Why doesn't everyone have one of these?

[nicebiscuit]

After a couple of months of Berlingo Multispace ownership, I am struggling to understand why this sort of vehicle isn't more popular. You don't see that many outside of Motability schemes, and Renault have stopped even bothering trying to sell the Kangoo, and Fiat aren't really pushing the Doblo either.

For a family with two or three kids, there can hardly be much else as practical - shedloads of room, and much more spacious than the expensive MPVs and SUVs that are everywhere. They're nice enough to drive as well, certainly good enough for a family car.

Why anyone would spend double the money on something like a Ford Galaxy I don't really understand.

[taxi]

Some folk just do not give them a chance, I think.
But I must say that lots of passengers are very pleasantly surprised by the Berlingo and even comment on them as being a possible future purchase for themselves-then there are others who complain about height, sliding doors etc.
And they have been a major sales success for taxi use.

[ffrenchie]

I'm past the age where it bothers me but a lot of people are what we call "image conscious" and don't want to be seen in something that looks like a converted Postman Pat van Personally I'm of the same opinion as you and can't see why everybody doesn't have one.

[addo]

My auntie is well past seventy, and still - as you put it - "image conscious". So, I don't think it's age that assures practicality and pragmatism, just phenotype.

[talos]

I used to think image was important, but after struggling to get in/out of a series of small "trendy" cars the Lingo is a breath of fresh air, the only gripe being the back seats getting your foot around that door pillar to get out, but as the driver it dont really cause me any bother.

[taxi]

......at least WE know how good they are.

[Ol'Jeffers]

I actually think that sooner or later Ford are going to
make something similar, a bare bones small MPV. VW have done it with
the very much overpriced Caddy Combi.
Most people I believe are put off by the 'French-ness' of them.
As far as I'm concerned it's quick enough to be useful. It has a great
driving position and is comfy over long distances.There's little to touch it for
load space and it's cheap.

[nicebiscuit]

I actually think that sooner or later Ford are going to
make something similar, a bare bones small MPV.

They already did. Google the Transit connect Tourneo. Overpriced again though...

I wonder whether there isn't enough margin in these cars to bother. After all why would Citroen want to sell you a perfectly good Berlingo VTR when they can convince you to buy a loaded C4 Picasso instead?

[ricc]

ive recently gone from a discovery to a berlingo... the space in the berlingo is a tad wider and a couple of inches higher than the disco was...disco did about 33mpg so fuel should go a bit further.

[Kickstart]

Image. They are perceived as an old mans car. My daughter cannot stand being seen in it. Daft really because they are actually very good and a bit of a bargain.

Kickstart