CITROEN HOLIDAYS 2.0 BlueHDi Max M 5dr EAT8

Citroen can now sell you a camper. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the Holidays.

Ten Second Review

Citroen enters the camper market with this model, the Holidays. Based on the SpaceTourer MPV, it claims to bring People Carrier qualities to the motorhome market - with value pricing.

Background

A family-sized camper van isn't really something you'd want to buy used. But at the kind of prices being asked for this kind of vehicle from the two main segment protagonists, Volkswagen and Ford, quite a few potential motorhome customers are being driven to the second-hand market. If that's you, then don't start looking at used motorhome models quite yet - until you've considered this contender anyway, the Citroen Holidays. The asking figure for this French market entrant is a useful slug less than a California or a Transit Custom Nugget, the two obvious Volkswagen and Ford rivals in this segment. Yet it includes all the main things you'd need in that camper you've always dreamed about. Created for Citroen by leading van conversion company Bravia Mobil, it's based on well proven underpinnings - those of the old Citroen SpaceTourer MPV diesel, itself founded on the solid foundations of a Citroen Dispatch mid-sized van. Want to find out more? Read on.

Engines and Tech Spec

Although Citroen makes a lot of this Holidays model being based on its SpaceTourer MPV, camper customers will probably be relieved to know that it doesn't share the full-EV drivetrain that is all you can get in a SpaceTourer these days. Instead, there's the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180hp diesel that that People Carrier used to have, complete with 8-speed EAT8 automatic transmission. Citroen would like you to believe that the design of this camper is MPV-derived and quite car-like, as with the current Volkswagen California (which is based on that Wolfsburg brand's Multivan People Carrier). Actually though, it's more accurate to call it a converted van (like the rival Ford Transit Custom Nugget) because the SpaceTourer MPV is really only a Citroen Dispatch mid-sized van with windows and extra seats. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Like the Dispatch, the Holidays will ride quite well around town thanks to its supple suspension and relatively stiff EMP2 platform. And careful wishbone filtering dampens the impacts of our country's terrible tarmac, plus variable-stiffness springs and shock absorbers deliver surprising levels of comfort, whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded. It's also quite refined. And there are nice touches like the driving time warning system, which flashes up a dashboard warning after two hours of uninterrupted driving at speeds of 40mph and above. Pulling power is willing through the gears thanks to 400Nm of torque. And you'll easily be able to keep up with the flow of traffic, thanks to a 0-62mph time of 10.6s on the way to a top speed of 106mph.

Design and Build

Everything you might reasonably expect to need from a camper comes included. So there's a pop-up roof, allowing for ample standing headroom and accommodating up to two sleeping spaces (the bed is 1.2m x 1.95m). And you get a sliding bench which can be converted into a sleeping space for two more people (creating a bed 1.15m x 1.9m). The bench can also be removed to create more space inside, and blackout blinds on the windscreen and side windows should ensure a comfortable night's sleep for all on board. The kitchen is equipped with two gas burners, a sink and a 16-litre 12V refrigerator. The kitchen unit and its retractable table can be removed to enable cooking and dining outside, and there is a 10-litre fresh water tank along with a 10-litre waste water tank. The Holidays also comes with a rear-mounted shower with a 25-litre tank and a removable toilet. The driver and passenger seats can be swivelled to face backwards, enabling occupants to socialise with other passengers, and the driver's seat is heated for added comfort. The cabin features ample storage, including 27-litres of space in the upper glovebox and side doors. Also included is a 230V external mains inlet point to recharge the 95Ah 12V leisure battery - and an internal 230V socket. In addition to powering the refrigerator, the 12V leisure battery also powers two USB-A sockets in the habitation area. In the cabin, there are two USB-C outlets and a wireless smartphone charger on the central console, as well as a 12V socket in the glovebox. A roof-mounted solar panel comes included, equipped to harness additional power. And there's a programmable Webasto heating system to ensure optimal onboard temperature, monitored by a control panel which also manages the interior lighting ambience.

