The van market seems to have slowed its frenetic pace for the moment. 

Despite the availability of vans, the uptake is not quite what we expected to see following on from the implementation of ute taxation.

Added to which, the promise of electrification of vans from certain brands seems to have fizzled somewhat, which we found a disturbing consideration, given the amount of hype surrounding all things electric.

With LDV leading the charge, it would seem many van suppliers in this country are letting the energy of electrified cargo haulers slip away, certainly as far as momentum is concerned.

We have started to see a trend in what we call the next stage of van fitout, where off-the-shelf fitout solutions – while easy to do and still very cost effective – are being rethought.

It would appear fit-outs with a focus on customisation are becoming more and more commonplace and happily, fit-out solutions providers are answering the call.

This is all to the good, as it makes a fit-for-purpose van now much more suited to a personalised fit-for-purpose van, which should suit van driver/end users very nicely indeed.

Those looking to add vans to their fleets would do well to take heed of this trend and maybe question the formula which has always worked before. Talk to your drivers, then talk to your fitout suppliers, you may be surprised at the efficiencies you may not have been aware of.

Meantime, we are seeing a little change of pace in the metro vans. LDV’s eDeliver3 is taking on the Monarch of the Metros, Volkswagen, whose Caddy5 seems to be more focussed on lifestyle than ever before. Peugeot too, has thrown its beret into the ring with the next generation Partner – watch this space for a future review.

Oh, a quick word regarding safety. Some of our vans have been ANCAP tested with the star rating, others have been tested against the EuroNCAP-inspired (and adopted by ANCAP) commercial rating of bronze, silver and gold – gold being the best you can have. So, you are looking for the greatest number of stars (up to five) stars or gold ratings.

So, top up the coffee, and check out the New Zealand new van market overview from NZ Company Vehicle.   

FORD Transit Cargo

Arguably the most famous van of all time thanks to the wonders of television, the Ford Transit Cargo – as it is known today – remains a distinctive stalwart in the light commercial vehicle sector.

But Transit has moved with the times, adopting a 10-speed automatic transmission, extensive safety and handling elements as well as sophisticated infotainment and connectivity features through SYNC 4 and FordPass Connect.

This year, Ford introduces the e-Transit to pave the way for more electrified vehicles bearing the Blue Oval to come.

For those still in the traditional ICE-camp, Transit Cargo comes standard with a Euro 6.2 emissions compliant, 2two-litre turbodiesel with a range of roof heights, cab chassis and bus configurations, all and rear-wheel drivetrains.

The Ford Transit scores a Gold award from the ANCAP’s Commercial Van Safety Comparison, acknowledged as an excellent result.

FORD Transit Custom

Quite possibly set to overtake the full-size Transit in terms of popularity, the Transit Custom has found favour with a diverse range of customers looking for practicality, versatility, safety, technology connectivity and contemporary motive options, well, that’s everyone I know looking for a van!

The five models of Transit Custom vans are the same, but appeal to different buyers for quite distinct reasons.

While the regular Transit Custom is the obvious – and most affordable – choice for the multi-vehicle fleet user, the Sport model, with its racing stripes, has been very well received, especially by owner operators. The Double Cab in Vehicle remains something of a little-ahead-of-its time concept.

The plug-in hybrid Transit Custom, however, is the hero of the range and is very definitely an idea whose time has come.

HYUNDAI Staria Load

It was almost a year ago when Hyundai introduced the replacement for its long-serving H series and their i- series vans and when the Staria landed it was with almost as much excitement as a manned moon shot with the Korean brand’s space-shuttle-like design. Some loved it, others, not so much, but neither opinion stopped the eye-catching van from selling. Or winning awards for that matter.

The combination of a super smooth and silent CRDI engine with the incredibly and efficient, slick 8-speed automatic is a winning enough combination, but the contemporary cabin design combined with a capacious cargo area just made the Staria Load that much the sweeter.

Hyundai’s Staria also offers a passenger version just as the i-Load did with the i-Max, however the Staria does appear to be more in favour as a goods vehicle rather than a passenger transport.

IVECO Daily

Arguably the Big Boy of the light commercial van market, the IVECO Daily E6 remains one of the industry’s best kept secrets – probably because of the van’s GVM which takes it away from the consideration of vans as most would recognise them, ie 2501 to 3500kg GVM. Daily is categorised as a heavy commercial – 3501kg to 8000kg GVM – which means if you are not looking to buy a small truck, the IVECO Daily may well slip under your radar.  If you are looking for a seriously impressive load carrier however, the IVECO Daily is one to pay attention to. With its Euro 6 compliant range of engines and super slick award-winning transmission, the Daily delivers much more than bread. Drivers of Dailys deliver what would be Class 2 cargo loads on a Class 1 licence.   

