Mercedes Citan adopts Kangoo spirit

MERCEDES’ new Citan may be based upon the humble Renault Kangoo – but it has already caused a stir in the 
marketplace since it was introduced in the spring. An upmarket Kangoo with a posher badge it may be, but many 
operators like the sound of it.
Mercedes Citan van has two variants that will appeal both to social and business usersMercedes Citan van has two variants that will appeal both to social and business users
Mercedes Citan van has two variants that will appeal both to social and business users

As is Mercedes’ practice, the van range is supplemented by a brace of passenger-carrying variants called 
Dualiner and Traveliner that are aimed at the crew bus and dual-role (social and business use) market sector.

The Extra long-wheelbase 109 CDI Blue Efficiency is pitched at the mid- end of the range, although with certain options our test example (including VAT) still topped a hefty £19,000.

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The folding-rear-bench-seat option is part of what’s called the Flexibility Pack, costing £719. A clever sturdy folding wire mesh grill automatically swings into play once the seat is folded down for full van use, but rear passengers get a pretty poor short straw deal with minimal leg room and a bolt upright rear seat that’s only tolerable for short journeys as a result.

It’s a shame that the design couldn’t allow for a split-rear-seat seating plan so passengers could also be accommodated in “van mode” as is possible if the Flexibility Pack isn’t specified.

The Citan is more than a glorified Kangoo. Mercedes engineers retuned the suspension and engine and most of these very welcome improvements are to be found on the new Renault, which now ironically offers a 48-month warranty over the German’s three-year plan.

It also quotes 25,000 mile service intervals against 24,000 (originally 18,000 miles) for the Citan – expect to see more jostling for position over the coming years…

Having yet to test the new
Kangoo, we can’t comment on which is the best of the pair; it will be pretty close as you’d expect, and the final choice may come down to individual deals and preferences.

Mercedes-Benz claims Citan resale values (and so leasing plans) will be superior and more attractive purely thanks to the German’s famed name, and it stresses that like-for-like price comparisons with a similarly kitted out Renault can make the Citan similarly priced. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to use a Merc for work?

VITAL STATS

VAN Mercedes-Benz Citan 109 CDi Blue Efficiency Dualiner

PRICE £16,295

WARRANTY 3yrs//U/L

SERVICE INTERVALS 24,000 miles

LOAD l: 1,337-2,137mm/ 
w: 1,219mm/ h: 1,128 mm

PAYLOAD 755 kg

MAX TOWING LIMIT 1,050 kg

ECONOMY 65.7 mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS 112 g/km

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