The small van sector has seen significant growth since the Citroen Berlingo’s debut in 1996. This model not only revolutionised the light van demand but also set a new standard in the market for small vans being sold. Over the years, small vans have evolved into more sophisticated vehicles while retaining their core commercial capabilities.
Exploring the Characteristics of Compact Vans
A compact van is designed to be noticeably smaller than traditional vans, usually measuring about 1/2 to 3/4 their size. This streamlined design is a strategic choice for those in the market for small vans for sale, offering a blend of functionality and convenience. The smaller stature of a compact van is complemented by a lighter weight and a more compact chassis design. These features significantly enhance its manoeuvrability, making it an ideal choice for navigating the often cramped and busy streets of large cities. The ease of parking and agility in tight spaces is particularly advantageous, depending on the skill and needs of the driver.
Recognising the lucrative potential in the market for small vans, manufacturers have strategically targeted van buyers who desire a compact vehicle that does not compromise on load space or payload capacity. Most models in the small vans for sale category now offer both standard and long versions to augment the load area. Additionally, some models feature a unique load-through capability, allowing for the transportation of extra-long items, a critical consideration for buyers in the small vans market.
Small Vans v’s Medium Vans
In terms of size, small vans typically occupy no more space than a medium-sized car, making them ideal for city driving and a popular choice. These vans are usually equipped with two seats as standard, but most can be upgraded to a three-seat configuration in the cab, adding a layer of versatility essential for people looking to purchase small vans.
The latest models in the small vans for sale category have incorporated technology from passenger cars, such as blind spot monitoring, rear-view cameras, and adaptive cruise control, enhancing the driving experience. Small panel vans also offer the added advantage of concealing cargo, boosting security.
In terms of cargo space, compact vans manage to retain a surprisingly generous rear area. They adeptly balance their smaller size with practical utility, making them suitable for a variety of uses such as work tasks, furniture moving, or leisure transportation.
The smaller engines in compact vans also contribute to a more environmentally friendly approach to driving, really standing out as one of the most economical van options. They offer the benefit of greater fuel efficiency, leading to more miles per gallon. This aspect is particularly appealing to those looking to reduce their environmental impact and save on fuel costs.
Best New Small Vans for Sale
Here is a curated selection of the best small vans for sale, catering to a wide range of preferences.
Ford Transit Connect: Sturdy Small Van
This compact van is renowned for its remarkable sturdiness and efficient use of space, making it an ideal choice among small vans for sale. Sharing the same running gear as the Ford Focus hatchback, the Ford Transit Connect van promises an enjoyable driving experience, complemented by a comfortable interior of exceptional quality compared to its rivals.
Available in standard (L1) and long (L2) wheelbases, you have the flexibility to determine the load space that suits your needs when considering the smallest vans, but are not willing to compromise on ability. The standard version boasts a generous 2.9m³ load volume, which expands to 3.6m³ in the longer variant, making it an excellent option for those seeking compact vans with ample storage. With optional modifications, it can handle payloads just over 1 tonne, demonstrating its versatility. Despite its small size, the Transit Connect L1 can effortlessly transport two Euro pallets and items up to 3 metres long.
Step inside the cabin, and you’ll discover a comfortable environment equipped with features like DAB Radio, USB connectivity, and standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Taller drivers will appreciate the abundance of headroom, making this one of the most user-friendly small vans available. In addition, a range of clever storage solutions enhances the practicality of the Transit Connect, solidifying its status among the smallest vans for sale.
Citroen Berlingo / Peugeot Partner / Vauxhall Combo: Car Derived Vans
Perfect for those in search of a car-derived van, the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, and Vauxhall Combo small vans are all part of the PSA Group’s remarkable offerings. These vans have garnered praise for their top-notch safety features, technological advancements, and impressive modularity. Essentially, each model shares the same van platform with slight design variations and distinctive badges on the front.
You’ll be pleased to know that all three vans come in two body lengths – L1 and L2, ensuring that while they are small vans, they do not compromise your space availability. These options provide 3.7m³ and 4.1m³ of load space, respectively. Opt for the larger L2 version, and you’ll have ample room to transport two Euro pallets. Furthermore, beyond the entry-level model, all versions include twin passenger seats, making them perfect for short journeys with a small team.
