Renault has muscled Ford off the top spot at the Parkers Van and Pickup Awards, with the new Renault Master named the Commercial Vehicle of the Year for 2025.
The new Master came straight in at the top by winning the biggest prize but took two other awards in the process. It was also named the Best Large Van and the Best Electric Van, meaning it scooped the win in every category it was eligible for.
Ford was the other brand that enjoyed big success, with the Ford Transit Courier taking the Best Small Van title at the first time of asking. The Transit Custom then retained its Best Medium Van title, while the Ranger remains the Best Pickup.
The van industry continues to build on strong recent performance, with sales still heading in an upwards trajectory for the year to date. Electric still faces a few challenges, though, with BEV vans recording a lower share of the market in 2024 than it had in the previous year. The proposed change to licencing laws that will allow those who passed their test after 1997 to drive vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes can’t come soon enough.
Meanwhile, actual electric vans continue to go from strength to strength. The past year has seen many models in the largest sector drastically improving how far they can travel between charges, while several new entrants show how electric vans can be an attractive and cost-effective solution.
Chief among these is the new Renault Master E-Tech, which has the longest electric range of any van on sale, but does so without having to carry a huge battery to do so, thanks to significant efficiency gains.
Standing out from an impressive crowd
Tom Webster, Deputy Head of the Digital Automotive Hub and Vans Editor, said: ‘This was a strong year for new commercial vehicle launches, but the Renault Master stood out for having made advances in areas that really matter to van customers. The new Master’s cabin is a comfortable and practical place, while there has been real thought put into elements such as storage and practicality. It’s also smooth and easy to drive, whichever version you get into.
‘Crucially, though, the numbers make a lot of sense. The aerodynamic efficiency means it has a smaller battery but a superior electric range to its major competitors, meaning it has an impressive payload too. It tops it all off with a very competitive pricing proposition, which means it makes sense on paper as well as on the road.’
Excellence across the industry
Tom added: ‘The Ford Transit Courier is the other newcomer in this year’s awards, and it arrives with significantly more space and practicality than the model it replaces. It drives fantastically thanks to its passenger car underpinnings and has a wide range of engines and trims to choose from.
‘The Transit Custom remains an excellent van and is a worthy winner in the Best Medium Van sector. It added an electric version to its portfolio this year, along with several innovative practicality features.
‘Nothing has managed to topple the Ford Ranger from its perch either, and it remains the Best Pickup on sale. It has a vast array of different versions to choose from, so everyone should be able to find what they are looking for in the Ranger line up. The future is exciting, with the forthcoming plug-in hybrid version promising plenty when it arrives in 2025.
The full list of 2025 winners
Best Pickup
Ford Ranger
Best Small Van
Ford Transit Courier
Best Medium Van
Ford Transit Custom
Best Large Van
Renault Master
Best Electric Van
Renault Master E-Tech
Commercial Vehicle of The Year
Renault Master
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