Citroen has recently launched a refreshed line-up of its Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay light commercial vehicles, becoming the first van models to display the brand’s new identity and logo. With this range renew, Citroen says it is further strengthening its solid market positions in 2024.
I spent some time with the middle child of the family, the Dispatch. Starting at €36,195, the Citroen Dispatch now features a new front end, with an optimised bumper for enhanced design and aerodynamics, new LED headlamps and a completely new radiator grille that incorporates the brand’s new signature. Depending on spec, there are 16-inch steel wheels with a black centre cap and a full-size steel spare wheel. There are five colour choices, including a ‘Passion Red’ (pictured).
The new Dispatch is available in two lengths, MWB (4.98m) and LWB (5.33m), while three trim levels are offered: LX, Enterprise (tested) and Enterprise Plus. It has a useful volume of up to 6.6m3 and a payload of up to 1,275 kg, depending on the version. It has a turning circle of 11.3m.
All medium wheelbase versions are powered by a 120hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine with six-speed manual gearbox. Prices for this range between €36,195 and €39,495. The long wheelbase Dispatch also comes with this engine and gearbox, along with the choice of a 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel engine returning 145hp. The LWB is priced from €37,195 to €42,495. Fuel consumption for the smaller engine is quoted at 6.6l/100km, and 7.4l/100km in the larger 2.0-litre engine. Annual road tax across the range is €333.
The refreshed Citroen Dispatch gets numerous safety attributes as standard, such as Automatic Emergency Braking with forward collision warning, Driver Attention Assist (DAA3), ASR, ABS with driver and front passenger airbags. The new steering wheel is nicely designed and features various integrated controls (cruise control, telephone, radio). An updated dashboard features a 10-inch HD centre touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, as well as 4G connectivity, voice control, two USB Type-C ports. Paired with this is a neatly designed 10-inch digital driver’s instrument display. Picture quality and visibility from the 180-degree rear parking camera is excellent.
The cabin of the latest Citroen Dispatch has become more practical. The size of existing storage compartments has been increased and new ones have been added. There is a hard plastic floor, cup holders for driver and passenger at the top of the dashboard, two sunvisors with ticket holders, and fixed grab handles on either side. There is also room for a toolbox below the driver’s seat, while the front door pockets get 1.5-litre bottle holders.
Also as standard, the Dispatch has a dual passenger bench seat with fold-up outer seat, fold-down writing table in central seat back and storage under that same seat. The ‘Mica’ cloth seat upholstery is easy clean. There are six load tie-down hooks in MWB versions, and eight in LWB versions.
Overall, the refreshed Citroen Dispatch feels a sensible and nice-to-drive van, which is sure to build on the brand’s aim of remaining a top-10 LCV seller in Ireland, where it currently sits at 7th place for the year-to-date. All three new models are now available to test drive at Citroen dealerships nationwide.