The latest iterations of these small vans offer tailored trim levels to cater to different needs. If you work in and around construction sites, there’s a specialised trim with features like raised ground clearance and a Grip Control system. On the other hand, for those who spend most of their time behind the wheel, there’s a set of specifications designed to enhance cabin comfort. This includes a comfortable seat with extra cushioning at the sides, along with height and lumbar adjustment.
Nissan NV200: Tall Roofed Small Van
The Nissan NV200, an exemplary model among small vans for sale, stands as a testament to superior design and practicality. With its roots in Japanese-style architecture, this compact vehicle boasts a slender track, the tallest roof in its class, and a truncated wheelbase. These features collectively endow the NV200 with an impressively tight turning radius, expanded vertical storage capacity for taller items, and an elevated seating arrangement typically found in larger vehicles.
This small van’s capacious 4.2m³ loading area, a standard offering, effortlessly accommodates two Euro pallets. The NV200’s heightened roof allows for the transportation of items up to 1.36m in height, surpassing the typical limitations of the smallest vans out there. Unlike its counterparts, which usually feature only a nearside sliding door, the NV200 includes twin sliding doors, enhancing the ease of loading and unloading. Additionally, each NV200 comes with a comprehensive 5-year/100,000-mile warranty, a benefit that remains transferable in the pre-owned market.
Available in three distinct trim levels—Visia, Acenta, and Tekna—the NV200 is generously equipped from the get-go. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, USB/AUX sockets, and intuitive steering wheel controls. Opt for the Tekna, the range-topping edition, and you’ll be greeted with a sophisticated touchscreen satellite navigation and entertainment system.
The e-NV200, the electric variant of the NV200 van, boasts many credentials for being one of the most economical vans. It heralds a new era of eco-friendly transportation. This zero-emission vehicle, leveraging the groundbreaking technology pioneered in the Nissan Leaf, represents a smart choice for those looking to reduce both fuel and tax expenses. Following an upgrade in 2018, the battery of the e-NV200 now boasts the longest range amongst all electric vans in the marketplace, making it an unrivalled choice in its category.
Renault Kangoo: Highly Efficient Urban Van
Since its UK debut in 1997, the Renault Kangoo has carved a niche for itself as a highly efficient and straightforward urban delivery vehicle among the smallest vans. It has undergone two significant upgrades, initially in 2008 and more recently in 2016, aligning with the Euro 6 emissions standards.
Available in two body lengths—Standard and Maxi—and a versatile Crew version, the Kangoo caters to a variety of needs. The Standard model, a prime example of a compact yet functional small van, offers a 3.0m³ load volume, comfortably accommodating one Euro pallet. The Maxi version steps up the game with a 4.0m³ load space, enough to fit two Euro pallets. Remarkably, even the Maxi Crew van manages to offer 2.4m³ of load space with a multi-position bulkhead, ensuring ample capacity within its compact dimensions.
The Kangoo features three dCi diesel engine options. The 75 engine is exclusive to the Standard model, while the more powerful 90 and 110 variants are available with an optional automatic gearbox. For those prioritising environmental sustainability and economic efficiency in their search for small vans for sale, the Kangoo ZE emerges as a standout choice. This 100% electric model, bearing the title of one of the most economical vans, is equipped with a 22kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a technology shared with the renowned Renault Zoe car. This integration not only reinforces its eco-friendly credentials but also ensures a performance that is both reliable and forward-thinking.
Volkswagen Caddy: Stylish Small Van
The Volkswagen Caddy, a quintessential model within the realm of small vans for sale, epitomises premium quality and boasts a robust resale value, underpinned by its reliability and the high-grade standards inherited from the VW car range. The latest iteration, revamped in 2015, showcases a refined, contemporary design, echoing the aesthetic cues of the Polo and Golf models, thereby reinforcing its status as a stylish and new VW Caddy.
Catering to diverse needs, the Caddy is available in Standard and Maxi body lengths. It also introduces variants like the window van, the five-seater Caddy Combi, and the Caddy Life—an MPV-style vehicle capable of transporting up to seven people, thus offering versatility seldom found in the smallest van segment. The Standard version presents a 3.2m³ load volume, which extends to 4.2m³ in the Maxi, striking a perfect balance between compactness and capacity.
