Top 5 Small Vans for Deliveries and Couriers
They say big things come in small packages and when it comes to small vans for delivery and courier services, that is most definitely the case.
Indeed, one could argue that the notion of a ‘small van’ is an oxymoron in that the range of options available are anything but that on the inside, where cavernous load bays often belie the dimensions viewed from the outside.
It’s this expert packaging that makes small vans so popular among delivery drivers and courier companies thanks to their ability to swallow sizeable cargo without taking up too much room on the road.
Small vans are particularly popular in urban environments where the compact dimensions make them perfect for weaving between traffic, darting up side streets and not taking up too much room when unloading.
Better still, nearly every small van on sale today is offered with an electric van equivalent, which not only lowers your running costs significantly, but gives them unobstructed access to inner city clean air zones without fees.
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Why Lease a Small Van for Delivery and Courier Jobs?
Manoeuvrability:
Operating a small van significantly simplifies driving in urban environments. The compact size makes navigating streets and parking much easier. Many new small vans are equipped with features such as cameras to enhance manoeuvrability further.
Fuel efficiency:
Generally, small cargo vans tend to be more fuel-efficient than their larger counterparts, due to their lighter weight, while the shorter mileage use involved makes them ideal to run with cost-effective electric power.
Versatility:
Despite their compact size, small vans often boast versatile cargo spaces that can be tailored to various needs. Numerous models provide customisable interior configurations and support for van racking. This helps to accommodate different types of cargo.
Ease of use:
The lower load height of small cargo vans facilitates easier loading and unloading of goods in comparison to larger vans. This is particularly advantageous for businesses engaged in frequent deliveries.
So, which small vans are Vansdirect’s big recommendations? To come up with our definitive top five, we’ve considered cargo size, external dimensions, practical touches and running costs to determine the Best Small Vans for Deliveries and Couriers.
5. Volkswagen Caddy Cargo
Volkswagen has always enjoyed kudos in the automotive sector, the brand becoming a byword for good build quality, involving driving dynamics and useable practicality.
The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is no exception to this rule with the current generation model sharing a lot of its underpinnings and running gear with the top-selling Golf hatchback.
It’s a prestige demonstrated from behind the wheel where the Caddy Cargo gains a well-designed, hard-wearing dashboard, while little touches like the Golf-derived steering wheel make it feel a cut above some of the more utilitarian commercial vehicles in the class.
It’s also spacious, in part because it is one of the largest models in the class in terms of external dimensions. This translates to a generously sized load bay of 3.1 cubic metres, while a maximum payload of 740kg is possible, though most models sit just below 700kg.
On the downside, there is no pure electric equivalent, but there is a Plug-In Hybrid version (named eHybrid) which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Should your journeys involve short trips, its 70-mile range on electric power alone could prove sufficient.
4. Nissan Townstar
One of the more unusual traits of the Nissan Townstar is that it isn’t available with a turbodiesel engine, unlike nearly every other rival.
Instead, it gets the choice of either a 1.3-litre petrol engine or a 45kWh electric model.
Choose the petrol engine and you will benefit from a good value alternative that is cleaner for the environment, even if it is not as frugal on fuel as a diesel would be.
The Nissan Townstar EV, however, is capable of up to 178 miles in range on a combined cycle, which should make it more than sufficient for use on a daily basis with only charging every other day or so.
Whichever powertrain you choose, the Nissan Townstar is generously kitted out with air-conditioning, cruise control and reverse parking sensors even on the base model, while it is also benefits from a well-built interior that can be specified with three seats (unlike the sister Renault Kangoo and Mercedes-Benz Citan).
3. Maxus eDeliver 3
While it blurs the boundaries of what you might describe as a ‘small van’ in terms of dimensions, the Maxus eDeliver 3 is nonetheless rooted firmly in the small van class in terms of value.
As such, the eDeliver 3 – which is 1155mm longer than a Citroen Berlingo M but 1195mm shorter than the larger Berlingo XL – makes for an excellent alternative choice in this segment.
As well as being longer than the average short wheelbase small van, the eDeliver 3 is also taller at 1900mm, giving way to a vast 4.8 cubic metres of load space. By contrast, a Citroen Berlingo M offers 3.3 cubic metres.
Despite its interior size, the eDeliver 3 is noticeably slimmer than its rivals too, giving it an advantage when travelling through congested city streets, while you also enjoy a loftier driving position.
Only available with an electric powertrain, the Maxus eDeliver 3’s 50kWh engine is good for a 141-mile range, while it can handle a class-leading payload capacity of 1045kg.
2. Ford Transit Courier
How do we know the Ford Transit Courier makes a perfect small van for delivery and courier services? Well, there is a clue right there in the name...
Going in the other direction of the Maxus eDeliver 3, the Transit Courier exists in its own ‘sub-small van’ class, sitting below the Ford Transit Connect.
These smaller dimensions – which at 4.3m are slightly smaller than the 4.4m Transit Connect – make the Transit Courier a doddle to drive around town, while its light weight makes it particularly frugal in both electric and diesel guise.
Crucially, the Transit Courier is expertly packaged with special attention paid to maximising space within such small dimensions. Touches include slender wheelarch housings and squared-off rear end.
Throw in a quality, well-equipped interior, plus a recently-launched striking new look, the Transit Courier is an ideal urban van for manoeuvrability that doesn’t sacrifice too much space.
1. Citroen Berlingo
While we consider the Citroen Berlingo to be the Best Small Van for Deliveries and Couriers, in reality this is a prize it shares with the almost identical FIAT Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo.
That said, we give the nod to the Citroen over its siblings for a small reason (which we’ll get to in a moment).
Either way, choose any one of these four models and – in short wheelbase trim at least – they are hard to beat.
Indeed, clever packaging is the calling card of the Citroen Berlingo (et al.) with what is already large cargo bay in its own right enhanced by a few neat touches to accentuate versatility further.
In standard Medium length, the Berlingo has one of the largest cargo bays in the class at a generous 3300mm. This is despite it being one of the shortest models in terms of external dimensions.
Better still, it comes with a nifty hatch in the bulkhead that can be opened. Once you have folded the two-seat bench in front of the bulkhead, it extends a portion of the load bay from a length of 1817mm to 2167mm, as well as increase cargo capacity to 3.8 cubic metres.
It’s features like this that have made the Berlingo-Partner-Doblo-Combo quartet so popular in the small van class.
Moreover, the electric Citroen e-Berlingo is capable of up to 213 miles with its 50kWh electric battery.
So why did we choose the Berlingo? Well, it gets Citroen’s patented and award-winning seat upholstery technology designed to soothe away those aches and pains from a day of strenuous loading and unloading.
After all, it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference.
