Citroen Berlingo 2025 Refrigerated Van Review – The Ultimate Buying Guide
The Citroën Berlingo has long been a staple in the compact van market, prized for its nimble handling and practical design. Now, the 2025 Citroën Berlingo Refrigerated Van takes this legacy to new heights, blending modern efficiency with Glacier Vehicles’ expert refrigeration conversions. Tailored for businesses needing reliable, temperature-controlled transport in a smaller footprint, this van excels in urban deliveries, small-scale food transport, and pharmaceutical logistics. With a payload of up to 935kg, a load volume of 3.3m³ (M) or 3.8m³ (XL), and a cutting-edge GAH refrigeration system, it’s a compact powerhouse ready to tackle diverse needs. This review explores every facet—performance, refrigeration, running costs, and real-world utility—to help you decide if this is your refrigerated van soulmate.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | 2025 Citroën Berlingo Refrigerated Van (M) |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity | 935 kg |
| Temperature Range | +5°C (chilled) to -25°C (frozen), dual-zone |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Electric (e-Berlingo) |
| Transmission | Manual / Automatic |
| MPG (Fuel Economy) | 51.4 MPG (Diesel) / 343 miles (Electric) |
| Load Volume | 3.3 m³ (M) / 3.8 m³ (XL) |
| Noise Level | 38dB (GAH system) |
| Ideal Use Case | Urban Food Delivery, Pharma, Small Biz |
Van Overview
The Citroën Berlingo has always punched above its weight, and the 2025 model refines this ethos with a sleek redesign and enhanced tech. Available in two lengths—M (4.4m) and XL (4.75m)—it’s built for agility in tight city streets while offering enough grunt for suburban hauls. The diesel variant boasts a 1.5L BlueHDi engine, delivering 110BHP and a top speed of 108mph, while the e-Berlingo’s 50kWh battery pushes a 343-mile range—perfect for zero-emission zones like London’s ULEZ. Glacier Vehicles elevates this base with a bespoke refrigeration conversion, turning a humble van into a cold chain champion. Whether you’re a florist needing +5°C blooms or a butcher hauling -25°C cuts, this Berlingo adapts with finesse.
Refrigeration System & Temperature Control
The heart of the 2025 Citroën Berlingo Refrigerated Van is its Glacier-installed GAH SRF150 system—a compact yet mighty refrigeration unit. With a 2kW cooling capacity, it maintains temperatures from +5°C down to -25°C, even in dual-zone setups where one side chills dairy while the other freezes meat. Glacier’s insulation—50mm Styrofoam for chilled, 75mm for freezers—ensures thermal stability, holding -20°C in 40°C summer heat during 10-hour trials. The system’s 38dB hum is quieter than a library whisper, making it ideal for residential deliveries. An electric standby option keeps the chill overnight without engine idling, slashing fuel costs by £150 annually on diesel models and syncing seamlessly with the e-Berlingo’s eco ethos. This isn’t just cooling—it’s precision engineering for the cold chain.
Load Capacity & Cargo Space
Don’t let its compact size fool you—the Berlingo packs a punch. The standard M model offers 3.3m³ of load space, stretching to 3.8m³ in the XL, with a payload of 935kg across both. That’s enough for 3-4 Euro pallets or a small business’s daily haul—think 300kg of frozen goods or 500kg of chilled produce. Glacier’s conversion preserves this capacity with lightweight insulation and a hygienic GRP resin interior, adding practical touches like six tie-down points and optional movable partitions. Compared to the Citroën Dispatch’s 5.3m³, it’s smaller but 30% more manoeuvrable in traffic. For urban warriors needing efficiency over bulk, the Berlingo’s cargo game is spot-on.
Fuel Efficiency & Running Costs
Efficiency is where the 2025 Berlingo shines. The diesel BlueHDi engine hits 51.4 MPG—trouncing the Ford Transit 350’s 35 MPG (£1,200/yr vs. £1,800/yr in fuel at 20k miles). The GAH SRF150’s low energy draw shaves another 8% off consumption—roughly £100/yr—versus budget units. For a £23k diesel Berlingo, the 5-year total cost of ownership (TCO) lands at £29k, including £4k fuel and £2k maintenance, outpacing the Peugeot Partner’s £31k TCO (£27k price, weaker 45 MPG). The e-Berlingo, at £28k, drops running costs to £2k over 5 years (electricity + service), though its range caps long-haul potential. Resale holds strong—£10k after 3 years—making the Berlingo a financial no-brainer for cost-savvy operators.
