SEVEN seater showdown! Is Citroen’s £32k eBerlingo BETTER than Mercedes’ £55k EQB? / Electrifying

Have you got children? Or friends? Do your children have friends? Do you sometimes need to transport more than five people without making the extras lie in the boot? Then you’ll need a seven-seat car.
Unless you upgrade to what is essentially an electric minibus, you’ve got a choice of two seven seaters here in the UK. The Mercedes EQB, or the mighty Citroen eBerlingo XL.
Once you do a little digging, there isn’t much electric choice for larger families. Yes, there’s supposed to be a seven-seat option for the Tesla Model Y, but good luck ordering it. Same goes for the six-or-seven-seat Model X, even at more than 100-grand, because that car is missing in action in the UK.
The VW ID Buzz is getting both a six and seven-seat option, but that’s not going to arrive for a while, and like we said, after that you’re into Mercedes eVito territory, and that’s more luxury airport hotel transfer than school drop-off.
If your choice boils down to these two, which is the better car? Join Nicki and Tom as they compare the two. Is the Mercedes really worth £55,310 price tag, or does the plucky Citroen e-Berlingo deliver the goods (and the kids) for far less? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
#electric7seaters #electriccars #electricmpv
Citroen e-Berlingo XL 50kWh
Price from £31,995 (33,370 as tested)
Battery 45.0 kWh (useable)
Range 168 miles WLTP
Charging 7.4kW (11kW optional) AC, 100kW DC 7hrs 15mins home wallbox, 26mins 10-80% 150kW or above (80 miles of range), 41min 50kW
Single motor, Front-wheel drive
Power 136bhp, 192lb ft of torque
Performance 11.5 seconds 0-62mph, 84mph top speed
Weight 1,801kg
Bootspace 1849/2,107-litres
Mercedes Benz EQB 350 4Matic
Price from £55,310
Battery 66.5 kWh (useable)
Range 253 miles WLTP
Charging 11kW AC, 100kW DC 10hrs 45mins home wallbox, 35mins 10-80% 150kW, 65min 50kW
Dual motor, all-wheel drive
Power 288bhp, 384lb ft of torque
Performance 6.2 seconds 0-62mph, 99mph top speed
Weight 2,175kg
Bootspace 465/1,710-litres

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

That Citroen could be ideally converted to a Camper-Van. Wide enough for a double mattress or a single if the likes of me were driving it and room for a cooker, fridge and maybe even a porta-potty, saving on a shovel to dig holes behind trees when you go!!

[@MaplEV_Leaf]

That’s a very cool idea!

[@mishulicius]

Maybe add a solar panel on top to charge the battery while camping?

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

The size up (e-jumpy/dispatch) or the clones from the other stellantis brands are also great. A bit longer range than the berlingo and a fair bit bigger.

[@BloodsplatterBE]

You can buy ready made boxes to "convert" it into a camper, providing the last row folds flat into the floor or can be removed. An example is the QUQUQ KombiBox.

[@isak6626]

I choose the EQB to fit three kids comfortably and it's great. It's not just a great seven seater, it's a great electric car. It's a lot more luxurious feeling than the Wolkswagen ID cars. Some things I'd like to add to the review: 1. The charging curve is one of the flattest there is, so it's actually quite fast. 2. You folded the second row seat in the wrong way when you were getting into the third row. You should simply tilt the seat and slide it forward with the handle on the top the seat. What you did is what you do when you want a big open trunk with a flat floor.

[@gohumberto]

Just waiting for the Berlingo with a 60-70Kwhr battery. a genuine, all-weather, 200miles/320km range turns it into a car that is usable for longer journeys and commercial operators..

[@tesla-spectre]

well one can buy two Berlingo's for one ID Buzz and have substantial spare left (even now ith only a 5 Seat Option available, 7 Seaters will be a lot more expensive) 😂

[@itechtalk03]

I look forward to see what the Kia EV9 will offer, with it’s possible 300 mile range and looking very different to other cars. It’ll be interesting to see how it does.

