- Further 4.25t electric van rule changes under consideration
- Arval research uncovers van fleet optimism
- Pre-orders open for new Nissan Interstar
- More than half of UK van drivers now believe EVs more cost effective than ICE, VW finds
- Public EV charging costs preventing adoption for some fleets, AFP says
- Ford Ranger Tremor review
- Inseego awarded Crown Commercial Service framework status
- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Electrify and optimise: Digital solutions at the forefront of decarbonisation
- Fleets being pushed to take electric vans due to ZEV mandate, AFP reports
- Buying a used... Citroen Relay (2019)
The What Van? Road Test: Mercedes-Benz Citan (2023)
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Powertrain
Fitted with common-rail high-pressure fuel injection, the Citan’s four-cylinder eight-valve Euro 6d diesel delivers its maximum power output at 3,750rpm. Top torque of 260Nm bites at 1,750rpm.
You’ll find the filler point for the 17.4-litre AdBlue tank on the offside of the body under the same flap that conceals the diesel filler point.
Driving
The Citan’s ride is the same as that of most light commercials – choppy when unladen but becoming steadily calmer the more weight you slide into the cargo area. Acceleration from rest was strong and the well-put-together little van was perfectly capable of holding its own as we battled down the M4.
The handling is safe and dependable, with no shortage of feedback through the responsive steering. In-cab noise levels were a little too high for our tastes though and the gear-changing could have been a bit smoother.
That said, the auto box could still be worth considering – assuming you are willing to pay the extra – if you do a lot of stop-start urban work and remain reluctant to opt for battery-electric technology.
Tap the gear shift to the right and you can go up and down the box manually, although we suspect that most drivers will leave it in automatic mode.
So far as fuel economy is concerned Mercedes quotes a combined WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) figure of 54.3mpg, which is roughly what we achieved.
View The WhatVan Digital Edition
