Citroen Berlingo vs Peugeot Partner: Which Van Wins?

Choosing a van is not always as simple as it seems, which is why we’re here to make things easier for you. In this article, we compare the Citroen Berlingo against the Peugeot Partner to see which one wins. 

Both of these are leading models in the small van sector, so we scratch beneath the surface to see how these two match up in terms of design, dimensions, technology, performance, and price. Read on to find out more… 

What type of van is a Citroen Berlingo?

The Citroen Berlingo is a small van that proves popular among professionals and is sold as either a panel van, crew van, or passenger van - the latter having rear seats and windows. The sought-after panel variant has 60/40 split doors at the rear where a cargo space of 4.4 m³ can be accessed for easy loading and unloading, whereas the crew van option has seating for up to five people which is ideal for ferrying employees around. Read our in-depth Citroen Berlingo review here, for all the specs and details about this van.

What type of van is a Peugeot Partner?

The Peugeot Partner is another popular small-sized van that appeals to sole traders and small business owners. Also referred to as a car-derived van for its similar driving style, it is available in standard and long lengths as a panel or crew van. Like the Citroen Berlingo, the in-demand Partner model also has a load volume of 4.4 m³ and a payload of up to 1,000 kg. Our in-depth Peugeot Partner van review will give you all the specs and features of this model.

Is the Citroen Berlingo van the same as the Peugeot Partner van?

While the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner vans are two different brands, they actually share the same core vehicle platform and components. For this reason, the two compact vehicles are often likened to one another. Here are some key facts about both models:

• Manufactured jointly by the Stellantis group in Europe.
• Built on the same chassis and share drivetrain components like engines, transmissions, and suspension parts.
• Offer similar driver assistance features and safety systems.
• Have identical interior dimensions and cargo capacities for the same body lengths. 
• Provide comparable options and trim levels focused on commercial use.
• Share switchgear, controls, and some interior parts like seats.

What are the similarities between a Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner van?

The Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner share many similarities since they are mechanically very closely matched panel vans. Here are nine ways in which they are most similar:

1. They are built on the same platform and share core components like the chassis, suspension, and some powertrain options.
2. Both vans have a front-wheel drive configuration and are available with five or six-speed manual transmissions, as well as automatic options.
3. The overall cargo dimensions and capacities for both panel vans are almost identical.
4. They offer the same driver assistance and safety features like ABS, stability control, forward collision warning, etc.
5. Both vans can be configured as two or three-seat models with a bulkhead separating the cab and cargo area.
6. Added options are very similar, such as overhead storage, rear parking sensors, and climate control.
7. They share much of the same switchgear and controls for things like headlights, climate settings, and driving modes. 
8. Base trim levels are fairly basic with steel wheels as standard, basic fabric seats, instrument clusters, etc.
9. Top-level trims add more desirable options like alloy wheels, infotainment systems, armrests, and metallic paint among others.

While having unique styling and branding on the outside, the underlying engineering of the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner is largely the same, giving them near-matched capabilities as compact vans.

What are the differences between a Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner van?

Although the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner vans are mechanically very similar, they also have some key differences:

Design

The Citroen Berlingo panel van has a more angular and box-like exterior styling, while the Peugeot Partner variant is slightly more rounded with a sleek profile on the outside. Inside, the interior layouts differ too; the Citroen Berlingo has a far more basic and simple design on the dashboard, whereas the Peugeot Partner has a lot more detailing in the cabin.

Engines

Under the bonnet is where both these small vans also have their differences. The Citroen Berlingo offers a broader range of engine options including petrol, diesel, and electric powertrains. By comparison, the Peugeot Partner is mostly offered with efficient BlueHDi diesel engines - although there is also an all-electric Partner model available as well.

Technology

When it comes to tech, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit dashboard sets the Partner apart from the Citroen Berlingo which lags slightly behind. Although the Berlingo includes more features and safety systems in its entry-level model, the Partners upgrades are worth the money. 

Is the Citroen Berlingo van reliable?

Although the Citroen Berlingo van hasn’t always had the best reputation for reliability, in recent years, there have been improvements to combat previous issues. To meet the demands of consumers and reliability expectations, Citroen turned to Peugeot in its quest for success, using proven components from the Partner model for the Berlingo edition. This has since reduced the previous unreliability issues. 

Is the Peugeot Partner van reliable?

The Peugeot Partner has a good reputation for reliability and consistently scores above average in its vehicle class - this makes it all the more difficult for the Citroen Berlingo to live up to expectations. Sturdy engines like the 1.5L and 2.0L BlueHDi diesels have proven reliable and durable over many years and few issues have been reported for manual and automatic Partner models.

Citroen Berlingo vs Peugeot Partner price comparison

So how do these two compact vans compare on price? Well, the Citroen Berlingo starts at £24,393 from new for the standard Enterprise Edition M model, all the way up to £29,091 for the top-spec Enterprise Edition XL trim. 

By comparison, the Peugeot Partner starts at £24,999 from new for the standard panel van Professional Premium+ model, increasing to £30,537 for the top-of-the-line long panel van Asphalt Premium+ trim. 

When it comes to price, the new Peugeot Partner (deals here) is slightly more expensive to purchase brand new - expect to pay up to £1,000 more than the new Citroen Berlingo (offers here) depending on the model variant and trim choice.

