Citroën Berlingo long-term test: report 2

Why it’s here We know the Berlingo is a practical choice, but can it also show a wealth of other talents for a young family?

Needs to Be comfortable and efficient, function as a mobile office and have plenty of space for camera kit and the family

Miles 4288 List price £25,865 Target Price £24,871 Price as tested £28,180 Test economy 42.7mpg 

22 January 2021 – Comfort concerns

Citroën has talked a lot in recent years about its 'Advanced Comfort' programme. The concept involves lots of little things that should add up to make your journey as comfy as possible and, having done many long journeys in the Berlingo now, I can only assume that the seat designer didn’t get the memo.

You see, while the Berlingo’s ride is largely very good and its interior pleasantly quiet, even on the motorway, its seats are flat and offer very little in the way of support or adjustment.

Now, I’m no six-footer, but the seat cushion only comes about halfway up my thighs, giving very little support. My car’s Flair XTR trim brings front armrests and welcome lumbar control for the driver but, annoyingly, the backrest adjustment is operated by a lever, so you have to shift your weight in order to change it. That's hardly ideal to do when you're on a long journey and want to make small tweaks. 

Those armrests would be handy, too, but unless you have the seat set at its highest point (I don’t), they aren’t adjustable for height and fall well below the height of the door armrest, meaning it's difficult to sit straight.

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