2019 Citroën Relay Review - In-Depth Roadtest | Vanarama.com
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Size isn’t everything… unless you’re looking for a large van in which case if you’ve ever seen a Fiat Ducato or Peugeot Boxer large van then you might not have realised you were staring at a Citroen Relay too! Just look at the shape of it… it’s enormous!
It’s a proper workhorse, and not only is it capable of carrying huge loads, its running costs are some of the best in the category, something Citroen are VERY proud about.
They’re also proud about letting people know that it went through a ton of testing - 4m kilometres of test driving and 500,000 door slams - and now it’s got the Vanarama Road Test to contend with…
At the front, a great big Citroen badge and swept light greet you, it's an attractive van with a futuristic front.
Did you know that the front is broken up into 3 panels? That’s Citroen being clever so if one gets damaged you don’t need to pull the whole front off… just the panel that’s damaged! Combine that with the durable plastics and metals and it all feels solid.
There's huge visibility through the windscreen and a big aerial above that.
On the inside, you'll find a "rough and tough" durable interior.
Black plastics and hard-wearing fabrics - no-frills, this vehicle is all about work.
The steering wheel and dashboard instruments are big and easy to see, the gearstick placement is convenient and dash-mounted, though the handbrake is on the other side of driver, which is a bit odd, thankfully, it sounds if it’s not totally off.
The radio is basic, and sounds.... fine, but there are some handy touches dotted around the cabin, such as the clipboard, tough rubber floor mats and plastics that are non-slip.
Storage - lockers, cubbies, in-door, under-seat... everywhere and the Relay has one of the widest load bays in this class of van, at 1.8m between partitions and 1.4m between the inner wheel arches. The side door is 1.2m wide and the payload weight is 1500kg - other variants of the panel van can carry anything up to 1995kg (which is a whopping great payload).
H3 versions of the Relay are top of the class at 2.1m high (better than the Sprinter and VW Crafter. The standard steel bulkhead has plenty of fixing points and fittings across the full height of the van and you get free ply-lining with EVERY Vanarama lease.
When on the road, the suspension is a little bouncy when empty but stiffens well under load. On the other hand, the 2-litre BlueHDi engine is powerful, Citroen have always been good at selecting hard-wearing, hard-working engines.
For its size, there's a real ease of driving - really low turning circle for such a big van - surprise.
Market Comparason
• Peugeot Boxer - it’s as established as the Relay. Good… if not very similar, performance.
• Fiat Ducato - it’s got a different engine and some will say that makes it a totally new van… despite it not being different… apart from the badge.
• Nissan NV400 / Renault Master / Vauxhall Movano - shared engines, probably better cabs.
• VW Crafter - Payload isn’t big, neither is fuel economy, but it’s very user-friendly.
• Ford Transit - there’s a new one on the way, but the current model is the best-seller for a reason… just don’t mention the slightly lower payload.
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter - it’s always sparring for the top spot, and is absolutely packed with tech.
On big vans, you always pay a premium for the best performance… except with the Citroen Relay which is often available to lease at excellent monthly rental prices.
The cabin is nothing to shout about, we know it’s basic. But it’s a workhorse, does it have to be an overblown tech cavern?
The Relay is a hard-working vehicle, so it’s all about being highly durable. From the front to the back.
And you might expect to pay for that durability, but the Relay is a great van, available for great prices.
The road ahead is easy to see with a windscreen this big but put your money in the Citroen Relay and the road ahead is also one full of cost savings. - Авто та транспорт
I've got the older model, will be my 2nd Relay 2.2, love it.. if I ever replace it I'll go for another one
Tom here: I don't blame you!
Driven 45k in my L4H3 "Heavy" in the last 7 months, loaded & unloaded has averaged 35mpg. Aircon is ok as long as you are moving, seems to virtually give up when stationary. Citroen warranty is good, 100,000 miles or 3 years. Back doors only open to 180 deg, but the load capacity is excellent. Overall a good daily van.
Tom here: couldn't agree more! Glad to hear you like the vehicle.
pro tip : watch movies at Flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Jaden Stefan Definitely, I have been using flixzone for since december myself :)
@Jaden Stefan yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for years myself :)
@Jaden Stefan Yup, I have been using flixzone for years myself =)
How well does the h3 height van deal with tight clearances which seem to be everywhere you look in your area? Do you see a lot of pranged roofs over there in Europe? They only give us the H1 and H2 Ram Promasters over here.
Tom here: Well, it's a lot higher than the H1 & H2, and you'll no doubt clonk the top a few times. So long as people check their space, we don't see too much bad damage - just the odd polishable scratch from a branch.
