Why Lease The Relay?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
Citroen Relay Review 2023
The Citroen Relay is a large van that's been a mainstay on British roads for nearly two decades. With impressive cargo capabilities and a generous amount of equipment as standard, the Relay is sure to serve your business well.
Rivals to the Relay include the Ford Transit, Renault Master, Vauxhall Movano, Peugeot Boxer, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Our Citroen Relay review covers:
Citroen Relay Key Features
- Sleek front end and side subbing strips
- Comfortable and practical interior
- Up to 17m3 of load volume and a payload of up to 1,870kg
- 2.2-litre diesel engine with 120, 140, or 160hp
- One trim level is available
Citroen Relay Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Practical and spacious
- Plenty of equipment as standard
- Good load volume and payload
Cons:
- Not as good to drive as rivals
- Interior is outdated
- Not much safety technology
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
Although the Relay is a large van, Citroen's designers have done a pretty good job of making it look as attractive as possible. At the front, there are sleek headlights and a chrome horizontal grille, while on the side, there are black side rubbing strips to protect the bodywork.
Inside the Relay, there's enough room for three passengers. The driver gets their own seat that's height and lumbar adjustable, while the two passengers share a bench. There's no denying that the latter is a bit tight for two adults, so expect the passenger's shoulders to be brushing.
The Relay is available in seven different configurations to ensure there's a model to suit every preference. You get a choice of four lengths, ranging from 4,963mm to 6,363mm, and three heights, ranging from 2,254mm to 2,760mm.
Depending on your chosen configuration, you'll get up to 17m3 of load volume and a maximum payload of 1,870kg. You can access the cargo space via the rear or side-loading doors.
Interior and Trims
The cabin of the Relay Crew is pleasant and comfortable but falls short of more advanced rivals like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The dashboard feels well-built and practical, but it doesn't feature as many premium materials as we'd like.
On the dash, you get a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, smartphone mirroring, sat-nav, and Bluetooth. It's great that it comes with all the features as standard, but it still adds to the utilitarian feel of the cabin and falls short of its more advanced rivals.
One trim level is available for the Relay: Enterprise.
It comes with 16-inch steel wheels, an adjustable drivers seat, a dual passenger bench seat, a nearside sliding side loading door, a seven-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, ESC with hill start assist, and ABS braking.
Power and Performance
Under the bonnet, the Relay comes with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that's available in three power outputs: 120, 140, and 165hp. All have front-wheel drive and come with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Unlike the previous range of Relay engines, the 2.2-litre units are all pretty decent to drive. There's enough power to get you up to motorway speeds, even with a full load, and it returns a decent fuel economy between 25 and 40mpg.
As a large van, the Relay won't blow you away with its performance. It's decent both around town and on the motorway, but it's not as fun to drive as the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Around town, the Relay is surprisingly nippy and manoeuvrable. The engines pull well from low revs, and the tight turning circle makes parking and navigating tight urban roads a breeze. You also get rear parking sensors as standard, which makes city driving a bit less stressful.
On the motorway, the Relay is a capable cruiser. You'll get decent fuel economy and be more than comfortable enough for long journeys, but the two less powerful engines can sometimes struggle and fall short of the Ford Transit and Vauxhall Movano.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Citroen Relay start from £30,245.00 OTR* or to lease from £444.36 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Citroen Relay? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.