Truck Or Utility Van?

Choosing a utility vehicle for your company means weighing a number of factors. Once you have a clear idea of your needs, and you know your budget, it’s merely a question of focusing on the most logical choice for maximum efficiency at minimum cost.

Vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Nissan NV and Ram ProMaster offer very generous cargo space and even an optional raised roof that allows you to move around inside without stooping. They’re all available with gasoline engines, and most are available with small but powerful turbo-diesels offering good fuel economy. The emphasis here is on towing capacity and payload. The Sprinter offers the most in terms of customization, but then it is the most expensive.

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Offering versatility at reasonable cost, the aging Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana offer a useful payload and excellent towing capacity, but fuel efficiency suffers because of their large V8 engines. The new mid-sized Mercedes-Benz Metris offers a good balance in terms of features and capacity, and is equipped with a turbocharged four.

At the other end of the scale are the compact utility vans: Nissan NV200, Chevrolet City Express, Ford Transit Connect and Ram ProMaster City. For urban deliveries and service calls, these smaller vehicles are handier and more fuel-efficient thanks to their four-cylinder engines. They can be purchased for less than $30,000.

In almost every case, specialist interior trim companies can provide units to arrange and store your tools, transport odd-shaped products, or even install an on-board workshop that makes maximum use of the space available.