Commercial vans facilitate delivery of millions of goods purchased online. They’re also the workhorses of restaurant supply, flower shops, electricians, and plumbers—as well as countless crosstown moves by spurned boyfriends.
Change has been slow in the commercial van segment, but, perhaps to the delight of businesses everywhere, that’s no longer the case. Ford has updated its small Transit Connect van and is trying to convince you the wagon variant would be an awesome active-lifestyle sidekick. Meanwhile, Ram offers small and large Fiat-based vans, and Mercedes continues to make an impact with its midsize Metris and the enormous Sprinter, updated for 2019. Then there’s Nissan. Although the NV200’s winning bid for New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow competition didn’t work out, the small van is an affordable option, just like the larger NV models, which also carry impressive warranty coverage.
So after you answer the door to pick up another package, ask yourself—how many of these vans do you recognize?
Check out our Car, SUV, and Truck Buyer’s Guides right here:
- 2019 New Cars Buyer’s Guide
- 2019 New SUVs Buyer’s Guide
- 2019 New Trucks Buyer’s Guide
| New Vans in the 2019 Commercial Vehicle Buyer’s Guide | |
| Chevrolet/GMC | Nissan |
| Ford | Ram |
| Mercedes | |
KEY
- 6A: 6-speed automatic
- 7-sp twin-cl auto: 7-speed twin-clutch automatic
- FWD: front-wheel drive
- AWD: all-wheel drive
- RWD: rear-wheel drive
- Max cargo figures: may differ for hybrid and other variants.
ALL-NEW
An addition to an automaker’s lineup
MAJOR
Significant sheetmetal redesign, powertrain, and/or feature changes
MINOR
Midcycle updates, minor powertrain, or feature changes
UNCHANGED
Minor trim or package changes, new colors
DISCONTINUED
Vehicle is going out of production
NHTSA AND IIHS RATINGS:
NHTSA and IIHS safety data is derived from recent model years.
INTELLICHOICE
Five-year retained value data may apply to common vehicle variants, not an average of all model variants.
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
Base Price $32,500-$37,000*
Body Type Van
Unchanged Last year, the Express received a four-cylinder diesel engine, replacing the aging 6.6-liter V-8. An eight-speed automatic replaced the six-speed on the base V-6 and comes standard with the diesel engine. Additional colors and active safety tech such as forward collision warning might be added for the 2019 Express and Savana. Each is available as a passenger van with room for up to 15 occupants.
Also Consider Ram ProMaster, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit
Sum Up Dated but still trying to keep up with the times
| Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana | |
| Base Engine | 4.3L/276-hp/298-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine | 6.0L/341-hp/373-lb-ft V-8; 2.8L/181-hp/369-lb-ft t-diesel I-4 |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD, 6A/8A |
| Towing | 8,700-10,000 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 42.4-57.1/239.7-284.4 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | Not Rated |
| 0-60 mph | 7.8-10.0 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 44% |
| *Estimated | |
Ford Transit
Base Price $34,000-$38,000*
Body Type Van
Minor The full-size Transit has been updated for 2019, though the changes are minor. Certain versions get rear doors that open wider, and the available seating layouts have been modified. The Transit is available in three lengths with three roof heights, is rated to haul up to 3,680 pounds, and can tow up to 5,400 pounds. Passenger versions are limited to a 2,900-pound payload and have a max tow rating of 4,600 pounds.
Also Consider Chevrolet Express, Nissan NV, Ram ProMaster
Sum Up Big, practical, and slightly more functional than before
| Ford Transit | |
| Base Engine | 3.7L/275-hp/260-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine | 3.5L/310-hp/400-lb-ft turbo V-6; 3.2L/185-hp/350-lb-ft t-diesel I-5 |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD, 6A |
| Towing | 3,500-7,500 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 39.1-85.8/246.7-487.2 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | Not Rated |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5-12.5 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 45% |
| *Estimated | |
Ford Transit Connect
Base Price $25,000-$32,000*
Body Type Van
Minor Ford refreshed the Transit Connect for 2019, adding two engine options, a new transmission, a reworked rear suspension, new driver-assist features, and updated styling. It can be ordered as a cargo or passenger van, offers two wheelbase lengths, and can seat two, five, six, or seven passengers. The cargo area is as much as 87.3 inches long, 77.1 inches wide, and 49.7 inches high, with 48.3 inches between the wheelwells.
Also Consider Nissan NV200, Ram ProMaster City
Sum Up Everything you need from a van and nothing you don’t
| Ford Transit Connect | |
| Base Engine | 2.5L/169-hp/171-lb-ft I-4 |
| Opt Engine | 2.0L/160-hp/146-lb-ft I-4*; 1.5L/125-hp/221-lb-ft t-diesel I-4* |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, FWD, 6A/8A |
| Towing | 2,000 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 15.7-19.8/124.3-149.0 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | 20-24/27-29 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 10.3-12.0 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 44% |
| *Estimated | |
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Base Price $35,000-$50,000*
Body Type Van
Minor Mercedes updates the Sprinter van with new styling, a gas engine backed by a new nine-speed auto, internet connectivity for fleet communication, and a new multimedia system with eight fleet operation programs. Driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a surround-view camera. The versatile Sprinter offers a multitude of variants and configurations.
