In the traditional fuel category, the winning van is the Fiat Ducato and in the electric class, the top spot goes to the Ford E-Transit.
OK, so we don't know too much about the voting system or if any vote verification happened, but Auto Express is a weighty title when it comes to motor vehicle media, so when they choose a particular vehicle in their annual awards it does bestow significant kudos.
Auto Express says that the award categories across cars, SUVs, and vans are designed to reflect what UK drivers are actually buying and hopes to pinpoint the vehicles that their "exhaustive testing" identifies as best in class.
New and existing models feature in the awards and the winners have been judged on a number of criteria based on levels of comfort, quality, technology, performance and handling.
Auto Express says that the Fiat Ducato is a prime example of manufacturers trying to ensure their vans have all the latest tech, whilst striving to maintain payload weights and cargo volumes. They say that while the van is more or less the same as the previous model, Fiat has packed the latest one with new running and tech equipment, including car-like levels of infotainment systems and safety kit including lane assist, autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and active park assist.
The model of choice for the Auto Express team is the 2.2 Multijet 140HP 35 LH2 which can be driven on a UK car licence, but, it says, there are heavier models for those with a C or C1 licence.
Also commended in this category were the Ford Transit Custom and the Suzuki Jimny Commercial.
The Ford E-Transit has been a late entrant to the electric van market, but it seems that it was worth the wait. Auto Express describes the Ford E-Transit as "quiet and refined" with no reduction in cargo volumes because the electric running gear has been fitted seamlessly into the Transit frame.
It also acknowledges the price point of the E-Transit being lower than many rival makes, which seems a huge plus when, they say, Ford has made a number of improvements to the standard elements of the electric van formula.
Auto Express chooses the Ford E-Transit 135kW 184PS L2 H3 Trend as its model of choice from the range, saying that the Trend models provide numerous items that improve connectivity, safety and an easy driving experience.
Also commended in the electric van category were the LEVC VN5 and the Vauxhall Vivaro-e.
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