Awards 2003

Van of the Year Awards 2003

A big welcome to Vans of the Year 2003, What Van?'s annual verdict on what the manufacturers have to offer. Every year we sort the best from the rest and pick out the top light commercials on the market today. After all, choosing the right van for the job is vital for the success and smooth running of any big or small business.

The category winners were decided upon after extensive testing by the What Van? staff. At one time or another we've driven every light commercial vehicle on the British market, assessing them for driveability, comfort, performance, handling, refinement, safety, load area, economy and value for money.

The awards are split into 13 categories — we’ve added Best Safety and Best One Stop Shop chassis cab conversion to this year’s line-up — and out of all the section winners, we select our overall supremo; the Van of the Year.

There are also five ‘fleet-based’ awards for the second time. These were decided upon by our sister magazine What Van? Fleet. Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the good work.

Van of the Year 2003

Volkswagen Transporter

Microvan

GOLD - Daihatsu Hijet
Commended - Piaggio Porter

Small Van

GOLD - Peugeot 206
Commended - Renault Clio

Light Van

GOLD - Ford Transit Connect
Commended - Renault Kangoo

Small Panel Van

GOLD - Volkswagen Transporter
Commended:
Nissan Primastar
Renault Trafic
Vauxhall Vivaro

Large Panel Van

GOLD - Ford Transit
Commended:
Citroën Relay
Fiat Ducato
Peugeot Boxer

Pick-Up

GOLD - Mitsubishi L200
Commended - Nissan Pickup

Minibus

GOLD - Ford Transit
Commended - LDV Convoy

4x4 Van

GOLD - Mitsubishi Shogun
Commended - Land Rover Freelander

 Security

PANEL VAN - Ford Transit
LIGHT VAN - Ford Transit Connect

 Safety

GOLD - Ford Transit
Commended - Volkswagen Transporter

One Stop Shop

GOLD - Vauxhall Movano
Commended - Iveco Daily HPI

Eco Van

GOLD - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Commended - Ford Transit Connect

Manufacturer Web Site

GOLD - Ford
Commended - Vauxhall

Fleet Manager

GOLD - Stuart Skingsley, Ocado

Eco Van Fleet

GOLD - Swindon Services

Leasing/Contract Hire

GOLD - Lex Vehicle Leasing

Fleet Services Provider

GOLD - Northgate plc

Fuel Card

GOLD - Arval PHH