Citroën Holidays: for ‘van life’ or just the weekend?

Citroën has joined forces with conversion specialists to commercialise the "van life". Is the new Holidays good for more than just your holidays?

The "van life" movement is well established at this point, and it’s easy to see why. Gathering up the comforts of home and squeezing them into a van to embrace the freedom of mobility is a calling — be it for life, or just for the weekend. 

While some hardcore van-lifers may argue for a DIY campervan conversion, many adventurers turn to a conversion company to ensure quality, reliability, and avoid any spiralling costs. And for those who like to leave it to the professionals, there’s now another route. 

Following the blueprint set out by the Ford Transit Custom Nugget, Citroën has partnered up with conversion specialists Bravia Mobil to offer a third option — a manufacturer-backed conversion, the Citroën Holidays.

Based on the same SpaceTourer chassis as the recently revamped Citroen e-SpaceTourer, the Holidays has room to sleep four van-dwellers between its pop-up roof and fold-out bench.

It’s just as flexible in the living space. After putting the 16-litre fridge and twin gas burners to good use in the kitchen, the front seats swivel round to face the retractable table, allowing for some social dining with your fellow campers. Better yet, the modular kitchen unit can be moved outside for those looking to fully integrate into the alfresco ‘van life’ community, or just to catch some sun.

Despite the many adjustments that have been made to the SpaceTourer interior, we’re a little sceptical about whether they go far enough to fully embrace the ‘van life’ ethos. Called the Holidays, but without enough space for anything above the basic equipment needed for a long weekend, and then pushed towards van-dwellers. We like it, but we find ourselves scratching our heads a bit here: who is this van actually for? 

‘Van life’ is often seen as a way to re-connect with nature and embrace a stripped back way of life, and the Holidays external amenties may be a step in this direction, for better or worse. The rear mounted shower with 25-litre water tank presents a pefect opportunuty to get in touch with the great outdoors, although we do think the attachable toilet may be a slightly less appealing step into nature.

But, for those looking for a nomadic lifestyle without feeling like a hunter-gatherer on a desert island, the Holidays certainly has plenty of creature comforts. A 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, two USB-C and USB-A ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 230V socket — though features may not be such a surprise in a vehicle which literally contains the kitchen sink. All of this tech is partly powered by a roof-mounted solar panel, ticking another guilt-free box for those embracing a more conscious lifestyle. 

For the UK-based van-lifer, particulary those considering it full-time, the word “solar” may have raised an eyebrow and some concerns. Fear not, as the Holidays can also run on an 230V external mains inlet point or battery power to keep you comfortable all year round. Through the power source of your — or nature’s — choice, you can use the control pannel to manage the Holidays’ progammable heating system (although we have to point out that the roof box looks a little chilly). As a bonus, the panel also controls the ‘interior lighting ambience’. Heating up for warmth, lights down to keep the midges at bay — sorted. 

For traversing from campsite to campsite, or viewpoint to viewpoint, the Holidays 4.98-metre frame (considerably more manoeuvrable than a caravan) will be powered by an 180hp 2-litre diesel engine with an automatic gearbox. Either way, economical driving is the way of the van-lifer, and this seems to be what Citroen had in mind, choosing the optimised Michelin Agilis 3 for the Holidays release.

The Citroen Holidays provides a platform to experience a simpler life, without stripping away all the luxuries we know and love. But, has Citroen lost sight of the people who would are ready to embrace a true “van life”, and ended up stuck in the middle?

Hero image credit: Stellantis