Citroen Relay Review & Buyers Guide

Citroën Relay Review & Buyers' Guide

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£17,540 – £27,190

Available as	Engine options	Volume (m³)	Payload (kg)	MPG
Panel Van, Chassis Cab, Chassis Crew Cab, Dropside, Luton, Minibus, Platform Cab, Refrigerated, Tipper	2.2TD 100/120hp 3.0TD 160hp	8.0 – 15.0	1,155 – 1,995

Our Verdict
Relay has come of age with this latest generation. The cab is well designed, engine choice is good, there’s a wide range of models available and the Ready to Run conversions are extensive to say the least.

The result of a long-standing joint-development deal between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Fiat, the current generation front-wheel drive Relay has been with us since the end of 2006 and there is a wide selection of van models, including crew cabs, chassis cabs and conversions available.

The panel van has a choice of three wheelbases, four body lengths, three roof heights and four gross vehicle weights; 3.0, 3.3, 3.5 and 4.0 tonnes. The result is a load volume spread of 8.0m³ to 17.0m³ and payloads ranging from 1,110kg to 1,995kg.

Access to the van’s load area is via twin, unglazed side-hinged doors and a sliding nearside door comes as standard. There’s an abundance of load tie-down points, but the ladder-type bulkhead behind the driver really should be replaced with the optional full, solid one. It not only helps to cut down noise it also increases load area security substantially.

Engine choice runs to three; two 2.2-litres and a 3.0-litre. The 2.2-litre can be had at either 100hp or 120hp while the 3-litre is capable of 160hp. Peak torque figures are 250Nm and 320Nm for the 2.2s and a whopping 400Nm for the big powerplant.

All the engines are refined and provide a good spread of torque. The 2.2s should be well up to the task for most operators, with the 3-litre reserved for specialist applications.

Braking is taken care of by discs all-round and ABS comes as standard. Should the additional security of ESP be required, it’s an optional extra.

Current Relay’s cab is a revelation compared with that of its predecessor. There are storage areas everywhere, including two gloveboxes — one is lockable — and the driving position works well in tandem with the dash-mounted gearstick. And in this case it doesn’t restrict cross-cab movement. Just another example of how much thought has gone into the cab’s design. The handbrake is situated on the floor by the driver’s door, but it doesn’t get in the way when climbing in and out.

Chassis cabs and chassis crew cabs can be ordered for specialist conversion, but if something straightforward fits the bill Citroën’s range of Ready to Run models is well worth a look. Relay can be had off-the-shelf as a Dropside, Tipper, Luton, Refrigerated, Minibus (12-, 15- or 17-seater) and even a Car transporter, to name but a few.

All Relays come with Trafficmaster’s Smartnav system as standard and benefit from Citroën’s standard two-years/unlimited mileage or three-years/100,000 miles mechanical warranty.