New Berlingo XL yes or yes

[Andymac]

Hey all
New to this forum so please be gentle.
Need a family car, bigger than estate but smaller than a full van. We camp, bike, surf loads.
Used to have a T5 and loved it but it needs to be my day car as well and it was just too big for day to day driving. 
Liking the size of mpv's like the berlingo xl, nissan nv250 l2 etc. Really loving the look of the berlingo xl though. 
Is it as good as it looks and do people recommend it as a great mpv??

Hear roof rails are an issue??

Thanks in advance...

[boop]

I see no point, personally, to buy the short wheel base Berlingo (or any of the clones). The XL is exactly what an MPV needs to be - ROOMY. And with all the goodies it's an overall nice car. I loaded mine with pretty much everything they had in the option list.

The only downside is the lack of Modutop. There's not much choice for flush crossbars from major manufacturers, yes. Several B-category ones are available.

[Yorkshirdalescrafts]

We are just about to change from a Skoda superb estate to a Berlingo xl. The superb is one of the largest estates available but the berlingo has another cubic meter of space. I know it’s not as nice to drive or luxurious but we currently need the space, without going to a van.

[bikerbaker]

I probably won't ever have an XL.

Always liked the idea of the Berlingo and Citroen utility vehicles in general but decided to wait until I could afford to buy a new one. By the time I could afford a top spec one the 2.0Hdi was out of production and all I could get was a year old Forte with this engine. That was 2005, I have lived without the Modutop and plastic interior add ons ever since.

The only time I ever thought about updating was after hiring a B9 with the opening rear window but life got in the way of getting one of my own. The car has been the only one I've needed for 16 years and it's towed caravans, ferried my kids, carried motorcycles, done long continental journeys etc. It's also sat in my garden for 2 years, been lent to a friend for 3 years and is now also used by my son when he visits the UK (he was 12 when car was bought).

I've never had any issues with driving dynamics or comfort compared to other cars I've driven. Also have a T4 and a Smart car but the Berlingo is refined in comparison (obviously) and is an old friend that keeps giving.

If I was to do it all over again I'd most definitely go for the XL, probably the highest spec available, they look great and have that opening window!

[boop]

BTW, if you're an outdoorsy person/camper and you are able to pick the flat center console (2" high) go for it. It's very convenient when camping or managing kids in the back. The big storage console gets in the way. It does have the rear center vents tho so there's food for thought. My colleague got the storage console and it annoyed the crap out of me so I made sure to avoid it at all costs.
Now, if you go for the flat console make sure it has cup holders. The first two I bought had the cup holders and I didn't even think there could be ones without. So my fully loaded XTR came without
Sure you could stick any ersatz cupholders on it as it's flat but I'd prefer original moulded ones.