If you’re in the market for a new van, you’re spoiled for choice. The question is, which van make and model is right for you? To help you decide, we’ve put together this handy guide to van manufacturers so you can weigh up the pros and cons and make an informed decision.
The most popular van manufactured by Citroën is the Citroën Berlingo. If you’re looking for something smaller, try the Citroën Nemo. If bigger is better, the Citroën Dispatch is a must – it can comfortably carry weights of up to 1,400kg.
Need something even bigger than that? Then the Citroën Relay is for you. It’s six times the size of the Nemo.
Ford currently owns the top spot for the most popular van in the UK. As of August, the Ford Transit Custom had sold 2,439 models in 2018.
The Transit range is very popular. The original Ford Transit is the largest option and can stow lengths of up to 4.2 metres. The smallest option is the Transit Courier, which is also known for its superior fuel economy. The Ford Transit Connect is another firm favourite and can carry up to 993kg of cargo.
Popular vans manufactured by LDV include the LDV MAXUS 3.5T van and the LDV MAXUS Crew Van.
The LVD MAXUS van range offers a choice of three roof heights, two wheelbase lengths and three vehicle weights from 2.8 to 3.5 tonnes, so you can get a van that fits perfectly with your needs.
As of 2018, the most sought-after Mercedes van is the Sprinter. In fact, it’s number two in the top 10 list of most popular UK vans. It comes in various styles including the Panel, Crew, Tourer and Dropside.
Other top choices include the Vito, which can carry between 727 and 1,129kg, and the Citan, which is the lightest option available from Mercedes.
Mitsubishi manufactures the L200, which is undoubtedly the brand’s most popular van. It’s known for its fuel economy (capable of doing just under 1,050km on a single tank) and impressive load capacity – it can handle up to 4,090kg.
Nissan’s range of vans features a selection of different sizes. The most compact option is the NV200, which is capable of carrying loads of up to 795kg and boasts a 5.3m turning radius. The NV400 is another popular choice with plenty of load space, a carry capacity of 2200kg and a streamlined design.
The Peugeot Partner and Boxer both feature in the top 10 list of the UK’s most popular vans for 2018. The Partner is a large van that can hold between 625 and 850kgs. The Boxer, on the other hand, is even bigger and can carry up to 1,900kg.
Other models by Peugeot include the tiny Bipper, Partner Electric, Expert and Expert Combi.
The Kangoo, Kangoo ZE, Trafic and Master are the top-rated Renault vans. If you’re looking for something on the smaller side, you can’t go wrong with the Kangoo (or the electric version – the Kangoo ZE).
If you’re of the opinion that bigger is better, the Master can be configured as a van, a crew van, a chassis cab, platform cab or dropside.
There’s no denying that the Toyota Hilux is a popular van on UK roads. It can carry loads of up to 1,130kg.
The Toyota Proace, with a maximum load of 1,200kgs, is another winning model to consider.
The Vauxhall Vivaro is a favourite among UK van drivers, thanks to its maximum load-space volume of 8.6m3 and payload capability of 1,280kg.
If a smaller Vauxhall suits you better, the Vauxhall Corsavan is an option to consider. It can comfortably handle a payload of 571kg and also promises fuel economy. Other Vauxhall favourites include the Combo and Movano.
The Volkswagen Transporter is in the top five of the top 10 most popular vans in the UK. The great news is that it boasts one of the widest model ranges on the market.
The Amarok, Caravelle and Crafter Panel vans are other great choices from the German automobile manufacturer.
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