Vans of the Year Awards 2011

Vans of the Year Awards 2011-Large Panel Van

Large Panel Van of the Year
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
large-panel

Large Panel Vans are the fuel-efficient, high payload load-shifters that tend to dominate the outside lane of the motorway. And the king of them all is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Stunning 2.1-litre Euro 5 diesel engines, build quality beyond reproach and enviable residual values are standard features of all Sprinters. Just climb into the beautifully appointed cab and the whole ambience oozes class.

Sprinter is rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox is standard across the range, with a five-speed automatic as an option. One feature that really impresses is the availability of a Stop/Start Eco system which automatically cuts the engine when stationary in traffic and restarts it when the clutch pedal is depressed. It’s the only large panel van to offer this excellent, no-brainer £75 option. Well done Merc.

Load space ranges from 7.5m³ to 17.0m³ spanning four body lengths and three roof heights. Payloads extend from 740kg to 2,514kg. Gross vehicle weights start at 3.0t and go up to 5.0t.

A dream to drive, the rear-wheel drive Sprinter handles and rides well, and the steering has a reassuringly direct feel to it. The driver’s seat is three-way adjustable so it’s no problem to find the perfect position; an absolute necessity on those long-haul runs. There's bags of storage space, including a full width shelf at the top of the windscreen.

As well as a van Sprinter can be had with four-wheel drive, as a crew cab Dualiner, powered by compressed natural gas or bio-methane and there are various low carbon BlueEfficiency options.

Highly Commended – Renault Master & Vauxhall Movano
Introduced in 2010, the current generation Master/Movano is streets ahead of the predecessors and there is no doubt that it provides more in-cab storage cubbies than anything else. A third ‘badge’ is joining the line-up later this year in the shape of the Nissan NV400.