Welcome to Vans of the Year 2005, What Van?’s annual verdict on what the manufacturers have to offer. Every year we sort the best from the rest and pick out the top light commercials on the market today. After all, choosing the right van for the job is vital these days for the success and smooth running of any large or small business.

The following 15 editorial pages contain our verdicts after extensive testing by the What Van? staff. At one time or another we’ve driven every light commercial vehicle on the British market, assessing them for driveability, comfort, performance, handling, refinement, safety, load area, economy and value for money. Standards are very high these days so this is no easy task.

The awards are split into the same 14 categories as last year’s line-up and out of all the section winners, we select our overall supremo; the Van of the Year 2005.

There are also five ‘fleet’ awards decided upon by our sister magazines Fleet Week and Fleet Management, but these will be announced next January. Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the good work.

Van of the Year 2005
Iveco Daily

Microvan
GOLD - Piaggio Porter
Commended - Daihatsu Extol

Small Van
GOLD - Ford Fiesta
Commended - Peugeot 206

Light Van
GOLD - Ford Transit Connect
Commended - Vauxhall Combo

Small Panel Van
GOLD - Volkswagen Transporter
Commended: Nissan Primastar, Renault Trafic
& Vauxhall Vivaro

Large Panel Van
GOLD - Iveco Daily
Commended: Nissan Interstar, Renault Master
& Vauxhall Movano

Pick-Up
GOLD - Nissan Navara
Commended - Toyota Hilux

Minibus
GOLD - Citroën Relay
Commended - Ford Transit

4x4 Van
GOLD - Jeep Cherokee Pioneer
Commended - Mitsubishi Shogun

Security
PANEL VAN - Ford Transit
LIGHT VAN - Ford Transit Connect

Safety
GOLD - Mercedes-Benz ESP

One-Stop Shop Conversions
GOLD - Vauxhall
Commended - Renault

Newcomer
GOLD - LDV Maxus

Manufacturer Web Site
GOLD - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Readers' Choice
GOLD - Ford Transit