen Dispatch Crew Van is quite plain, but that fits with its profile as a commercial vehicle. Tough plastics, durable fabrics, some nice brushed metal effects and a little light badging on the steering wheel are kind of standard. It’s spacious enough with a good driving position that gives you clear visibility through the big windscreen. As for specification, at the entry-level Enterprise trim you get air con, one-touch electric windows, 12V sockets and USB connections, a 10-inch digital cluster behind the steering wheel, a glovebox, bench seat, and arm rests. The 10-inch colour touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard runs the latest version of the ‘My Citroën Play Plus’ operating system with DAB radio, Bluetooth handsfree, USB socket, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and Coffee Break Alert function. The step up to Driver trim level on the electric version adds a clever digital rear view mirror, a reversing camera and adds two USB sockets in the B-Pillar. Of course, a lot of these can be added as an option for a bit of extra cash on the asking price. Overall, it’s a comfortable place to be with plenty of leg room for front and second-row passengers – the driver just has to be aware about the offset driving position, more on that to come.

The 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel engine, our loan vehicle featuring a unit outputting 145PS, is relatively efficient and has proved itself as a reliable engine offering returns of somewhere between 34-44mpg – which is pretty much what you’d expect from a modern medium van. The electric models offer 190-230 miles of range, which is very usable and should see you through a few days of work before charging is required. Electric prices sit between £38K and £42K (inc OTR, ex VAT), while diesel models sit around the £32K mark (inc OTR, ex VAT), and these prices can be further mitigated by financing it or finding a good lease deal, so take a look around before you commit. Just remember, it’s illegal to claim the VAT back on a crew van unless it’s being used for only commercial purposes.

The Citroen Dispatch is provided with a standard three-year/100,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty, although this can be extended into a fourth year upping the mileage limit to 120,000 miles if you fancy doing that. There’s little in the way of major reliability issues reported with the latest versions, and considering this is a Stellantis van there are parts and franchise garages everywhere if you need work done.

The Citroen Dispatch Crew Van handles its dual role of a people carrier and cargo workhorse very well, returning around 34-39mpg (WLTP), producing 191-216g of CO2 emissions and offering up a potential top speed of 106mph (although do not try to reach that speed on UK roads, vans have different speed limits to cars and no vehicle is allowed to legally drive that fast here anyway). This is all in line with the other Stellantis vans and very much adheres to the benchmarks provided by other diesel crew vans on the market. The electrics offer up to 219 miles of range (WLTP) depending on model chosen, so whichever powertrain you choose there’s plenty to utilise.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine provides good power and a smooth driving experience, let down only by the notchy manual gearbox. With a full load of two people in the front and three on the second row of seats the Dispatch doesn’t feel sluggish, instead it feels slightly more rooted to the road. We do have to mention that the pedals are offset to the right of the steering wheel and this driving position is odd. We did encounter just the tiniest bit of feeling twisted by the end of our 30-mile test loop, but nothing that a stretch couldn’t fix. We’ve seen other outlets mention this odd quirk so we're pleased to see it wasn’t just Tom’s age catching up with him. We’ve also seen plenty of people say it’s one of the most comfortable vans they’ve driven, so it just goes to show there’s no accounting for the individual.

The Citroen Dispatch has a gold (four-star) NCAP safety rating, meaning it’s up there with some of the safer vans on UK roads today. The safety specification is therefore generous from the entry-level Enterprise trim which offers automatic lights, automatic wipers, ESC with Hill Start Assist, remote central locking with deadlocking and separate locking for cabin/cargo area, automatic door unlocking and fuel cut-off in the event of accident, a full and toughened plastic bulkhead with polycarbonate window fixed behind the second row of seats, High Beam Assist, Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Intelligent Speed Assistance, and Driver Attention Alert. Stepping up to Driver trim adds a perimetric and volumetric Thatcham category 1 approved alarm system. You have to admit, that’s a lot of peace of mind right there, especially when you consider that you get pretty much all of it as standard.

The Dispatch Crew Van is available in two trim levels – Enterprise and Driver – with the latter being the vehicle’s top trim, although the electric version is available in both trims and the diesel version only available at Enterprise level. You’ll see in the sections above how equipment is split between trim levels. What’s gratifying is how well equipped the vehicle appears to be at entry level with the step up to top trim usually adding only a few bits and bobs in each category. There are six paint colours to choose from including metallic and standard colourways, and three choices of wheels including 16-inch steel wheels, 17-inch steel wheels with covers, or 17-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a large options list to choose from with additions you make adding to the price.

You’ll buy the Citroen Dispatch Crew Van because it’s the Stellantis brand with the best deals on that vehicle at the time you started looking at them. The differences between the brands are negligible, so if the Dispatch appeals to you then shop around for the best prices. You won’t be disappointed with this van one bit, it’s durable, comfortable and affordable – that’s the big three ticked off right away.