The What Van? Road Test: Citroen Relay 35 review

Date: Monday, July 3, 2017 | Author: Steve Banner

BUYING AND RUNNING

The Citroen Relay is covered by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty with no mileage limit in the first two years. Roadside assistance is included for the first year.

A five-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty and a two-year paintwork warranty form part of the deal too.

Service intervals are set at two years/30,000 miles.

As well as the usual immobiliser, our Relay was protected by a perimetric anti-theft alarm plus a Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system, which is standard – an excellent move implemented some time ago.

All the doors lock automatically once the vehicle is in motion.

Finally, rubbing strips are fitted to the sides and rear doors to protect them from minor damage and the use of a three-piece front bumper means it will not have to be replaced in its entirety if only one section happens to come to grief.

Citroen Relay 35 L3H2 BlueHDi 130 Enterprise Van

Price (ex VAT)	£28,160
Price range (ex VAT)	£21,560-£34,495
Gross payload	1,525kg
Load length	3,705mm
Load width (min/max)	1,422/1,870mm
Load bay height	1,932mm
Load volume	13m3
Loading height	535mm
Rear door aperture	1,562x1,790mm
Side door aperture	1,250x1,755mm
Gross vehicle weight	3,500kg
Braked trailer towing weight	2,500kg
Residual value	18.0%*
Cost per mile	53.9p*
Engine size	1,997cc, 130hp @ 3,750rpm
Torque	350Nm @ 1,750rpm
Gearbox	6-speed manual
Fuel economy	42.8.mpg (combined)
Fuel tank	90 litres
CO2	163g/km
Warranty	3yrs/100,000mls
Service intervals	2yrs/30,000mls
Insurance group	37E
Price as tested	£28,160
* Source: KwikCarcost over 4yrs/80,000mls

Added Extras: Hardtop (£1,774)

RIVALS

Ford Transit

• Price (ex VAT) £23,120-£39,270

• Load volume 9.5-15.1m3

• Gross payload 872-2,169kg

• Engine 105hp, 130hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel

Not as British as some people seem to think it is, the Transit nonetheless still occupies a special place in the UK van market. Responsive engines and a slick gear change help, as do sharp handling, a sensibly-designed cab and a well-judged package of safety measures. Used values are exemplary while running costs remain competitive.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

• Price (ex VAT) £22,860-£46,930

• Load volume 7.5-17m3

• Gross payload 714-2,510kg

• Engine 112hp, 140hp, 163hp 2.1 diesel, 190hp 3.0 diesel, 156hp 1.8 petrol/cng

It's no accident that supermarket home delivery fleets and parcels companies acquire Sprinters in such large numbers. They recognise that the vehicle's robust construction means that it will stand up to the hammering it will receive in service. To that can be added first-class engines, a high standard of safety and exemplary aftermarket support.

Vauxhall Movano

• Price (ex VAT) £23,345-£38,765

• Load volume 7.8-17.0m³

• Gross payload 920-2,200kg

• Engine 110hp, 130hp, 145hp, 163hp, 170hp 2.3 diesel

For your money you get decent engines, plenty of cargo space, respectable payload capacity and one or two neat design ideas to make the driver's life a bit easier. Bear in mind that although there are some styling differences it shares the same basic design as that of Renault's Master and Nissan's NV400 which may give you some scope to play the three makes off against one another to secure the best deal.

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