Citroen reckons that this third generation Dispatch van is its most important commercial vehicle for two decades. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Background

With this third generation Dispatch, Citroen aims to almost double its market share in the LCV sector, so this van had better be very good indeed in this MK3 model guise. This is Citroen's new-generation Euro6-compatible entry in the volume medium-range van sector, where VW Transporters, Vauxhall Vivaros, Mercedes Vitos, Renault Trafics and Ford Transit Custom models rule the roost. Taking on this lot isn't something you'd want to do single-handed, so the French brand has chosen to share this design not only with its partner Peugeot's Expert model, but also with Toyota's Proace, Vauxhall's Vivaro and Fiat's Talento: all these vans share the same platform. The previous generation version of this vehicle didn't significantly trouble the main players in this segment. This MK3 model though, has got itself sorted out, with more sophisticated design and larger load volumes that rival anything in the class. You get clever design, proven engines and low running costs in a package that certainly works on paper. Whether it'll cut the mustard day-in-day-out though is what we're here to find out.

Driving Experience

Citroen reckons that the handling on this MK3 model Dispatch has narrowed the dynamic gap in this regard to the class-leading Transit Custom. Engine choice in a Dispatch is pretty straightforward, provided you've a clear idea of the kind of work you want it to do. If your needs are mainly based around lighter loads and short distance urban work, then the entry-level 100hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 unit may well be quite sufficient. Otherwise, you'll probably be looking at a 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel with 145hp, which comes with the option of 8-speed EAT8 automatic transmission. The top 2.0 BlueHDi 180hp version only comes in auto form. There's also a full-electric version, the e-Dispatch, which offers a 148 mile driving range with a 50kWh battery or a 211 mile range with a 75kWh battery. A key factor behind the success of the previous generation Dispatch was the way it remained compact and wieldy in the manner of smaller, more car-like vans from the class below. This model's bigger of course, but it retains much of that same usability around town and rides much better thanks to revised suspension and a stiffer EMP2 platform. Special wishbone filtering dampens the impacts of our country's terrible tarmac and the variable stiffness springs and shock absorbers deliver surprising levels of comfort whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded. Citroen also claims that refinement is much improved this time round. We also like the 'Driving time warning system' which flashes up a dash warning after two hours of uninterrupted driving at speeds of 40mph and above.

Design and Build

This Dispatch may share much under the skin with its Peugeot Expert Stellantis Group stablemate but visually at least, it has its own distinct personality, Citroen's designers having gone for a fluid, softer face with a short bonnet and high headlamps. Visually, it's quite hard to pigeon-hole this vehicle into a particular market category. You can see that it's bigger than something like a Berlingo or Kangoo-sized Peugeot Partner but you might question whether it has the volume to take on medium range vans of Transit Custom or Vito size. As we'll see, it has. On board, Citroen's designers have concentrated on improving ergonomics and driving comfort this time round. You get the usual high seating position and three-person bench. And there's certainly more cab storage space - 49-litres of it in the standard van version. Providing you haven't bought in with entry-level trim, the first thing you'll probably notice about the restyled interior is 7-inch colour touchscreen that's now been added. It can work with voice control and offers the usual 'phone and media features, plus an optional 3D Navigation system.

Market and Model

Pricing for his Citroen is, as you might expect, pretty much identical to that of its Peugeot stablemate. That means VAT-exclusive asking figures that'll probably see you paying somewhere in the £26,000 to £34,000 bracket for your Dispatch, depending upon the bodystyle you choose. As well as the usual panel van, there's is a Crew Van option. Panel van customers get a choice of Standard 'M' or 'XL' long wheelbase body lengths. Diesel customers choose between a 100hp 1.5-litre variant and a 2.0-litre 145hp model, the latter vailable with EAT8 8-speed auto transmission. And there are two trim levels - 'Enterprise Edition' and and 'Driver Edition'. The e-Dispatch full-electric models start from around £35,000 (ex. VAT) after deduction of the £5,000 government Plug-in grant. Choose from 50kWh or 75kWh versions. Equipment levels across the range are a lot more complete than they used to be for Dispatch owners. All models now get twin front airbags, a DAB radio, Bluetooth 'phone compatibility, cruise control with a speed limiter and twin sliding side doors. As usual, there's a full steel bulkhead and a three-person front bench. At the top of the range, plusher models further include 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear parking camera, metallic paint, auto headlamps and wipers, body-coloured bumpers and an upgraded payload. New safety features include Road sign reading that flashes road signs up on the dash as you pass them. Plus, depending on trim level, your Dispatch can now come with things like 'Driver Attention Alert' to combat drowsiness, a Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Monitoring, Automatic main beam switching, a head-up display and Active Cruise Control. You might also want to specify the 'Park Assist 180' camera system.

Practicalities and Costs

Buyers choose between two key Dispatch bodystyles - panel van or Crew van. Most will want the panel van, which claims best in class interior space and comes with a choice of two lengths - 'M' and 'XL'. As for carriage capacity, the biggest 'XL'-spec van version can take up to 6.6m3, while the mid-range 'M' version manages 5.8m3. Depending on bodystyle, the loading length is up to 4.02m and there's 1.26m of width between the wheelarches. The 'M' model gets 1.90m of interior height, this increasing to 1.93m in the 'XL' variant. The oblique wishbone rear suspension supports a payload of 1,400kg to make the most of the load volume. There's a towing capacity of up to 2.5-tonnes. Twin sliding side doors are standard and they can be ordered in a form that'll allow you to open them with a wave of your foot - ideal if your hands are full. Most models will be fitted with 50/50 swing doors, and these can be specified to swing round to 250-degrees. Inside the cargo area, there are the usual options to trim up the sides or to add a full ply-lining kit. A nice touch is the optional Moduwork feature. Here, the side passenger seat can be lifted to provide extra space with a flat floor and a large flap in the bulkhead, offering a useful storage length of up to 4m. As for running costs, well depending on BlueHDi diesel engine choice, you'll manage between 45 and 55mpg on the combined cycle and between 174 and 200g/km of CO2. As for the full-electric models, well the base 50kWh has a WLTP range of up to 148 miles and can be charged by an 11kWh wallbox in four hours and 45 minutes. The 75kWh version has a WLTP range of up to 211 miles and can support up to 100kW Rapid Charging, with an 80% top-up taking just 30 minutes.

Summary

This is easily the most credible mid-sized van Citroen has ever brought us and much of the reason why lies with the light, stiff 'EMP2' platform it sits upon. This is more sophisticated than the cruder underpinnings that some rivals use, so can support cutting-edge electronics, at the same time as allowing this Citroen to deliver a more absorbent standard of ride. As for problems with this LCV, well there aren't too many and they tend to be things that may not bother many potential company buyers very much. Otherwise, this Dispatch's main issue probably lies in the fact that much the same package at much the same price is available badged as either a Peugeot Expert, a Vauxhall Vivaro, a Fiat Scudo or a Toyota Proace. This model's advantage over these four design stablemates probably lies less in product design and more in after-sales service. Citroen has been a major player in the LCV industry for longer than Peugeot, Fiat or Toyota, which is why the brand has a larger and more experienced 'Citroen Business Centre' dealer network. In short, it's a package that should get the job done. Which of course, is what owning a van should be all about.