Volkswagen Caddy
The Caddy holds a place in the hearts of many people who have to drive a van for a living. In its standard version it has a cargo volume of 3.2 cubic metres, while the Caddy Maxi increases this to a very usable 4.2 cubic metres while boosting the load length to 2.25 metres.
If efficiency is a prime concern, then the BlueMotion edition of the Caddy is specifically set up to meet the needs of cost-conscious buyers. The Euro 6 compliant engine can get 65.7 miles to the gallon and emits minimal amounts of carbon dioxide, which makes it a far cry from the petrol-guzzling vans of the past.
The Caddy range also includes the crew-friendly Kombi model, making sure multiple passengers can accompany the driver to whatever project needs to be tackled.
Volkswagen Transporter
Perhaps VW’s best-known van, the Transporter is the winner of various awards, including International Van of the Year 2016. The SWB version can accommodate two Euro pallets in the rear, while the LWB model is big enough to manage three. And with high-roof variants also on offer, there is a lot of flexibility in terms of what the Transporter can achieve.
Advantages available with higher trim levels include parking sensors, a heated windscreen, a trip computer and a leather-upholstered steering wheel which is endowed with all sorts of fingertip controls for the Transporter’s other features. You can even specify adaptive cruise control, which detects the vehicles in front and maintains a safe distance automatically to ease the strain of driving long distances on the motorway.
Car-like comfort levels and the inclusion of the a seven-speed DSG gearbox as an option make the Transporter range a joy to drive. And with the Kombi model offering seating for up to six, crew work can also be carried out when required.
Volkswagen Crafter
The Crafter is VW’s all-purpose chassis van that is available for a range of conversions, as well as coming pre-equipped with bodies of all types. There are dropside and tipper models, as you would expect, as well as single- and double-cab set-ups and even a Luton edition.
Furthermore, the Crafter can be specified as a standard panel van, with the BlueMotion edition offering a maximum payload capacity of 965kg while getting almost 40 miles to the gallon from its cutting-edge engine.
This is the biggest van that VW currently makes, and it is easy to see why it is popular amongst those who need a significant amount of room for cargo and equipment along with the solid build quality that the VW badge assures.
Volkswagen Amarok
The good looks of VW’s flagship pickup truck are matched by its off-road capabilities and ruggedness, which are second to none in a competitive marketplace. It is as refined as many of the firm’s cars but has a class-leading 2.52 square metres of load space at the rear, which is large enough to fit a Euro pallet on board.
ABS, ESP and assist features for taking on hill climbs and descents make sure that safety is consistently good across the range. And with modern engines, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and low levels of fuel consumption, the Amarok can be a cost-effective investment for businesses.