The Mercedes Citan was the firm’s first compact van and it’s now available in three body styles – all offer great performance and solid build.
Here at Commercialvehicle.com we were huge fans of the Isuzu D-Max which impressed in a keenly fought segment. However, the newer model doesn’t quite reach up to its predecessor’s lofty achievements. One of the reasons for this is that the pick-up hasn’t quite moved with the times so it’s starting to look and feel old when compared with more recent entrants. However, for those who want a workhorse that won’t let them down, the tough D-Max is still a sound choice. For those who want more comfort and refinement then there are other choices in the market which will better meet your needs.
The market for stylish and large pick-ups is growing and the Ford Ranger manages to meet the demands of those wanting a workhorse during the week for work purposes and a lifestyle vehicle for the family at weekends. It’s not cheap to run, but few pick-ups are, but it does have lots of equipment and it handles well.
The Fiat Talento is a bold step by the Italian van maker into the market dominated by the Ford Transit Custom. As a compact sized van, it has got plenty of space and the comfort levels on board will impress – it is also affordable to run and buy. For Custom as well as Renault Trafic buyers it’s a serious alternative in a keenly fought segment – though, in reality, the Talento utilises the third-generation of Trafic’s platform to good effect. For those who aren’t impressed with Fiat’s previous reputation for build quality it’s probably time to take a closer look at what the firm is producing under its aim to reinvent their line-up.
There’s a lot to like about the Fiat Fullback – which is based on the Mitsubishi L200. It is a capable contender in the increasingly popular segment and there’s a strong 2.4 litre diesel engine to help power it along and help deliver its impressive 3.1 tonne towing capacity. However, it can be pricier than its Mitsubishi siblings and on rough roads, the ride can be tad uncomfortable. There’s not a lot to like about the five-speed automatic transmission either.
It has shifted more than 370,000 units and the revamped Fiat Fiorino was launched in 2016 to build on its success. While it’s a cheap to run small van, the interior leaves a lot to be desired and it has an ageing design. It’s also uncomfortable for long journeys though it’s great to drive around town thanks to some very impressive diesel engines.
The new Citroen Dispatch is head and shoulders above the model it replaces and it has a decent offering in the segment. Very similar to the Toyota Proace and Peugeot Expert, there’s a lot to like about the Dispatch.
The new Citroen Berlingo delivers much of what has made this a popular van over the years; there’s still a solid build, too much in the way of equipment and a reasonable price tag. Many of the van’s fans will be pleased that the new Euro 6 engines deliver better economy and it’s still a great van to drive. Sadly, items that should be standard kit options are not available but it’s still a sound choice for those who need a small van. The other big downside when considering a van from the segment is that while the Berlingo still has winning qualities, its rivals offer more equipment and better comfort for just a little bit more money.
It’s been a long time coming and the all-new Peugeot Expert really impresses in a keenly fought segment. There’s a lot to like on board and the handling is excellent.
The Ford Transit Connect is nothing short of brilliant for the market it’s aimed at and underlines why it won the ‘International Van of the Year 2014’.