Citroen Berlingo van versus Peugeot Partner van - pros and cons

Both the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner are very similar small panel vans that compete closely in the market. To give you a better idea of what to expect from each model, here's a quick comparison of their pros and cons:

Citroen Berlingo Pros:

• Slightly lower starting price when purchasing a new model
• A wider range of engine options available (petrol, diesel, electric)
• Advanced tech and safety features are included as standard
• Some models can carry over 1,000 kg maximum weight

Citroen Berlingo Cons:

• The onboard infotainment system is a bit dated
• Not all the powertrain options are as fuel-efficient
• Lower reliability ratings in some industry surveys

Peugeot Partner Pros:

• A more modern and intuitive infotainment system
• Excellent fuel efficiency from BlueHDi diesel engines
• Typically more refined and car-like to drive
• Better reliability ratings in surveys

Peugeot Partner Cons:

• Slightly higher starting price when purchased from new 
• Fewer engine options (mostly diesel)
• The entry-level model is very basic inside

Verdict:

Overall, while quite similar, the Peugeot Partner may have a slight edge for its more modern interior, fuel-efficient diesel engines, and better reliability on the road. But the Citroen Berlingo certainly shouldn’t be ruled out - it offers more in terms of powertrain options and added onboard tech too. 

For most professionals, either van would do its job well and serve a purpose - we recommend booking a test drive of each model to help determine which one suits you best. It may be that the differences justify a higher price for the Peugeot Partner van if the budget allows - if not, then the Citroen Berlingo could tick enough boxes instead.

Brand preference also plays a big part in the choice of a van for many tradespeople, and can in fact be the key differentiator for buyers, despite the pros and cons of each.  

FAQs and Answers

We hope our Citroen Berlingo vs Peugeot Partner guide has proved useful. Our aim is to provide a fair review of both models to help you make an unbiased decision when it comes to purchasing a small-sized van for business or personal use. If you have any other questions, please refer to our FAQs section below:

Which is better - the Peugeot Partner or the Citroen Berlingo van?

Both vans offer advantages and disadvantages when it comes to performance, reliability, and practicality. What’s important is to distinguish the differences between the two to understand which model will provide the most benefits. Where one underperforms, the other outperforms, and vice versa. Refer to the pros and cons listed in this article for reference.  

Do the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo share the same engine?

Yes, the Citroen Berlingo is now built using the same engine fitted within Peugeot Partner models, as they prove to be very reliable. Originally developed for cars, Peugeot’s BlueHDi Euro 6 diesel engines have a fantastic reputation for combining high performance and low emissions and are now the engine of choice for Citroen vans too. 

Is Peugeot more reliable than Citroen?

The Peugeot brand has a more prominent history of reliability than the Citroen brand does. A key reason is that in the past, Citroen concentrated its efforts on building cars and vans that looked stylish, but weren’t necessarily practical or reliable. In recent years though, the manufacturer has changed tact under the guidance of the Stellantis group which has since seen a positive shift in behaviour and reliability ratings. 

What is the equivalent of a Citroen Berlingo?

The main competitor of the Citroen Berlingo is the Peugeot Partner van as it shares so many similarities. Other small vans that are comparable to the Citroen Berlingo include the Fiat Doblo, Vauxhall Combo, and Volkswagen Caddy.

Which vans are the same as the Peugeot Partner?

The Citroen Berlingo van is the most similar in size, shape, and ability to the Peugeot Partner van. They are built on the same platform and apart from individual styling and features, are pretty much identical. Close behind is the Vauxhall Combo van, which also falls under the Stellantis parent group of manufacturers. 

What engine is in a Citroen Berlingo?

The Citroen Berlingo van now houses a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine from Peugeot under the bonnet, or alternatively, a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol variant developed by the Citroen manufacturer. 

How much is the UK road tax on a Peugeot Partner?

Unlike cars, road tax for vans is charged at a standard flat rate per tax year. For the tax year 2023/2024 (this runs from April to March) the cost of road tax - also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) - is £320 which will cover you for 12 months when paid in one lump sum. If paying monthly by Direct Debit, the road tax charge increases slightly to £336 per year. 

What is the Citroen and Peugeot group called?

Formally known as the PSA Group, the parent group that now owns both Citroen and Peugeot is called Stellantis - it is the group that also owns Vauxhall, as well as 14 other automotive brands, including Fiat, Jeep, and Alfa Romeo.

Is the Fiat Doblo the same as a Citroen Berlingo?

The Fiat Doblo van (review here) is very similar to a Citroen Berlingo in terms of size and space. Where differences are concerned, it is mainly exterior and interior styling changes, features, and available upgrades that set them apart. Both these small-sized vans are owned by the parent company Stellantis. 

Which Citroen Berlingo is the most economical?

In terms of efficiency, it is the diesel BlueHDi 100 Citroen Berlingo that proves to be the most economical of them all. 

Find your next Citroen Berlingo or Peugeot Partner at Loads of Vans

When it comes to sourcing a small Citroen Berlingo or Peugeot Partner van, our new and used van centre in London and Surrey has many models to choose from and some of the best new van deals and offers available in the UK. We are a trusted supplier of high-quality approved commercial vehicles from many big-name brands that are in stock and ready to drive away today. 

Our selection of small vans is an ideal choice for those seeking a car-like driving experience, yet require ample amounts of room in the rear. Compact commercial vehicles can not only get the job done but prove to be more economical and affordable than a larger model too. 

Visit our Loads of Vans dealership today to see our Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner range in person!