Citroën e-SpaceTourer van with windows: A glimpse into the future?   

With a space-age name and increasingly futuristic looks — is the 2024 Citroën e-SpaceTourer the best choice to shuttle you beyond the urban sprawl?

If Stellantis was a Taylor Swift album, it would currently be in its 'revamp' era: we are getting quite used to movements within the parent company’s van range — the latest of which now means that the old Citroën e-SpaceTourer can't come to the phone right now. Following the recent facelifts for the Toyota Proace and Vauxhall Vivaro Life, this 2024 update to Citroën’s all-electric MPV brings a host of upgrades including a revitalised front end and greatly improved battery options. 

Whenever we see a vehicle that can be referred to as a “van with windows”, one word always jumps to mind. Taxi! It seems Citroën have had the same idea, with many of the recent e-SpaceTourer upgrades steering towards increased utility and comfort for the both the driver and their passengers. Considering the increasing dominance of SUVs in this area of the market, could Citroën be shaping up to revitalise the MPV people carrier segment?

Getting excited over batteries? Guilty as charged 

Of course, the new battery options particularly jumped out as a great addition for those looking to deliver passengers from A to B (especially if A and B aren’t so close together!). While the previous edition had a limited 136-mile range, the new 50kWh unit has bumped this up to 139 miles. Those who opt for the new 75kWh unit will receive a much larger 217-mile range.

To put that in perspective, a recent poll of UK taxi drivers suggested they rack up an estimated 46,500 miles of passenger trips annually. Breaking that down, it’s around 127 miles per day for the most committed 7-days a week cabbie, or 178 miles per day for those sticking closer to the average of 260 yearly working days. Between the two battery options, it seems like Citroën has this covered.

Although it may be tempting to use this range to escape to city limits, like the LEVC L380 eight-seat electric MPV, the all-electric Citroën e-SpaceTourer is well equipped to handle the emergence of Low Emission Zones across the UK. No need to take the long way round, now or in future, as access to all central pick up and drop off spots should be well covered.

Both batteries have 100kW maximum charging speed, allowing for charging from 0-80% in 38 minutes for the smaller unit, and 45 minutes for its bigger brother. Ideal for anyone looking to quickly charge up at one of the UK’s almost 10,967 (as of February 2024) public rapid charging locations whilst grabbing a mid-shift tea, coffee, or bite to eat.

Less ideal are the respective 6 hours 40 minute, and 11 hours 20 minute charge times using a standard 7.4kW home setup. A spanner in the works when organising vehicle sharing, back-to-back shifts, or even powering through some overtime.

Citroën’s creature comforts 

Moving on from battery chat, the facelift provides a squeaky-clean look to the front which leans a little towards the classiness of Mercedes-Benz V-Class, while also aligning with the features of the budget-friendly new Citroën e-C3.  

The e-SpaceTourer’s upmarket look seems to be no accident, with Stellantis dubbing it a “rolling lounge” — some welcome competition for the Volvo EM90 luxury lounge? Citroën offer various seat configurations, all the way up to an impressive nine seat layout for passengers to get comfy in.

Entry level trim provides a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system hooked up with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as four USB C sockets spread across the front two rows to keep both driver and passengers satisfied. Twin sliding rear doors allow for easy passenger access, whilst cruise control, lane assist, and driver attention alert are included for those looking to test out the enhanced range.

If a luxurious chauffeur minivan experience is more what you are after, the rolling lounge’s higher trim levels let you upgrade to hands-free electric rear doors, leather upholstery, and an upgraded stereo to keep any clientele comfortable and entertained. We’re not sure if the heated leather steering wheel or front seats with massage function are a step too far for us, but who knows, maybe you won’t want to get out of this PBV when your shift ends.

This quality carries right down to the tyres, and as Citroën have launched this on Michelin tyres, we reckon e.Primacy would be a good option here to supplement the new battery’s extended range.

All of this is available from £37,990, which considering the previous comparisons to the Volvo EM90 which would be priced at just under £92,000 on the UK market, or the Mercedes V-Class at £74,585 RRP, seems very reasonable. So, when they time comes for an upgrade, would the e-SpaceTourer get your custom?

Hero image credit: Stellantis