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Citroen re-introduces diesel power to its largest MPV, the SpaceTourer. If you dismissed the previous EV version, take another look at this big French contender. If you've your own private parking space outside the maternity unit, it might be just what you're looking for.
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Background
It's never a bad thing to admit that you are wrong. Let's take this car as a case in point, the diesel version of Citroen's big SpaceTourer MPV. The current generation SpaceTourer (basically the people carrier version of the marque's Dispatch mid-sized van) was originally launched in diesel form back in 2016. But four years on, enthused by the European green lobby, Citroen announced that going forward, it would only be available in full-electric e-SpaceTourer form.
It wasn't a popular decision. SpaceTourer customers largely didn't want a car that could go just 136 miles before needing to stop (a figure later improved to 215 miles as part of a 2024 facelift). Sales slowed to a trickle. Some customers turned to the Toyota version of the same design, the Proace Verso, which initially could still be had as a diesel. When that too went full-electric in 2024, Citroen decided to take a fresh look at what customers really wanted in the segment and as a result, diesel power rejoined the SpaceTourer range in 2025, creating the car we look at here.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 41925 | 48150 |
| Insurance group 1-50 | 27 | 27 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 181 | 183 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 115 | 115 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Min | Max |
| Combined Mpg | 42.2 | 42.2 |
| Length (mm) | 4893 | 4893 |
| Width (mm) | 1920 | 1920 |
| Height (mm) | 1890 | 1890 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 1500 | 1500 |
Driving experience
There's quite a bit less diesel choice since the last time a SpaceTourer was offered with a diesel option - at its original 2016 launch, when customers could choose between 1.5 and 2.0-litre BlueHDi units. Today, the only diesel unit on offer in this SpaceTourer is the trusty Stellantis 2.0-litre 180hp unit, available only with the conglomerate's usual EAT8 auto which has eight speeds, two more than the earlier model's auto gearbox. For reference, the alternative e-SpaceTourer has a 136hp front motor.
News that this Citroen MPV is based on the marque's Dispatch van may lead you to fear the worst when it comes to handling dynamics. Actually though, you should be pleasantly surprised by the dynamics on offer here. The ride should particularly impress. Special wishbone filtering is provided to dampen the impacts from our country's terrible tarmac and the variable stiffness springs and shock absorbers should deliver decent levels of comfort whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded. Refinement is also surprisingly good for such a large, square MPV.
This Citroen corners slightly better than some of its competitors, though inevitably, there's still plenty of bodyroll if, rather unwisely, you start throwing the thing about. If you can ignore both that and the slightly vague steering and find yourself absolutely having to push on, you'll find that there's also more grip and traction than you might expect. It all means that at the wheel of this People Carrier, you can make controlled, steady progress without necessarily over-reacting on the brake pedal at the first sight of a tight bend in the road. Add in a commandingly high driving position and the result is a vehicle that on the move, feels smaller and more wieldy than its outward dimensions would suggest.
Testers who'd found the sheer size of a VW Multivan or a Mercedes V-Class quite daunting were, we found, much more easily able to acclimatise to a SpaceTourer when dealing with narrow country lanes and squeezing through gaps in the traffic. A tight turning circle of between 11.3 and 12.9m depending on body style makes town driving and parking simpler. And low speed manoeuvring is further aided by glassy rearward visibility, the standard rear parking sensors and the optional 'Park Assist 180' reversing camera. Plus this Citroen's 1.9-metre roof height is low enough to allow it to fit under car park barriers, so you don't have to search out alternative places to leave the car when you go off shopping. Or get stuck in with the trucks if you ever use the Channel Tunnel.
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Design and build
Despite a decade on sale, this SpaceTourer still doesn't look an especially aged thing, thanks to a light facelift visited upon this design in 2024. As before, there's a choice of two body shapes - the 4.98m- long M and the 5.35m-long XL. Under the skin, this MPV utilises the acclaimed 'Efficient Modular Platform 2' (EMP2) chassis, one of the things that enables this model to offer so much interior space.