[@edwindeleeuw6590]

Thanks, I'm looking for a new 7 seater atm and had not yet looked into this :)

[@mikadavies660]

Used to own a Renault Kangoo XL EV in 2016..... If I remember correctly they were £18,500. So moving up to £32k for what appears to be exactly the same vehicle with an extremely similar range & battery pack only proves how much more money manufacturers are charging for their EV's!

[@garyallsopp6369]

Wasn't the Kangoo a battery lease vehicle though?

[@mikadavies660]

@@garyallsopp6369 In 2014, it was the only option... approx £30/mth

[@garyallsopp6369]

@@mikadavies660 Thought so - I had a Zoe in 2015 on a similar scheme. It did reduce the effective ticket price of the vehicles, but you're right; I had expected EV prices to be lower by now. A few factors keeping the prices high I think.

[@mikadavies660]

@@garyallsopp6369 I also looked at the Zoe, it it was a good looking little car. But the battery lease was twice the price of the Kangoo. For some reason the "commercial vehicles" received a 50% discount. I think the prices then were heavily discounted by the manufacturers. But now they have gone the opposite way and decided that people will pay no matter what! I think this is a big mistake. Also they were leading the way in 2014 but Renault / Citroën have sat back and done very little. Really stupid when "commercial vehicles" require EV power even more than private cars. As they are the ones doing big miles per year.

[@russvhill2]

No mention of the Vauxhall Combo Life 7 seater or the Peugeot Rifter version of the Citroen. You could very nearly buy two of the Stelantis Group cars for the price of one Merc.

[@FancyaBevMate]

Why these manufacturers don't offer 60+ kWh variants of basic vehicles like the belingo is baffling. My industry (phv/taxi) needs 230+ miles minimum meaning 7 people in the Real world will give around 180 miles even in the depths of winter with the 60kWh variant. Come on Citroën you can do it! Cheers

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

The model a size bigger (citroen jumpy/dispatch) is somewhat popular as an airport taxi here. Seats 7 passengers and still room for luggage, and 330km range.

[@stephenwensley9328]

What about the 7-seater options from the rest of the Stellantis group, Peugeot e-rifter, Citroen eSpaceTourer, Vauxhall Combo-e, Vauxhall Vivaro and Peugeot eTraveller, is the Berlingo the best of the bunch? At the luxury end we also have the EQS SUV as well now and I’m glad to see the NV200 is no longer an option. Such a shame Rivian’s R1S isn’t available in the UK as that looks like a great 7-seater. So until then I’m still going to wait for the VW ID Buzz 7-seater (when VW?), unless the lottery lets me get an EQS SUV

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

The other stellantis clones are essentially the same van. Not a major difference. The traveler/spacetourer/vivaro are bigger and roomier though. You get a little bit more range with the big battery.

[@LBStephane]

I'm expecting my EQB in April and I must admit I'm looking forward to it. On the other hand, there is also the NIO ES8 which looks really great, but not yet available in France or in UK :(

[@SingSurfStrum]

Berlingo XL has been The Greatest family / adventure car we have ever owned after 25 years in Land Rover Discoverys and Defenders.

[@nomoreheroes93]

It's never mentioned in 7-seater reviews but visibility from the back seats is hugely important - as a kid with travel sickness ending up in the back seats was a nightmare in most cars. Shame there's no Galaxy/Espace equivalent EV being made at the moment too, the SUV or van are the worst of either world.

[@bartoszjankowiak3157]

... Sharan/Alhambra EV equivalent as these two have sliding doors

[@AndrewLumsden]

I'll have a look at the KIA EV9 and Volvo EX90 next year!

