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The Citroën Relay L3H2 Enterprise Edition is a large panel van powered by a 2.2-litre BlueHDi 140 diesel engine, offering around 13 m³ of load space and a payload of up to approximately 1,400–1,500 kg. It shares its platform with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato - which means tried-and-tested engineering - and comes generously equipped straight from the factory.
This guide explores the Relay for businesses that regularly need to shift bulky kit, and demonstrates why it's a proven, cost-effective workhorse.
Who is the Citroën Relay L3H2 For?
The Relay is a full-size large panel van - the sort of vehicle that earns its keep hauling material, tools, stock, or furniture day after day. The L3H2 configuration means long wheelbase (L3) and medium roof height (H2) - which is the sweet spot for most businesses: enough internal height to work in or load efficiently, without the imposing size of the tallest H3 versions.
Best for:
- Builders and construction tradespeople carrying sheet materials, tools, and fixings
- Couriers and multi-drop delivery drivers who need volume over everything else
- Removals and furniture delivery businesses needing height and floor length
- Plumbers and heating engineers with long pipe runs and bulky boiler boxes
- Electricians and solar installers carrying conduit, cable drums, and panels
- Any trade business upgrading from a medium van and needing more room to grow
The Lowdown
The Citroën Relay has been in continuous production since the early 1980s, making it one of the longest-running large van nameplates on the UK market. The current generation dates from the mid-2000s, with ongoing updates - most recently for 2025, with a refreshed front end featuring Citroën's new double-chevron logo and an upgraded interior.
What most buyers don't realise is that the Relay shares its entire underpinning with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato. All three are assembled at the Sevel plant in Val di Sangro, Italy. The differences are skin-deep: grilles, badges, and minor trim tweaks. Under the bonnet, the Relay uses a distinct engine family from its siblings - the 2.2-litre BlueHDi diesel, rather than the Fiat units in the Ducato - but the chassis, suspension, and basic architecture are common across the trio.
Citroën Relay L3H2 Specifications
What engine does the Citroën Relay L3H2 have?
The 2025 Relay Enterprise Edition L3H2 is powered by a 2.2-litre BlueHDi 140 diesel engine - a 2,179cc four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 140 PS (138 bhp) and 340 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. An eight-speed EAT8 automatic is available if you prefer.
The BlueHDi 140 meets Euro 6.4 emissions standards and uses AdBlue (a diesel exhaust fluid) to keep NOx emissions in check, making it fully compliant with London's ULEZ and other UK Clean Air Zones. Stop/Start technology is fitted as standard and cuts in when you're idling in traffic to reduce fuel use.
How big is the Citroën Relay L3H2 load area?
The L3H2 is the most popular configuration in the Relay range for good reason. It offers a load area that's hard to beat in its class, without the extra length of the XL (L4) versions that can make urban manoeuvring more challenging.
That 3,705mm internal floor length means materials up to around 3.6m can go in without roof-rack solutions - useful for builders, plumbers, and electricians working with long runs of pipe, conduit, or timber. The 1,932mm internal height lets most people stand comfortably inside when racking or unloading.
What is the Citroën Relay L3H2 payload?
Payload is the weight your van can legally carry - the difference between its maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) and its kerb weight.
The standard Citroën Relay 35 L3H2 BlueHDi 140 has a GVW of 3,500 kg, with a payload of around 1,400–1,500 kg depending on the exact specification and any optional equipment fitted. The precise figure will be on the van's VIN plate.
For heavier duty applications - such as carrying aggregates, dense tools, or dense stock - a 35H "heavy" variant is also available with reinforced twin-leaf rear suspension and higher-rated payload figures.
What is the towing capacity of the Citroën Relay L3H2?
The Relay L3H2 BlueHDi 140 can tow up to 2,500 kg (braked trailer). Unbraked trailer limit is 750 kg. Always confirm the specific figure on your van's plate, as towing capacity can be affected by body style and optional equipment.
What standard kit does the Enterprise Edition have?
Enterprise is the sole trim level on the Relay, and Citroën has made sure it's well equipped:
- Manual climate control / cab air conditioning
- DAB radio with Bluetooth, integrated satellite navigation, and USB charging socket
- Cruise control with programmable speed limiter
- Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors
- Rear parking sensors
- Rear visibility camera with dynamic guidelines
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Electric power steering
- Height and reach adjustable steering wheel with lumbar support on the driver's seat
- Full steel bulkhead (cab/load area separation)
- Dual passenger bench seat (three-seat front cab)
- 12V socket in the load area
- Global telematics box
- Alarm and deadlocks
It's a comprehensive package - particularly the standard sat nav, reversing camera, and air conditioning, which many competitors charge extra for.
Useful to Know
Is the Citroën Relay L3H2 ULEZ compliant?
Yes. All new 2025 Relay models running the BlueHDi 140 engine meet Euro 6.4 standards and are fully ULEZ compliant. The BlueHDi system uses AdBlue to bring NOx emissions well within the ULEZ threshold of 0.08g/km. If you regularly drive in London or other Clean Air Zones, you won't face daily charge penalties.
Confirm your specific van's compliance using the TfL ULEZ checker before purchase.
What insurance group is the Citroën Relay L3H2?
The standard L3H2 panel van sits in insurance group 44 - reasonable for a large van of this type, though premiums will vary considerably based on your business type, driver history, and annual mileage. Commercial van insurance is worth shopping around for. Check out our guide on how to get cheap van insurance for practical tips.
