A van for all seasons – our guide to the LCV you need
An LCV is a must-have for many farmers. Buyers can face a bewildering array of choice, but we cast our eye over six of the leading models, comparing capacity, power, fuel economy and price, along with other features
This family of vehicles has been the benchmark since 1996, noted for their space, comfort, economy and reliability — and winning the shared Continental Irish Van of the Year 2020.
The PSA 1.5l diesel comes with four different outputs: 75hp, 100hp and 120hp/130hp (not always available with every brand).
You can expect 5-6l/per 100km.
The standard gearbox is five-speed, with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic available on higher-spec models.
When it comes to load capacity, you have two body sizes to pick from: short or long wheelbase. The SWB gives you 3.3m3 standard and up to 3.8m3 using the load-through bulkhead.
In the LWB you get 3.9m3 standard and up to 4.4m3 using the load through bulkhead.
Payload is standard at 650kg, but you can also have more capacity, with 1,000kg even on the 75hp version.
Towing capacity is a little more complicated. For SWB, if you have 650kg payload, you can tow up to 1,230kg braked. If you have the 1,000kg payload, you can to tow 880kg braked.
For the LWB you are limited to 1,000kg braked regardless of payload.
Safety features include lane keep assist, drowsiness detector, four airbags, adaptive cruise control, payload weight sensors, emergency braking, speed sign recognition and adjustable traction control for difficult surfaces.
Volkswagen Caddy Cargo
(from around €19,500 inc vat)
The recently refreshed Caddy looks great, inside and out. It uses the chassis you find in a MK8 Golf, along with some interior parts. Inside, it feels more car-like than its competitors.
The new Caddy is available with only one engine, the 2.0 TDI, but it can be specced with 75hp, 102hp or 122hp and paired to a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic.
Expect fuel economy of 4.9-5.2l/ 100km, which is impressive given how the Caddy has grown slightly in dimensions and massively in spec.
You have two chassis sizes: ‘Caddy’ can take 3.1m3 while Caddy Maxi will take 3.7m3 — the capacity is still slightly less than some of its competitors.
The payload is around 750kg. This is again low for its class, but it makes up for it with a towing capacity of 1,500kg braked in the 102hp and 122hp vehicles, while the 75hp version is limited to 1,400kg braked.
Along with safety features like speed sign recognition and reversing cameras, the new digital displays are a big step forward.
The seats are particularly comfortable and adjustable.
A well-rounded load lugger. Ford take particular pride in their vehicles’ handling and this is no exception.
All models use Ford’s 1.5l EcoBlue engine, and you can opt for 75hp, 100hp or 120hp. A six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic really makes a difference on longer drives.
Fuel economy ranges from 5.3l-6.3l/100km.
You get an option called Acceleration Control that lets you pull away using as little fuel as possible when the vehicle is lightly loaded.
The SWB model has 2.93m3, while the LWB has 3.36m3. Using your load-through space, these can increase to 3.7m3 and 4.4m3 respectively, so the Transit Connect is bang in the middle of the segment for capacity.
And with a range of 650kg to a maximum of 800kg for the High Payload model, it is behind the curve. If you use a trailer, though, you can make up for some of this, with 1,200-1,500kg braked trailer ratings.
Standout features include lane keep assist, active braking, Side Wind Stabilisation and Limited Slip Differential, which sends extra power to the wheel that has grip if the other wheel is slipping.
Designed with multiple uses in mind: The Fiat Doblo Cargo
The Doblo offers good value per cubic metre.
It comes with two engines: the 1.3l MultiJet produces 95hp, and the 1.6l MultiJet has options at 105hp and 120hp.
Fiat know their diesel engines, and the Multi Jet produces more torque at a lower rev range than a turbo, making it easier to drive at lower speeds or moving away from the lights.
Fuel economy figures reflect that with a range of 4.5-4.6l/ 100km.
There are two sizes, offering 3.4m3 or 5.0m3 of load space.
You also get very good payload capacity, with a range of 750-1,155kg. This is a significant advantage over the competition.
Towing capacity is class-leading too, with 1,000-1,500kg depending on the model.
This is all possible because the Doblo was designed from the start to have multiple uses, not just vans — like a tipper body, a curtainsider or refrigerated box body.
Technology is not the strong suit of the Doblo, mainly due the age of this model. You do get tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control and airbags, but you are missing a lot of the more modern driving aids. This should be addressed in the next-generation Doblo.
Renault Kangoo
(€18,415/ €29,804 inc vat, VRT relief and SEAI grant of €3,800 for ZE)
Another child of the ’90s, the Kangoo has an electric option as well as a diesel, although the regular model is beginning to date.
The Kangoo comes with Renault’s 1.5l dCi engine and puts out 75hp, 90hp or 110hp. Fuel economy ranges from 4.3l-4.5l/ 100km.
A manual five-speed gearbox is standard but you can get a six-speed manual with the dCi 115.
Move on to the Kangoo ZE and it’s a very different set of parameters. All ZEs have a 44kw (60p) motor. Don’t be put off by that low figure: what’s important is the torque — 225nm is available instantly.
Range is 120-200km, depending on what you are carrying and conditions. Charge time is 6-9 hours depending on your wall box, but if you only use a three-pin plug, you will be waiting 18-22 hours.
Payload volume for the Kangoo ranges from 3-4m3 with weights of 650-800kg.
For the ZE, though, the payload size is 3.5-4.6m3, while payload weights are reduced to 650kg. This is down to the balance of adding battery weight versus range benefit.
The diesel models can tow 1,050kg braked, but you need to contact a dealer for information on towing with a ZE.
Even though the Kangoo is not the most modern or the biggest, it performs well and is quiet and relaxed to drive.
The diesel option is still what will suit most customers, but a new version of the ZE (the E-Tech) is due later this year, and that will have greater range and quicker charging.
The E-NV 200 is a fully electric commercial vehicle. Despite some competition from the Renault Kangoo ZE, Nissan has a chance to steal a march on the competition.
Fitted with a 40kw (54hp) motor, the E-NV 200 has a range of 200-300km depending on load and conditions.
Capacity is 4.2m3, with a load of 742kg; it can pull a trailer weighing up to 450kg.
For a vehicle that is so different to its market rivals, the E-NV 200 is very capable. With fast charging available you can get up to 80pc in just one hour. The main charging option, though, is home or office charging. You can reach 100pc in just over seven hours with a wall box, or use the three-pin plug and wait over 21 hours.
Most electric or even hybrid vehicles don’t have the option to fit a trailer, and although the E-NV 200 can only manage 450kg behind it, it could be the difference between getting a job done in one run rather than two.
