TOYOTA PROACE CITY
The Toyota Proace City is the winner of the 2022 Parkers Small Van of the Year award. Technically similar to the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo – the four of them won the 2021 award jointly – this year we’ve singled-out the Toyota because the firm has introduced a new 10-year warranty programme called Relax.
This sets the Proace City distinctly apart from the others, as they only offer three years of cover. We feel Relax adds an extra layer of reassurance that’s likely to be important to UK tradespeople and businesses as the country continues to deal with life after the coronavirus pandemic. With high payload ratings, a great driving experience and plenty of equipment, the Proace City is every bit the practical and easy to use van that its cousins are, and it’s well-supported by the growing Toyota Professional dealership network. A deserving winner.
RUNNERS-UP
CITROEN BERLINGO / PEUGEOT PARTNER / VAUXHALL COMBO CARGO
Joint winners of this award in 2021, these closely related vans are all part of the same Stellantis family and are all based on the same engineering. They remain a great choice for small van buyers, and while they might not have the Proace City’s lengthy warranty, they do offer some additional high-tech features and safety equipment, and a wider range of trim levels – which could still make them a better fit for your business.
High payload ratings, good engines, and a driving experience that’s easy going and quiet on the motorway completes the picture for these ultra-worthy contenders.
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CARGO
The latest Caddy brings the Volkswagen van experience closer than ever to the Volkswagen car experience – it feels similar to drive to the latest Golf, and comes with many of the same infotainment and driver assistance systems. Clever new twin-dosing TDI engines clean-up the diesel emissions to a greater extent than ever before, while the TSI turbo petrol alternatives are both nippy and surprisingly economical.
The Caddy Cargo falls a little short in the payload department, however, and some many find the new tech has a steep learning curve, hence it doesn’t quite make it to the top of the tree this year.
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