Citroën e-Berlingo Multispace

Overview

The 2020 Citroën e-Berlingo Multispace is a no-nonsense, all-electric minivan that was all about maximising practicality for families or businesses needing serious load-lugging ability without the emissions. As a discontinued model, it represents an affordable entry into electric motoring for those prioritising space over outright range or cutting-edge tech. On the used market in Europe, you might find one for around €11,999. Its boxy charm means it’s incredibly versatile, a true workhorse with a green heart, even if its electric legs are best suited for city jaunts.

What's New for 2020?

For 2020, the e-Berlingo Multispace represented the final iteration of this particular generation, which first debuted in 2017. As such, major changes for this specific model year were minimal. Instead, the 2020 version solidified its role as a proven, albeit basic, electric people-mover. It carried forward the established practical design and powertrain, offering a solution for those needing a spacious, zero-emission vehicle before the arrival of its more modern successor. The focus remained on its core strengths: immense interior volume and a quiet, if not thrilling, electric drive for urban duties.

Design & Exterior

The e-Berlingo Multispace isn't trying to win beauty contests; it’s a van with windows, and proud of it! Its design is purely functional, with a friendly face, large glass areas for good visibility, and super-practical sliding rear doors – a godsend in tight parking spots. The Multispace trim aimed for a slightly more car-like feel than the commercial versions. Key dimensions highlight its accommodating nature: it stands 4380 mm long, 1857 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and a lofty 1822 mm tall, promising plenty of headroom and a commanding view of the road.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the e-Berlingo Multispace is all about space and durability. Expect hard-wearing plastics built to withstand family life or work duties rather than plush luxury. It seats five comfortably with acres of headroom. The real party trick is the cargo space: a massive 1350 litres in the boot with the seats up, expanding to an absolutely cavernous 3000 litres when you fold them down! Sadly, there's no frunk for extra bits. Tech was fairly basic for 2020; think a simple infotainment system, likely with a small touchscreen, focusing on essential functions.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect to win any drag races in the e-Berlingo Multispace! Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is a leisurely 19.5 seconds. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends 49 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque to the front wheels (FWD). The driving experience is geared towards relaxed urban cruising; it’s easy to manoeuvre, and the ride is generally comfortable, soaking up bumps well. Top speed is limited to 110 km/h, reinforcing its city-focused credentials. Braking is adequate, with some energy recuperation to feed a little juice back into the battery.

Range, Battery & Charging

The e-Berlingo Multispace is fitted with a 20.5 kWh usable battery pack, translating to a Green Cars Compare calculated 'real-world' range of around 109 km – making it primarily a city or short-commute champion. Its efficiency is rated at 5.32 km/kWh. For charging, it uses a Type 1 (J1772) port for AC and a CHAdeMO port for DC. Standard AC charging is at 3.7 kW, meaning a full top-up takes around 5.5 to 6 hours. If you find a compatible DC fast charger, it can accept up to 40 kW, potentially getting you most of the way charged in under an hour.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The e-Berlingo this model is based on (Berlingo II) received a 3-star rating from Euro NCAP back in 2014, reflecting its older platform. Standard safety kit would include essentials like ABS, ESP, and multiple airbags. Advanced driver-assistance systems were not a strong point for this generation; you’d typically find features like rear parking sensors, but active safety tech such as adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist were generally not available on this particular iteration of the e-Berlingo, keeping the focus on its utilitarian value.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, Citroën typically offered a basic vehicle warranty in Europe along the lines of 2 to 3 years, often with a mileage cap around 100,000 km. The crucial battery warranty was usually more extensive, commonly covering 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. As an electric vehicle, maintenance is generally simpler and potentially cheaper than its internal combustion engine counterparts, with fewer moving parts in the powertrain. Reliability for the Berlingo platform is generally considered robust for its intended utilitarian purposes.