Also Consider Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Nissan NV
Sum Up A Sprinter van for just about any job or journey
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | |
| Base Engine | 2.0L/237-hp/258-lb-ft turbo I-4 |
| Opt Engine | 2.0L/188-hp/258-lb-ft turbo I-4; 3.0L/188-hp/325-lb-ft t-diesel V-6 |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD/AWD/4WD, 7A/9A |
| Towing | 4,400-7,700 lb* |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 68.6-80.0/275.5-600.3 cu ft* |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | Not Rated |
| 0-60 mph | 11.0-12.0 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| *Estimated | |
Mercedes-Benz Metris
Base Price $27,000-$35,000*
Body Type Van
Unchanged The Metris van gets updated with power-adjustable front seats and automatic start/stop as standard. A Front Lighting package is new in addition to full-height plastic paneling on the extended-wheelbase version. The cargo van has a 2,502-pound maximum payload capacity and is offered with dual rear doors or an optional rear liftgate. The passenger van is available with five-, seven-, and eight-seat configurations.
Also Consider Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City
Sum Up A plush, right-sized hauler at a competitive price
| Mercedes-Benz Metris | |
| Base Engine | 2.0L/208-hp/258-lb-ft turbo I-4 |
| Opt Engine | None |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD, 7A |
| Towing | 5,000 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 38.0/211.0 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | 19-21/23-24 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 8.6 sec |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 46% |
Nissan NV
Base Price $30,000-$43,500*
Body Type Van
Unchanged We don’t expect any major updates to the 2019 NV, but it’s still as practical as ever. The NV is available in three payload variants, can haul up to 3,860 pounds, and can be ordered with an optional high roof. With the optional V-8, the NV is also impressively quick. The passenger version is extremely flexible, too, offering seating for up to 12 passengers and an incredible 324 seating configurations.
Also Consider Chevrolet Express, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster
Sum Up About as practical and flexible as you can get
| Nissan NV | |
| Base Engine | 4.0L/261-hp/281-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine | 5.6L/375-hp/387-lb-ft V-8 |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, RWD, 5A/7A |
| Towing | 6,900-9,400 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | 28.9/234.1 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | Not Rated |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5-11.0 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 53% |
| *Estimated | |
Nissan NV200
Base Price $23,000*
Body Type Van
Unchanged Last year, the Nissan NV200 received additional standard equipment, including a rearview camera, a USB port, and Bluetooth. The 2019 model should carry over unchanged, but it could receive active safety features such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Its twin, the Chevrolet City Express, was recently discontinued. In other markets, the NV200 is available as an EV.
Also Consider Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City, Mercedes-Benz Metris
Sum Up Made especially for city-dwelling entrepreneurs
| Nissan NV200 | |
| Base Engine | 2.0L/131-hp/139-lb-ft I-4 |
| Opt Engine | None |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, FWD, CVT |
| Towing | 1,500 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | N/A/122.7 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | 24/26 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 10.1 sec |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 45% |
Ram ProMaster
Base Price $31,640-$35,740
Body Type Van
Minor Ram’s full-size van can be ordered in 18 configurations between its three wheelbases, two roof heights, three payload classes, and the choice between windows and panels, but it changes little for 2019. The ProMaster’s maximum towing rating has been increased by 30 percent, and payload varies from 4,000 to 4,680 pounds depending on the class. In addition to an updated grille, a telematics package has been added.
Also Consider Chevrolet Express, Ford Transit, Nissan NV
Sum Up A versatile van that can handle many different needs
| Ram ProMaster | |
| Base Engine | 3.6L/280-hp/260-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine | None |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, FWD, 6A |
| Towing | 6,800 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | N/A/122.7 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | Not Rated |
| 0-60 mph | 8.2 sec |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 44% |
Ram ProMaster City
Base Price $25,500-$29,000
Body Type Van
Unchanged As the name suggests, the smaller ProMaster City is built for urban use. Its cargo area is 87.2 inches long and 60.4 inches wide, with 48.4 inches of space between the wheelwells. It’s also rated to haul up to 1,885 pounds and can be ordered as either a two-seat cargo van or a five-seat passenger van. Ram updated the grille and added telematics technology that allows fleet managers to more easily track usage and driver behavior.
Also Consider Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200
Sum Up A practical urban cargo van
| Ram ProMaster City | |
| Base Engine | 2.4L/178-hp/174-lb-ft I-4 |
| Opt Engine | None |
| Drivetrain | Front-engine, FWD, 9A |
| Towing | 1,885 lb |
| Max Cargo, Seats Up/Down | N/A/131.7 cu ft |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy | 21/28 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 9.8 sec* |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| IntelliChoice 5-Yr Retained Value | 44% |
| *Estimated | |
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