 LDV G10

The G10 is the smallest of the LDV van offerings and it has seen some interesting changes since its launch here. It arrived at about the same time as the first generation LDV 80’s and back then the G10 looked radically different with very little familial resemblance. Today, the G10 looks more related to the Deliver9 models. The G10 cargo van comes to us with petrol or diesel engine options and the choice of auto or manual transmissions. The rear-wheel-drive G10 offers a 5.2m³ cargo area with a 1093kg payload. The G10 has dual side sliding doors and rear tailgate lifting door as standard. Safety features include ABS and Bosch electronic stability program, driver and passenger airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

LDV V80

The first introduction of SAIC product to New Zealand, the LDV name is not unknown to us, though to be fair, the LDV we once knew as a brand out of the UK bears very little resemblance to the product we see today out of China.

The LDV V80 surprised many when it first arrived, sharing remarkable similarities with some prestigious European vans.

Despite the V80 being around since 2013, it still looks current, despite its styling being a smidge longer than the typical light commercial design lifespan of seven years.

Interesting to note that LDV New Zealand has elected to continue offering the complete V80 range alongside the newer Deliver 9 model – which is a completely different proposition to the V80.

While the V80 may be showing its age against its stablemate, it is still a valid consideration for those looking for a Lowcost Delivery Van.

 LDV eDELIVER 3

The LDV eDeliver 3 is designed from the ground up to be powered exclusively using electric power. Its composite body makes for a lightweight but capable delivery van with a 905kg payload. It is set up for DC fast charging with a 45 minute to 80 percent charge time and an 80 minute to 100 percent charge time. On AC charge, charge time from five percent to 80 percent takes about five hours. Surprisingly well equipped for such a compact delivery vehicle, the eDeliver 3 features dual front airbags, ESC, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, electric mirrors and windows. Independent front suspension and leaf spring rear add up to a modern suspension configuration for a 4.8 cubic metre delivery vehicle with a combined WLTP range of 243kms.   

LDV eDELIVER9

Introduced at the beginning of this year, along with the teaser arrival of the first electric utility to land in New Zealand, the eDeliver9 replaces the original EV80, with much improved efficiency, more contemporary styling and greater diversity than the original’s single model offering. The eDeliver9 offers four different battery options, two body sizes and the option of an electric cab chassis for those very specific applications. Range is WLTP computed and extends from 186km to 296km with variables depending on battery size, payload and driving habits. Unlike early electric vehicles, the eDeliver9 is fully kitted out with safety features like cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, blind area monitoring, front side and curtain airbags, lane change assist and electronic stability program.

With the eDeliver9, LDV is looking to take on the big names in the commercial van market, namely Mercedes-Benz and Ford, both of whom, at time of publication, had yet to field electrified vans.     

 MERCEDES BENZ Sprinter

The van brand which in 2020 celebrated 25 years, the Mercedes Sprinter saw a wealth of changes introduced just before its quarter century birthday. The three-pointed star van also saw a massive consolidation in this country at the same time, making the process of getting the right van considerably easier, despite there being an astonishing number of specification options available.

While there are still engine options available, the popular powerplant for the Sprinter is the OM651 DE22LA, four-cylinder 2.2-litre Euro 6-compliant diesel mated to a seven-speed automatic as standard, despite the new nine-speed auto being available with rear wheel drive being the most widely accepted drivetrain.

One of the more exciting additions to the Sprinter range has been the inclusion of MBUX (AI technology) and a raft of electronic safety features more commonly found on passenger vehicles.

The addition of MBUX freed up a considerable amount of real estate in the cabin area, which – thanks in part to the low position of the seats, creates a very comfortable and spacious work environment.

MERCEDES BENZ Vito

The most significant change with the Vito was its status from being ‘available at any Mercedes-Benz dealership’ to an indent order only basis, a decision which may have forever impacted sales negatively on what is regarded overseas to be a very good small van solution.

Vito was the first commercial van to arrive in New Zealand with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and it shows no sign of being discontinued anytime soon.

For us, the panel van is the Vito configuration of choice with four models – 111, 116, 115 and 119 in short and long wheelbase options and with front or rear wheel drivetrains.

Vito offers two engines, the 1.6-litre for the 111’s and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel for the others. Vito offers two transmissions; either a six or the more frequently found seven-speed automatic.

