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Attempting to sort vans into categories is fraught with
difficulties as models can cross over to another one merely by wheelbase or roof
height. Is a Transit Connect LWB still a Hi-cube or is it a Small Panel Van?
To simplify matters we have placed the vans in their
main category. Our main objective is to show you comparable models. You will
also notice that with the larger vans there are fewer real choices as many
manufacturers share bodies and engines to the extent they are made on the same
production line.
CAR DERIVED VANS – Car-derived vans (CDVs) are normally
standard passenger cars with a load area instead of rear seats and solid panels
instead of rear side windows. Being based on cars they are comparatively refined
to drive, deliver good fuel economy and good in motorway, town and country use.
The major limitation of this type of van is an inability to carry heavy or bulky
loads.
Citroen C2 Enterprise
They may not have the load area of vans like the Transit
Connect or VW Caddy, but they are nippy, can get into tight parking spaces and
don't cost the earth to run.
Renault Clio Campus
It offers high levels of driver comfort, practicality,
safety and security with the loadspace and durability of a van.
Vauxhall Corsa
With a sporty, coupe-like appearance, the Corsavan is
fun to drive with a small load space. The 1.3 CDTi is a gem of an engine, also
appearing in such diverse offerings as the Vauxhall Combo and Fiat Doblo Cargo.
Ford Fiesta
Fiesta van handles as enjoyably as the car, and,
likewise, it’s best suited to city driving. It’s nimble for busy town centres
and zippy at traffic lights. The wide, high-opening tailgate and low loading
height provide easy access to the generous load space.
Peugeot 207
With its car like comfort and equipment levels it
provides an ideal vehicle for service engineers, city centre deliveries and
individuals who need to transport small loads such as florists or the
transportation of documents etc.
Fiat Grande Punto
Designed by Giugiaro, 4 metres long, 2 seats, and 3
doors, the Grande Punto Van has a powerful and economical latest generation
‘common rail’ diesel engine, the 1.3 Multijet 16V 75 bhp, which can also be
fitted with the particulate filter (DPF).
Vauxhall Astravan
A true driver's van offering superb comfort, performance
and handling as well as being solid and dependable. Not the most practical van
for its size or price but one with the looks, composure and class of small
family estate with extra load carrying capacity.
HI-CUBES - Offer a similar wheelbase to CDVs but can
carry more load in terms of volume and weight. The original hi-cubes where based
on the front of a three-door hatchback with a high cubic load space behind. More
recent models have been designed with a single space which offers a more
generous cab. This type of van is generally fuel efficient, easy to manoeuvre
and easier to drive than a panel van and most suited to carrying small to medium
loads.
Citroen Berlingo
One of the best selling vans in general. It is
versatile, reliable and practical. With Citroens advanced 1.6HDi engines the
long serving Berlingo is an admirable workhorse.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Peugeot Partner.
Fiat Doblo Cargo
A highly capable van in almost every respect, excellent
capacity and highly regarded diesels although it’s styling could best be
described as challenging.
Ford Transit Connect
Designed and built specifically for business usage, the
Connect has an impressive all-diesel engine Range and that trademark Transit
strength.
Nissan Kubistar Van Range
It is one of the most compact van in the sector at just
over 4 metres long. It is nippy enough around town and adequate on the
motorways. It's an ideal choice for small businesses looking for van that's
cheap to run, flexible and easy to drive.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Renault Kangoo.
Peugeot Partner
Priced aggressively, it has some formidable competitors.
A new generation model is due out late 2008.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Citroen
Berlingo.
Renault Kangoo
Despite stiff competition, has proved a popular buy
thanks to a wide range of engines, easy access to the rear and a roomy load bay.
It has a neat and distinctive front end.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Nissan Kubistar.
Vauxhall Combo
The Combo has a cavernous high-cube load area and easy
accessibility. You sit relatively high and upright so that the kind of repeated
entry and exit manoeuvres undertaken by multi-drop drivers shouldn’t be too
taxing on the back.
Volkswagen Caddy
Sturdy and Sure, this model is developed from the Touran
model for a more spacious cabin and a sleeker shape without the need for a box
on the back. It offers a sliding side door as standard.
SMALL PANEL VANS - These vans are sometimes referred to
as compact panel vans and they bridge the gap between hi-cubes and the large
panel vans. These vans strike a good compromise between load carrying and ease
of driving. They are more fuel efficient than the large panel vans and tend to
be more refined and better styled.
Citroen Dispatch
The new models have more cargo space than before and now
have standard navigation. Front passenger bench tight for two people.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Peugeot Expert
and Fiat Scudo.
Fiat Scudo
Its an unorthodox-looking van with a steeply raked
windscreen, a huge front bumper and dramatically elongated headlamps. It is
often cheaper than similar rivals.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Citroen
Dispatch and Peugeot Expert.