Maintenance & Reliability
The Berlingo’s reputation for durability carries into 2025, with a 1% mechanical failure rate—half the Peugeot Partner’s 2% (gearbox glitches). Glacier’s GAH SRF150 needs a £99 annual tune-up, ensuring 99.5% uptime—£400/yr less in lost revenue than budget vans with 5% downtime. Citroën’s 3-year/60k-mile warranty pairs with Glacier’s 2-year refrigeration coverage, and the UK-wide Glacier service network (free callouts) keeps repairs swift—£200-£300 for brakes vs. £400 for rivals. The e-Berlingo’s battery health monitoring adds longevity, projecting 80% capacity after 8 years. This van doesn’t just run—it endures, with Glacier’s support as the backbone.
Technology & Safety Features
The 2025 Berlingo blends tech and safety into a driver-friendly package. The 8-inch touchscreen runs Citroën Connect, offering navigation, Bluetooth, and GAH temp alerts—check your -25°C load from your phone. The e-Berlingo adds battery range tracking, a game-changer for urban routes. Safety shines with ABS, hill-start assist, and lane departure warnings, while rear sensors and a 180° camera tame tight parking. Glacier’s reinforced GRP panels withstand 30MPH impacts, and advanced door locks deter theft—vital for high-value pharma cargo. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional brilliance for the road.
Real-World Performance & User Experience
Businesses love the Berlingo’s real-world grit. A London dairy owner raves, “My e-Berlingo’s 3.3m³ hauls 400kg daily—zero ULEZ fees, zero spoilage.” A butcher with the diesel M model notes, “51.4 MPG and -25°C consistency saved me £3k in fuel and waste last year.” Rated 4.7/5 across 40 UK reviews, it’s praised for agility and cooling reliability. The catch? The £23k diesel price tops the Partner’s £20k, but £5k in 5-yr savings (fuel + resale) flips the script. Operators call it “the small van with big wins”—a testament to Glacier’s conversion magic.
Best Refrigerated Vans for Different Use Cases
| Use Case | Best Model | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Food Delivery | Citroën Berlingo 2025 | 51.4 MPG + 3.3m³—beats Partner’s 45 MPG |
| Pharmaceuticals | Mercedes Sprinter Fridge Van | 1,500kg payload—60% more than Berlingo’s 935kg |
| Urban Transport | Citroën Berlingo 2025 (e-Berlingo) | 343-mile range, ULEZ-free—30% tighter turn |
| Budget Option | Peugeot Partner Fridge Van | £20k price, but 2.9m³ and 45 MPG lag |
The Berlingo’s compact efficiency trumps the Sprinter’s bulk for city runs, while its fuel edge buries the Partner. For budget buyers, the Partner’s £3k savings fade against Berlingo’s £5k long-term gain.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Refrigerated Van
Choosing a refrigerated van starts with your needs. Need -25°C for frozen goods or +5°C for chilled? The Berlingo’s dual-zone GAH handles both in 3.3m³—ample for small loads, tight for fleets (consider Dispatch’s 5.3m³). Compliance matters—ECWTA for pharma or food safety for perishables; the Berlingo’s certified for both. Cost-wise, £23k diesel beats £20k Partner with £1k/yr fuel savings and £2k better resale—£29k vs. £31k over 5 yrs. The e-Berlingo’s £28k price drops to £25k TCO with electric savings, but range limits it to 300 miles/day. Match your haul, route, and budget—this guide’s your compass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best refrigerated van for small businesses?
How long does the 2025 Citroën Berlingo maintain its temperature?
Is it better to buy the Citroën Berlingo refrigerated van outright or explore other options?
What’s the best alternative to the Citroën Berlingo in its category?
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
The 2025 Citroën Berlingo Refrigerated Van is a compact cold chain marvel—935kg payload, 3.3m³ space, and a GAH SRF150 hitting -25°C with surgical precision. Its 51.4 MPG diesel or 343-mile electric range, paired with Glacier Vehicles’ conversion mastery, saves £5k over 5 yrs against rivals like the Partner. From urban food runs to pharma hauls, it’s a small van with massive wins. Glacier’s £99 tune-ups and UK-wide support keep it rolling, while £10k resale seals its value. For businesses craving efficiency without bulk, this Berlingo’s your refrigerated ride—or-die. Ready to chill? Glacier Vehicles has your back.
