Car Derived and city vans

Car-derived vans (CDVs) are normally standard passenger cars with a load area instead of rear seats and solid panels instead of rear side windows. Being based on cars they are comparatively refined to drive, deliver good fuel economy and good in motorway, town and country use. The major limitation of this type of van is an inability to carry heavy or bulky loads. Some manufactures have started to build similar sized small vans but with a 'van' not a 'car' pedigree to move easily around towns and cities and they are included here.

Citroen Nemo

Ideally suited to urban driving, the Nemo despite its compact size (3.8 metres long) has a load volume of 2.5 cubic metres and a payload of 610kg. Fitted as standard, the Extenso passenger seat folds away under the floor so you can carry loads up to 2.8 cubic metres and 2.5 metres long. A van in its own right it still mirrors the footprint of Citroen's C3 car.

Ford Fiesta

The Fiesta features include the following: a spacious and versatile 1.0 cubic metre loadspace, 507 - 515kg gross payload, 1296 mm load length, half height composite bulkhead or full-height DIN-compliant steel bulkhead as an option, 4 DIN-compliant cargo tie-down hooks and full load floor rubber mat. The wide, high-opening tailgate and low loading height provide easy access to the load space.

Peugeot Bipper

Although compact, the Bipper has a volume of 2.5 cubic metres increasing to 2.8 cubic metres when the Multi-flex seat is folded down. It has a payload of up to 660 kilos and is ideal for busy urban areas.

Peugeot 207

With its car like comfort and equipment levels it provides an ideal vehicle for service engineers and city centre deliveries. However, the 207 Van's boot capacity is deceptively large: load floor length: 1335mm load area width: 1015mm and load area volume: 1.105 cubic metres

Fiat Fiorino

The Fiorino's load compartment is surprisingly generous, practical and modular. The load compartment dimensions: 1.52 m long - up to a maximum of 2.49 m with the passenger seat folded down â€“ 2.05 m high and 1.47 m wide, with a width of 1.04 m between wheel arches.
The volume is from 2.5 m3 to 2.8 m3 with the passenger seat folded down and the Fiorino's payload is from 610 to 660 kg on higher capacity versions

Fiat Grande Punto

Designed by Giugiaro, the Grande Punto has two seats, three doors, and a load compartment capacity of 940 litres. The load compartment is 120 cm long, 133 cm wide and 93 cm high.

Vauxhall Astravan

With its maximum load area height of 900mm and maximum load-floor length of 1,825mm the Astravan has a massive 1.58cu.m of load space. A total payload capacity of up to 650kg is equally impressive and a clever high-lift tailgate opens to reveal a low load height for improved access. Astravan can easily take a lateral loaded euro pallet, thanks to a tailgate aperture of max height 776mm and 1103mm between the wheel-arches.

Vauxhall Corsavan

With a maximum length of 1,257mm, a load volume of 0.92 cubic metres and a maximum payload of 550kg the Corsavan offers exceptional carrying capacity. The high-lift tailgate offers a maximum aperture height of 650mm and maximum width of 980mm which means you can load and unload cargo with ease.

HI-CUBES

Offer a similar wheelbase to CDVs but can carry more load in terms of volume and weight. The original hi-cubes where based on the front of a three-door hatchback with a high cubic load space behind. More recent models have been designed with a single space which offers a more generous cab. This type of van is generally fuel efficient, easy to manoeuvre so good around town and easier to drive than a panel van and most suited to carrying small to medium loads.

Citroen Belingo

The Berlingo has a load capacity of either 3.3 cubic metres and 625 kg (short version) or 3.7 cubic metres and 750 kg (long version). It can carry two Europallets width-wise, one in front of the other. The Berlingo LX and Enterprise models have an Extenso cabin that carries loads up to 3 metres long. Using the fold away outer front passenger seat, you can extend your load volume to 3.7 cubic metres in the short version and up to 4.1 cubic metres with a 3.25 metres load length in the long version. It can seat three people at the front

Fiat Doblo Cargo

The Doblo Cargo was designed to be ranked at the top of its category for its functional specifications. The load compartment dimensions are length 1.82 m, width 1.71 m, height 1.3 m, with an effective volume of 3.4 cubic metres. The loading/unloading operations are facilitated by an access threshold of just 54.5 cm, and a width between wheel arches of 123 cm so you can fit up to two euro pallets in the load compartment. Load capacity is from 750 to 1000 kg, arguably the best in class.

Ford Transit Connect

one of the most versatile vans

Ford Transit Connect

The Connect SWB model can handle weights up to 825 kg. Thanks to its standard fold-flat passenger seat, items up to 2.7 metres long can be accommodated.
Key Features:
2467 mm maximum load length825 kg gross payload (T220), 625 kg (T200)3.4 cubic metres loadspace (passenger seat folded)Space for two Europallets, Space to stow a 2.7 m pipe diagonally with the passenger seat folded, Choice of 3 equipment levels: Van, L and LX, Anti Lock Brakes (standard on L and LX)
The Connect LWB has a payload up to 900kg and can comfortably carry 8' x 4' boards diagonally, thanks to its standard fold-flat seat.
Key Features:
Max gross payload 900kg, max load length 2714mm, max load width 1492mm, max space load floor to roof 1364mm, 4.4 cubic metres loadspace (passenger seat folded)Fold-flat passenger seat for full utilisation of interior load area

Nissan NV200

A modern compact van, 4.4 metres in length but with a big cargo space of 4.2 cubic metres. Renowned for being cheap to run, it can be easily loaded with 2 Europallets.

Peugeot Partner

The competitively priced Partner has a choice of payload, 625 kg, 750 kg and 850 kg. Load lengths are between 1800mm and 2050mm, whilst loading height is 1250mm.

Renault Kangoo

Kangoo now comes in four bodystyles:
Kangoo Compact for smaller deliveries in an urban environment (500Kg payload).
Kangoo Van for larger deliveries (650 or 800Kg payload).
New Kangoo Van Maxi, even bigger and more flexible with a maximum load volume of 4.6m3 and a payload of 800kg.
New Kangoo Van Maxi Crew Van, highly flexible 5 seater with a maximum load length at floor level of 1.33 metres.

Vauxhall Combo

With a substantial high-cube load area, the Vauxhall Combo has a payload capacity of up to 803kg and cargo volume of up to 3.2 cubic metres. Plus, the Combo's loading area is 1,787mm long, 1,175mm high, up to 1,348mm wide with a low load height of just 584mm â€“ enabling a standard euro-pallet to be handled with ease.

Volkswagen Caddy

You can squeeze in 3.2 cubic metres of load in the Caddy, while the Caddy Maxi, will take an excellent 4.2 cubic metres. The Caddy has a payload of up to 703kg with the Caddy Maxi carrying up to 753kg dependent on model type.