Winners in the first Parkers Van and Pickup Awards announced

The best light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in Britain’s van and pickup market, including the best electric van, have been revealed by Parkers.

Ford is a multiple winner in what is Parkers’ first van awards, with the UK’s biggest-selling commercial vehicle brand winning Commercial Vehicle of The Year with the all-new Transit Custom and Best Medium Van.

The Best Electric Van award also went to Ford for the E-Transit, while the Ranger wins the Best Pickup prize.

The multiple wins come after Ford took poll position as the UK's most reliable van manufacturer.

It climbed to the top of the FN50 reliability index this year, relegating last year’s champion Mercedes-Benz Vans to second place.

The blue oval’s rise to victory has been gradual, with it accommodating third position in our league table last year. Ford last topped the list in 2016.

Tom Webster, deputy head of the digital automotive hub and vans editor at Parkers, said: “This year’s Custom is all-new but does so much more than continue where its predecessor left off. 

“It’s packed with tech, with so many driver assistance systems and such an excellent base offering of interior equipment that nothing else matches it. In short, the best got better.” 

In the large van category, last year’s winner – the Ford Transit – makes it two in a row. It wins not only for its excellent load capacity, said Parkers but for its car-like driving experience, comfort and all-round usability.

Webster explained: “The Transit is well equipped, has front-, rear- and four-wheel drive options, is supported by a comprehensive dealer network and the ever-expanding Ford Pro proposition, and it is excellent to drive.

“It is the consummate all-rounder that justifies its position as the nation’s most famous name in commercial vehicles."

Toyota stops Ford clean sweep

It was not a clean sweep for Ford, though. For Best Small Van, the Toyota Proace City was a clear-cut winner, said Parkers. 

It is almost identical to the class-leading Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo, but noses ahead thanks to the added security of its 10-year warranty and industry-leading dealer network.   

The Van and Pickup Awards 2024 reflect the constantly evolving views of Britain's commercial vehicle-buying public, with winners decided by a combination of the site’s expert reviewers’ verdicts. This process means thoroughly road testing and analysing the purchasing habits of the website's 2.3 million monthly users.

More details about the Parkers Van and Pickup Awards 2024 can be found on the Parkers website: www.parkers.co.uk/car-awards.