Vito also has a crew cab variant and all Vito vans incorporate have an extensive safety package, incorporating many systems found aboard passenger vehicles, including lane keep and blind spot assist, intelligent LED lights, attention assist and crosswind assist.     

 MITSUBISHI Express

A bright bulb for Mitsubishi which burned very brightly, but for a very short time. Mitsubishi introduced the Express van in June of 2020 in SWB or LWB with a dual clutch automatic transmission.

And in the closing months of 2022, the sun will set on the Express, despite sales being extremely positive and the vehicle being well received here.

The triple diamond brand drew on the expertise of continental partner Renault to co-produce Mitsubishi’s commercial mainstay. Unfortunately, it was hampered by a poor safety rating at a time when safety in commercial vehicles is a big deal and while Renault seems to have weathered the storm, Mitsubishi could not.   

Mitsubishi’s Express van is equipped
with reversing sensors, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and a dead angle (wide view) vision with mirror in the passenger sun-visor.

All of this is in addition to the Extended Grip system – a driver-activated traction-control mode for low grip situations – hill start assist, cruise control with speed limiter and a five airbag complement, but while that was great in 2015, its proven to be not enough for 2020 and beyond.

The Express ceases to be imported at the end of this year.

PEUGEOT Expert

Peugeot’s second real foray into the world of commercial vehicles arrived with the Expert in 2020. Previously, Peugeot had introduced the first-generation, metro-vanlette Partner, which saw limited success since the market here didn’t really know what to make of it at the time.

The Expert on the other hand, seemed to make more sense and – being a bit more grown up and practical like a box van should be – was better accepted into the market.

Expert comes to us as a 5.3 /6.6m³ cargo carrying contender with a medium (standard) and long (optional) length model available.

Peugeot New Zealand spent considerable time and effort into ensuring the Expert was going to meet the needs of Kiwi consumers and paid attention to what various users looked for in a van; the end result being the Expert as we see it, complete with self-contained cabin, a 1300kg payload, 1800kg braked trailer towing capability and intelligent interior design.

As expected of a Euro, the Expert is well set up in the safety stakes with adaptive cruise control, rear Multiview camera, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.

PEUGEOT Partner

This year sees Peugeot introduce the second-generation Partner and it is a radical departure from what we have seen before. Gen II Partner shows the Peugeot commercial family ‘look’ and while Partner is still considered a metro vanlette, it looks and feels like a proper sized van, albeit one with a 3.3 to 3.8m³ (Standard) or 3.9 to 4.4m³ (Long) cargo area. The Partner adopts Peugeot’s i-Cockpit found in its passenger line with an eight-inch colour touchscreen for infotainment including Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Well-equipped in the safety stakes, a blind spot monitoring system is standard as is a reversing camera, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, active emergency braking, cruise control with limiter and traffic sign recognition. Also onboard is Peugeot’s Multiflex tumble fold seating system with underseat storage and load through bulkhead. The front wheel drive Partner is a happy melding of passenger and commercial vehicle features and specification.

RENAULT Kangoo

As well as having an all-electric model based on the long wheelbase variant, Renault New Zealand has two conventionally powered Kangoos available, the 1.2 litre petrol short wheelbase (3m³) and 1.5 litre diesel (4m³).

Payloads are 540kg or the short, 608kg for the long and 650kg for the EV.

As far as technology is concerned, the EV is the star of the show by virtue of its motive power and the reverse camera supplementing the reverse parking sensors on the conventional models.

All Kangoos come with cruise control and rev limiters, hands free Bluetooth connectivity, anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist, electronic stability and traction control as well as hill start assist and driver and passenger airbags.

Kangoo’s real advantage over its competition is crew space. It feels and is, a very roomy cockpit affording excellent visibility, which is exactly what’s needed in a metro van.     

 RENAULT Trafic

enault New Zealand introduced the Trafic mid-sized van in 2016, though it was a van with a difference, featuring as it did, a 1.6-litre twin turbo.

A few months later, Renault NZ announced the ‘matured’ Trafic’s arrival – this one with a single turbocharger and the attraction of a six-speed automated manual (automatic) transmission.

Safety became a special area of interest with this generation which features Renault Grip X-tend. Grip X-tend enhances traction capability on soft ground in addition to ABS, EBD, electronic stability control, hill start assist, front and side airbags and Renault’s anti-intruder device (R.A.I.D.) deadlocking and lock on the move door system.

Today’s rationalised Trafic range comprises two models: the long or
short wheelbase versions, both with six-speed automatics. Both are front wheel drive.

Payloads range from 1216kg to 1274kg.