[@Dr_JSD]

Personally, as a Taxi driver with a large family. Even though going electric would save me loads in the long term. Maxing out with 168 miles of range is unacceptable. My current 2009 Mercedes vito can do 450-500 miles on diesel. But thats £120 worth of feul. I’m waiting for a 350 mile+ van before i even consider getting one

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

It all depends on how many miles you drive per day. In my case, I pretty much use my car for long motorway cruises, like 220miles each way so I would not appreciate an EV.

[@Dr_JSD]

@@TheAllMightyGodofCod i do around 50-150 miles per day, however i take a lot of trips or spontaneous airport jobs. So a higher range is better. Even if i don’t use all of it

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

@@Dr_JSD I agree. If you just worked around the city, that range would probably be fine but in your case it is not. That is also why I keep my diesel...

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

I see several airport taxis around here with the next size up, spacetourer/traveler. Same size as the vito so you get the luggage space on top of 7 or 8 seats. And 330km range with the big battery size. If you have the option of fast charging on your lunch break (10-80% in just over 30 min) you could do over 500km in a day without major issues. Also, taxi ranks around here have started putting up 22kw chargers. It might not add loads if you're only there for 5 min, but every little bit helps.

[@DSTWizz]

If only Toyota had produced an electric Verso! They really missed the boat. I had 4 of the 7-seat version. Great load carrier with the seats down, too.

[@williamarmstrong7199]

Those rear seats seem to be identical to the rear seats in my 2012 Fiat Doblo 7 seater. Which was also sold as a Berlingo (possibly not as a 7 seater though) Ford Conect, Peugot Vahaual etc etc.

[@georgewalker7061]

Only 136 ps in Power, as about 80 ps in ECO and 110 in Notmal except when you floor the accelerator. So thew 136PS available with lighter accelerator as you move off. What a pity those road testing Stellantis /PSA do not explain that. Or that the 50 kWh battery is only 45 kWh usuable.

Can you do a similar comparison for a 2023 market? Tell us about the Kia EV9 please!

[@ndc5544p]

The Berlingo would profit from a bigger battery, like a 60kWh useable unit. Also, given it's van genes it would massively profit from having a few power outlets inside or with an adapter from the chargeport (V2L). Stellantis is quite stingy with it's battery sizes so maybe in the future we'll see a even more efficient and practical eBerlingo.

[@wolverine1981pl]

that 168mile range will drop to 100 with 7 ppl in car:P

[@georgewalker7061]

There never is s 168 mile range with a 45 kWh usable battery. That would need 3.7 miles per kWh and you are lucky getting 3 miles per kWh.

[@MrKlawUK]

guess weight is an issue? The VW lD3 long range version only has 4 seats because it can't take the weight of 5 passengers. Not quite sure why but it might be a factor

[@rod2625]

Getting into the 3rd row seats the second row seat don’t lay it all the way down then the seat will move forward to give you leg room for easier entry to the rear seats,

[@edgereviews2924]

SAIC are due to release or have released a Maxus Mifa 9 in the UK. It is a people carrier that looks nice, well nicer than the Citroen and Merc. Plus it has a more competitive price and range.

[@bordersw1239]

A Dacia Jogger is £15k less, that pays for a lot of fuel!

[@Petelmrg]

I don't often do requests - but can I see Tom attach child seats to the isofix points of the rearmost seats of the Mercedes and then put two reluctant children in please?

[@stephenwensley9328]

Exactly what I was thinking. Second row with wide opening sliding doors, with seats at a height to prevent backache are the most important features. Seeing how you access the third row with a car seat base with supporting leg installed would demonstrate how useable these are. That Merc would need a trailer for all that stuff that comes with kids, you’d struggle to even get a single folding travel stroller in that boot. My last three cars were determined by the needs of the kids, V70 because it could fit of twins buggy and two baby seats, replaced with Alhambra when we needed to add a third child seat. Discovery for three child seats, dog crate, tow hitch for bike rack and the stuff active kids come with

[@pedromanafaia]

I see so many new vehicles bringing back what the Eurovan had (Citroen C8, Peugeot 807, Fiat Ulysee). None of these concepts are new. And it all started with the Renault Espace, a car we don't even get to buy in the UK nowadays.

