How to choose a van

Size Body Style Payload & Load Space Powertrain

Vans come in all shapes and sizes so it is worth researching the different categories available to you.

Choosing the right size van will depend on the type of loads you typically transport.

For instance, a courier business would require a large van to ensure you have enough cargo room but if you’re an independent business based in a city, a small van would be more appropriate. Options available include small vans (SCV – Small Commercial Van), medium vans (MCV Mid-size Commercial Van) and large vans (LCV – Large Commercial Van).

Once you have selected the type of van you want, there are then further options to determine which size you can specify. Many small vans come with the option of longer wheelbases or extended cargo bay to allow for a second row of seats or a larger load area.

Medium and large vans can be chosen in a combination of lengths and heights, referred to as L1, L2, L3 and L4 for length and H1, H2, H3 and H4 for height (1 being the smallest, 4 being the largest).

Panel Van

Standard cargo vehicle with a row of seating (two or three seats) in a single cab available in small, mid-size and large configurations.

Luton Van

Extended box-shaped van with an increased cargo hold and load bay above the cab. Popular with deliveries and for removal services.

Dropside & Tipper Van

Large van with an open flatbed cargo area with low, hinged sideboards that can be dropped for easy loading and unloading. Popular in construction and maintenance or for those transporting heavy supplies.

Crew Cab Van

Combines passenger and cargo areas with a second row of seating behind the driver’s compartment. Popular for businesses needing to transport people and goods at the same time

Chassis Cab Van

Features just the cab and the chassis or frame of a van, allowing for personal customisation, such as dropside, tipper or Luton box

Fridge Van

Specialised vehicle equipped with a refrigeration unit to maintain controlled, cold temperatures inside the cargo area. Popular with delivery firms and supermarkets.

Pick-Ups

Four-wheel drive truck with an open cargo area, low sides and a tailgate. Popular with agriculture industry for load carrying versatility and go-anywhere ability

Payload

With multiple body styles and sizes of van to choose from, there will be disparity in how much cargo space is available and how much payload a van can carry.

Payload refers to the maximum weight (including cargo and driver) a van can be driven on the road for safety reasons. Larger vans can typically hold a greater payload, while rear-wheel drive vans also have a higher maximum payload compared with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vans.

Specialised vans – such as dropside, tipper and Luton vans - are typically designed to carry the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) that is legally permissible.

Load space

Load space refers to the storage or cargo area behind the bulkhead and can vary depending on the model and the dimensions you’ve specified.

It is worth noting that some vans offer load through hatches that extend a portion of the cargo bay into the passenger compartment for the use of transporting long items, while a handful of small vans are available with a dual front passenger bench to total three seats.

Powertrain

While vans have traditionally relied on frugal yet gas-emitting diesel fuel in the past, today there are multiple powertrain options to suit your needs.

Conventional ICE’s (internal combustion engines) have continued to evolve, offering power and efficiency, ensuring they remain excellent choices if you haul heavy loads or tow.

At the same time however, there has never been a better time to consider leasing a new electric van. There are multiple electric vans of varying body styles and sizes now on the market, each offering an environmentally friendlier form of transport and significantly reduced running costs.

Ideal for those who complete regular short trips, electric vans offer competitive range between charges with no compromise in terms of load space and often only a minor reduction in payload capacity.

Better still, leasing an electric van instead of buying one helps absorb the higher initial financial outlay, while retaining the major ownership benefits, such as lower running costs, tax saving incentives and more eco-conscious emissions-free motoring.

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