Our Van of the Year is the VW Transporter

The VW Transporter has genuine cachet. It comes from its quality and drivability, both of which contribute to unbeatable residuals – a comfort when you come to part with it

TAKING the title of Business Van of the Year 2014 is the Volkswagen Transporter, a commercial vehicle which has become a true legend in its own lifetime.

Most vans are bought purely on economic grounds but such is the awesome reputation of its reliability and drivability, the Transporter has become an aspirational vehicle too – just about everyone would like to own, use and drive one.

This van can trace its roots right back to the VeeDub “Splitty” of the 1950s – and to prove its tough qualities you’ll still see many of these original vans on the road today.

Since then, of course, things have moved on and the Transporter has constantly been revised, relaunched and updated to keep it ahead of the opposition.

There are many reasons why this van is the king of light commercial vehicles. That good old Teutonic quality makes itself felt in every part, even down to the way the side sliding door snicks shut.

The cab is a wonderful place for trades people to spend their working day – quiet, refined and comfortable – and on the road this van handles superbly.

Gears snick smoothly into place, the van glides round corners as if it’s on rails and if you plump for the Sportline model, you’ll almost feel as though you are flying, with a meaty 180bhp on tap.

But the Transporter is not just about comfort and drivability. It is offered in a staggering array of formats to suit just about every business need.

Don’t forget, too, that at all Volkswagen’s Van Centres, you’ll get helpful advice from experts on which models to choose to suit your business needs best, as well as useful information about financing etc.