Volkswagen’s evergreen Transporter panel van has been chosen as Used Van of the Year 2011 by vehicle pricing specialists CAP.
The CAP awards looked at a three year old, 60,000 mile model of all current vans and chose a winner in each category of van before going on to choose an overall winner – the VW Transporter. The judging criteria were:
- Value retained vs. cost new compared with peer group
- Model range coverage
- Options availability
- Perceived reliability/cost of ownership
- Image & brand perception
- Dealer network professionalism and support
The winners in each category included some of my firm favourites – not least the Ford Transit, which has now been setting the standard for medium and large vans for more than 40 years.
Here are the category winners and the judges’ comments about each model. It’s interesting to note that only two van manufacturers are represented, Ford and VW (excluding the pick-up, which isn’t a van):
- Best hatchback van – Ford Fiesta: “In its 5th generation and still a class leader in all respects.”
- Small van – Volkswagen Caddy C20: “Brought new levels of quality to its sector and depreciation is among the lowest.”
- Medium van – Volkswagen Transporter T5: “Just ‘right’ in every way.”
- Large van – Ford Transit 330-350: “Ubiquitous and drives improvement across the whole market by setting the standard for others to aim for.”
- Lifestyle pick-up – Toyota HiLux: “Great image and reputation for durability.”
- Minibus – Ford Transit: “Enviable heritage and trust – the name says it all.”
Hopefully the Fiesta van will be with us for a few more years – as I reported recently, car-derived vans are a dying breed.
What’s your first choice for a used van? Does the premium style, finish and perceived quality of the Transporter float your boat, or do you prefer the straightforward practicality and greater flexibility of the Ford Transit? Leave a comment and let me know.