What is the road tax on the Citroën Relay?
As a light commercial vehicle (LCV) under 3,500 kg GVW, the Relay attracts a flat annual road tax rate. Rates are set by the DVLA and can change - check gov.uk for the current figure before you commit.
If you subscribe through DriveSimple, road tax is included in your subscription as standard - one less thing to manage.
How fuel-efficient is the Citroën Relay L3H2?
The BlueHDi 140 returns a WLTP combined fuel economy figure in the region of 27–33 mpg depending on the body style, load, and how you drive it. Real-world figures - especially fully loaded on short urban runs - will typically sit toward the lower end. For longer motorway work with a moderate load, you can comfortably expect 30+ mpg.
Is the Citroën Relay reliable?
The Relay's shared platform with the Boxer and Ducato means the engineering has been through decades of refinement and is well understood by the trade. It's a robust, well-proven van. Servicing and maintenance are included as standard in all DriveSimple subscriptions, so you're never caught short by unexpected bills.
Other Things to Consider
No honest review skips the downsides, so here are the areas where the Relay L3H2 falls short.
Cabin refinement is average. Road noise and engine noise are noticeable, particularly at motorway speeds. The cabin itself is functional and hard-wearing, but it doesn't have the premium feel of a Ford Transit or the polished interior of a Mercedes Sprinter. If your drivers spend long hours behind the wheel, this is worth factoring in.
Steering is light but imprecise. Electric power steering makes the Relay easy to manoeuvre around town, but it lacks the feedback that some drivers prefer, which can make sustained motorway driving feel less relaxed.
Overall height is significant. At around 2,520mm, the L3H2 is too tall for standard multi-storey car parks and some loading bays. If your work takes you into low-clearance environments regularly, consider whether the shorter L3H1 (lower roof) variant would suit you better.
Not suited to solo light delivery work. If your typical load is small parcels or light goods, the L3H2 is overkill - a medium van like the Renault Trafic would be more economical to run and easier to park.
Automatic gearbox adds cost. The EAT8 automatic is a welcome option for stop-start city driving, but it pushes the price up. The manual is perfectly adequate for most trade use.
Citroën Relay L3H2 FAQs
What does L3H2 mean on the Citroën Relay? L3 refers to the wheelbase length - in this case, the long wheelbase (4,035mm between the axles). H2 refers to the roof height - the medium-high option at approximately 1,932mm internal height. The L3H2 is the most popular panel van configuration in the range because it balances generous load space with reasonable manoeuvrability.
Can I fit a euro pallet in the Citroën Relay L3H2? Yes. With a floor width of 2,050mm and a rear door opening of 1,562mm, the L3H2 can accommodate two standard Euro pallets (800 × 1,200mm) side by side. The low loading sill (535–565mm) makes pallet loading more manageable without a tail lift.
How long does the Citroën Relay last? With proper servicing, a well-maintained Relay is capable of covering 200,000+ miles. The platform is shared with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato - all three are fleet staples with a long track record in commercial use. Regular oil changes, AdBlue top-ups, and timely servicing are the main requirements.
Is the Citroën Relay L3H2 good for motorway driving? It's capable rather than comfortable. The BlueHDi 140 delivers enough torque to cruise in top gear without strain, but wind and road noise are more prominent than in some rivals. For occasional long-distance trips it's fine; for daily motorway-heavy routes, it's worth comparing against the Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter for driver comfort.
What is the Citroën Relay Enterprise Edition? Enterprise is the standard - and only - trim level for the Relay in the UK. It includes a good level of equipment as standard: air conditioning, sat nav, cruise control, reversing camera, and ESC, among other features. Additional option packs (such as a Worksite Pack with reinforced suspension and all-season tyres) can be added to suit more demanding applications.
Can I brand or wrap my Relay subscription van? Yes. DriveSimple customers are welcome to brand or wrap their subscription van - a big practical advantage over many leasing agreements that prohibit any modifications. It's your van while you have it; make it work for your business.
How does a Relay subscription compare to a Relay lease? The main differences are flexibility and what's included. A traditional lease typically locks you in for 24–48 months with separate bills for servicing. A DriveSimple subscription starts from six months, includes servicing and road tax as standard, and gives you the ability to change or cancel without the rigid penalties of a lease contract. Read our full comparison of subscriptions vs leasing for the detail.
Verdict
The Citroën Relay L3H2 Enterprise Edition is a no-nonsense large van that delivers exactly what businesses need: substantial load space, a sensible payload, solid reliability, and a respectable equipment level without unnecessary frills. It's not the most refined large van you can buy - the Transit and Sprinter are smoother - but it's a proven and cost-effective choice, particularly for businesses that need volume and aren't chasing prestige.
If your work demands regular large loads, long pipe runs, or the kind of floor space a medium van simply can't provide, the L3H2 is hard to argue with.
Three-point summary:
- 13 m³ load space with up to ~1,400–1,500 kg payload — a serious large van for serious loads.
- Euro 6.4 BlueHDi diesel means full ULEZ compliance across UK Clean Air Zones.
- Enterprise Edition is well equipped as standard, with sat nav, air con, reversing camera, and cruise control included.
Ready to get a Relay on your terms? Browse the Citroën Relay on DriveSimple and build a flexible subscription plan in minutes - from six months, with servicing and road tax included as standard.
Not sure which size is right for you? Our team is happy to help - get in touch or check our pricing guide to see what a subscription could look like for your business.
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