2019 New Commercial Vans: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

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:

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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