I have comment this video. I do have L4H3. 2.0 160 BHp Now after 306 824 km today where 2 years will be in April. Hmm fuel economy is about 8.5 / 100 km. Power ? Now I'm loaded 1 050 kg and in our hill area of 12% in 3.5 km uphill it crys. I used to have 3.0 178 BHp. That was Engine after 4 years and 2 months 785 000 km. I sold it but missed that car. And side loading hm what kind of graduated I...t put that protections bar behind cabin. If you are loading EU pallets higher than 95 cm no chance to pass without taking of the rubber seal. So you have to load second pallet from the back. And if they are hm 250 kg each as you can load 5 pallets of 250 kg it is nightmare. Oil consumption is terrible and I did have put DPF for cleaning after 280 000 km. Old 3.0 after 550 000 km. Will see the new 2.2 165 BHp. But Jumper is otherwise nice car. My is Number 4. See ya to UK. On 16.3 going there again. Regards from Slovakia
Don't talk to me about that van until they put some decent cup holders in it
Paul Davis don't forget the stupid handbrake, that impossible to work computer readout,and somewhere to stick pens(I end up putting them into the dash top air vent)
Valid feedback really...
5 cup holders in mine, how many do you need.
@@Thecrazyvaclav Hand brake is perfect, you can select a gear and take hand brake off at same time. ideal for milk delivery speeds things up.
What’s the reliability like on these vans? My co worker said that they were not the best
Tom here: They're reliable vehicles. It depends what you're using it for. It's a no-nonsense large van, the newer engines are much improved too.
The fliptop is a cooler too when aircon is running 😎
Tom here: If you're lucky enough to have one of these with aircon ;)
will the cup holders fit a proper pint?
Tom here: You know you're not supposed to drink n drive, Alfred. It's illegal. But what you worry?
The rubber / thin plastic matting wears out in around 1.5 years, cover it immediately! Very good driver friendly van, i have the Peugeot model. Its great, get it with ac then the top box will chill your lunch too!
Yes! The model we received to review didn't have AC... but even on the hottest day I didn't notice because the huge windows fill the cabin with air. It's such a good van, impressive space and excellent running costs.
My rubbers holded 4 years hmm. But could happens. Now they are nearly 2 years old and like new one. But I do clean car regulary. Jumper is ok Van. Just this new engines are weak after you load the car
I think these vans are great, look nice too, strong engines and cheap to buy
Tom here: Completely agree.
I don't own a tablet but I never leave home without a coffee
Bin the cubby and give us cup holders
Tom here: I'm with you there... my blood stream is pretty much just a caffeine stream.
He sounds like a good seller
Tom here: I'm trying to be a good reviewer... sometimes I come across extremely enthusiastic. But I love vans... it's my cross to bear.
Nice ram promaster
Pedant alert. "and even if I was..." when talking over the visibility with the chase car in front.... should be "and even if I WERE..." The grammatical reason for this is, if you're interested, conditional (subjunctive) mood of the verb. (It's not a TENSE, but a Mood occasioned by the preceding conditional word "if" which has a meaning of impermanence and improbability about it.) that's why you have to say I you he she we you they WERE in this instance. Many thanks for an otherwise inspiring video after seeing the first 2019 Boxer on the road outside my office, and druelling over it.
Tom here: Absolutely, you got me bang to rights with my improper use of the subjunctive there... however, it's "drooling" not "druelling". We was both were wrong there.
@@vanaramauk You know, I looked at that word for ages and changed it around. Never once thought of a double-o. So you did the vanarama ad on LBC. Do you know who sang the jingle? They were pretty good for all the annoyingness of it as an ad. There are some horrific ads out there the worst at the moment is that one about the wall crawler it's for some shite investment company or building society I think. The sanctimoniousness of the voice just pushes all my butons, and sorry buttons and I don't even remember what it was for. Great videos by the way, keep them coming. I love the new Citroen Relay, I'd quite like to get an L1 H1 or Boxer. There was one parked outside my office last week, I got quite a passion over it, the thought of being able to stand up. Even parked next to it in the middle of the road just to see how long it was. Shorter than my L2 H1 dispatch. Shows what a sad empty and meaningless existance, existence I lead doesn't it! Did you do latin too as a schoolboy then?
They cooped the ram promaster
I've always had swb Transits. Big vans scare me.
It's actually a cool box
Thought Tom was leaving 🤨🤔
The most uncomfortable can I've ever driven and where did the 42 mpg come from no chance of that and rolls like a pig around roundabouts
Tom here: I got it on my drive, I was as surprised as you. Also, I didn't get much roll at all, even without a heavy load it was still pretty solid.
12 months on back door does not shut properly had to adjust locking bar floor mats holed limp home mode clutch sensor replaced when pulling away from junction have to leave with clear road the lag is unbelievable and mpg 44 yeah ok back to transit
This is a infomercial - not a review.
Tom here: It was the first one we tried, you'll see them getting much more focused on reviewing the vans & trucks - especially in the driving sections - as our series progresses.
If you need a Giant Microwave
Buy it.........
In Summer time can rich 35,45 degrees Guarantee in ........
Tom here: Unless you up-spec to get the aircon! Which is a must by the sounds of it...
Mercedes and VW are both safer apparently.
Tom here: The Sprinters and Crafters have higher levels of safety equipment as standard (but at the usual slightly higher prices), but the Relay has a lot of options that can be added (which adds a bit to their lower price).
But much more fuel consumption, higher prices and less load capacity. Engine problems and higher repair bills.