Where earlier versions felt like re-badged alliance products, this generation delivers on the promise of that three‑pointed star on the grille, especially in well‑specced trims.
On the road, the Citan’s most striking trait is how little it feels like a van. The steering is direct and consistent, with a surprisingly sharp turn‑in that lets you place the nose precisely into corners and roundabouts.
Body roll is much better contained than you might expect from a tall, boxy vehicle; it leans a little in faster bends, but never sloppily, and quickly settles again.
That composure and agility encourages you to drive it much as you would a family hatchback rather than a reluctant workhorse, which should go down well with drivers spending long shifts shuttling between jobs.
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The Citan
The diesel engine is modest on paper but well‑matched to the Citan’s brief. Official figures put the 1.5‑litre unit in the low‑to‑mid‑50s miles per gallon, depending on version, and in practice it feels flexible enough for urban errands and motorway stints alike.
There’s enough torque to pull away cleanly with a sensible load on board, and while it won’t set the pulse racing, it settles into a relaxed cruise once up to speed.
Road and engine noise are both well suppressed for a vehicle of this type, adding to that car‑like impression from behind the wheel.
Practicality remains central, of course, and here the Citan makes good use of its footprint. L2 versions offer roughly 3.6 cubic metres of load volume and a payload a touch over 850kg, depending on final specification, which comfortably covers lighter‑duty trades, parcel work and service engineers with racking.
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Mercedes-Benz 110 L2 SELECT
Twin sliding side doors on the long‑wheelbase model make life easier in tight streets and busy yards, while wide‑opening rear doors keep access fuss‑free when you’re backing up to a loading bay.
From the driver’s seat, the Citan’s cabin feels smart and deliberately car‑influenced rather than bare‑bones commercial. There’s a clear, logically laid‑out dashboard with a modern touchscreen in the centre and physical controls for the essentials.
Even in workwear, it comes across as a pleasant place to spend the day rather than something you merely tolerate. The driving position is comfortable, with plenty of adjustment, and visibility is generally good, helped in no small part by the standard reversing camera on this test van.
That camera is genuinely useful, offering a clear image and guidelines that take some of the guesswork out of slotting into tight spaces or lining up with a loading dock.
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The Citan
Material quality and design also give the Citan an edge over some rivals.
Hard plastics are inevitable in a vehicle that must withstand daily abuse, but the way they’re textured and assembled does lend an air of solidity.
Storage is sensible rather than spectacular – you get door bins large enough for big bottles, a decent glovebox and a smattering of smaller cubbies for phones, paperwork and the day’s receipts.
In higher trims, extra touches such as leather‑trimmed steering wheels and subtle chrome or gloss‑black accents lift the ambience further without straying into silliness.
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Mercedes-Benz 110 L2 SELECT
Safety and technology are strong points too. Depending on trim, the Citan can be had with a suite of driver‑assistance systems including lane‑keeping support, autonomous emergency braking, traffic‑sign recognition and blind‑spot monitoring, along with parking sensors and that reversing camera.
For small‑business operators and fleet managers alike, that combination of kit and underlying engineering offers reassurance that drivers are well‑protected if the worst should happen.
Mercedes-Benz Citan 110 CDI L2 Select
PRICE: From £26,655 (excl. VAT)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel
Power: 95PS
Gearbox: Six-speed manual
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Body style: Long-wheelbase small panel van
Length: 4,922mm
Wheelbase: 3,100mm
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