Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealers are in a unique position. They are the only ones able to supply everything from a light van to a heavy haulage tractor unit with the same badge on; in this case, the prestigious Three-Pointed-Star.
Admittedly the ownership structure of the brand’s truck activities is different to that of its van activities, but that is not something likely to concern customers. All they will see is a dealership capable of satisfying almost all of their fleet requirements.
The light van referred to is the latest, restyled, Citan. While it shares the same basic design as Renault’s Kangoo and Nissan’s Townstar it has features which make it stand out, including the design of the dashboard and the use of Mercedes-Benz’s own MBUX infotainment system.
At present Mercedes is marketing it solely in short-wheelbase 110 L1 guise with just one engine option– a 1.5-litre 95hp diesel married to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. Opting for the latter increases the vehicle’s unladen weight by 20kg.
Trim choices are either Progressive or the more-upmarket Premium, which includes alloy wheels and metallic paint.
An L2 long-wheelbase model is promised for this year along with a crew van and an electric derivative.
At the time of writing, however, it was unclear whether Mercedes would offer the 115hp diesel or the 100hp petrol engines up for grabs in Kangoo, or the 130hp petrol engine offered in Townstar. The latter is being promoted primarily in battery-electric guise.
Faced with a limited choice, we got to grips with a Premium 110 L1 diesel with the automatic gearbox. Here’s how we fared.
Load bay
Access to the cargo area is by means of asymmetric twin rear doors – the narrower of the two is on the offside – and a sliding nearside door. The back doors can be pushed through 90º, and through 180º if you release the stays.
A full-height bulkhead is installed made from hard plastic rather than steel, presumably in a bid to save weight. We’d prefer a metal one, but it seems substantial enough.
If a load is properly secured then the make-up of the bulkhead becomes less of an issue, and there is certainly no shortage of tie-down points. Six are floor-mounted with a further three positioned at waist-height on the offside plus one at waist-height on the nearside.
The cargo bed is protected by a plastic tailored mat and the load bay’s sides are partially defended against minor scrapes and scratches by plastic panels. There is no protection for the wheel boxes however, which, though slim, look vulnerable to being walloped.
Interior and equipment
We’re not big fans of relying solely on a touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard whenever we need to, say, turn down the heating and ventilation system’s booster fan, or turn up the radio. Odds are that you’ll spend so much time pressing the screen to find out how to implement such basic actions that you’ll become distracted and won’t be aware of what’s ahead of you on the highway.
With the Citan, at least some of these functions are activated by chunky, easy-to-understand, dashboard-mounted rotary switches instead; a happy compromise.
Fitted with keyless ignition, the Citan Premium automatic comes well-equipped, with air-conditioning, a reversing camera, reversing sensors, and cruise control with a speed-limiter all included in the deal. You also get alloy wheels, front fog lights, large, electrically-adjustable, heated exterior rear-view mirrors and electric windows.
The 7in touchscreen controls the MBUX multimedia system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth compatibility, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the ability to create a WiFi hotspot. Also featured is a ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant.
The electric parking brake installed in our demonstrator is an option.
Storage facilities include a lidded, but not lockable, glovebox, bins in each of the doors, shelving above the windscreen and a roomy lidded bin between the seats accompanied by a pair of cup-holders. Sitting at the bottom of the dashboard is a smartphone dock along with a 12v power socket and a USB port.
The steering column and the driver’s seat are both height-adjustable. Premium specifications embrace chrome interior highlights and glossy black trim for the instrument panel.
Built-in safety devices include ABS, Electronic Stability Programme, ASR traction control, and Active Brake Assist – autonomous emergency braking, in other words. It is standard on all Citans, but not on all Kangoos and Townstars.
Also provided are Attention Assist, which triggers an alert if the driver shows signs of being tired, Hill Start Assist and High Beam Assist. The latter prevents you from dazzling other drivers at night.
Sensors switch on the wipers when rain spatters the windscreen and illuminate the lights when it starts to get dark. Safety is further assured by the presence of driver, passenger, and side airbags.
Our van’s 16in 10-spoke alloy wheels were shod with Continental EcoContact 6 205/60 R16 tyres.
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.
Operating
The Citan is protected by a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty compared with a three year/100,000-mile warranty on Kangoo and a five-year/100,000-mile warranty on Townstar. Service intervals are at 18,000 miles/two years.
The Mercedes is covered by the manufacturer’s MobiloVan 24/7 roadside rescue and recovery package. It lasts for an initial three years and is renewed every 12 months thereafter for up to 30 years if the operator has the vehicle serviced at a Mercedes dealership.
Extensive use of long-lasting LEDs for the interior lighting, including the load area, should provide a maintenance saving. Premium trim includes LED headlights and LED front fog lights too.
