When sizing up a commercial vehicle for your business, the actual numbers matter. Whether you're transporting tools, delivering bulky items, or converting a van into a mobile workspace, dimensions dictate what's possible and what isn’t. The Citroën Relay has made its mark as a go-to panel van in the UK, thanks in large part to its broad spectrum of sizes. Its various configurations cater to tradespeople, delivery fleets, and even campervan enthusiasts. With so many options, it’s crucial to pin down which model fits your specific requirements.
What Shapes the Citroën Relay’s Appeal?
Choice defines the Relay. There’s a distinctive difference between moving flower arrangements and shifting industrial equipment, which is why Citroën has provided a line-up that covers almost every niche. The Relay’s flexibility doesn’t end at body shape—the vast number of wheelbases, roof heights, and door options means the van can be matched to any demand.
Let’s break down some of those key specifications:
Load Volume: Spanning from compact 8.0 m³ to a cavernous 17.0 m³.
Wheelbases: Options across the range allow for both nimble urban delivery vans and extra-long wheelbase movers.
Heights and Roof Styles: Standard to extra high roofs ensure tall loads are accommodated.
Accessibility: Wide-opening side doors and rear doors keep loading simple, no matter the cargo.
Detailed Dimensions Table
To make comparison a breeze, here’s a clear table summarising the core figures for each major Relay variant:
Model
Volume (m³)
Load Length @ Floor (mm)
Max Width (mm)
Width btw Arches (mm)
Max Height (mm)
Side Door Width (mm)
Rear Door Height (mm)
Load Sill Height (mm)
Wheelbase (mm)
Overall Length (mm)
Height (mm)
Width excl. mirrors (mm)
Relay L1
8.0
2670
1870
1422
1662
1075
1520
535-565
3000
4963
2254
2050
Relay L2
10.0-11.5
3120
1870
1422
1662
1250
1520
535-565
3450
5413
2254
2050
Relay L3
13.0-15.0
3705
1870
1422
1932
1250
1790
535-565
4035
5998
2522
2050
Relay L3 Crew Van
10.5-17.0
3075
1870
1422
1932
1250
1790
535-565
4035
5998
2522
2050
Relay L4
15.0-17.0
4070
1870
1422
2172
1250
2030
535-565
4035
6363
2760
2050
All dimensions shown are in millimetres (mm) or cubic metres (m³) as marked.
Practical Details That Make a Difference
It’s not just length or height that influences how a van fits into your workflow. Several subtler metrics are equally critical when making a decision:
Load Sill Height
Getting items in and out of the back is far less demanding when the loading sill is low. The Relay keeps this sensible, with measurements between 535mm and 565mm. Lower sills reduce back strain and speed up both loading and unloading, delivering a safety benefit as well as saving time.
Rear and Side Door Openings
Big cargo won’t fit through a narrow gap, regardless of how large the rest of the space is. The Citroën Relay models all provide rear door widths consistently at 1562mm and varied rear door heights depending on the roof:
Up to 2030mm on the L4 model, making awkwardly tall loads much more manageable.
The sliding side doors, too, are surprisingly accommodating, reaching up to 1250mm wide. These are numbers worth double-checking when considering things like Euro pallets or frequently handled bulky items.
Width Between Wheel Arches
A little detail with big implications: the Relay provides 1422mm between the wheel arches. This lets you slot in a standard 1.2m-wide pallet with a bit of breathing room, maximising efficiency in every run.
Matching the Right Relay to the Right Task
Looking at those numbers in isolation doesn’t always tell the full story. Below are a few scenarios where certain Citroën Relay versions stand out:
Urban Courier Work
If future routes mean navigating tight streets and constant stops, the L1 offers a compact overall length (4963mm), tight turning circle and 8 cubic metres of carefully optimised load space.
General Trades or Construction
Those carting tools, ladders, supplies and the odd sheet of plasterboard will appreciate the Relay L2 and L3. The additional floor length over the L1 means fewer load constraints. Longer or higher variants also allow that extra set of shelves or a false floor for keeping valuables away from prying eyes.
Big Moves, Large Deliveries
When only the loftiest and longest load-bay will do, the L4 comes into its own. With roof heights soaring up to 2172mm and a floor stretch of 4070mm, almost no job is too big.
Crew in Comfort
Need a combo of passenger seating and decent load volume? The L3 Crew Van makes room for up to six, without giving up valuable load length or height. The flexibility these combinations provide is genuinely impressive.
Height, Length and Width in a Nutshell
Here’s a snapshot to help visualise the scale across the range:
Height (roof to ground): 2254mm up to a towering 2760mm (excluding roof rails or aerials).
External lengths: From just under 5m (L1), to a significant 6.36m (L4).
Width (excluding mirrors): Consistent 2050mm across all, giving plenty of internal elbow room and a square silhouette for easy conversions.
But don't forget, internal cargo heights and lengths rarely match the external ones, so paying close attention to both makes sure you avoid headaches when it matters most.
Balancing Payloads and Comfort
It's simple to focus on just the big numbers but, for regular users, smaller details affect daily life just as much. The shape and finish of the loading bay, how smoothly the doors slide, the ability to open rear doors through 180° (or more), and comfortable cabin ergonomics, all add up.
Citroën’s design keeps things practical and accessible inside the cab too. Even in long-wheelbase models, good visibility and a well-laid-out dashboard contribute to a stress-free drive, no matter how demanding the job.
Subtle Variations: What’s Hidden in the Detail?
Model options are more than just stretching or shortening a van. Some variants offer different floor heights under the load space or unique door configurations that could dramatically alter the fitting out of racking or refrigeration units. For companies keen on tailoring their vehicles, these little shifts can make all the difference.
If your plans include specialist conversions, whether for a food van, mobile workshop, or campervan, checking the full factory specification sheet can reveal hidden potential. For example, models with greater “height under seat” cater better to specific seating or underfloor storage solutions.
Choosing Wisely: What to Consider
When comparing vans in the Relay range, here are a few practical questions to keep in mind:
How often will you carry particularly large or heavy items?
Will your van live mostly in the city, out on the open road, or a mix of both?
Is maximum payload more important than pure cubic volume?
How essential are features like side door access or the ability to fit Euro pallets?
Should you factor in occasional use by full crews, or will one or two drivers typically suffice?
Taking time to consider cargo requirements, common destinations (including parking restrictions), and the flexibility you might need over the van’s lifetime helps ensure the right fit from day one.
The Citroën Relay’s Lasting Value
The numbers back up the Citroën Relay’s reputation for offering flexibility, value, and ease of use. From solo traders to multi-van fleets, it comfortably adapts to a vast array of job roles, with model variants to suit the smallest to the largest tasks.
Model for model, the van’s square-sided, straightforward load space makes use of almost every cubic centimetre, allowing tradespeople, businesses, and adventurous DIYers to make the most of each trip—whatever the day throws at them.
J
About Jamie Harris
Jamie Harris is a commercial vehicle analyst and van specialist, known for his clear and practical advice to fleet buyers and small businesses across the UK. Over the past 12 years, Jamie has reviewed hundreds of vans—including every version of the Vauxhall Movano—focusing on real-world usability, dimensions, and payloads.
