If we look globally at the sales in Spain of commercial vehicles of up to 3,5 tons, The models more compact They are the ones that monopolize the greatest demand, since almost half of the units that leave the dealerships are light commercials, that is, vans similar to the Citroën Berlingo or Renault Kangoo.

The next step is for the medium-sized vans, which already offer a slightly higher load capacity or more space and more seats in the case of mixed-use versions or those intended more specifically for passenger transport. Sales of these models represent about 20 percent of all commercial vehicle registrations.

In some cases, the variety of body sizes makes some of these vans actually have versions that fall into the category of up to 2,8 tons and also in the one located above up to 3,5 tons, where larger vans with larger load volumes are already taking a leading role, although in this buying guide we clearly focus on those with smaller loads. medium size.

Below we detail the keys of the three most requested models in this category:

 

1st Ford Transit Custom 

El Ford Transit Custom It is a commercial vehicle extremely versatile since it is offered with two body lengths, the possibility of a high roof in the cargo versions, very varied interior configurations, up to nine engines and different gearboxes, and even with six trim levels that respond to all types of tastes and needs, hence its spectrum is a one of the largest on the market.

- Versatility: This van is offered with two body lengths, since it starts at 4,97 m in length, but can reach 5,34 m in length, also varying the wheelbase, which is 2,93 m in the case of the short wheelbase and 3,30 m when it comes to the long wheelbase. In addition, there are high ceiling possibility in the cargo versions.

- Nine engines: No commercial vehicle offers so much variety mechanically like the Ford Transit Custom. The offer diesel includes the 2.0 EcoBlue engine with four power levels: 105, 130, 170 and 185 hp. Based on these versions, Ford has developed four others that incorporate the mHEV or microhybrid technology and therefore have the eco label of the DGT. They carry the name EcoBlue Hybrid and also offer 105, 130, 170 or 185 hp. And the range is completed with a PHEV plug-in hybrid version, which has a motor of 1.0 EcoBoost 125 HP gasoline and is able to circulate in 100% electric mode during 56 km thanks to its 13,6 kW lithium-ion battery. This model has ZERO label.

- Habitability: The Ford Transit Custom destined for the passenger transport receives the name Combo and can accommodate up to nine seats, although there is also the variant Mixed with only five seats. The models intended for cargo They acquire the surname From and offer three seats, but there are also versions Double Cabin Van which add a second row to accommodate six passengers.

- Capacity The charging models can also be chosen with a highest ceiling, which carries the outer dimension up to 2,42 m. Thus, the costumes Cargo load in Ford Transit Custom Van oscillates between a minimum of 6 m³ and a maximum of 8,3 m³. Inside, the maximum load length to the bulkhead is 2,55 m in the short wheelbase models and 2,92 m in the long wheelbase models; and grows to 3,03 and 3,40 m respectively if the under-seat storage system is chosen. Overall, the load capacity maximum payload of the Transit Custom range ranges between 616 and 1.337 kg depending on the configuration chosen. The maximum loading height inside varies between 1,40 and 1,77 m.

- Equipment: The current Ford Transit Custom range is configured with a wide variety of finishes: Ambiente, Trend, Limited, Trail, Active and Sport, although some require specific engine and body combinations. You can count on numerous driving assistance systems: adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping system, trailer stability control, parking assistance system, rear view camera or the pre-collision system with emergency braking and pedestrian detection, among other devices.

- Prices: From 29.246 Euros in the Transit Custom Van and 32.646 Euros in the Transit Custom Kombi.

 

2nd Renault Trafic 

The range Renault Trafic is very varied, with versions more focused on passenger transport and others that are specifically intended for the transport of goods. Since May 2021, Renault has been marketing a new range of this model, with design changes in the bodywork and interior, improvements in the equipment and a renewal of the mechanical range, but this update has just arrived, for now, to the passenger versions, and will not be implemented in purely freight vans until the end of 2021.

