Simply vantastic

While not as highly contested as some other automotive segments, vans definitely have their place on New Zealand roads. Sean Willmot reviews the market.

It comes as no surprise to learn that the plethora of vans available to us here is almost as good as our passenger car selection – regarded as one of the most diverse in the world.
It also comes as no surprise to learn that a number of vehicle manufacturers who have always been in the van market, are striving for excellence and market share when it comes to their van range – just as they do with their passenger cars.
New players are regularly coming into the market, bringing new technology in terms of engine, appointment, convenience and practicality. For all those who think a van is just a van, think again.
The major van manufacturers are making huge leaps forward to provide consumers with suitable vehicles that meet or set the benchmarks for safety standards. This is particularly so of European manufacturers.
Safety is not just about things like ABS, electronic brake force distribution, and airbags. It also translates into making the vehicle driver-friendly, which is why many European vans are coming into New Zealand with almost better appointments than some cars.
The Asian brands tend to focus more on price advantage, which is encouraged by our less-than-stringent regulations (compared with Europe) on commercial vehicle standards.
This is not to say that Asian vans are inherently unsafe, nor under-specified. Obviously, they have to comply with safety regulations
to a certain degree. However, there is a marked difference between a Hyundai van and a Mercedes, or a Toyota Hiace and a Volkswagen Transporter – just as there is in their passenger car equivalent.
Is anything likely to happen to change this?
Ultimately, I am certain that the powers-that-be would like to see us driving vans more in line with European standards, and this could be a problem for Asian countries that have supplied us with so many vans over the years.
The Euros are faced with either having to demonstrate something to justify the expense of their product against the lower priced Asian vehicles – or alternatively, bring their pricing into line to meet the Asian manufacturers head on. At present it seems that the Euro market has decided to go the latter route, which is why we are seeing aggressive vehicle pricing from manufacturers like Volkswagen.
But is lower pricing the only answer to a van supplier’s prayer?
If you take the pricing out of the equation, about the only thing that can really make any sales headway against a small business budget
is vehicle longevity and servicing advantages. The other rationales of ‘better quality’,
‘better safety’, even ‘better economy’ tend to get overlooked when faced with even a $3000 price difference.
Fiat
Perhaps seen as one of the more exotic European vans, Ducato has recently seen rationalization in its range, in line with Fiat’s new vehicle launches.
Currently, there are two Ducato models available here, a 2.3 litre turbocharged diesel with 81kW output and a 2.8 turbocharged diesel with 94kW output.
Both Ducatos share specification in terms of air conditioning, halogen headlights, dual air bags, air conditioning, electric front windows, heated rear view mirrors, electric central locking, programmable service monitor and factory tinted windows. The 2.8 version gains ABS and electronic brake force distribution. Prices range from $49,990 to $54,990.
Ford
Two entrants from the Blue Oval are currently available. The Econovan is perhaps more the ‘sparkies choice’ – with either a two-litre petrol or 2.5-litre diesel engine.
Available only with a five-speed manual in both four-metre and 4.7-metre sizes, Econovan targets the budget conscious buyer. Significant specification includes central locking for all doors, three-across seating with inertia reel seatbelts for outboard occupants, a heated rear window and day/night rear mirrors. Priced from $27,100 for the petrol model, it’s easy to see why Econovan is the popular choice.
Ford’s other offering, the Transit, comes in four variations – the SWB in petrol or diesel, the LWB in diesel only but with mid-roof or high roof options, the cab chassis in diesel only and the Transit 12-seater bus, also in diesel.
There are two choices of diesel engine however. Both are 2.4 intercooled turbo, although one has higher output and torque ratings (92kW versus 66 and 200Nm against 285). Automatic transmissions are available for all variants but only with the lower output diesel engines.
Standard features on all Transits include single six-way adjustable driver’s seat and a dual position fixed passenger seat, single CD player, remote keyless entry with central double locking, tinted glass and halogen headlamps. Prices start at $47,400.
Holden
Holden’s Combo is described as a purpose built small van for today’s business owner. Larger than its predecessor, the new Combo has the convenience of a large, kerb-side sliding door to compliment the rear, full height, barn type doors. It is powered by a 1.6 litre, four cylinder SOHC engine with 64kW @ 5400 rpm of power and 138Nm @ 3000 rpm of torque. Other standard features include speed-sensitive power steering, and a CD player.