Worth investigating is the free three-year remote monitoring package provided by the manufacturer under the ‘Mercedes me’ banner which can be accessed via your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Features include remote door locking and unlocking and automatic over-the-air software updates.
Disappointingly no spare wheel is provided, once again one assumes to save weight. You get an inflator/sealer instead; not a lot of help if the damage to your tyre is severe.
Our demonstrator was finished in yellow metallic paint, including the door handles and front and rear bumpers, which ensured we had no trouble locating it in a large, busy, car park. Shame that side rubbing strips aren’t fitted to protect the flashy finish from minor damage.
Mercedes-Benz Citan 110 L1 Premium
Price (ex VAT) £23,285
Price range (ex VAT) £21,310 – £23,285
Gross payload 646kg
Load length 1806mm
Load width (min/max) 1248mm/1524mm
Load bay height 1256mm
Load volume 3.3m3
Loading height 589mm
Rear door aperture 1250mm x 1123mm
Side door aperture 451mm x 1059mm
Gross vehicle weight 2250kg
Braked trailer towing weight 1250kg
Residual value 31.0%
Cost per mile 45.8p
Engine size/power 1,461cc, 95hp @ 3750rpm
Torque 260Nm @ 1750rpm
Gearbox 7sp auto
Fuel economy 54.3mpg
Fuel tank 54L
CO2 137g/km
Warranty 3yrs/unlimited mileage
Service intervals 2yrs/18,000mls
Insurance group TBA
Price as tested £25,330
* after 48 months/20,000 miles p.a – source – KWIKcarcost
Options
Automatic transmission £1,825
Electric parking brake £220
Rivals
Ford Transit Connect
Price range (ex VAT) £22,020-£30,585
Load volume 2.9-3.6m3
Gross payload 664-961kg
Engines 100hp 1.0 petrol, 75hp, 100hp 1.5 diesel
Verdict: Reworked a little while ago with a rise in its payload capacity, the Connect keeps on delivering exemplary handling and all-round performance. We cannot fault the eight-speed automatic gearbox, but there is no need to feel short-changed if you opt for the manual transmission instead. It delivers a slick, smooth gear-change which most rival manufacturers can only envy. The Sport variant deserves a round of applause, but anybody involved in the construction industry might want to consider the Active. Its virtues include increased ground clearance plus an optional mechanical limited slip diff.
Peugeot Partner
Price range (ex VAT) £20,220-£34,840
Load volume 3.3-3.8m3
Gross payload 721-987kg
Engines 102hp, 131hp 1.5 diesel, 100kW electric
Verdict: A well-built, sturdy workhouse capable of a hard day’s graft, the Partner is unlikely to disappoint – and anybody on short-haul urban/suburban delivery work should seriously consider the electric version. Bear in mind that the same van is also marketed by Citroen as the Berlingo, Vauxhall as the Combo, and Fiat Professional as the Doblo – all three brands are owned by global automotive giant Stellantis – and by Toyota as the Proace City. Toyota offers an especially-tempting warranty package as it becomes an increasingly-signicant player in the light commercial market.
Volkswagen Caddy
Price range (ex VAT) £19,285-£28,745
Load volume 3.1-3.7m3
Gross payload 606-711kg
Engines 75hp, 102hp, 122hp 2.0 diesel, 114hp 1.5 petrol
Verdict: Like Mercedes, VW places significant stress on onboard safety, a policy reflected in Caddy’s specifications. The engines and transmissions complement one another nicely, quality standards are top-notch, and we have no issues with the level of fuel consumption. On the negative side payload capacity is below that of several of its key competitors and the load cube is smaller than what was on offer from previous Caddies. VW boasts a dedicated commercial vehicle network which ensures that van operators do not end up playing second-fiddle to car buyers.
The Final Verdict
Design 8/10 – Stylish-looking little van that is distinctively different from other light commercials.
Cabin 8/10 – A comfortable and well-equipped working environment packed with useful features.
Ride 7/10 – Choppy when van is unladen but improves the more weight you put in the back.
Refinement 7/10 – Build standard is high, but too much noise finds its way into the cabin.
Load area 6/10 – Plenty of tie-down points but payload capacity is limited.
Handling/performance 8/10 – Former is dependable, latter delivers lots of impetus around town and on motorway.
Engine/transmission 6/10 – A good combo, but automatic box’s gears aren’t smooth. Needs wider engine choice.
Standard equipment 9/10 – Mercedes should be praised for the stress it has placed on built-in safety.
Operating costs 8/10 – Warranty package keeps costs down, assistance is hedged around with Ts and Cs.
What Van? subjective rating 8/10 – One to consider if safety is your priority – and it certainly should be.
Overall Rating = 75/100
