Ford Fiesta van

Most of the cars virtues are carried over into the van – so it’s great to drive

Ford Fiesta Van 1.5 TDCi Stage V 75 PS

What is it?

This is the van version of Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta.

Both versions of the Fiesta have received a mid-life update designed to keep them fresh for a few more years, the most obvious external change being a new nose treatment incorporating the hexagonal grille that is being standardised across the Ford range.

One big change enjoyed by the hatch, the adoption of the impressive three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, isn’t shared with the van, at least not yet, although the van does get a 1.5-litre diesel option, a new engine size that can be expected to appear in other Ford models over time.

 

Ford Fiesta van

Car-like comforts, and the 1.5 diesel is very civilised

What’s hot?

  • The biggest thing the Fiesta Van has going for it is the capability of the car upon which it is based.
  • The Fiesta sets great standards for ride, handling and comfort and these are largely carried over to the van, making this a far better drive than most other commercial vehicles – and quite a bit more stylish, too; the new 1.5 TDCI power unit is as smooth and civilised as other recent Ford diesel engines
  • The Fiesta Van also gets most of the optional safety and convenience technologies that are available on the Fiesta hatch; these include hill-start assist, Ford’s voice-driven SYNC in-car connectivity system, which makes it easier to phone or listen to music, Active City Stop automatic emergency braking, and the MyKey system, which allows business owners to limit various parameters of the Fiesta Van’s performance in the interests of safety. There’s even the option of a rear view camera.
  • Engine choices include the new 75 PS 1.5-litre diesel featured here, a 95 PS 1.6-litre diesel and an 82 PS 1.25-litre petrol.
  • A separate fuel-saving ECOnetic option, based on the 1.6-litre diesel. is available with stop-start, a lowered suspension, an aerodynamic rear under-tray, streamlined wheel trims and low rolling resistance tyres – that delivers 87 g/km and 85.6 mpg
  • Reflecting its car roots, the Fiesta Van also offers a wide range of options such as alloys, cruise control, air con and metallic paint which allow business owners make a bit of a statement or make life on the road a bit more comfortable

 

Ford Fiesta van

The Fiesta makes best use of a relatively small load area

What’s not?

  • The Fiesta Van shares its silhouette with the hatch, which means smart looks but less practicality than a purpose-built commercial vehicle, although the best use is made of the space available with a flat, well-protected floor and a steel part-bulkhead; load volume is 1.0 cubic metres and the length of the load bay is 1.3 metres, with payloads ranging from 485 to 508 kg
  • So far, Ford isn’t offering its impressive 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder engine in the Fiesta Van. Most businesses will find an option in the existing van engine line-up that suits them but owner-drivers who spend a lot of time behind the wheel still might like to have the choice
  • The 1.5-litre diesel can’t match the economy and emissions of the more powerful 1.6 because unlike that engine, it’s not currently available in fuel-saving ECOnetic form

 

Ford Fiesta van

Lots of cars, let alone vans, struggle to compete with the Fiesta’s driveability. If you need to carry small loads, it’s a great choice

Business Car Manager road test verdict

Ford’s latest round of updates do a good job of keeping the Fiesta Van fresh.

With the van getting not just the latest revisions but also offering most of the comfort and safety features or options available on the standard Fiesta hatchback, no Fiesta Van owner is going to feel like a poor relation to his car-based counterpart – although some will ask why they can’t opt for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, or why the smaller 1.5-litre diesel isn’t yet available in fuel-saving ECOnetic form.

Overall, though, for smaller loads at least, the Fiesta Van is a great choice, thanks mainly to the strengths of the Fiesta hatch upon which it is based – that provides standards of comfort, convenience and driver satisfaction that other cars, let alone vans, find it hard to match.

 

Ford Fiesta Van 1.5 TDCi Stage V 75 PS – the low down

CV OTR price £12,616
Load length 1,296mm
Load height (max) 806mm
Load capacity 1.0m3
Gross payload 508kg
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel
Power 75PS
Economy (combined): 76.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 98g/km

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