The Combo is priced at $23,500.
Hyundai
The first of the Korean entrants, Hyundai’s H100 van is a popular player in the market, despite the fact that it is only available in a 2.6 diesel engine with a five speed manual transmission. Features include front ventilated disc brakes with power assist and load sensitive proportioning valve, door mounted side impact beam, side window protection bars, power windows, central locking, AM/FM radio cassette with detachable face, rear screen demister and washer/wiper, tinted glass and tilt adjustable steering.
At time of writing, the H100 offered air conditioning as a factory option with the van carrying an RRP of $29,990. But best be in quick, the H100 is due to disappear shortly, having come to the end of its product life and because of new regulations regarding frontal impact compliance.
Kia
Despite being the cheapest full size van available in New Zealand, little is known about Pregio, which unfortunately seems to be the way with Kia product.
Pregio is Kia’s entry into a relatively new market in New Zealand for the brand and yet, the vehicle itself demonstrates how up to the play Kia is on the world stage. Powered by a 2.7 litre diesel with manual five speed transmission, the $25,995 Pregio is equipped with a rear windscreen demister, full electrics suite and
CD player.
Mazda
Mazda has looked after the interests of Kiwi van buyers for many years and has kept its hand in, despite a harder concentration on passenger cars in recent years.
Even so, the E-Series vans from the Car of the Year award-winning company still provide consumers with a highly-specified vehicle that is available in either SWB or LWB (with an LWB with four sliding rear windows).
Some models have petrol engines - a 1.8-litre for the SWB, a 2-litre for the LWB, or the 2.5-litre diesel for the LWB.
Driver airbags are standard on all models as is all-door central locking and remote fuel release mechanism. Mazda also offers side impact and frontal collision protection on the E-Series,
and prices range from $27,295 to $34,600.
Mercedes Benz
The German manufacturer has an extensive range of commercial vans starting with the new Vito – recently upgraded in specification and downgraded in price as Mercedes seeks to capture some of the lucrative van market. Mercedes has concentrated its efforts on safety, which is why the Vito has many of the safety features of Mercedes cars.
There are five Vito options all running the 2150cc engine – although there are a variety of power outputs.
Starting with the 109 CDi/C at $40,900, the 2.1-litre engine throws down 65kW and features a 3.2-metre wheelbase. Then there is the higher spec 109 CDi/L at $41,900.
The 111 CDi/E takes the price to $45,900 and offers an increased power output of 85kW for a 3.43-metre wheelbase, while the 111 CDi/L with high roofline, goes back to a 3.2-metre wheelbase with an 80kW rating and $46,900 price tag.
Standard equipment on the Vito range includes ABS brakes with Electronic Stability Programme, CD/radio, remote central locking, electric windows, heat absorbing glass, drivers airbag, hardwood loading compartment floor, and fog lamps.
Next in the Mercedes lineup is the Sprinter - perhaps the most visible Mercedes commercial as St Johns uses them for ambulance duty.
Sprinter has over 360 options – typical features include everything that Vito offers and high roof and rear doors, ABS braking with ESP (standard on 413/416 CDI), air conditioning (standard on 413 Campervan), passengers airbag, Sprintshift automated manual transmission, ultrasonic reversing aid, and rain sensor on front windscreen.
The Sprinter range starts with the 208 CDI panel van with standard roof at $45,900.
This features a 2.1-litre engine and three-metre wheelbase. Next up, is the 308 CDI standard roof panel van at $48,900 with 3.5-metre wheelbase, and ‘upspecced’ version at $50,900.
The 313 panel van or high roof panel van starts at $56,900, and there is an automatic version of the mid range model at $64,900.
The Sprinter 413 offers six configurations, priced from $62,900.
Mitsubishi
Until recently Mitsubishi has kept
New Zealand contractors and other van users happy with just the one vehicle, the L300.
But the L300 has finally been replaced by,
no surprises here, the L400.
