Ford Fiesta Van (2013 – 2017) Review

The Ford Fiesta Van is the UK's best-selling small car-derived van and although this version isn't technically 'new' compared to the previous version, the thorough revamp has made it even better than before. The big news is that all diesel models now emit less than 100g/km of CO2 plus there's a new 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi.

Claimed economy is 76.4mpg while the Econetic is even more frugal with official figures of 85.6mpg and 87g/km of CO2. The arrival of the new Dagenham-built 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi increases the engine options to three - it joins the 95PS 1.6-litre TDCi and Brigend-built 82PS 1.25-litre petrol.

New features include Ford Mykey which allows businesses to encourage safer driving and limit the driver’s exposure to risk at the wheel. It's a first in the market. There is also Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance which connects the driver to emergency services in the event of an accident. It's combined with Active City Stop, an active collision avoidance system, to make this a particularly safe van. Other new features are Hill Start Assist, Easy Fuel and Rear View Camera.

Styling changes mirror those made to the passenger car range. That means revised front-end styling, including laser-cut headlamps incorporating LED technology, and a 'power-dome' bonnet. And for the first time on the van version, the option of 17-inch alloy wheels. With a great balance of ride and handling, impressive comfort and good manouevrability, the Fiesta Van is the perfect small van businesses whose work is mainly in town.

Like the competition, the Fiesta Van has a load space of 1.0 m3 and features a secure steel bulkhead to separate the cargo area from the driver. There's a hardwearing rubber floor mat which looks like it can take plenty of abuse and four cargo tie-down hooks while the sidewall of the cargo area gets a durable material trim. The sides aren't flat but it's well designed to take larger boxy items if need be.

It may not look it but the load length is 1.3 metres and 1 metre wide between the wheelarches. The gross payload ranges from 485kg in the 1.25-litre model to 508kg in the 1.5 dCi. This version can also tow a braked trailer up to 750kg.

The load lip does make lifting heavy items out of the cargo area a little tricky compared to a larger van with twin opening doors, but the tailgate opens up high so you don't need to worry about knocking your head on it. The opening is wide too so it's easy to slot things down the side if you have one large item taking up the majority of space.

Sitting behind the wheel of the Fiesta Van is just like being in a standard Fiesta - albeit without any rear seats. There's the same neat interior layout, clear instrument dials and quality feel to all the plastics and switches. The big air conditioning controls are easy to use on the move and there are impressive amounts of adjustment in the steering column - which adjusts for both reach and height - and the driver's seat, so it's easy to find a good driving position.

One new feature that Ford is keen to promote is SYNC. This lets you connect your iPod, MP3 player or Bluetooth enabled phone to the car stereo and lets you control it via voice commands. There's also an Emergency Assistance service which automatically calls the emergency services if you have an accident.

The Ford Fiesta is well known for its handling prowess and the Fiesta Van is no different. It strikes a good balance between ride and handling and is by far the best of the small car-derived vans on the market. On country roads you really appreciate the well weighted steering and impressive body control, so even when fully laden it feels stable and flat in corners. When empty the van is agile and surprisingly good fun - it feels just like a standard Fiesta car.

Out on the motorway it's refined and comfortable, helped by the well set-up suspensions and impressive noise insulation. But it's round town where the Fiesta is best suited with a tight 10.2 metre turning circle, good visibility and nice light steering at parking speeds. For those who have never driven a van before and are concerned about jumping in something large, the Fiesta Van is a good starting point.

The engine line-up echoes the Fiesta car range with the same 1.25-litre entry-level petrol which has 82PS and returns a claimed 52.3mpg. It's fine for light town work but with just 114Nm of torque struggles for pulling power when fully laden.

The Dagenham-built TDCi diesels prove more popular and there two versions. The 1.5 dCi is the big seller and with 75PS and 185Nm of torque it has more than enough power for the Fiesta Van. In gear acceleration is smooth and strong plus it can average 76.4mpg according to the official figures.

The other engine is a 1.6 TDCi with 95PS that comes in the Fiesta Sport Van and also the Fiesta Econetic Van. The latter gets an engine start/stop system, lowered suspension to improve aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres to help improve economy. As a result it averages 85.6mpg according to the claimed figures. All the diesel engines emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and come with a nicely positive-shifting five-speed manual gearbox.