How many different types of vans are there?

Most buyers of vans up to 3.5 tonnes in weight will opt between three distinctive bodystyles, categorised simply as small vans, medium vans and large vans. Increasingly, however, manufacturers are offering electric vans of all sizes too, and we round these up separately in our reviews. You can read our explanations of each category here.

Many cities in the UK are introducing or planning to introduce ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) restrictions in a bid to improve air quality and discourage higher-polluting vehicles from entering designated areas, either by banning them altogether or imposing a levy. You can read the latest information here.

What type of licence do you need to drive a van?

Different sizes of vans require different types of licence approval, and eligibility for some depends on when you passed your driving test. You should therefore always check a van’s classification and the level of your licence before driving. For more details, click here.

Do you need a tachograph to drive a van?

Legally, you only need a tachograph if the van – or the van plus any addition to its gross weight, including a trailer – exceeds 3.5 tonnes. However, some employers or insurers will request that you run a tachograph, so it’s best to check requirements before setting off. We have additional information here.

What are the best vans for towing?

Maximum towing weights vary dramatically – by as much as 1.5 tonnes – between vans, so it's crucial to always research an individual van's capabilities. As a general rule, the larger the van, the more it can tow. More detail on the subject can be found here.

What's the speed limit in a van?

A difference in the law for car-based vans and regular vans makes this area difficult, because it’s not always clear which vans fall into which category. As a general rule, all vans must obey 30mph and 70mph limits but drive at 10mph below the posted limit on single and dual carriageways. More detail can be found here.

What new vans are being launched soon?

Van sales have been booming recently due to the rise of the gig economy, and that, coupled with demands for newer, lower-emissions vans to be on our roads, has prompted a rise in the number of new models being launched. You can read our round-up of new vans coming soon here.

What tax do I have to pay on a van?

Vans are subject to VED – often referred to as road tax – in the same way that cars are, while drivers of company-owned vehicles who also use them for private mileage are also expected to pay company car tax. A full round-up of the tax implications for owning or running a van can be found here.

Should I choose an electric van?

More and more manufacturers are launching electric vans in response to legislative pressure to get older, higher-polluting vans off the road and reduce emissions in built-up areas. But is an electric van right for you? You'll find all the information you need to answer that question here.

Is it best to hire, lease or buy a van?

The best way to pay for your van typically revolves around your individual requirements and circumstances. We've rounded up the most common scenarios and given advice on the best options in an article here.

REVIEW

Kia Xceed review

Costs & verdict

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In this review

Costs & verdict

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2

Here’s why you need to seriously consider the rationale of buying an Xceed: it’s a sizeable chunk pricier than the regular Ceed hatchback. Okay, it starts off cheaper than a Focus Active, but there are more affordable and better family cars to choose from. If it’s space or SUV-ness you are after, ‘proper’ SUVs, like the roomier Skoda Karoq, are available for similar cash, too.

When you look at its running cost, things don’t get any more compelling. The Xceed’s engines aren’t particularly efficient for CO2 emissions or miles per gallon. Our preference is for the 1.0-litre petrol, which has lower CO2 emissions and is cheaper to buy than the 1.6-litre diesel; this is good news for private buyers and company car users alike.

And while its predicted resale values, after three years, are similar to a Focus Active's, SUVs like the Skoda Karoq will hold onto more of their value. It’s also pricier to service over three years than many of its rivals.

Equipment, options and extras

We’d stick with entry-level ‘2’ trim — not because it’s exceptionally well equipped, but because it keeps costs down. This includes the infotainment and visibility aids we’ve already discussed, along with 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights, air-con, cruise control and keyless entry.

‘3’ trim does add quite a bit more, including the upgraded infotainment system we’ve detailed, along with privacy glass, automatic wipers, power-folding door mirrors, climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, keyless start and 18in alloy wheels. The cost ramps up, though.

As for First Edition, it’s ridiculously pricey. Even if you factor in its adaptive cruise control (only with the automatic gearbox), power tailgate, heated rear seats and panoramic sunroof, it’s almost as much money as a top-of-the-range, four-wheel-drive Skoda Karoq.

Reliability

Kia has a good reliability record, finishing 6th out of the 31 manufacturers featured in the 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey. That's only just behind Toyota, better than Skoda and a long way ahead of Ford and Volkswagen.

Even if you do have a problem, Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty is the longest currently available on a new car.

Safety and security

Things appear quite promising if you look at the amount of safety equipment all trims receive: automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, a driver attention alert system and traffic sign recognition. And the top First Edition trim gets even more: blind spot monitoring and an upgraded AEB that recognises pedestrians and cyclists.

However, when Euro NCAP tested the Ceed, on which the Xceed is based, it found issues: the driver’s head making contact with the steering wheel in a frontal collision, and poor protection for the chest in a side-on crash test with a pole. As a result it gets just four stars out of five, which is very rare in this class and indicates that the Xceed is less safe than many rivals, including the Mercedes A-Class and the Mazda 3.

On top of that security expert Thatcham has shown the Ceed to be relatively easy to break into and steal, despite having a standard alarm and immobiliser.

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