WhatVan? 2019 Award winners revealed!
It's that time of year again, where the winners of the prestigious WhatVan? Awards are revealed, Vansdirect takes a closer look at all of the winning new vans!
Green Award - Nissan e-NV200
With a huge focus currently on emissions and a growing number of European cities rolling out low emission zones, what better place to start than with the green award?
The Nissan e-NV200 has been one of the leading figures in the electric van market since its introduction in 2014 and is a worthy winner of this year's award with the 4.2 cubic metre load capacity from diesel models remaining intact and payload of 701kg. What really gives the eNV200 its appeal is the claimed range of 174 miles and fast charging capability, with a fast charge point capable of taking the electric van to 80 percent charging capacity in as little as 30 minutes.
Highly commended in the category went to the new Renault Master Z.E van. See Vansdirect get hands-on with the Renault Master Z.E.
4x4 LCV of the Year Award - Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial
First seen at the Commercial Vehicle Show in April 2018, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial van is based on the passenger carrying Shogun Sport SUV and is a proper 4x4 van sharing underpinnings with the iconic Mitsubishi L200 pick-up. The Shogun Sport Commercial has impressive credentials, with the ability to wade depths of up to 700mm while approaching from 30 degree slopes. The van can tow a 3.1t trailer, and has a payload of 600kg and 1.5 cubic metres of load volume.
Highly commended in the category went to another SUV adapted into a commercial vehicle in the form of the Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial.
Pick-up of the Year Award - Isuzu D-Max
In the pick-up category, the Isuzu D-Max regains the award it won in 2018. The D-Max pick-up has received a number of updates during 2018 to help keep it at the top of the pick-up category, which included the introduction of a new Isuzu D-Max Yukon Luxe extended cab model as a result of customer demand. There were then updates to the entire Isuzu D-Max range in October 2018,one of which included a handy 10kg increase in payload on a pick-up already renowned for its carrying capabilities.
Highly commended in the pick-ups category went to the luxurious Volkswagen Amarok pick-up. Check out the new Volkswagen Amarok Aventura limited edition pick-up.
Small van of the Year Award - Ford Transit Courier
The smallest new van category of them all has seen some casualties in recent times, with the Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper vans leaving the market, whilst the Vauxhall Corsavan is soon to follow. However the Ford Transit Courier has shown no signs of waning, regaining the award it won in 2018, competition from the Courier in 2019 may be most fierce from in house, with Ford vans bringing back the Ford Fiesta van. The Courier received a facelift in 2019 combining a redesigned front grille in line with the remainder of the Ford vans range and a new interior, asserting its dominance in the small van market.
Highly commended in the small vans category went to the Fiat Fiorino. Find out more about the 'SPECtacular' Fiat Fiorino Tecnico van.
Medium van of the Year Award - Ford Transit Custom
Another award for Ford vans goes to comfortably the UK's best-selling new van in the form of the Ford Transit Custom van, the Custom has dominated the market since its introduction in 2012 and a facelift early in 2018 made the medium van better than ever before with a new sleek appearance and highly upgraded interior similar to that of many in the Ford passenger car range. 2019 will see the introduction of a Ford Transit Custom PHEV hybrid model for the first time!
Highly commended in the medium vans category went to the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace vans that scooped the prize in 2018. See Vansdirect get hands on with the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert vans.
Large van of the Year Award - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
WhatVan? Have labelled 'innovation' as the primary reason behind the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter winning the large van award. The all-new Sprinter gained a whole host of plaudits in 2018, with Mercedes-Benz vans labelling their new creation as the 'most connected van the world has ever seen. If the plethora of technology and connectivity features aren't enough, there's also a front-wheel drive model in the range for the first time.
Highly commended in the large vans category went to the Volkswagen Crafter van which recently parted ways with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Van of the Year Award - New Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo
The largest prize of them all is shared between three new vans from the PSA Group in the form of the new Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo vans. The Combo which used to be based on the Fiat Doblo Cargo is now based on the same platform as the Berlingo and Partner vans. These three all-new models have already gained a host of accolades during their short time in the market and recently shared the International Van of the Year 2019 prize. Each model boasts a whole host of new technology and features, with payloads up to 1-tonne and brand new trim levels. Being crowned Van of the Year has meant these vans also scoop the Light van of the year award, with the new creations redefining the segment.
Highly commended in the Light van market went to the Ford Transit Connect. See Vansdirect get hands-on with the Ford Transit Connect van.
Award winning vans on finance
Grab an award winning van from an award winning new van retailer, Vansdirect! We have a massive range of brand new vans in stock and cheap van finance options to suit everyone's requirements and budgets, including van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. Interested? Simply fill in a contact form or call us on 0800 169 69 95 to get the ball rolling today!