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our test drives or view them all

Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6i petrol VTR

THEY don’t come much uglier – or much cleverer!

Citroen’s Berlingo Multispace is the stroke of genius that will quickly wipe the smile off the face of anyone whose first reaction is to burst into laughter when they spot its gawky outline.

Beneath its thinly disguised van shell is a genuinely excellent family holdall – a colossus of a car masquerading as an MPV.

If you believe all you hear from the people at Citroen they’ll tell you that unlike the Mark 1 Multispace the new Multispace is not a van but a specifically-derived MPV. Ahem, it may be in their eyes but there’s no denying the obvious link between this Amazonian MPV and the French firm’s current Berlingo range.

Citroen has 10 Multispaces in its low-cost range and has no need to be shy about their modest beginnings. They are superb practical holdalls that start from a modest £11,385 for a 90bhp 1.6 petrol VT and go through to a luxurious XTR model powered by a superb 110bhp 1.6 HDi turbodiesel costing £15,065.

The French manufacturer has all angles covered and provided you are not smitten by the "proud" bug and don’t mind that your car comes with the lines of a sit-up-and-beg garden shed, the Multispace will tick all boxes – bar one.

The only trick I think Citroen has missed with this intelligent five-seat hatch, with its clever pair of rear sliding doors and underfloor storage, is the absence in the range of an automatic option.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the slick-changing five-speed manual that equips all petrol and diesel models. But given the obvious appeal to the older, less agile brigade, I can think of no better option than an auto-swapper.

However the lack of an automatic is a minor flaw in an otherwise fine concept. The Berlingo is brilliantly simple, great to drive, with the ride comfort of some so-called luxury cars and with the visibility of a capsule on the London Eye.

How can the same company which foisted the daft Pluriel cabriolet on an unsuspecting Britain be responsible for such a clever and basic family holdall? That is a question that may never be answered – just be happy that you don’t have a Pluriel in your garage – and, if you do, consider changing it for a Multispace.

The model I’m testing here is the most popular trim level, a VTR. The latest VTRs are exceptionally well appointed and make economic sense. Design is brilliant. Storage space is incredible – take the three rear seats out and you’ll be left with 3000 litres of cargo space – now that proves its van heritage! Even with the rear seats in place it will swallow 675 litres and has a low and flat loading floor and plenty of height for tall cargo.

The tailgate is massive with the dimension of a proverbial barn door –and it accesses a world of storage.

Even elsewhere the Multispace is blessed with cubby holes and secure slots. Under the rear passengers’ feet is a pair of usefully deep and secure bins while above the driver and front passenger is a full-width shelf that can easily swallow family detritus. It doesn’t stop there – on the dash top in front of the driver is a hinge-lidded storage tray, there are bins under the seats while the central console has spots for keys, mobile phones and other odds and ends.

VTR grade is a mid-priced Multispace, and the best value one too. In these uncertain financial times when the job market is as tight as national budgets it’s important to find a new car that does most things well. A Multispace VTR might be just that car.

It comes with deep-section tyres for easy ride comfort and steel wheels to hold down cost. Lightweight power steering makes it great for tight town parking slots while central locking, electric front windows and door mirrors add convenience while safety is covered by ABS braking and twin front airbags. Pity though the Multispace only manages a four-star NCAP rating – a consequence of its wide-framed body and van heritage.

Pity too that electronic stability control is only available as a £570 option. However if you buy the ESP the good news is that Citroen throws in side airbags along with the price.

That "two for one" option is repeated if you buy cruise control at £385, when you also get handy rear parking sensors, a real benefit when trying to judge the cliff-like rear door’s distance from a wall.

But the VTR package is good value and includes a top-flight CD/RDS radio system, driving computer and a split and fold rear system.

Using the Multispace underlines its common sense. It’s great to drive, has a fantastic visibility factor for all occupants, bar seeing past its big rear door, and even the seating can only be criticised on very long drives.

Instrumentation is simple and clear and because of its "practical" appeal even the hard plastic of the dash is acceptable.

The biggest surprise I got was driving the Multispace at night. Main and dip beams are good, but what singles it out are the excellent auxiliary driving lamps that flood roadside verges with powerful light and make crossing the Dava Moor in driving rain a lot easier than with many cars I could name. The lamps’ side spread is good when scanning for roadside deer hovering and thinking about that quick, and fatal, sprint across your bow. Lights like these can give you that vital extra warning before they launch!

But there’s one area where the Multispace VTR I had on test makes no sense – its power plant.

My first drive in one of the early production Multispace’s was with diesel power – and that’s where they make most sense. The 109bhp 1.6 petrol unit in my car felt strained under acceleration and guzzled fuel – my average of 32mpg was a real disappointment.

There is only one fuel if you want to take full advantage of the Multispace – turbodiesel. Citroen builds some of the finest small oil burners in the world so why would you opt for greedier petrol? It makes no sense.

The Multispace is one of modern life’s most intelligent and affordable family holdalls – but make sure it’s an HDi turbodiesel unless you plan very modest annual mileages.

Buying now attracts zero per cent finance over three years with a 20 per cent deposit and a 1.6 HDi turbodiesel model with a choice of 75bhp, 90bhp or 109bhp will average around 50mpg.

Owning a Berlingo Multispace is a bit like having a family dog – not a Crufts winner but a much loved mongrel with character.

Rating: 8/10

FINAL THOUGHT: It’s true – you can get something simple and clever. The Citroen Berlingo Multispace proves the point. It may not be the prettiest five-door in the world, but you’ll go a long way to find something that is so affordable, comfortable, practical and so downright sensible. Just make sure it’s a diesel model if you plan average, or above, annual mileages.

Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6i petrol VTR

• Price: £12,305
• Capacity: 1587cc
• Power: 109bhp
• 0-62mph: 13.5 seconds
• Maximum speed: 105mph
• Economy: Combined 34.5mpg; Urban 26.2mpg
• CO2 emissions: 195g/km
• ESP: £570 combined option with side airbags
• Insurance: Group 4