The number of seats you get depends on the spec you choose. The second and third rows always seat three - and the front of the car can too if with 'PLUS' trim you pay extra for a dual front passenger seat next to the driver's seat, creating a 9-seater. Most customers will be happy with the capacity to take 8. With all models, the second row seats are removeable. The third row is split-folding; and with top 'MAX'-spec, both second and third row seats slide about on rails.
The rear hatch is quite heavy to lift (though useful to stand under if it's raining). If you've only small bags to put in, the 'PLUS' trim offers the option of an optioning tailgate window - standard with top 'MAX' spec. With all three rows in place, there's still up to 1,500 litres of boot space - or up to 4,900-litres of luggage space if you take out all the removable seats.
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Market and model
If you were hoping that getting diesel power in this SpaceTourer would make this design significantly cheaper than it was - and still is - in full-EV form, you'll be disappointed. With the only trim level the two powertrains share - top 'MAX' spec - on paper the diesel version's only a few hundred pounds cheaper than the equivalent e-SpaceTourer; think from just over £47,000. In practice, the e-SpaceTourer is a lot cheaper because it qualifies for the government's £1,500 Electric Car Grant. Even on paper, the entry-level price of the diesel version is actually higher than that of the e-SpaceTourer because the diesel version can't be had with the EV's base 'YOU!' trim level; diesel SpaceTourer models start with mid-level 'PLUS' trim, priced from around £42,000. Whatever your spec choice, you'll need an extra £900 to progress from the M body shape to the longer XL version.
As for equipment, well 'MAX'-spec gets you most of what you'd need. Tick off twin sliding side doors, air conditioning, rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, cruise control with a speed limiter, a 10-inch digital driver's instrument screen, a heated driver's seat and a 10-inch central HD Touch screen with voice recognition and 'Mirror Screen' wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. 'MAX' trim adds the niceties; 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, leather upholstery, front fog lights, power-folding mirrors, dark-tinted rear side windows, keyless entry and power-operating side doors with foot sensors. Inside with 'MAX' trim, there's Connect navigation, a HiFi Pack audio upgrade, a front seat massage function, a 'Park Assist 180' rear camera, dual-zone climate control, a wireless 'phone charger, an acoustic windscreen, front seatback tray tables, side window blinds and a rear seat 'aviation-style' air conditioning panel. 'MAX' models can also be had with an optional panoramic glass roof.
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Cost of ownership
One of the advantages of this basic design is that it's always been one of the lighter larger MPVs out there. And that helps both fuel economy (rated at 42.2mph on the combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (rated at between 181 and 183g/km). Benefit-in-Kind taxation is rated at 37% (compared to the 3% figure for the e-SpaceTourer, which, for reference, manages up to 284 miles between charges).
Anything else you should know? Well, the SpaceTourer will need a scheduled service halt once every 20,000 miles. If you want to ensure the cost of these stops don't come as a surprise, there are 'Citroen Servicing' packages where you pay in advance for these regular checks. They range from 12 to 60 months in duration and cover you for 10,000 to 100,000 miles. When you sell the vehicle on, the balance of these deals goes with the vehicle to the next owner. A three-year, 100,000-mile warranty is standard with every SpaceTourer. Also included is 'Citroen Assistance' breakdown cover for the whole of the UK and Europe.
You'll want to know about residual values. Well, independent experts reckon that this SpaceTourer will retain between 38 and 39% of its original value after the usual industry-standard three year / 60,000 mile ownership period. That's pretty close to the kind of standard-setting figures you'd get in this class from a Volkswagen Multivan. Insurance is group 27.
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Summary
The decision to switch this SpaceTourer to full-EV power back in 2020 was short-sighted. Citroen has doubtless cost itself quite a few sales by waiting until 2025 to correct that oversight and re-introduce diesel back into the line-up.
Now that it has, this big Citroen becomes more daily-usable, even if this combustion version is less of an eco-warrior. Being a green advocate is all very well, but it can be a pain in the boot if the time comes to pick up the kids, you're late and you realise you've forgotten to charge your EV. With a diesel SpaceTourer, you can forget about that kind of anxiety. And tick off another thing that as a family, you won't have to worry about.
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