Mercedes Vito
The Vito is stylish and beautifully built with crisp
handling and a pleasing ride. It has never been the cheapest van to buy or run
but then again quality always has to be paid for.
Peugeot Expert
With style and size on its side, the latest Peugeot
Expert is ready to do battle with the small panel van sectors big hitters. Steve
Walker reports.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Citroen
Dispatch and Fiat Scudo.
Primastar
The vehicle is distinguished by its somewhat flamboyant
and unconventional front design but it is also one of the most comfortable vans
to drive with car like comforts. Made in Luton and Barcelona.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Vauxhall
Vivaro and Renault Trafic.
Renault Trafic
The Trafic has been substantially revised in recent
times, with styling tweaks, more equipment and, most importantly, a fresh Range
of Euro 4 engines.
The same underneath as a Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan
Primastar.
Toyota Hiace
A cheaper alternative to more modern rivals like the
latest Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito, as well as the Vauxhall
Vivaro and Renault Trafic, the Hiace is not the most modern panel van but it is
relable and robust.
Vauxhall Vivaro
A combination of smart styling, tight pricing, low
running costs and a wide variance of bodystyles have made it a popular choice.
Shares the same bodies and engines as a Renault Trafic
and Nissan Primastar.
Volkswagen Transporter
It is now in its fifth generation. Incredible to think
that such a legendary vehicle has had only five major revisions in half a
century of modern motoring. The T5 Transporter Van is substantially bigger, more
powerful and better equipped yet somehow it still looks nigh-on identical to its
T4 predecessor.
LARGE PANEL VANS – These come in all shapes and sizes
and most manufacturers offer a choice of three roof heights – high roof (HR),
medium roof (MR) and low roof (LR). You can usually choose between at least
three lengths – long wheelbase (LWB), medium wheelbase (MWB) and short wheelbase
(SWB). Some manufacturers even do an extra long wheelbase or an extra high roof.
Of course one manufacturer’s LWB may be the same size as another’s MWB so check
the dimensions with care.
Citroen Relay
Although, never quite a rival for the Ford Transit it is
nevertheless good value with excellent engines, standard navigation and vehicle
tracking. It is spacious and a pleasure to drive.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Peugeot Boxer
and Fiat Ducato.
Fiat Ducato
Its common-rail JTD engine is one of the best diesel
engine ranges around and powers not only this van but a host of other Fiat cars.
There is a wide range of models and engines but it is pricey against its twin
the Citroen Relay.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Peugeot Boxer
and Citroen Relay.
Ford Transit
Tough, dependable with powerful Euro IV compliant
engines, superb cab environment and handling, the Ford Transit is the highly
regarded market leader.
Iveco Daily
Re-designed by famed Italian designer Guigiaro, the
All-New Iveco Daily has enhanced braking and engines with more torque. It is
still the toughest and most robust panel van.
LDV Maxus
With a highly efficient 2.5 CDi, common rail, direct
injection, turbocharged, intercooled unit in a choice of 95PS, 120PS or 135PS,
you'll get high torque at low engine speeds, great combustion efficiency and
fast engine warm-up.
Mercedes Sprinter
The problem Mercedes have faced with the Sprinter is its
status as a premium brand product in a market sector where cost, or rather
cutting costs, is king. The similar VW Crafter is cheaper.
Built in the same Mercedes factory with the same
bodyshell as the VW Crafter but uses its own engines and transmissions.
Nissan Interstar
With its pedigree the Interstar can provide a strong
challenge to the large panel van sector favourites like the Ford Transit and
Mercedes-Benz. It has a wide selection of options to modify the van.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Vauxhall
Movano and Renault Master.
Peugeot Boxer
Its powerful, yet economic HDI engines are super smooth.
A Sturdy and reliable choice.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Citroen Relay
and Fiat Ducato.
Renault Master
The Renault Master: an agreeable, well-built panel van,
sophisticated diesel engines, sprawling model Range and pragmatic, efficient
design. It strikes a good compromise between performance and affordability.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Vauxhall
Movano and Nissan Interstar.
Vauxhall Movano
The Movano can do battle with the big guns in the large
panel van arena. It has a strong following amongst business users and the latest
round of tweaks and adjustments look to have progressed its chances a stage
further.
Shares the same bodies and engines as the Nissan
Interstar and Renault Master.
Volkswagen Crafter
The Crafter’s modern design and striking looks highlight
a highly functional, premium quality vehicle, which provides maximum driving
comfort. Volkswagens don’t get much bigger than the Crafter.
Built in the same Mercedes factory with the same
bodyshell as the Sprinter but uses VW sourced engines and transmissions.
What next?
If you require a full explanation or help and guidance on any of the above you can phone us on 01908 262662 to speak to a member of staff. Alternatively, contact us for the Webvans Comprehensive Guide to Vehicle Funding.
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