Ford Fiesta Van Review

The Ford Fiesta Van at a glance

Vans come in all shapes and sizes – from absolute giants like the Ford Transit and the Citroen Relay, all the way down to much smaller varieties like the Ford Transit Connect and the VW Caddy. Then, there are vans like the Ford Fiesta: a vehicle that can best be described as “compact”.

Modelled on the Ford Fiesta car that we all know and love, this car-derived van is particularly appealing with its van specs. Since August 2020, it has been available with petrol engines exclusively, however, which makes this already unique model that little bit more niche. It might not come as a surprise, then, that the Ford Fiesta has a rather specific and limited appeal. This is especially true when you consider that a ‘proper’ compact van, such as Ford’s very own Transit Courier, has a far more affordable price, a more powerful engine and double the load volume (if not far more payload capacity). By comparison, the Fiesta van is more or less a Fiesta car with the rear windows blanked out and the rear seats replaced with a flat, well-insulated, rubber-lined loading area that’s separated from the front seats by a part-mesh steel bulkhead.

However, what this does mean is that it not only looks similar to a car, but also drives like one too, and also comes very well equipped. Given that the Fiesta is one of the most engaging small motors on the market, available with a number of driving aids and handy technology, this is great news for drivers. This is particularly advantageous in the case of the Ford Fiesta Sport Van, which features sports suspension to complement its sporty style.

Engine and Specs

There are two trim levels available: the Fiesta Van and the Fiesta Sport Van. The Sport is undoubtedly the bigger seller and, as of late 2020, is the only model available for private buyers. The standard Fiesta Van is now used exclusively for fleets.

All Fiesta Vans come with an extensive list of standard equipment, including DAB radio, Bluetooth, automatic headlights, heated mirrors and remote locking. The Fiesta Sport also features some extras, such as a sporty body kit similar to that fitted on the ST-Line Fiesta passenger car, sports seats, air conditioning, Quickclear heated windscreen, keyless start and an alarm.

Taking a look at the engine: under the bonnet is a very powerful one litre petrol EcoBoost engine, returning around 125ps. By comparison, the Ford Transit Custom’s two litre diesel eco blue engine outputs approximately 130. Plus, with the Fiesta returning an incredible 56 miles per gallon, you have a lot of power at your disposal.

Interior

One area that the Fiesta Van largely differentiates from its car counterpart is the loading bay. Although not as large as a standard van, it’s still surprisingly sizable for a vehicle that is solidly in the ‘small van’ category. It’s also been nicely rubberised with matting and lashing points in all four corners. The opening is 1m wide and 60cm high, and the loading bay is 1.2m long all the way up to the bulkhead. All in all, this makes it a neat little loading bay, capable of carrying a whopping 500kg!

Moving onto the cabin: the engine is keyless, so simply stash your keys, put a foot on the clutch and press the button to get going. The dashboard is leather-lined, including the steering wheel, and features a flat bottom so that your knees don’t get crushed when taking a particularly tight corner. There are also two sets of controls: on the right you have the standard menu buttons just above the phone and voice controls for Ford’s Sync 3 system; on the left, there is a speed restrictor and cruise control settings, volume control and a mute button. Everything is conveniently at your fingertips.

The dashboard display is clear and accessible, with a rev counter on the left and the speedometer on the right. Between that is the oil temperature gauge, fuel gauge and a full-colour driver information display – fuel consumption, a digital speedo, lane assist, music sources and information about what’s going on on your device are all neatly displayed. On the subject of devices, you have the ability to connect a variety of them. Your phone can be connected through Apple Carplay or Android Auto, or you can use one of the two USB sockets to plug it straight in. There are also two cup holders with practical spring toggles inside that hold the cups in place, meaning that you don’t need to worry about anything slipping around whilst you’re on the road.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Smart-looking

• Well-equipped

• Relatively cheap to run

Cons

• Small loading area

• A ‘proper’, non-car derived van costs less

• Glass rear window

The Verdict

Although the Ford Fiesta Van is certainly not going to be ideal for every trade – builders, carpenters or plumbers that frequently have to transport incredibly bulky loads would struggle with this van – it’s a great option for traders who need to carry small yet heavy equipment (remember: it can hold up to half a ton!). Plus, if you’re someone that’s looking for something that doubles up as a car and a van, the Ford Fiesta is definitely the vehicle for you.

The Ford Fiesta Van is available from Van Sales UK for the fantastic price of £249 + VAT in an array of sleek colours. All of our new Fords come complete with a 3 year warranty and 1 year breakdown cover. We also include free UK shipping with all of our purchases.

Regardless of whether you’re investing in a singular van or an entire fleet, you want to know that you’re working with a brand that you can trust, and Ford’s reputation speaks for itself. To find out more about what the Ford Fiesta has to offer, please get in touch with Van Sales UK. We will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have. Call us on 0117 205 0797 or email us at info@vansalesuk.co.uk.