In July we posted a blog about the Auto Express Vans of the year 2022.

Now, hot on its wheels, comes the Parkers New Car Awards 2023, and so, as a useful comparison, we thought we'd share what Parkers feels represents the best in the world of light commercial vehicles.

Small Van of the Year 2023: Toyota Proace City (Runners up: Ford Transit Connect, Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo)

Medium Van of the Year 2023: Ford Transit Custom (Runners up: VW Transporter and Toyota Proace)

Large Van of the Year 2023: Ford Transit (Runners up: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, VW Crafter and MAN TGE

Electric Van of the Year 2023: Ford E-Transit (Runner up: Maxus eDeliver9 Van of the Year (overall): Ford E-Transit

Ford Transit (almost) sweeps the board

Apart from the small van category, where the Toyota Proace City edges the win over the Ford Transit Connect, Ford Transit vans are favoured by Parkers in their 2023 awards. Across the categories Ford is praised for a number of factors including:

• the multiple height and length variations available in the Transit Custom range
• the range of engines available
• the aftersales backup service, known as Ford Pro

And Parkers says that it's the introduction of the E-Transit that helped the range take top spot in all but one of the categories.

Blazing the way with electric vans

We think the reviewers at Parkers are fans of Ford's e-vans.

The producers of the monthly motor vehicle valuation 'book' describe the E-Transit as a "transformative vehicle" which has moved the electric-van game on due to its "unparalleled" driving experience, range and payload combinations.

Parkers don't rate Ducato

Noticeably, Parkers don't mention the Fiat Ducato in any of its category top spots or runner up places, but, just three months ago, Auto Express named it as the overall best van.

Make of this what you will. If you drive a Ducato, let us know on social media what you think of your van.

Van insurance for every van

Making sure you get the right van for your needs is, of course, crucial and these awards can sometimes be useful for pointing you in the right direction when you're about to make a purchase, but you also need to make sure your van insurance is tip-top so why not come to iVan to see if we can save you money on your quote.

Whether you need electric van insurance, any driver van insurance or fleet van insurance, we can put together the business van insurance package that's right for you.

Fill in our quote form, powered by City Insurance, to see what deals we can do for you.