While utes crowd the top spots for commercial vehicle sales in New Zealand, the humble van is still more than a viable choice for commercial use. Vans remain a popular method for transporting tools, tricycles, terrariums, and anything else you need to get from A to B.
But which van is the best to buy? When trying to find a vehicle for commercial use, you need something reliable, powerful, economical, and, ideally, cost-effective. To help you search for the perfect commercial van, we have compiled a list of our favourite vans available today. .
Toyota HiAce
The Toyota HiAce is the workhorse’s workhorse, enjoying an unparalleled run of success as the tradesman’s tool of choice. This van has been trucking along under various guises for a surprisingly long time, with roots tracing back to 1967.
The HiAce’s blend of power and versatility is a big reason for this success. The four-cylinder petrol engine is mounted beneath the passenger compartment, ensuring ample space for cargo without sacrificing the power needed to haul heavy loads.
Simple, rugged, and dependable, the traditional box-on-wheels design of the HiAce might seem old school, but trust us, it’s a winning formula that has kept customers coming back for decades.
Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is perhaps the only commercial van you could call iconic; it has become synonymous with the workmen’s chariot of choice. Funnily enough, it also gained motorhead fame with its Supervan models, a series of suped-up Transits built for racing. However, we imagine that’s not what you’re looking for when determining which van is the best to buy for your business (although it would make the work commute a lot more fun!).
For commercial use, this van is small but mighty. While larger vans are available in the market, offering more cargo capacity than the Transit, the Ford Transit stands out with its optimal performance and exceptional value, making it a preferred choice for small businesses looking to expand and grow.
Ford has put just as much emphasis on interior comfort and convenience as load-lugging ability with features like drive voice control, which is handy for those constantly on the go. Its spacious cargo area can be customised to suit any task, while its smooth ride and fuel efficiency make it a practical alternative to a bulky work truck.
Volkswagen Transporter
With a history stretching back to the Kombis of the hippy era, Volkswagen has a history of creating crowd-pleasing vans and is still going strong with its Transporter line-up. You don’t make 70-plus years of production without A: being brilliant and B: innovating at an appropriate pace.
The Transporter range is proof of this refinement over time. It is the Goldilocks of Volkswagen vans; not their biggest or smallest, but just the right size with a tone of flexibility, so you are sure to find a model that suits your cargo and the terrain it will be carried across.
Few line-ups can match the Transporter’s versatility in body options with standard, medium, or high-roof models and either short or long-wheelbase format. Its gutsy turbo diesel engine packs plenty of torque, and it is the only van in its class that offers all-wheel-drive thanks to Volkswagen’s 4Motion system.
Hyundai iLoad
Hyundai’s commercial van range has stepped up as a true contender in the modern market. The Hyundai iLoad is its cargo model, and Hyundai also offers a people mover in the iMax. Both models have extensive spec sheets that will have you drawing comparisons to many of Volkswagen’s passenger models.
The iLoad is designed primarily for tradies. It has two versions: a three-seater and a five-seater. This van-based leviathan has lots of space, making it more than capable of what you need. Backing this beast is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that packs plenty of punch. Once the butt of plenty of jokes, the iLoad has Hyundai’s rivals keeping a close eye on them in 2024.
Drive Your Business Forward with Portage Cars
Whether you need it for carrying cargo or ferrying people, these workhorse vans will help you do the job right. But knowing which is the best van to buy isn’t always easy. With our list of favourites, you can drive your business to new heights with the right wheels.
If you are looking to upgrade your work fleet, Portage Cars offers commercial vehicle finance to ensure you can get the wheels you need when you need them.
