2019
Manual
2.8 mpg
Tax: £190
Mileage: 39,000
Diesel
With this third generation Dispatch, Citroen has been aiming to almost double its market share in the LCV sector, so the early 2024 update to this design were very signifiant for the brand. This is Citroen's entrant in the volume medium-range van sector, where VW Transporters, Mercedes Vitos, Renault Trafics and Ford Transit Custom models often 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 Scudo: all these five Stellantis Group vans share the same platform. The previous generation pre-2018-era version of this vehicle didn't significantly trouble the main players in this segment. But this MK3 model 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.
This is easily the most credible mid-sized van Citroen has ever brought us and much of the reason why still lies with the light, stiff 'EMP2' platform it sits upon. This can support cutting-edge electronics, at the same time as allowing this Citroen to deliver quite an 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.
Borrow £6,000 with £1,000 deposit over 48 months with a representative APR of 18.1%, monthly payment would be £172.36, with a total cost of credit of £2,273.28 and a total amount payable of £9,273.28.
