The Citroën Relay has been a popular van for many years, partly because Citroën has offered some great finance deals. It first went on sale in 2006, with updated and improved versions introduced in 2014 to keep up with its main rivals: the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter.
It was updated again in 2016 to add a Euro 6 diesel engine, and further changes in 2021 ensure the Relay meets the Euro 6.3 standard and introduces a new trim level structure.
Known outside the UK as the Citroën Jumper, the Relay shares its body and platform with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato – in fact, the differences between the three vans are so subtle that they’re hard to tell apart. One big difference is that under the short bonnet, Fiat uses its own engines, while PSA has opted for a different product line. Peugeot and Citroën both use the 2.2-litre BlueHDi engine, available in two power outputs.
Citroën said its focus on long-term running costs and customer relationships were key reasons for choosing the Relay over its van sibling. The Relay’s headlights and grille are inspired by new Citroën models and feature a large V-shaped surround that merges with the chrome trim at the front. The extra LED trim inside the headlights is also a nice touch.
The Relay has also been updated in more important ways: the doors and brakes have been tested and upgraded to improve durability, the engine range has been updated to improve emissions and economy and interior quality has taken a step forward, with a wider range of specifications added. Satellite navigation, a reversing camera, automatic wipers, lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitors are available as options.
The 2.2 BlueHDi diesel engines are available in 120 or 140 form, both with an economical start-stop function and a six-speed manual gearbox as standard sending power to the front wheels. There’s no automatic gearbox, but Citroën offers a clutch management system designed to give the Relay some off-road capability.
The vans have payload capacities ranging from 1,125kg to 1,870kg, from 8 cubic metres in the L1H1 version to 17 cubic metres in the L4H3, the longest and tallest model. The Relay also comes in a range of forms, including chassis cab, tipper, dumper and Luton, as well as the company’s range of ready-to-go conversions.
Citroen offers X, Enterprise and Driver models: the X is very basic, while the Enterprise offers quite a lot of kit. Driver vans come with kit such as a reversing camera, driver assistance pack, automatic lights and wipers. Updates for 2021 add cruise control to the X version, while Enterprise and Driver models get new interior USB charging ports and a tablet holder on the dashboard. Each model now has a 12V socket in the cargo area.
Updates help the Relay stay competitive with its rivals, but while it can’t match the Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter in terms of driving, it does have a strong equipment list, a wide choice of body styles, and a practical cabin and cargo space.
The Relay BlueHDi 120 diesel is only available in the smallest H1L1 body style, and Citroen claims this engine has a combined WLTP economy range of 26.6-34.9mpg. The larger BlueHDi 140 diesel is only slightly worse, with WLTP combined figures ranging from 25.5mpg to 34.3mpg, whichever body style you choose.
The Relay’s long-term running costs are a key consideration for many customers, and the brand has gone to great lengths to ensure the van performs as it should throughout its life. For example, the front bumper is made up of three parts – so if the driver hits a bump, only a small section will need to be repaired or replaced.
Likewise, the tyres fitted are specifically chosen because they are common and economical sizes, so a punctured van will not remain on the road for long until suitable tyres are found.
Citroën’s range of ready-made modifications for the Relay also gives customers the opportunity to drive the perfect van of their choice with minimal effort.
Available in four body lengths and three heights, the Citroën Relay’s load space is comparable to the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato, meaning it has one of the best capacities in its class and impressive versatility. Note that the largest version of the Relay weighs in at over 4 tonnes, so some drivers will need a lorry licence and a tachograph.
The Relay’s cargo area is wide, with 1,870mm between the bulkheads and 1,422mm between the inner wheel arches. This means it can lie flat on a Euro pallet or fit through a 1,250mm wide side door. The reinforced doors also help prevent damage if the forklift operator fails to notice the gap.
The Relay H3 version is 2172mm high and the standard steel bulkheads have enough fixing points to accommodate the full height of the van.
The rear door opens 260 degrees, although it is not easy to operate with one hand. There is a sliding side door on the left and another on the right.
In addition to vans, Citroën also offers six-seater crew vans and window vans, as well as various three- and six-seater chassis cab models that can be easily converted.
The increased durability of the components used in the relay should contribute to its reliability, although it has never had a bad reputation in this regard. The diesel engine range has always been extensive, and there is no reason to believe that this will change with the arrival of the latest BlueHDi engines, which comply with the Euro 6.3 standard.
This latest model has undergone extensive testing before its release. To check the performance of the new components, Citroën has carried out more than 4 million kilometres of test drives and 500,000 shutdowns.
Stability control, hill start assist, ABS and emergency braking are standard on the Relay, while lane departure warning is also available on larger models (optional on MPVs). A driver airbag is also standard. The new model’s improved brakes should also improve safety.
The Citroën Relay is quite easy to drive: light steering, wide forward visibility and a well-thought-out interior layout. The gearbox is not the best, with jerky shifts, but the position of the lever on the dashboard is quite convenient.
All engines are powerful enough, and even the BlueHDi 120 is strong enough to stay in top gear most of the time at higher speeds. If you’re going for an L1H1 van, we’d go for the 120 diesel, but if you’re going for a larger van to carry heavier loads, you might want to consider the BlueHDi 140.
Even without a load in the back seat, the Relay’s ride quality is quite good. On rough country roads, the optional suspension driver’s seat soaks up most of the bumps, but on faster roads it’s uncomfortable, raising and lowering itself, straining the belt. Sometimes it’s tight, sometimes it’s loose. The Ford Transit’s ride quality is among the best in its class, while the Mercedes Sprinter’s seats are more supportive. Volkswagen’s new front-wheel-drive Crafter also offers a better combination of ride and comfort, making the Relay a tough act to follow.
The current Relay’s interior is nicer than the previous model, but it still feels very practical. However, the addition of a small touchscreen (optional) makes the interior feel more modern.
If you’re prepared to spend an extra £1,000, it’s worth upgrading from entry-level ‘X’ trim to Enterprise specification. This adds air-conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, a touchscreen navigation pack with a 5-inch colour screen and steering wheel-mounted controls, rear parking sensors and a perimeter alert system.
A rear-view camera and parking sensors are also a nice touch (standard on the Driver trim), making reversing into tight spots less of a hassle. The rear-view camera screen displays two yellow lines indicating the rear door, so you can park with confidence without worrying about the rear door not being able to open.
The cabin offers 13 different storage locations, including a large overhead area and a lockable central glove box to keep valuables safe when loading and unloading.
The Relay comes standard with three seats, including a drop-down table in the middle, but this can be removed via the options list (at no extra cost).
Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for over 20 years and has worked in almost every department, starting with magazine production and then moving on to road tests and reviews. He’s our resident vans expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer goods.
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Post time: Dec-11-2024