RENAULT Master

The largest commercial van Renault has to offer in this country, the Master is something of the hero van for the brand, since it was the first van to be introduced and as a result, it is the van which has enjoyed significant interest by virtue of its ‘latest and greatest’ status.

It’s not all to do with being the most recently updated, however. Master does offer an extremely comprehensive range of vehicles as demonstrated by the model having four wheelbases to start with: short, medium, long and extra-long.

From these, Renault NZ has selected a raft of drivetrains, transmissions – six-speeds in manual or robotised (automatic) versions – and varying power and torque outputs from the same engine, dependent on drivetrain.

The versatility of the Master is truly demonstrated with its often factory-fitted body options which includes but not restricted to; chiller vans, tipper units, multi-seat minibuses, dropsiders, box bodies and more besides.   

 TOYOTA
HiAce/Gravia

t was 2019 when we saw the shape of the HiAce change forever, Toyota’s light commercial champion went through a massive genetic alteration and at first there was resistance, but this has now long fallen by the wayside.

To ease the sixth generation model into the typically traditional New Zealand market, Toyota ran the previous model, narrow waisted HiAce alongside the new version, but this too, has now gone and HiAce is now all the extended bonnet version with the standardised 2.8-litre engine.

The 2.8-litre is quite commonly found in the ‘working Toyota’ models, delivering improved load carrying and greater payload capacity than the previous model.

From the user/occupant perspective, the generation 6 HiAce introduces the Toyota Safety Sense package across the four models of ZR, two models of ZX and two models of minibus which now make up the conventional HiAce range.

As with much of Toyota’s product lines in 2022, stock constraints have cut into the availability for the HiAce – an unfortunate episode in the brand and the model’s history.

In addition to the minibus options, the HiAce range incorporates the Granvia luxury people mover, though at time of writing this model was sold out with an uncertain future.

VOLKSWAGEN Caddy 5

The focus on 2021’s Volkswagen Caddy 5 is more geared towards the passenger segment than the commercial user, who still retain access to what is arguably the most successful metrovan in New Zealand, despite its elevated price point which has always been considered at the top end of the spectrum.

The Caddy Cargo is – quite rightly – the most affordable in the Caddy 5 range, though its premium price has made a move towards the premium pricing of the passenger variants. The inclusion of the Caddy Life, Caddy Move and Caddy California – all vehicles geared toward the private sector – will bolster registration numbers of the Caddy line despite the near-on full blown van pricing of the humble cargo hauler.

But while it is the passenger-inclined Caddys which gain the Lion’s share of the upgrades in the safety systems and thus justify the price hikes, design features, Euro 6-compliant engines and some of the safety and connectivity systems have filtered down to the commercial versions which share the new look and more driver-friendly characteristics of the Caddy 5.   

 VOLKSWAGEN Transporter

The Volkswagen Transporter T6 arrived in 2020 and – despite it being the middle child in the Volkswagen family, it is the model which clearly defines Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle range, the way Volkswagen would like to see it perceived.

Designed to be as car-like a van as it is possible to get, Transporter offers an excellent balance of correct specification and equipment levels, combined with exterior styling elements and interior cabin design.

There is also a significant amount of standardisation in the mechanical attributes of the Transporter to match the cohesion in the range all of which deliver a well-thought out and well-finished quartet of very capable vans. And from the Transporter, Volkswagen has derived a number of extensions to the range, culminating this year with the arrival of three PHEV Multivan models.     

Autonomous emergency braking, forward collision mitigation, electronic stability control, ABS brakes, hill start and crosswind assist, park distance control, driver alert and rear camera systems are standard safety equipment for the Transporter.

Trendline models take on lane change assist, rear traffic alert and cruise control as safety equipment upgrades.

All Transporter models come with auto start stop with regenerative braking.

VOLKSWAGEN Crafter

(Volkswagen’s largest van) for the past year, with Volkswagen New Zealand focusing on consolidation for the mid-sized Transporter and the launch of the new Caddy 5.

This is not unexpected as the life cycle of vans of the Crafter’s size especially, tends to be around 7 years or so before a significant change or upgrade. With the current model (2nd generation) we are four years into its lifespan, which may well mean we see a midlife update before any major changes.

At present, Volkswagen’s ‘worker’ – the literal translation from the German ‘Crafter’ – uses a 2-litre single turbo diesel engine for the most part, though twin turbo engines are available for the larger bodied models.

Automatic 8-speed transmissions are standard, though manuals are available on indent order and both medium and long wheelbase models have the option of 4MOTION drivetrain over the standard front wheel drive.

Like all commercial Volkswagens, Crafter has seen a massive uptake of safety systems on a par with the passenger vehicle line-up.