What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Citroen Relay

The Relay gained new Euro6.2 diesel engines and trim levels for 2019.

Three new 2.2-litre units offer 120hp, 140hp and 165hp and come with stop-start, while the revised ranges also contain two new trims: Worker and Driver. Citroen has also rebranded the entry-level Relay trim level as Relay X.

The cabin does not lack functionality, providing a multitude of storage options, while satnav and DAB come as standard. However, the driving position is less car-like than the likes of the Ford Transit, VW Crafter or Renault Master, the quality of the dash plastic leaves much to be desired, legroom is severely restricted for the middle passenger, and the position of the handbrake to the right of the driver can best be described as ‘quirky’.

The van is available in four lengths, three wheelbases and three heights, with load volumes ranging from 8.0m³ to 17.0m³. The fully ply-lined load bay is accessed via a sliding door on the nearside and twin rear doors.

Finally, for a big van the Relay takes corners confidently, while the six-speed manual gearbox is slick.

Sample model:  Relay 33 BlueHDi XL1H1

Engine size    2.2-litre
Payload     1,440kg
Load volume    8.0m³
Combined mpg 47.1mpg
CO2    158g/km
Price (ex VAT) £26,860

__________________________________________________________________

Fiat Professional Ducato

The Ducato looks very similar to the Citroen Relay and Peugeot Boxer thanks to a joint-venture with PSA Group.

Yet there is a key difference under the bonnet: while the latter use a 2.0-litre diesel, the Ducato employs Fiat’s own and more powerful 2.3-litre Multijet II, plus a Fiat 2.0-litre diesel. The 2.3 offers ample performance, especially on the motorway.

The van is available with three wheelbases and three heights. Load cubes range from 8.0m³ to 17.0m³, while payloads run from 1,000kg to 2,100kg.

The quality of the cab’s plastic trim could be better, while the 5.0in colour touchscreen really needs to measure 7.0in for navigating. On the positive side, cab access is easy and there is no lack of storage space.

Better still, the handling is a revelation, the suspension ensures you are well planted, and the steering tells you exactly what is happening. The ride is acceptable, as is the level of noise suppression in the cab. However, while the six-speed manual gearbox usually poses no problems, the shift from fifth to sixth and back again is notchy at times.

Sample model: 2.3JTD Multijet11 MH2

Engine size    2.3-litre
Payload     1,375kg
Load volume    11.5m³
Combined mpg 44.8mpg
CO2    166g/km
Price (ex VAT) £27,865

__________________________________________________________________

Ford Transit

Ford revised its 2.0t Transit in 2019.

The changes include a taller three-bar grille for the exterior and more practical storage provisions in the cabin. Ford has also upgraded its 2.0-litre Ecoblue diesel engine and added a 185hp variant to complement the 105hp, 130hp and 170hp units. It has also made diesel mild-hybrid (MHEV) tech available across the line-up.

We’d recommend the slick six-speed manual gearbox over the FWD-only six-speed auto (a new 10-speed auto transmission for RWD models is due in Q1 2020). The 170hp MHEV engine in RWD is particularly impressive, coping effortlessly with a 500kg load and content to make stately progress at low revs without demanding to be changed down from sixth gear.

It’s excellent to drive. Electric power-assisted steering takes the strain out of tight manoeuvres in the city but does not diminish the exemplary handling on the open road. It offers plenty of feedback while steering the van exactly where you want. A slight gripe would be that engine and wind noise can occasionally be intrusive when the van is driven harder.

Sample model: EcoBlue Diesel 170hp RWD

Engine size    2.0-litre
Payload     996kg
Load volume    15.1m³
Combined mpg 40.4mpg
CO2    186g/km
Price (ex VAT) £36,295

__________________________________________________________________

Iveco Daily

The facelifted Daily comes with new and useful connectivity and driver assistance features.

The latter includes queue assist, which controls the accelerator and brake in slow-moving traffic. An abundance of such tech is why the vehicle won the What Van? Safety Award for 2020.

As for connectivity, Iveco claims, for example, that Remote Assistance Service makes it possible to carry out dataset changes, diagnostic tweaks and software uploads remotely, thus preventing downtime by eliminating workshop visits.

Other additions include electric power steering and the availability of LED lights.

The Euro6 3.5t Daily is available with a choice of 2.3- and 3.0-litre diesel powertrains with outputs of 120hp to 210hp. You can choose either a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto Himatic transmission, although the 150hp 3.0 is manual-only while the 210hp 3.0 is exclusively Himatic.

With the 180hp 3.0 engine the Himatic shifted seamlessly and worked reassuringly well in combination with precise steering. With half the payload used the ride was sure-footed with no stomach-turning roll.

Sample model: Daily 35S 18V 3.0TD

Engine size    3.0-litre
Payload     1,185kg
Load volume    16.0m³
Combined mpg 38.8mpg
CO2    182g/km
Price (ex VAT) £34,060

__________________________________________________________________

MAN TGE

The TGE went on sale in September 2017 and is the first van from bus/truck maker MAN.

It is a restyled version of VW’s Crafter, and is available in front-wheel drive as well as rear- and all-wheel drive models. It is also offered with manual or auto transmissions, and as core tipper, dropside and Luton conversions, as well as in van, chassis cab and chassis double-cab variants.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with four power outputs. Gross weights range from 3.0t to 5.5t.

Through its HGV network MAN claims to be able to offer 65 service points nationwide that are open for 16 and a half hours a day, six days a week, while it provides extended opening hours and around-the-clock, 365 days per year mobile 24-hour roadside assistance.

On the road the van handles well, with the steering tightening up nicely at speed. As for the cabin, it is full of robust-looking materials and practical storage spaces and solutions. Legroom for the passenger in the centre isn’t bad either.

Sample model: 3.140 2.0TDI Standard H/roof

Engine size    2.0-litre
Payload     1,323kg
Load volume    11.3m³
Combined mpg 38.2mpg
CO2    194g/km
Price (ex VAT) £31,344

__________________________________________________________________

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Front-, rear- and all-wheel drive versions and a host of advanced safety features are available with the Sprinter, which was redesigned for 2019.

It is listed with 2.1-litre diesels at 114hp, 143hp and 163hp as well as with the impressive 190hp 3.0-litre V6, though the two most powerful options are not offered with FWD. There’s an optional nine-speed 9G-Tronic auto gearbox for FWD models; go RWD and you’re limited to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic auto. A new six-speed manual is standard across the range. An electric Sprinter should appear in Q1 2020.

With 163hp on tap the Sprinter accelerates strongly away from rest and delivers power seamlessly all the way up the rev band, although the gear-change lacks crispness. The smooth and dependable handling allows you to sweep majestically through bends, but the Sprinter’s ride isn’t its strong suit if you only have a few kilos in the back.