Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 08:47
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - TraceyJC

Hi I hope you can help me decide

I am about to buy a Citroen Multispace crew van or Ford Courier Kombi van for my work , both are same price both good order . I would like to value peoples opinions who own them .

Both look very good , emissions on the Ford are lowest but the Berlingo has done less miles and is in excellent condition even though a year older than the Ford.

So basically what is going to give me less trouble ? And best driving experience for long journeys ie comfort .

Thank you I’m really struggling to make a decision.

Tracey

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 09:42
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - badbusdriver

With regards to the cars themselves, while they may look similar, the Berlingo is of the next size up to the Courier. The Courier would have gone head head with the Citroen Nemo, which, along with the Peugeot Bipper, is no longer a part of their respective ranges. Fiat still sell the Fiorino, which is the same van barring badges.

As such, the Berlingo will offer much more interior and boot space, particularly important if you forsee carrying 3 on the back seat where they will have noticeably more space than the Courier. The longer wheelbase of the Berlingo will almost certainly give a better ride comfort, but while I haven't read any 'road tests' on the Courier, those which I have read on the Berlingo, say it is comfortable and refined (for something with that much empty space on the inside).

You have not said what age these cars are, so not sure if you are looking at current (2018 on) or previous shape Berlingo. If it is the current version, there are Peugeot and Vauxhall badged versions of the same car. The Peugeot, as a van (including crew van) is called the Partner, but the 'car' version is called the Rifter. The Vauxhall is called the Combo (van) or Combo Life (car). All are essentially the same barring badges and trim differences. If it is the previous shape, there is just the Peugeot badged alternative, the Partner.

Difficult to make comment on reliability as both have their own issues. The Courier is available with the 1.0 Ecoboost petrol engine, which is not an engine I'd have much faith in buying second hand. It is also available with a 1.5 or 1.6 turbo diesel which are in fact PSA (Citroen/Peugeot) engines. These can be very reliable, but it is very important that the correct oil has been used and that the service intervals have not been too long. Same applies to the Citroen Berlingo. In addition, the Berlingo (not sure about the van version of the previous shape, but the car definitely did) also has the option of a 1.2 turbo petrol, the Puretech. Sadly, like the Ecoboost, this also seems to be gathering a reputation for trouble.

Ultimately, with a choice between either, I'd favour a (one owner) Berlingo diesel with impeccable (dealer) history.

Edited by badbusdriver on 19/09/2021 at 09:42

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 17:18
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - TraceyJC

Hi there your information has been invaluable thank you for your time to reply.

The ages of the cars were 2015 Berlingo and 2016 Ford Courier

I have taken comments on board as well as others experiences of both cars - one chap said Ford will be better in frost - hadn't thought of that. But after deliberation I have decided on the Berlingo for space and comfort. I've never had a French car so hey ho!

Wish me luck!

Seriously thanks for helping me

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 12:22
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - SLO76
I’d favour the Ford. It’s better to drive and much easier to sell on again. Interior quality is better also but I wouldn’t walk past a tidy Berlingo to buy a tatty example of the Ford. Condition, history and then mileage are more important.
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Sun 19 Sep 2021 14:42
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - Bromptonaut

Is a Multispace Crew Van the same thing as the Multispace Estate Car?

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 15:18
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - badbusdriver

Is a Multispace Crew Van the same thing as the Multispace Estate Car?

Yes.

It won't have rear side windows, possibly no windows in the sliding doors either, but otherwise the same.

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 17:25
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - TraceyJC

Hi yes its got windows - quite rare! nice small neat ones too! :-)

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 15:23
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - daveyK_UK
Which Berlingo are you referring to ?
Pre 2018 or 2018 onward?

I ask because that will determine which engines are available.

I have driven both Berlingos (and the equivalent Rifter and combo life) extensively, likewise we had a Ford Courier 1.0 zetec for over 6 months.

The main problem with your question is that You are not comparing the same size vehicles. For example a Focus and an Astra are comparable as they are a similar size.
The Berlingo is significantly bigger than the courier.

Citroen used to sell a Citroen Nemo MPV (and there was a Fiat Tipo and Peugeot Bipper MPV versions) but the Citroen version stopped around 2014; you could still order a Fiat Tipo in November 2020 although it was a factory order and a 12 week wait.

I would much rather drive the Berlingo everyday especially with the 1.2 puretech engine than the Courier with the 1.0 ecoboost.
There is nothing wrong with the Courier, but you do sit lower down than a typical MPV Van such as a Berlingo and as such one of the main benefits of a MPV Van being the raised driving height is lost.
Furthermore, you can easily fit 3 adults in the back of a Berlingo with space to spare, it would be considerably more cramped in a courier.
The 1.0 in the courier pulls it along fine but then so does the 1.2 puretech in the Berlingo.

I have driven the 1.5 diesel in the Courier van and the identical 1.5 diesel in the Partner Van (which mechanically is the exact same set up you would get in a Berlingo MPV) and it’s a nice drive in both vehicles.
If you don’t need the diesel I would go with the petrol engines, they are both good and easy to live with.


To the other question - is the Berlingo MPV the same as the Berlingo crew van?
Yes, although some of the crew vans have the solid steel where a window would be in the rear.
And the crew vans fall under a more expensive road tax category and will be more expensive to insure being classed as a commercial vehicle.

Forgot to add, if your want the Berlingo in the van version AND you plan to keep it for a long time, consider the identical Toyota Proace city which has a 5 year warranty and slightly better residuals.

Edited by daveyK_UK on 19/09/2021 at 15:27

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 17:24
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - TraceyJC

Hi there

Yes a better drive I really do believe as everyone enjoys driving a Fiesta for fun - I pass my test in the early 80s in one!

I have gone with the Berlingo crew van for the fact its got less mileage and the dealers selling it its having it fully serviced MOT and fully inspected by RAC - so I think I will get a good one. Fingers cross.

I was wanting a Ford on looks still a good looking van - tax on the Berlingo is only £30 too!

Thanks for your comments :-) I might a Fiesta one day again !

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Sun 19 Sep 2021 17:27
Citroen Berlingo Multispace or Ford Courier - Help I can’t decide - TraceyJC

The Berlingo is very tidy and good condition which is why I had trouble deciding - Ford over Citroen - I've never had a French car (although from Turkey) :-)

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