There are many factors to consider when it comes to purchasing new vehicles for your fleet. Different businesses will need different vans depending on their unique requirements. In this article, we will compile a list of the top vans to buy based on key factors such as: reliability, fuel efficiency, price, size and engine power.
The Popular Van – Ford Transit
Over 8 million Ford Transit vans have been sold over the years, making it one of the best-selling vans of all time. In terms of fuel efficiency the Ford Transit is a solid choice. The latest range is powered by Ford’s advanced 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines which offer a 13% fuel economy improvement over the old 2.2-litre engines and feature a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. That means it uses AdBlue urea injections to get the Transit under the Euro 6 emissions standards. In addition, all Transits now have a 21-litre AdBlue tank which will last around 6,000 miles before a refill is needed!
The load space of the Transit falls slightly behind some of its rivals, with the Transit Jumbo model possessing load volumes of up to 15.1 cubic metres, which is 1.9 metres smaller than some of its competitor’s models.
Given its popularity and reputation, you can be assured that the Ford Transit is durable and reliable. Ford subjected this Transit to a rigorous testing programme that took in 680,000 miles of driving in the full range of conditions this global panel van is likely to encounter. 310,000 of these miles were undertaken in the hands of actual Transit customers who used the vehicle day to day and reported any issues.
The 182bhp version delivers excellent performance and flexibility. If you regularly approach your van’s payload capacity, this might be the best choice for you, but even if you don’t its flexibility and superior refinement make it an excellent option. The best-selling Transit engine is the 128bhp unit. However, this model needs to be worked harder to shift a moderately laden Transit and there’s an increase in engine noise as a result, but it should prove more than adequate for most users.
The Premium Van – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is one of the more premium vans on the market which is reflected in its higher price point. However, with a premium price comes premium features. Mercedes-Benz put driver & passenger safety at the top of their list. All Sprinters now come with Attention Assist – a feature that “detects signs of drowsiness & inattention & instructs drivers to take a break”, and Crosswind Assist – an ingenious piece of tech which detects sudden sideways gusts & applies the brakes to just one side of the van to correct drifting before it’s even happened.
The Sprinter’s load space makes it a strong contender with the L3H2 version measuring in at over 4.4 meters in length & 1.7 meters in width. A wide side loading door and rear door which fold back against the side of the van also make it extremely accessible and easy to use.
This van is available in power outputs from 143hp to 190hp. It’s more than competent on the roads and the van’s heavy body doesn’t hold it back. Its pulling power is seamless when you change gear and its engine is softly spoken, unlike other more sluggish options in the market.
The Smaller Van – Peugeot Partner
If you’re not looking for a large van and think a smaller van would be more suitable, the Peugeot Partner is worth a look. The small size of this van makes it an attractive option for those working within a city and those carrying typically smaller loads.
The Peugeot Partner supports a 1.6-litre diesel engine which in turn provides 75bhp. The Peugeot Partner is more than capable of carrying its 624Kg payload to wherever it is need to go and is not underpowered when negotiating steep inclines or negotiating busy urban environments. Although the Partner is a smaller van model, getting a load in and out of it is not an issue. Length wise the van offers 1800mm, while width wise it provides an impressive 1620mm.
Finally, the Peugeot Partner offers a pleasant driving experience with balanced steering and a user-friendly dashboard layout. This van is certainly a solid choice when compared to other vehicles in its class.
The Stylish Van – Volkswagen Transporter
If you’re someone who likes a touch of style and plenty of tech in your van, the Transporter could the vehicle for you. Volkswagen’s Pumpe Duse technology is used instead of the common-rail injection set-up used by most competitors. It’s a direct injection system using a separate injector pump for each cylinder and offering some distinct advantages such as an extremely compact and lightweight engine design with higher injection pressure than the best common-rail units can currently muster. This means the fuel is burned cleaner and more efficiently, producing optimum power and fuel economy.
The Transporter also boasts an impressive interior and an excellent driving performance. The steering is perfectly weighted and well-balanced, and engine noises are generally suppressed. Overall, the Transporter has a reputation for feeling very solid when driving and it’s known for its ability to run and run.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. One feature that you won’t find built into a van is the ability to track your vehicle using GPS. If you would like to gain visibility over your fleet of vehicles, track their fuel efficiency and the view the routes they travel in real-time, Dropapin is the solution for you. If you have any questions about our software or GPS tracking, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our friendly team will always be happy to help.
