Citroen Dispatch and e-Dispatch review

As part of its Pro One strategy for its commercial vehicles business, Stellantis has launched a full range of renewed and electrified compact, mid-sized and large vans.

In the UK this sees 12 vehicles in total across four brands - Citroen, Fiat Professional, Peugeot and Vauxhall – receive updated styling and technologies, while electric versions of all models are now available, with second-generation battery electric powertrains delivering greater range than before.

Sitting in the mid-size category for Citroen is the updated Dispatch and electric e-Dispatch. Exterior changes include a new, more aerodynamic front-end design which now includes LED headlights and a grille which incorporates the brand’s new corporate branding.

This gives it a much more modern appearance than before, and this carries over into the cabin.

A new dashboard is more elegant than in the outgoing Dispatch, while the updated My Citroen Play Plus infotainment includes a 10-inch high-definition central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

A new steering wheel features integrated controls for key features, such as multimedia and telephone , while a range of new safety technologies is also fitted. There are plenty of storage spaces around the cabin.

Citroen offers the Dispatch with a choice of two diesel engines and one fully-electric powertrain, two body lengths – M (4.98m long) and XL (5.33m long) – and as either a panel van or five- or six-seater extended crew van.

The standard panel van bodystyle offer load capacities of 5.3cu m and 6.1cu m in the M and XL lengths respectively. The crew vans have load spaces of 3.2cu m and 4.0cu m.

Customers can increase the practicality of the panel van through Citroen’s Moduwork technology  – standard on Driver trim level and a cost option on Enterprise (see below for more on equipment grades).

This provides a load-through bulkhead and folding side passenger seat to extend the load length in XL versions up to 4m. This also increases carrying capacity to 6.6cu m.

The ICE versions are available with either a 1.4-litre BlueHDi 120 engine producing 120PS or a 2.0-litre BlueHDi 145 with an output of 145PS. WLTP combined fuel efficiency ranges from 34mpg to 44mpg.

The smaller-engined model is available only with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful variant can be specced with either the six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Maximum indicative payloads range from 1,121kg to 1,384kg, and all diesel models have a maximum unbraked towing weight of 750kg.

The electric e-Dispatch panel van obviously can carry less weight, and has a payload of 1,001kg (crew van is from 915kg to 940kg).

The zero-emission model has a 136PS electric motor, and its 75kWh battery gives it a WLTP combined range of up to 217 miles, 12 miles more than its predecessor.

New e-Dispatch has a 7.4kW on-board AC charger, meaning the battery can be charged from empty to full in 11 hours and 20 minutes. An 11kW charger is available as an option and this cuts the recharging time to seven hours and 30 minutes. Using a 100kW DC rapid charger, it takes 45 minutes to take the battery from 0% to 80% capacity.

It also has three levels of regenerative braking, selected by using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

On the road, the Dispatch drives well. We tested the BlueHDi 145 in M body length and with a manual gearbox. With a 250kg weight in the back, the van was surprisingly sprightly as well as offering a decent ride and good visibility.

Across the whole Dispatch and e-Dispatch range, two trim levels are offered: Enterprise and Driver. As well as the My Citroen Play Plus infotainment system, entry-level Enterprise models feature air-conditioning, heated door mirrors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, dual passenger bench seat and a six-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and armrest.

Standard safety and security equipment includes automatic lights and windscreen wipers, remote central locking, lane keeping assist, intelligent speed assistance and driver attention alert.

Driver equipment grade adds a number of different features, including digital rear view mirror and lateral side view, reversing camera with top rear vision, blind spot monitoring and front park assist, as well as 17-inch wheels and front fog lights.

It also benefits from My Citroen Drive Plus which sees the infotainment system incorporate 3D navigation that takes into account traffic in real-time.

New Dispatch is available from £26,710 (exc VAT), with e-Dispatch starting at £41,210 (exc VAT).