Welcome to Vans of the Year 2010; What Van?’s eagerly-awaited verdict on the vast array of light commercials on sale in the UK. Each year we sort the best from the rest and determine the winners in each of the 12 categories in the following pages. We then select the number one model overall; the What Van? Van of the Year for 2010.
Every year the task becomes more difficult. Modern vans achieve standards that would barely have been dreamt of two decades ago. Exhaust emissions are lower thanks to tighter legislation and the huge sums of money invested by manufacturers, and safety levels have soared thanks to the widespread use of ABS, Electronic Stability Programme and airbags.
The verdicts represent the distilled experience of What Van?’s long-serving editorial staff. At one time or another we’ve driven and exhaustively assessed every light commercial sold in Britain. We’ve taken into account performance, ride, handling, noise, vibration/harshness, fuel economy, load cube, payload, equipment and value for money.
Manufacturers whose products have not won the top prize in each category may find that they’ve waltzed off with our much-coveted Highly Commended accolade instead. And if they haven’t been awarded a trophy this year, then they needn’t feel too disheartened. The gap between the winners and those who have just missed out gets narrower and narrower as the years roll by.
Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the good work.
Highly Commended: Vauxhall Corsavan
Highly Commended: Citroën Nemo, Fiat Fiorino & Peugeot Bipper
Highly Commended: Ford Transit
Highly Commended: Mercedes Sprinter
Highly Commended: Ford Ranger
Mitsubishi Outlander & Citroën C-Crosser
Highly Commended: SsangYong Kyron
Highly Commended: Citroën Relay
Highly Commended: Ford
Light Van: Ford Transit Connect
Highly Recommended: Modec