Market and Model

The price for this Holidays model was set from just over £56,000 at launch. There's only one trim level available, 'MAX', but it includes pretty much everything you're likely to need, including all the camper features we told you about in our 'Design' section. Also included are twin sliding rear doors, an opening tailgate window, a wardrobe and drawers, a removable freestanding table, LED interior lighting with a control panel and vacuum curtains for the windscreen and cabin windows. You also get auxiliary additional heating, a removable toilet and lateral rails on left and right sides for holding the awning. Features borrowed from the SpaceTourer include wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' for the 10-inch HD central touchscreen, along with Citroen Connected navigation, voice recognition and an 8-speaker audio system. Plus LED headlights, auto headlamps and wipers, 17-inch diamond-cut 'Phoenix' silver and black alloy wheels, front fog lights and an electrochrome rear view mirror. As for safety and driver assist features, the Holidays offers 17 driving aids to provide safe and serene driving. These technologies include hill start assist and adaptive cruise control with a Stop & Go function. You also get automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver fatigue alert, lane-keeping assist, collision risk alert, automatic LED headlights and sign recognition. Tight manoeuvres are made safer and easier thanks to the Top Rear Vision reversing camera and there's an electric parking brake.

Cost of Ownership

You can no longer get a diesel engine in the SpacerTourer MPV this Holidays model is based on, but the efficiency figures here remind us of how frugal that People Carrier would be if it still was able to sip from the black pump instead of needing to be charged up rather too frequently as a full-EV. The 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 diesel engine records a combined cycle fuel figure of up to 40.7mpg and a CO2 emissions return of up to 208g/km. As for maintenance, well there are plenty of Citroen outlets to choose from, so you should never be too far from one. So you can budget ahead, the French maker offers its 'Citroen Maintenance' scheme that lets you pay either a one-off fee or monthly instalments to cover the cost of the routine upkeep of your vehicle for as long as three years and 35,000 miles.

Summary

Citroen describes this camper as 'a true mobile cocoon', providing for 'a constraint-free travel experience'. Rivals claim much the same, but this French maker delivers the experience significantly more affordably. True, there are no engine electrification options as with rivals, but most motorhome customers don't want those anyway. Instead, the Holidays gets on with simply providing everything you need from the camper and nothing you don't. And it's all based on proven Stellantis Group underpinnings that millions of mid-sized van Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat (and Toyota) customers already rely on every day. True, it's not the most premium choice you could make in this segment. But for a significant proportion of customers, it might well be the right one.

Body Glass

Opening tailgate window

Rear side windows with extra dark tinted glass - 10% light transmission fixed position row 2/3

Electric front windows/one touch facility with pinch protection

Heated rear windscreen with rear wash wipe

Vacuum curtains for windscreen and cabin windows

Outdoor shower with 25 litre water tank (not heated)

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Electric parking brake

Front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes

Hill start assist function

Electric handbrake

Carpets/Rugs

Flooring in rear cabin - TPO plastic

Communication

Wireless Smartphone charger

Voice recognition

Bluetooth telephone facility

E-call

Driver Aids

Rear park assist

Speed limiter

Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go

Driver attention alert system

Front, rear and lateral parking sensors

Wireless mirror screen with apple carplay and android auto

180 degree colour reversing camera with touchscreen display

Driver Convenience

e-Toggle driving selector

Driver Information

Blind spot monitor

Citroen Connect Nav

Exterior temperature indicator with ice warning

Citroen connect box with emergency and assistance system

10" Fully digital drivers instrument display

10 inch HD touchscreen

Real time traffic by tomtom

Speedcam/danger zone alerts

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable door mirrors

Electrochrome rear view mirror

Electric heated door mirrors

Electrically folding door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Chrome air vent surrounds

Liquid paladium dashboard, door and side panels inlay

Entertainment

DAB radio

8 speakers (2 tweeters on A-pillar, 2 front woofers in front panels, 2 tweeters, 2 woofers in rear doors)

2x USB-A Sockets in rear

2x USB-C sockets on dashboard (1x data / 1x charging)