The L400 is a newcomer to New Zealand for the triple diamond brand and has set the frontal impact benchmarks for low cost, frontal impact compliant light commercials. With its bullnose, the L400 runs a 2.4-litre, 97kW and 192Nm petrol powerplant, mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Cargo length is 2730mm and width is 1525mm. Specification includes air conditioning, central locking, immobiliser, driver’s airbag and CD player, heated tailgate glass, halogen lights and intermittent wipers. Pricing is sharp at $39,990
Suzuki
The Suzuki Carry van is a quirky little beast but well appreciated for its small size and abilities. Not overly specified, the Carry is available only as a manual five speed and is powered by a 1.3 petrol engine with a 55kW power and 97Nm output rating. It does feature ventilated front disc brakes and a load sensing proportioning valve, along with safety features such as side intrusion beams and an extensive front-end crumple zone, power steering, electric front windows, central locking and Sony audio system. Driver and passenger seats have adjustable head restraints. At $19,000, Carry represents excellent buying, though its small size generally hides it from the mainstream market.
Toyota
No van review could be considered comprehensive without reference to the Toyota Hiace. This long-standing institution in the van market is now available in three main model derivations, the ZR, ZL and ZX.
The Hiace range has two engine options for all vehicles, a three-litre diesel and one petrol 2.4-litre model. The diesel engine has a 66kW and 192Nm output, while the petrol is rated to 88kW and 200Nm.
The ZR offers the diesel in four-speed auto and five-speed manual – and manual only for the petrol variant, while the ZL comes as a petrol or diesel but with the five-speed manual transmission only. The ZX comes in diesel only with the choice of auto or manual transmissions.
Specifications vary through the lineup as do dimensions, with the ZR being the lowest base specification and the more compact of the range while the ZX is at the top of the tree.
As to price, the ZR entry price for the petrol, manual model is $37,250 while the top-of-the-line ZX diesel auto caps the range at $47,260.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is perhaps the most significant mover in the Euro market for vans at present fielding the Transporter range, Caravelle line up, and LT series – 17 vehicles in total.
The Transporter is likely to be the most popular with options running to a 2-litre petrol SWB, 2.5-litre petrol SWB, 2.5-litre Tdi SWB, 2.5-litre petrol LWB, 2.5 Tdi LWB, and either a single or double cab chassis 2.5 Tdi LWB. Pricing starts at $38,990.
The Transporter range also has Syncro-All Wheel Drive as an option, as well as four-wheel disc brakes and a driver’s airbag as standard.
Optional dual airbags, for the driver and passenger, as well as ABS brakes are also available. Built into Transporter are collapsible steering column elements, a durable thermo-plastic fuel tank and a chassis engineered to meet and surpass the most stringent standards for accidents.
The Caravelle has three model derivations – the 2.5 litre petrol SWB, 2.5 Tdi SWB, and 2.8 litre V6 petrol. Features include both driver and passenger airbags, four wheel disc brakes with ABS and EDL (electronic differential lock) plus power and heated external mirrors, power front windows and remote central locking, trip computer, cruise control and alloy wheels
and Syncro-All Wheel Drive option. Prices start at $65,390.
In the LT series is the LT35 with SWB Tdi standard, SWB Tdi high roof and LWB Tdi, with prices ranging from $54,990 to $61,990.
The next grade up is the LT46, including the SWB Tdi high roof at $61,990 and LWB Tdi at $65,990. There’re also cab/chassis variants.

Bullnose compliance
Considering all the vans available today, the independent contractor has a great deal of choice, dependent of course, on the budget. It is worth mentioning too, that the passenger car market recently went through considerable turmoil when faced with the frontal impact compliance regulations that precluded some cars from coming into New Zealand.
The frontal impact compliance regulation did not at the time apply to commercial vehicles, but it is only a matter of time before
it does.
What the rule is likely to do is exclude ‘flat nose’ vans from being used on our roads, or even allowed into the country. Brands like Toyota of course, will suffer as the venerable Hiace suddenly becomes all but outlawed here. Toyota has addressed the issue though, and very soon will be bringing in bullnose vans to counter this.
Hyundai has ceased importation of the H100 and Mitsubishi has opened the doors to a low-cost bullnose van already.
If you are in the market, you would do well to look away from the flat noses; they may not be with us for much longer.