Citroen Relay Van Review

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Our Review of the Citroen Relay

The Citroen Relay 35 L3 is a van that packs a 2.2 HDi engine and a 120 bhp. Though there are Relays with lower break horse power and give an impressive performance, the extra 20 bhp can make all the difference especially when the van's 1525 Kg payload is full to capacity.

Citroen have given the Relay 35 L3 gear ratios that can cope with steep inclines and heavy loads without loosing too much power. Impressively, the van provides 184lb/ft maximum torque between rev ranges of 1500 rpm to 2800 rpm.

To this end, power and strength seems to be what this model from Citroen is all about. Unlike Citroen's vans which have slightly less payload and are geared around making use of a good compact size and easy access, the Citroen Relay is takes on more of a workhorse ethic. It is hard to envision the Citroen Relay being unable to handle regular use travelling distance at full capacity. Its mpg is 32.1 and thanks to the traction and gumption available in low revs, it can easily chop through the work.

Loading space has been well thought out in the Relay, as wheel arches make minimal intrusion leaving as much of the loading bay as free as possible for the load. For a van of its class the loading height comes in at 560mm which is impressively low. Turning circles on the Citroen Relay is impressive for a van of its size, so manoeuvring into tight spaces should not pose a problem for most drivers.

Engine noise can be a significant factor for this type of van. Again the Relay 35 L3 keeps the standard high by keeping the engine noise to a minimum. The loading bay however can be a little creaky when the driver bulkhead is missing. Either way, the stereo which comes as standard will drown out most of the noise if needed.

The cabin design is arguably not as good as some of its rivals such as the Sprinter or the Crafter, but many feel it is slightly more user friendly given the amount of storage space for paperwork and other essential items many drivers need to hand. As standard, the Citroen Relay comes equipped with over speed warnings, automatic headlamps and wipers, Trafficmaster satellite navigation, and vehicle tracking. There are also numerous upgrades available such as speed limiters, subscription to speed camera updates, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, and reversing cameras.

The Citroen Relay 35 L3 Diesel is takes a workhorse approach, and is suited to transporting capacity payloads over distance, a task which it performs well.