Exterior Body Features

Split opening tailgate

Body coloured front bumper

Body colour rear bumper

Body coloured door handles

Roof mounted antenna

Twin sliding rear doors

Body colour rear view mirror cover

Lateral rails left and right sides for holding awning

Foldable and removable free standing table

Auxillary additional heatiing

Solar panel on roof

230v external power socket

Perla nera black colour side rubbing strips

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

LED headlights with LED daytime running lights

Halogen rear fog lights

Halogen third brake light

Halogen rear lights including braking and turn signal function

Halogen rear number plate lights x2

Headlight left on when door open audible warning

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic climate control

Rear seat 'aviation style' air conditioning panel x6 ceiling mounted air vents, temperature and fan speed adjustment, floor mounted air vents

Interior Features

Electric power steering with reach and rake adjustable steering column

Closed central storage compartment

Upper glovebox with lid and illumination

Light grey roof lining

Map pockets on the backs of the front seats

Tray tables on front seatbacks

Front door pockets including storage for 1.5L bottles

2X cup holders in dashboard mounted

Open lower glovebox without lid

Driver and passenger side grab handles

12V sockets (x2) in lower glovebox and load area

Mistral full grain multifunction heated leather steering wheel with stitch detail and steering wheel mounted controls

230v Internal power socket

Wardrobe and drawer

Removable kitchen block featuring 2 gas burner and sink

16 litre fridge

Rimini cloth upholstery

Removable toilet

Interior Lights

2 rear reading spotlights

Front and rear interior light with reading lights

LED interior lighting with control panel

Packs

Acoustic Package - Holidays

Safety pack - Holidays

Visibility pack - Holidays

Safety

Electrically operated child locks on rear doors

Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags

Front curtain airbags

2 x 3-point rear seatbelts

3-point retractable front seatbelts

Driver/front passenger head+thorax side airbags

Front optimised safety headrests and rear retractable headrests (x3), height adjustable

Tyre pressure indirect sensor

Seatbelt not fastened or unfastened audible and visual alert for front seats

Seats

Heated drivers seat

Driver and front passenger seat mechanical back rest angle adjustment

Driver and front passenger seat mechanical longitudinal adjustment

Driver seat mechanical height adjustment

Driver and front passenger seat adjustable armrest

Row 2 removable seats

2 seat bench in 2nd row

Driver seat mechanical lumbar adjustment

2x sets isofix child seat fittings for rear seats

Second row seats convert in to bed within cabin (1.15m x 1.9m)

Body coloured pop up roof with intergrated bed (1.2m x 1.95m) integrated ventilation/ windows with blinds

Driver and front passenger swivelling captain's chairs

Security

Remote central locking + deadlocks

Keyless entry and go

Automatic door locking when moving off

High frequency remote control central locking with 3-button plip

Towing

Tow bar pre-disposition (Includes electric harness and 13 pin socket for fitting a towbar. Towbar not supplied)

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

17" Diamond cut phoenix silver and black alloy wheels

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 69

CO: 0.0325

HC: N

NOx: 0.027

Particles: 0.0002

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 258

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 198

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 179

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 221

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 208

Engine and Drive Train

CC: 1997

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - High: 41.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 33.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 35.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 32.9

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 42.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 47.3

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 41.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 38.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 33.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 40.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 35.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 6.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 7.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 8.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 6.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 6.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 7.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 8.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8

General

Coin Series: Max

Coin Description: BlueHDi

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 180

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: N1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.6

Top Speed: 106

Engine Power - BHP: 177

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 130

Engine Power - RPM: 3750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - RPM: 2000

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 215/60 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/60 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: PHOENIX

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4981

Width: 1924

Wheelbase: 3275

Width (including mirrors): 2204

Height: 2010

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2365

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3100

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 735

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): N

No. of Seats: 4

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Titanium grey

Metallic - Perla nera black

Metallic - Cumulus grey

Metallic - Kapari green

Paint - Solid

Solid - Icy white

Security

Alarm system - Thatcham compatible volumetric alarm system and dead locking including slidng doors

Towing

Towbar de mountable

Trim - Cloth

Rimini cloth - Black/Grey

Wheels - Spare

Spare wheel