[@6ettinold]

Any coincidence that the EQB is priced identically to the electric London cab? We have a diesel Berlingo. Desirable it isn't, but it is utterly brilliant. Clearly the range is compromised with the electric version because space would be compromised if bigger batteries were used.

[@MrFatknacker]

Good review of a very under supported EV market segment. The Citroen, however many seats you put in it, and whatever badges you may stick on the side … is still a delivery van 🤔

[@chaospxl_]

But that is also a benefit, mainly because it's a vehicle with alot of changability really! While the Sex-Appeal of a Delivery Van is less than ideal, the practicality is nothing to laugh at. I for one own a 2003 Citroen Berlingo, and while nowhere near the same size as the modern one, it can still fit (to give people an idea of what space i got) a full washing machine, along with tools, a hand truck, heck i could've even fitted alot more into it as we were helping my sister move. Adding onto Practicality is the space the passengers get, especially the headroom!

[@jamesfranklin2203]

Is the range of the long wheelbase eBerlingo much worst than the short wheelbase?

[@PhiLPHiL]

From the side and interior, the Eberlingo looks like a 2nd gen Honda Stepwgn from 2001 and that one can have 8 seats in 2-3-3 configuration.

[@luisochoa731]

I guess if you live in small towns like London, Madrid or Frankfort makes sense, but if you are in Atlanta or Texas for example, don't plan to come back, unless you can recharge. Actually it won't cross Italy North to South in one charge if you load either.

[@stephenwensley9328]

Try getting a young child into a car seat in the back of that Merc. Not a practical option

[@burcakmerve]

Cant believe your effort to get to the back seats of Mercedes.😂 there is a button for that.😊

[@MrTanahmed]

EQB getting in the back, you don't do it like that! there's a lever on the side that pulls the seat forward and tilts it to get in the back.

[@philsmtbs2956]

Second youtube vid to make that mistake. Its the same as an old Q7 - really isn't that complicated!

[@eyaldavid7532]

@09:00 he says: You can do activities...

[@mitchreeves1]

Erm, for half the price of the Berlingo you could get a top of the range Dacia Jogger? I've been in one and I'm amazed at what a great car that Dacia is, and I'm a badge snob!

[@AutoEV]

Mercedes EQV? We roadtested it on AutoEV last year.......

[@karlhalbe7421]

A couple of infos you missed out on: Load capacity and heat pump for cabin heting. As far as I know, th e-Berlingo can carry 750 kg and it should have the heat pump as standard, as this is the case with the other car on this platform. EQB 350 4Matic can carry 405 kg a heat pump is not mentioned on the MB web-site :(. Given, that is isn't available for the EQS I expect it to be the same in the EQB. Can you shed some more light on this?

[@shawing]

Meanwhile I just keep my fingers crossed for reasonably priced EV conversions for van sized vehicles in the next 5 years 🤣 Maybe some crashed e berlingos will be it haha

[@tonybarton3746]

Missed one point 🤪, if you shopped around you probably could get 2 e berlingos for the price of the merc . And the best point is would you let your children muck up the Mercedes 😊👍👍🤪🤪

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

Ok. I am convinced. If I need a new 7 seven seater I wm go for the better, more stylish, durable Berlingo.

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

Ok Mercedes. So you launch your small child into the Isofix car seat. How to tie the seat harness after that ? Very wet bum for Mum (or Dad) if it’s raining.

[@DariuszTech]

I think I would just buy second hand Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid.

[@Roberto-uk3ml]

This video needed to be done

[@thelaserhive3368]

You could (almost) buy the Citroen and an MG4 for the price of the Mercedes……just saying.

[@mrmawson2438]

MG ?

[@colingarner6175]

There is only one thing wrong with the Citroen its the range ! The same with all electric only cars .

[@andrewsteinhaus8267]

What was in the frunk?