- Versatility: The Renault Trafic is offered with two body lengths, one measuring 5 metres with a wheelbase of 3,10 metres and another that reaches 5,40 metres in length, in which the wheelbase also increases to 3,50 metres. Within the passenger range, these two sizes give rise to different models. In the Traffic Van A body with two height levelsThe standard height is 1,97 metres, the same as the Combi models, but you can also opt for a height of 2,47 metres.

- Six engines: The new mechanical offer in the Renault Trafic passenger range continues to revolve around the 2.0 Blue dCi diesel engine, which can be chosen with three power levels: 110, 150 or 170 HP. In the case of load versions The mechanics of the previous turbodiesel family are maintained in the offer, with powers of 120, 145 and 170 hp.

- Habitability: El Renault Trafic Mixto You can count on 5 or 6 seats and if it is Long Mixed the trunk capacity increases; below is the 9-seater combi, which can also be Largo; the Passenger can accommodate 8 or 9 passengers and you can also choose with the greater length; and the SpaceClass offers various seating configurations and practical housing solutions, both in short and long versions. The Van It can carry three passengers, but it is possible to have a semi-glazed, glazed or double cabin, to transport up to six occupants.

- Capacity Depending on the bodywork chosen, the freight models may have a volume from 5,2 to 8,6 m³ or load up to three Euro pallets with one maximum weight of 1.266 kg. The useful loading length can reach 3,75 metres or 4,15 metres in the long body models when the two hatches located in the load separator and under the passenger seat are used; while the useful height It is 1,38 meters in the normal model and 1,89 meters in that of raised body.

- Equipment: Following the latest update, the Renault Trafic can incorporate new driving assistance systems: adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking system, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring or a new front airbag designed to protect two passengers. Also noteworthy is the arrival of two new finishes across Combi: the version Signature, for professionals who transport a VIP audience or the tourism sector; and the models Escapade, designed to adventurous families or for leisure-related activities.

- Prices: From 24.481 Euros in the Trafic Van and from 27.745 Euros in Mixed Traffic.

 

3rd Mercedes Vito 

El Mercedes Vito It is a van designed for all kinds of jobs and usesIts range is made up of different models designed to respond to daily tasks, whether transporting passengers, goods or for personal use. last update The range on sale is from 2020, with various improvements in terms of aesthetics and equipment.

- Versatility: The Mercedes Vito is offered with three body lengthsThe shortest model is the most common and is the one the brand calls Compact and which reaches a length of 4,90 m, then there is the Length which reaches 5,14 m and finally the Extra long which goes to 5,37 m. And depending on the use it is also possible to choose between the Vito Van, with the box completely made of sheet metal and more intended for loading tasks, the Vito Mixto, which responds to a combined passenger/cargo use and with glass surface in the second row, and the Vito Tourer, which prioritizes passenger transport as it can accommodate up to nine occupants.

- Seven engines: In section diesel There are five power levels to meet different load requirements: 102, 136, 163, 190 and 239 HP. It should be noted that the commercial names used by the manufacturer do not always coincide with the power level mentioned. And completing the range is the 100% electric variant, which responds to the name evito and has the ZERO label of polluting emissions. In version Van It has a 114 hp electric motor, a 41 kWh battery and a 181 km range. The eVito Tourer It has a 204 hp engine, a 100 kWh battery and the autonomy reaches 421 km.

- Habitability: The specific objectives of the Mercedes Vito Van supports a maximum of three passengers, while the Vito Mixed You can have 5 or 6 seats and the Vito Tourer can transport up to 9 people, and is offered with different seating arrangements.

- Capacity In models intended for the transport of goods, the maximum volume Load can be 6,6 m³, with maximum space for three Euro pallets. In the Vito Mixto, when all seats are occupied, there may be a space for loading up to 4,1 m³. The maximum authorized weight for this commercial vehicle is up to 3.200 kg.

- Equipment: The available levels are: Base, Pro and Select. Between the driving assistants The Vito range models can be fitted with: driver fatigue detection, active parking assistance, crosswind assist, blind spot monitoring system, automatic emergency braking system and adaptive cruise control.

- Prices: From 28.141 Euros in the Vito Van range and from 31.262 Euros in the Vito Mixto.