Engine choices in this VW van range from diesel to petrol, with the majority of buyers favouring the traditional diesel option. The robust 2.0 TDI diesel engine is offered in three different outputs, with the higher-powered versions available with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for a smoother driving experience.
Standard features in the Caddy include a 5” touchscreen display for the DAB Radio, alongside electric windows and mirrors, ensuring a comfortable and convenient driving environment. The top-tier Highline model elevates the experience further with VW’s Discover Media Navigation system, a feature designed to ensure seamless navigation to any destination, whether it’s for work, transporting equipment, or leisure activities.
The Volkswagen Caddy, in its essence, is more than just a small van; it’s a versatile, reliable, and sophisticated vehicle, ideal for those who require the functionality of a van without compromising on style and quality.
Fiat Doblo Cargo: Contemporary Storage
The Fiat Doblo Cargo, a remarkable contender in the realm of the smallest van, has consistently proven its mettle by clinching the WhatVan? Light Van of the Year Award for three consecutive years, with the latest accolade coming in 2018. This recognition coincides with its significant revamp in 2015, further solidifying its position as a leading choice among fiat vans for sale.
Distinguishing itself in the small van category, the Doblo Cargo offers a unique feature usually found in larger vehicles: the availability of two roof heights. This versatility is complemented by two body lengths – Standard and Maxi. The most capacious variant, the XL model, combines a Maxi wheelbase with a high roof, yielding an impressive load volume of 5.0m³ and a payload capacity of 1,005kg, making it a standout choice for those seeking a fiat small van with substantial cargo space.
The interior of the Doblo Cargo is thoughtfully designed with ingenious storage solutions. These include an overhead compartment above the windscreen, expansive door pockets, and a cleverly designed passenger seat that flips up to reveal a handy space for storing documents, showcasing the thoughtful design that characterises Fiat’s approach to utility and efficiency.
The pinnacle of the range, the Tecnico trim level, elevates the Doblo Cargo to a level of equipment that rivals any other compact van. It boasts rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, and a power mount for a TomTom satellite navigation system integrated into the top of the dashboard, complete with the satellite navigation unit itself. This level of equipment not only enhances the functionality of the Doblo Cargo but also adds an element of sophistication and convenience, making it an attractive option for those in the market for small vans for sale.
Mercedes-Benz Citan: High Resale Value
The Mercedes-Benz Citan, a distinguished member of the smallest van category, is a result of the collaborative engineering excellence shared with the Renault Kangoo. However, the Citan elevates itself with the badge appeal that is a hallmark of Mercedes vehicles, setting it apart from most other small vans. This allure not only enhances the van’s image, projecting a more upscale presence to customers but also contributes to its higher resale values, a key consideration for those eyeing a Mercedes van for sale.
The Citan is thoughtfully designed to cater to varying needs, available in three distinct lengths. The Compact version, akin in size to the smaller Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper, offers a respectable load volume of 2.4m³, efficiently designed to accommodate a Euro pallet widthways. For those requiring more space, the Long and Extra Long models provide load areas of 3.1m³ and 3.8m³, respectively. Additionally, the Citan features a Crew version for up to five seats and the Citan Tourer, an MPV-type model, further highlighting its versatility as a small Mercedes van.
Mercedes’ meticulous attention to detail is evident in the Citan’s reworked suspension, engine, and bodywork, all fine-tuned to enhance the van’s performance. The interior, synonymous with Mercedes’ commitment to refinement, includes standard features such as USB connectivity, front electric windows, and daytime running lights. As expected from a Mercedes van, the Citan offers a plethora of optional extras, including satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, and alloy wheels. This array of choices ensures that the Citan stands as a compelling option for those in search of small vans for sale, combining functionality with the luxury and prestige associated with the Mercedes brand.
Overall, the choice to invest in a compact van is a wise one for individuals and businesses alike, provided it meets their specific needs. Such vans not only help in reducing carbon emissions but also offer cost savings on fuel. Moreover, they prove to be highly efficient for city travel, whether it’s for professional commuting or personal journeys. A compact van offers a smart, sustainable, and versatile solution.
Would you like to explore more options of small vans for sale in 2024? We welcome you to reach out to us on 01633494655, or get in touch here.