Are you wondering what type of vehicle is best for courier business? If YES, here are 10 best vehicles for courier business. If you have chosen to start and manage your own courier business, then note that one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make is which vehicle to buy.
Whether buying a new vehicle or upgrading an existing one to meet the growing demand, in this line of business you need to choose a vehicle that is affordable, reliable, and quite pragmatic to the needs of the drivers and business.
For a very long time, box trucks have been considered the workhorses of the moving and retail delivery industry. For courier service businesses that deliver heavy goods like appliances or furniture, this is more or less the right fit for your fleet.
These trucks are made by adding a larger cube-shaped cargo area to a chassis cab, and they can usually carry a sizable load while still being able to maneuver crowded downtown areas or neighborhoods.
However, with the box truck, rear visibility can be a problem, but experienced drivers can easily overcome this with the right mirrors.
Also, since it’s a heavy-duty truck, maneuverability in small areas can be a challenge for even the smartest of drivers. Also note that their larger capacity requires a bigger, more powerful engine which also means higher fuel consumption.
But if your courier service business is regularly delivering bigger parcels or a high volume of packages, a multi-stop truck can be the ideal option. Note that these vehicles are most renowned as the bread-and-butter workhorse of FedEx and UPS.
However, these vehicles can also be a wonderful option for small business fleets – food trucks, bakeries, and smaller courier service companies to name a few.
Note that they allow the driver to stand up comfortably inside a cargo area that is wide and easily convertible to meet the ever-changing needs of the business. Also, note that the driver can access the cargo area from the cab or from the rear of the vehicle.
They are quite lower to the ground with steps leading to the driver seat and to the rear cargo area, thus the name step van.
Some courier service businesses use light-duty trucks or pickup trucks. These trucks are mainly used for more lightweight payloads – up to two tons. Light-duty trucks are ideal and preferable for smaller retail deliveries. Owing to their size, they are quite easier to maneuver and park.
In addition, they can also be more fuel-efficient than any of the previous options. However, their capacity is limited compared to box trucks and multi-stop trucks.
Best Type of Vehicle for Courier Business
-
Citroen Berlingo
According to reports, just two variants of the Berlingo are available, exhibiting its dedication towards no-fuss carrying mobility. Also note that you can get a short or long wheelbase, and a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel. Reports have it that the diesel uses just 5L/100km while the petrol consumes 7.1L/100km.
Citroen designed the Berlingo primary to meet the needs of couriers, with the flat cargo area-efficient enough of taking a standard Australian pallet on board straight from a forklift.
-
Volkswagen Caddy
Note that this is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles for courier service businesses. Based on the previous Golf platform, the Caddy is also recognized as one of the most enjoyable drives. Have it in mind that this vehicle is available with a 1.4-liter turbo-petrol and a 2.0L turbo-diesel, with economy averages ranging from 5.3L/100km to 6.2L/100km.
In the back, it features 4.2-cubic-meters of the cargo area and a payload of up to 842kg. Note that this vehicle is the best-selling vehicle in its segment and it’s easy to note why.
-
Isuzu D-MAX
This vehicle remains one of the most heavy-duty vehicles on the market, and one of the cheapest. Isuzu recently updated the range, inculcating a new six-speed manual and automatic option and offering the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel a boost in torque to 430Nm.
Also note that this vehicle is considered to be fuel-efficient, consuming 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle with the six-speed manual. Air-conditioning is purely excellent, coupled with cruise control and a color touch-screen interface for all variants.
-
Toyota HiLux Workmate
With an aluminum tray on the back (optional), the cargo area is large enough to carry any load, from dirt and garden supplies to boxes or even a full pallet. The interior designs are kept to a limit to let you to get on with the job. In addition, there is Bluetooth connectivity, bottle holders and cup holders, and a USB/MP3 compatible stereo.
Note that this vehicle comes in either a 2.4-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder developing 110kW and 343Nm, which provides a fuel consumption average of 7.7L/100km, or a 2.7-liter petrol four-cylinder producing 122kW and 245Nm, boasting of fuel consumption of 11.1L/100km.
-
Suzuki APV
If what you want is adequate usable space, then it is hard to not to consider this little Suzuki APV. This is the smallest new van you can get at the moment, measuring just 1655mm in width, and 4155mm in length. However, even with its little proportions, it is not the most fuel-efficient offering in the segment.
Have it in mind that the 1.6-liter four-cylinder gulps an average of 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle. Nevertheless, this vehicle is only available in one trim level and with a five-speed manual transmission. Howbeit, if what you want is space efficiency, the APV is perfect for inner-city deliveries.
-
Hyundai iLoad
Note that this vehicle is a very competitive proposition for consumers. Owing to the excellent flat loading space in the back, this vehicle is quite large for the segment. But regardless of what variant you go for, the iLoad features a good level of standard equipment inside.
The turbo-diesel engine provides the highest torque figure of any van currently on sale (441Nm), making it a swift move between deliveries. Also, note that the high amount of torque is better for hauling heavy loads.
-
Holden Commodore UTE
The best thing about this vehicle is that it feels like a car to drive thanks to an independent rear suspension setup. In terms of the interior, it comes with all of the modern conveniences of the regular VF II Commodore, such as a MyLink touchscreen interface, big seats, and a well-improved cabin décor and material compilation compared with its predecessor.
Also have it in mind that all models come with a braked towing capacity of 1600kg. Be it the V6 or the V8; you are getting one of the most powerful vehicles for your courier service business.
-
Renault Kangoo
Ideally, this little but mighty French number consumes as low as 4.7L/100km thanks to its 1.5-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Note that this vehicle is no real slouch too, as the unit produces 81kW and a strong 240Nm. In the most crucial area, the back, the Kangoo Maxi is just like a regular van.
It features a dual sliding side door, barn-style doors at the rear, and a deep and tall cargo area. Also, note that the Kangoo design incorporates a bonnet and extended front end so the drive is as close to a regular hatch as possible.
-
Mitsubishi Triton Single-Cab
According to reports, this vehicle comes with a 2.4-liter petrol or a 2.4-liter turbo-diesel, with the latter consuming just 7.0L/100km.
Also have it in mind that all models feature an industry-leading five-year/100,000km warranty, so you have that peace of mind that if something does go wrong, you won’t need to spend on additional costs while doing your errands. The Triton has been awarded four stars by ANCAP, equalling the benchmark in this specific single-cab segment.
-
Ford Transit Custom
This vehicle is considered one of the best vans for courier service businesses in terms of equipment, efficiency, practicality, and overall packaging.
It is one of the better drives out there as well. Note that all these is due to a recent model update and overhaul, differentiated by the new face which is more in line with Ford’s global design language. Also note that the range spans just two variants; a regular wheelbase and a long wheelbase.
Cargo capacity is massive. It comes with a class benchmark of 1390mm between the rear wheel arches, and a class-leading 2500kg braked towing capacity. Additionally, power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder developing 96kW and 385Nm.