I DON'T often check out vans but when Citroen offered me the latest Dispatch for a few days, I had to give it a go and I sent it back hugely impressed.
What a brilliant machine – and I mean that most sincerely folks. I drove the biggest version fitted out as a minibus and called the Combi, which has nine seats and plenty of room for luggage.
Two engines are available in three different power outputs and all are HDi turbo diesels.
The range starts with a 90bhp 1.6, then comes a 2.0-litre with 120, and I drove the range topping 2.0-litre with 136bhp.
Performance was more than adequate for anything I could throw at it in more than 200 miles and the engine is smooth and well insulated.
Over all those miles, it managed 31mpg, which has to be pretty good for something that size and being a minibus, I asked everyone who ride in it what they thought of the comfort. Two said it was better than their cars.
Interior
Citroen steals a march on all its rivals with the Combi, by including satellite navigation, and if you go for the Enterprise model that I drove, you also get bluetooth handsfree, USB music connection and air con.
The seats are in three rows of three, and the centre front passenger’s space is tight. The upholstery is good looking and the seats are comfortable so it’s no wonder so many are appearing as taxis!
FAST FACTS
Citroen Dispatch Combi
Price: £19,642
Mechanical: 136bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 100mph
0-62mph: 11 seconds
Combined mpg: 37
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 194g/km
BIK rating: N/A
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: VW Transporter