[@BHBeckenbauer]

I’m waiting for Volvo EX90 😎

[@bigtorrisi]

These two cars are for 2 very different markets.

[@H01m3s]

VW could kill it with a Tiguan Allspace EV

[@johnspiteri8532]

Why is the eRifter ignored?

[@dduartez2010]

you dont get a peugeot e-traveller ?

[@nomoreheroes93]

eBerlingo doesn't really make any sense - if it's all you can afford as a 7-seater you'd need it to do long trips because you wouldn't have a second car? It's not going to sell well until it has at least 60+ kWh and faster charging

[@PassportToPimlico]

I've owned four Fiat Multiplas. Six full size seats in a car shorter than a VW Golf. Make a modern EV version and take my money.

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

Just... Don't design it like someone took two different cars, cut the top off one and put it on the bottom half of the other, but didn't get it quite right? Practical for sure. But god that thing was ugly.

[@PassportToPimlico]

@@matthiashejlskov5008 i had one Mk1 and three facelift Mk2s. What tells you about Multiplas is that people who owned one, then bought another. Fold down the two front passenger seats then the two behind then. Then you can transport a single bed or a standard sized wardrobe EXACTLY whilst still having a passenger seat free. One other issue is that there are six seats but every seat is as good as the others. No half hearted +1 seats for your least favourite children. Six proper adult seats.

[@matthiashejlskov5008]

Oh yeah, i've definitely only heard good things from people who had it. Still looks like a frankencar. 😂

[@MSGaddicts]

They can walk

[@mercedescamper308]

I'd rather have an E-NV200 7seater

[@decisionsdecisions8906]

You have the model x that’s a 7 seater

[@amilton1015]

Hello guys from Curitiba/Brazil. Here now 2.30pm.

[@krzysztofcwik5347]

A year ago Mercedes shown eqt concept which is fantastic. i am so worried that production version will be 5 seat only ugly t class. ID Buzz is also far from great family car - no airvents in 2nd row, no childsest tilt and only 2 ISOFIX sets and only LWB in late 2023 if 7 seats ... stellantis Vans are simply ugly and have to small range. eqb... nice for 4 people. Big families are left alone

[@minniesaab7255]

👍🏻🆒️🔝

[@devanman7920]

Because EV are so similar underneath its really starting to expose what crap value the more expensive brands are.

[@John_Merritt]

Mercedes is just relying on its badge to sell cars, who the hell approves a design like that to get into rear seats 😳 and Citroen is that really the name you went with, that made the short list and was selected on purpose. Sorry…zero chance I’m driving a car called an Eberlingo, it’s as bad as the Smart hashtag 1 🤭

[@foxylady1048]

It is obvious that Mercedes engineers 😢have not been thinking this though when designing this vehicle. Back to the drawing board, and do it again. How the hell did it get passed the production team.? STUPID.

[@sih1095]

Experienced motoring journalists . ' head rest'.. Really ?...

[@trackingcalin1988]

Well, I know that Berlingo is better than Mercedes Citan....

[@martinmartyn3030]

The bloke is a cut price Clarkson.

[@trailrunningphil]

why do people who make car videos have to sound so patronizing?!!! I lasted 7 seconds.

[@JoriDiculous]

Yes the Citroën is better. The EQB is stupid. Get rid of the 3rd row and move the 2nd a tad back and it is an ok car. That stupid gimmick with 3 seat rows in smal cars need to stop.

[@S.J7777]

Would rather a Kia Sorento PHEV and put petrol in on long journeys

[@Chip_57]

As ever, real world is lost on the EV zealots. Useless range on the Citroen. As for the other, don't even start me on affordability!

[@ericthexm]

'a wall of information in front of you'......who has time to actually look at the road these days with all this over-specified nonsense!

[@flyme195]

The Citroen is blatantly a van and a bloody ugly one too

[@tomassiaudvytis7717]

tesla model x is a 7 seater …