Mercedes-Benz Citan
Used Car Review

Overview

Thinking about a compact van that doesn’t compromise on quality? The Mercedes-benz Citan might be exactly what your business needs. This premium small commercial vehicle brings Mercedes-Benz’s renowned build quality and refinement to the competitive compact van sector. It’s designed for businesses and trades people who want the prestige of the three-pointed star without the bulk of a larger commercial vehicle.

From the moment you see it parked up, the Citan stands out from rivals like the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy. Its distinctive Mercedes grille and sharp styling give it a professional presence that commands respect on any job site. But the real difference becomes apparent when you climb into the cab. The interior feels more like a premium car than a basic work van, with quality materials and thoughtful design touches throughout. Everything from the steering wheel to the door handles has that solid Mercedes feel.

Driving the Citan is a surprisingly refined experience for a compact van. The engines are smooth and well suited to urban deliveries and longer motorway runs alike. It handles with precision and composure, making tight city manoeuvres feel effortless while remaining stable and comfortable on dual carriageways. While it commands a premium over some competitors, you’re investing in Mercedes quality, better residual values, and that professional image that can really matter for your business.

How Does the Mercedes-benz Citan Drive?

The Mercedes-Benz Citan focuses on smooth, refined performance rather than outright power. The range of diesel engines available are all tuned for efficiency and everyday usability. The entry-level 95hp diesel unit provides adequate performance for urban deliveries and light loads. It feels responsive around town and has sufficient torque for comfortable cruising with a full cargo bay. The more powerful 116hp version offers stronger mid-range performance, making it ideal for businesses covering longer distances or carrying heavier loads regularly.

Where the Citan truly excels is in its driving refinement. The steering is precise and well weighted, making parking and tight manoeuvres surprisingly easy for a commercial van. The suspension strikes an excellent balance between load carrying capability and ride comfort. Even when unladen, it doesn’t feel harsh or bouncy like many rivals. The cabin is notably quiet, with excellent sound insulation that reduces road and engine noise. This creates a more car-like driving environment that makes long working days less tiring and more pleasant.

Inside the Mercedes-benz Citan: Comfort & Features

Step inside the Citan and you’ll immediately notice the quality difference compared to many rivals. The dashboard design is clean and modern, featuring Mercedes’ signature styling cues and high quality materials throughout. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position for long working days. Everything feels solid and well built, from the chunky indicator stalks to the smooth operation of all the controls.

The driving environment is genuinely pleasant, with excellent visibility all around and intuitive control layout. Standard equipment includes a colour touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, making it easy to stay connected on the move. Higher specification models add features like climate control and upgraded audio systems. What really impresses is how quiet and refined the cabin feels. Mercedes has done an excellent job of sound deadening, creating a working environment that feels more like a premium car than a basic commercial vehicle.

The Mercedes-benz Citan is an excellent choice if you value refinement, build quality and professional image in your commercial vehicle. It successfully delivers a premium driving experience that makes daily business use more pleasant than many rivals. The interior quality is genuinely impressive, putting most competitors to shame with its solid construction and thoughtful design.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Mercedes-benz Citan Expensive to Run?

As a premium commercial vehicle, the Citan has higher initial costs than some rivals, but running expenses are competitive. The efficient diesel engines deliver impressive real-world fuel economy, typically achieving 45-50 MPG in mixed driving conditions. This helps keep weekly fuel bills manageable even with high mileage business use. Insurance costs are moderate for the commercial vehicle sector, though they will be higher than for budget van alternatives.

The main consideration is the higher purchase price compared to mainstream rivals. However, Mercedes-benz vehicles typically hold their value better than competitors, which helps offset the initial premium when it comes to resale time. Servicing costs are reasonable for a premium brand, and the build quality means fewer unexpected repair bills. For businesses looking to spread costs, flexible car finance options are available to make the Citan more accessible. The professional image and reliability can also help justify the extra expense for customer-facing businesses.

Mercedes-benz Citan Practicality & Boot Space

For a compact commercial vehicle, the Citan offers impressive everyday usability. The cargo area provides up to 2.9 cubic metres of load space in the standard wheelbase version, which is adequate for most small business applications. The loading area features a low floor and wide opening rear doors, making it easy to load bulky items or multiple packages. Side sliding doors on higher trim levels add extra convenience for frequent stop-start deliveries in tight spaces.

Where the Citan shows its limitations is in outright cargo capacity compared to some larger rivals. If you regularly need to carry very bulky loads, alternatives like the Ford Transit Connect offer more cubic capacity. However, for most urban delivery work, courier services, or mobile trades, the Citan provides sufficient space while being much easier to drive and park than larger vans. The refined driving experience and premium interior make it particularly appealing for customer-facing businesses where professional image matters. Its compact dimensions are a major advantage in busy city centres where larger used Mercedes-benz cars would struggle to navigate easily.

The Mercedes-benz Citan stands out in the competitive compact van market by offering genuine premium quality and refinement. It packages Mercedes’ renowned build standards, sophisticated interior design, and smooth driving experience into a practical small commercial vehicle. While it may not offer the largest cargo area or the lowest purchase price, it excels in the areas that matter for professional use, daily comfort, and business image.

You choose the Citan because you want a commercial vehicle that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Its quality interior, refined driving manners, and premium badge make every working day more pleasant. It’s perfectly suited for urban deliveries but also comfortable and capable on longer runs. If you’re looking for a small van that reflects well on your business and offers more than just basic transport, the Mercedes-benz Citan deserves serious consideration. With cars under £10,000 available in the used market, it can offer excellent value for money.