Volkswagen e-Crafter (2018)

The Volkswagen e-Crafter is the polished and impressive product that takes the conventional sibling to new heights. It’s got the same level of comfort and quality, the great interior and lots of safety equipment. The impressive low running costs will impress and with the all-electric market growing quickly, the VW e-Crafter will find an enthusiastic market of buyers – though after its ‘official’ launch at the Commercial Vehicle Show it became apparent that the e-Crafter would not be reaching the UK in late 2018 as had been expected. And it might not be here in 2019 either. Read more to find out why.

Nissan e-NV200 (2018)

The Nissan e-NV200 is the market leader for those wanting an all-electric van and their latest offering is very good indeed. It’s larger than its predecessor and has more range – but the competition is getting stiffer and the new e-NV200 might be found lacking (particularly when the Volkswagen e-Crafter is unveiled). Despite this there’s still a lot to like and it is a great van for delivering around town. Out on the open road, the e-NV200 isn’t as refined or as comfortable to drive when in towns and cities.

Mercedes Sprinter (2018)

The new third generation of the Mercedes Sprinter has been hailed by the van maker as a ‘game changer’, and, for once, this might not be marketing talk! That’s because the new van has been completely re-engineered and improved. The engineers have had to sit down and think about what users are actually looking for and the end result is an impressive van that is designed to deliver. It’s nice to drive and it’s a good performer around town with a comfortable cabin. It’s also the first production vehicle to have a nine speed automatic gearbox which should help boost efficiencies. An all-electric Mercedes e-Sprinter is set to go into production in 2019 and until the new diesel engine van has improved fuel economy of around 45 mpg.
There’s also a new naming convention to appreciate so the Sprinter vans are no longer called the ‘Short’ to ‘Extra-Long’ and instead will be referred to as L1 to L4. The vehicle height will follow and these are H1 to H3. There’s also an impressive option list that features more than 600 items including suspension and fleet solutions so it can be adapted to personal requirements.

Volkswagen Caddy 2018

The 2018 model year for the VW Caddy sees equipment levels boosted across every trim and the van is also the safest in its class. In a bid to boost sales, the petrol engine Caddys have had their prices reduced but overall Volkswagen has played it safe with its small van offering. However, for those potential van owners who are attracted by its safety features, the new caddy has autonomous emergency braking now fitted as standard and there’s also driver alert across the range as well.

Renault Kangoo Z.E. (2017)

The new Renault Kangoo Z.E. is a decent offering for those who are looking for an all-electric van with the latest model having its range boosted by 50%; it should, according to Renault, provide 170 miles on a single charge. There’s also a good range of body styles to help maintain the van’s popularity which is the bestselling electric van in Europe.

Renault Alaskan (2017)

It’s something of a late entrant into the pickup market, but the Renault Alaskan offers an all-round and impressive offering. Mind you, it is based on the excellent Nissan Navara and this is the first 1 tonne pickup made by the French firm. It’s on sale from 2018 and the Alaskan has lots of equipment and offers a sound alternative for those wanting comfort and off-road abilities. Renault also says this is a ‘completely fresh approach’ to the pickup segment but that’s stretching things somewhat since it’s near identical to the Navarra’s cabin. It is however a good-looking vehicle and comfortable to drive.

Mercedes X Class (2017)

It could be said that Mercedes is another carmaker late to the pickup party and with sales rocketing around the world, now is as good a time as any to create an impressive offering. The Mercedes X Class is that vehicle and the carmaker has created an interior to match their premium offering. There’s also a long list of options to help tailor the pickup to the buyer’s needs. However, it’s not really a pickup made by Mercedes – scratch the surface and this is the impressive Nissan Navara though Mercedes has made many changes to the exterior styling and obviously in the cabin. So, while the market for lifestyle pickups is growing and buyers opt for these rather than an SUV (mainly down to the tax advantages) there is no doubt that lots of businesses will go down this particular route just to have the Mercedes three pointed star on the front of their vehicle.

Ford Transit Custom (2018)

The popular Ford Transit Custom is being revamped for 2018 with a range of impressive improvements and news that a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will be introduced in 2019. There are some styling tweaks and an improved cabin, particularly for connectivity. There’s also a new engine, it’s a version of the British-built EcoBlue 2.0 litre diesel unit developing 105 HP and returning fuel economy of around 50 mpg. It’s also going to be a sound choice for those owners who want car-like handling, a comfortable cabin with lots of stowage and a stylish exterior design – fleet operators will love the intelligent speed limiter to ensure their drivers stay within the law. In a competitive segment the new Ford Transit Custom is going to be heard to beat.

VW Transporter (2016)

The VW Transporter is a stand-out offering that now sets the standard for the segment. Great following from fans and a sound alternative to the likes of the Transit Custom and Vito. For those looking for a great van for high mileages, the Transporter will not let them down with a solid build quality and the residual values are quite impressive.

Volkswagen Crafter (2017)

The Volkswagen Crafter is an all-new creation and the firm’s most versatile and largest van with a wide choice of body styles including Tipper, panel van, double and single cabs and a dropside. It’s also a very comfortable place to spend long journeys with an impressive interior and lots of safety equipment for peace of mind. Typically, the Crafter has been outperformed by its rivals, particularly from Ford, but it has built-up a strong following with those owners appreciating the solid build and reliability levels. The new van is solid and its practicality will make it a popular choice for those who spend money on it – if they decide to make the switch from the competitors.