Choosing the right vehicle for your business is a big decision. Whether you're hauling tools, delivering goods, or transporting crew members, choosing between a van or a pickup truck can make or break your business.
Nowadays, there's lots of choice out there, especially with pickup trucks proving much more popular in the UK.
To help you make the right decision for your business, we'll explore the pros and cons of vans and pickup trucks.
We discuss:
The first thing you need to think about before choosing a van or pickup truck is actually your own business: what does your business need from a vehicle?
Here are some things to consider:
- Passenger capacity - If you're transporting a team, a crew van might be a better choice with its combination of spacious seating and decent load volume. However, there are also double-cab pickups on the market that offer an extra row of seats.
- Load capacity - Do you need a lot of cargo space? Vans offer much more cargo space than pickups. However, pickups are handy for bulky or irregular items.
- Urban vs rural - Will you be driving in the city or in the countryside? Vans will be more suited towards city driving, especially if you choose an electric van, whereas pickups excel in rough terrains and rural areas.
Vans can be a real asset for many businesses. They offer superb practicality and come in various forms, whether that's a city van, a large van, or an electric van.
If you choose the perfect van for your business, we guarantee you'll love it. So, here's why a van could be advantageous for your business:
- Cargo space - A van is most useful because it offers loads of space in the rear. If your business requires a lot of equipment to be moved around, then a van will be perfect. For a small van, you'll be looking at a cargo space of around 4m3. However, large vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter increase it up to 17m3.
- Weight capabilities - With vans able to fit a lot of cargo onboard, they come with higher payloads. City vans will offer a payload of somewhere from 600 to 1000 kg, while large vans can sometimes carry as much as 3,000kg.
- Security - With a van, your tools and goods are out of sight, reducing the risk of theft. Unlike what Top Gear showed us with their Man with a Van Challenge in 2006, van security has come a long way since then and is now extremely secure. If you want some advice, check out our blog, How to Protect Your Vehicle from Car Thieves.
- Customisation - Vans come in a range of heights and lengths, meaning there's always one to suit your needs. Also, with certain manufacturers, you can add shelves, storage, and ply lining to tailor the van to your business needs.
If all that sounds good, check out our Van Leasing page, where we offer a range of deals to suit your every need.
Pickup trucks have massively increased in popularity in the UK in recent years. Versatile and robust vehicles, they are perfect for businesses that need a balance between off-road ability, powerful powertrains, and load capacity.
Here's what makes leasing a pickup truck a good option:
- Versatility - Pickups are designed to handle a wide range of loads. Whether you're hauling construction gear, gardening equipment, or supplies, a pickup can meet a range of needs. You can also have a pickup in two forms: single cab or double cab, with the latter fitting the needs of a family.
- Towing capacity - If you need to tow trailers, pickups have a higher towing capacity than vans. For example, the Ford Ranger has an impressive towing capacity of 3,500kg in single-cab form!
- Off-road capability - If your business takes you off the beaten path, pickup trucks are built for rough terrains. Thanks to their higher ground clearance and robust suspense systems, pickups have no issues trawling through mud or manoeuvring a few rocks.
Top Vans for Business Use
- Peugeot Partner - The Partner is a compact small van that's undoubtedly one of the best city vans on the market. With an economical 1.5-litre diesel engine and up to 3.8m3 of load volume, the Partner is great for small to medium-sized businesses. It's also available in electric form with the Peugeot e-Partner.
- Vauxhall Vivaro - The Vivaro is a mid-size van that's been a mainstay on British roads since its inception. With a maximum load volume of 6.6m3 and a maximum payload of 1,400kg, the Vivaro is perfect for businesses needing that bit more space.
- Ford Transit - The Ford Transit is the Lionel Messi of the van world. If you need a job getting done, the Transit won't let your business down. Available in three dimensions, the Transit returns a maximum load space of 15.3m3 and a maximum gross payload of 2,447kg.
Top Pickup Trucks for Business Use
- Ford Ranger - The Ford Ranger is the go-to pickup truck on the market. Perfect for businesses, the Ranger comes with a smart cabin, superb haulage capabilities, and brilliant off-road performance.
- Toyota Hilux - The Hilux is a robust pickup truck that's ideal for combining work and family life. Whatever the setting, the Hilux won't let you down thanks to its 1,000kg payload, wading depth of 700mm, and towing capacity of up to 3,500kg.
- Isuzu D-Max - The D-Max is an underrated option in the pickup truck sector. Coming with a well-built interior that's fit for purpose, the D-Max has excellent off-road capabilities and loads of safety features.
Ultimately, choosing between a van and a pickup truck depends on your business needs. You'll need to consider cargo requirements and where you'll be driving, as well as security and accessibility.
Whether you need a small van such as the Citroen Berlingo, a large van such as the Peugeot Boxer, or a powerful pickup truck like the Ford Ranger, you'll find a lease vehicle to suit your every need.
If you need a van or pickup truck for your business, don't hesitate to get in touch with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. One of the UK's largest business leasing brokers, we have a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
For more information, check out our leasing deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.
Originally posted: 27th June 2024
