Citroen Spacetourer 2.0 BlueHDI 150 Business review

The launch of Citroen’s new-generation Dispatch medium-sized LCV, and its Peugeot twin, has meant the arrival of a large people-carrying version to go alongside the competitive new light van.

Coming in five-, seven-, eight- or nine-seat configurations, Citroen’s Spacetourer, and the Peugeot Traveller, are aimed at both the large family and business travel markets, with Citroen splitting its offering into the Feel and Business trims.

Both offer the same three lengths of vehicle as the van version, and Feel, the family wagon, has a modular interior, with the choice of five, seven or eight seats on rails for optimal boot volume versus leg room. Those seats also fold down onto the cushion when transporting unwieldy objects.

Business trim is aimed at the corporate shuttle, hospitality and private hire markets, and its seating and equipment can be configured on what the French brand calls an “a la carte” basis.

The 150hp diesel is refined and offers plenty of poke for carrying loads or loads of people. The 95hp and 115hp diesel engines might be worth stepping over, while the 180hp isn’t necessary unless plenty of laden, long runs are planned, especially when you factor in emissions: the most efficient model is the 133g/km 115hp diesel, but the 150hp is only 6g/km worse off. That compares with 159g/km and 163g/km for the VW Transporter Shuttle and Mercedes Vito Tourer, respectively.

The twin sliding doors make for easy access to the third row, and all seats are spacious enough in terms of hip and legroom.

RVs are a long way behind the German brands – 29.2% versus 37.5% and 41.8% for the Vito and Transporter, respectively, but the cheaper purchase price, smart looks, decent kit levels and class-leading efficiency make for a budget alternative that doesn’t feel like the cheap option.