The What Van? Road Test: Citroen e-Dispatch

Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Cabin

Interior and equipment

Relying on battery power does not mean you have to put up with a meagre level of kit – far from it. Our test van boasted a reversing camera, reversing and front parking sensors, air conditioning and an electric handbrake, as well as cruise control with a variable speed limiter. Present too were a 12v power point – there is one in the load area as well – and a USB socket.

The socket is just one element of an infotainment package controlled by a 7in touchscreen. It includes Citroen Connect DAB radio, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Citroen Connect satellite navigation with voice recognition.

It also comes with an annoying little coffee break icon, which pops up after two hours of continuous driving. Welcome to the nanny state.

Further features on this model include electric windows, as well as heated, folding exterior mirrors. The mirrors are electrically adjustable but lack a wide-angle section.

The touchscreen can display a schematic that shows how much charge is left in the battery pack. It also enables you to programme in the time you want charging to begin if your van is plugged in to a power socket.

In-cab storage facilities include a lidded but not lockable glove box with a shelf below it, and a big cubbyhole below that. In addition, there is a lidded compartment on top of the dashboard and good-sized cup/bottle holders at each extremity. You will find a shelf above the gear selector too.

Both the cab doors feature a large bin capable of accommodating a 1.5-litre bottle of water, with a small cubbyhole below it and another bin above it.

Both the driver’s seat and the steering column are height-adjustable, the seat comes with lumbar adjustment, and in theory it ought to be possible for most people to get comfortable. In practice, however, there is the offset driving position to contend with – and that cannot be classed as good news.

What’s more, whoever occupies the middle seat will find their right knee constantly pressed up against a moulding that bows outward from the fascia. Not exactly a recipe for a comfortable journey.

Pull down the centre section of the seat’s back and it turns into a desk with an elasticated band to keep paperwork in place. Pull up the cushion and you will find more than enough space to stash your smartphone.

Disc brakes are fitted all round, and the vast collection of on-board safety systems includes ABS, electronic stability control, hill start assist, electronic brakeforce distribution
and emergency brake assist.Lane departure warning, intelligent speed adaption and blind spot monitoring are installed as well.

Worthy of mention is the head-up display with traffic sign recognition: a chastening reminder of the speed limit you should be sticking to on the stretch of highway you are driving down.

As if all this wasn’t enough, you are also protected by advanced emergency braking system and forward collision warning.

Rain on the windscreen triggers the wipers and the van’s lights illuminate automatically at dusk. It’s also good to see front fog lights, complete with a cornering function.

Turning to the suspension, the e-Dispatch relies on MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar at the front, with a trailing arm at the rear. Our test van’s fancy 17in alloy wheels, an added option for an extra £100, were shod with 215/60 R17C Michelin Agilis tyres – a good choice.

Electric power steering offers a 12.4m turning circle between kerbs, expanding to 12.9m between walls.

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