Best cargo vans money can buy in Canada

Canada, home of maple sirup, chilly weather and trade people who use pick-up trucks and cargo vans as their choice of transporting people, tools and material. This time we will investigate cargo van choices available in Canada. Since there isn’t a particularly realistic utility van comparison available in Canada, we decided to create one ourselves using features that we believe are important for fleets and tradespeople. We understand that many of you prefer one over the other for many reasons, therefor we will try to stay as much unbiased as possible while presenting you with data. We’ll give the details and explain why we favour each van. You must choose the cargo vehicle that best suits your requirements.

The Ford Transit, the Ram ProMaster, and the Chevrolet Express are the three most popular cargo vans in Canada as of 2021. Due to their adaptability, these vans are frequently utilized in commerce and industry for tasks like delivery and cargo transportation. But has that trend changed in two years, and are those cargo vans the most desirable vans in 2023? We shall explore this trend in this article.

1. Marcedes Benz Sprinter

One of the most popular cargo vans in Europe made it’s debut in Canada in 2001 under the name Freightliner and Dodge as Daimler operated Dodge and Chrysler brand. At that time the merger was called DaimlerChrysler. Sprinter was the first cargo van to be offered in Canada with the Euro Style and High Roof option. As Daimler and Chrysler separated, this cargo van ultimately took on the Mercedes Sprinter moniker in 2010.

Sprinter cargo van comes in 4 different varieties

144″ Wheel base, Standard roof, Starting price $55,050

144″ Wheel base, High roof, starting price $59,199

170″ Wheel base High roof, starting price $58,780

170″ Wheel base extended high roof, starting price $65,590

Engine

4 Cylinder Gas Engine: 2.0 L , 188 hp, Torque 258 lb-ft, Automatic Transmission, 9G-TRONIC

4 Cylinder Diesel Standard Output Engine: 2.1 L, 170 hp, Torque 295 lb-ft, Automatic Transmission, 9G-TRONIC

4 Cylinder Diesel High Output Engine: 2.1 L, 211 hp, Torque 322 lb-ft, Automatic Transmission, 9G-TRONIC

4 Cylinder Diesel High Output AWD Engine

Payload

From 1,840 kg – 2,895 kg

Towing

Up to 12,125 lbs

2. Ford Transit

Very popular full-size van among Canadians on the market right now is the Ford Transit. It was initially made available in Canada in 2014, and the old E-Series Vans have only recently been replaced. The new Ford Transit was introduces to Canada 2014 but it is actually the European style model, in many aspects very similar in shape to Mercedes Benz Sprinter.

Ford Transit cargo van comes in 6 different varieties

130″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $49,930

130″ Wheel base Medium roof, Starting price $51,630

148″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $50,930

148″ Wheel base Medium roof, Starting price $52,630

148″ Wheel base High roof, Starting price $55,880

148″ Wheel base Extended High roof, Starting price $56,880

Engine

6 Cylinder Gas Engine: 3.5 L, 275 hp, Torque 260 lb-ft, 10-Speed Automatic Transmission

6 Cylinder Ecoboost Gas Engine: 3.5L, 310 hp, Torque 400 lb-ft, 10-Speed Automatic Transmission

Payload

From 1388 kg – 2318 kg

Towing

Up to 11,000 lbs

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3. Ram ProMaster

The Ram ProMaster recently improved and is now a formidable competitor in the full-size van market. It is based on Fiat Ducato model a very successful and popular cargo van in Europe.

Ram ProMaster cargo van comes in 3 different varieties

118″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $49,490

136″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $50,490

136″ Wheel base High roof, Starting price $52,490

Engine

6 Cylinder Gas Engine: 3.6 L, 292 hp, Torque 358 lb-ft, 9 Speed Automatic Transmission

Payload

Up to 2123 kg

Towing

8550 lbs

4. Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana

The final of the classic vans from the previous century, but these vans have been tested and verified among many contractors and curriers alike.

Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana cargo vans come in 2 different varieties

135″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $47,097

155″ Wheel base Low roof, Starting price $49,297

Engine

6 Cylinder Gas engine, 4.3L, 276 hp, Torque 298 lb-ft, 8 Speed Automatic

8 Cylinder Gas engine, 6.6L V8, 401 hp, Torque 464 lb-ft, 6 Speed Automatic

Payload

Up to 2078 kg

Towing

Up to 9900 lbs

CONCLUSION

While all cargo vans have their good sides, choosing the right cargo van would be probably personal choice. When we sum up the positive and negative aspects of each van, probably the price, engine size, cargo space and gas consumption would be the main factors when considering buying new van. Mercedes Benz Sprinter has the most economical engines but to have 4 cylinder engine in a big cargo van might not excite a typical North American buyer. On the other hand GMC has the most powerful engines but they come with a heavy gas milage that will drain your budget quickly based on gas prices these days. When deciding on buying a new van, one must consider the availability and interest rates available at the moment of purchase. Most vans are backordered and the usual waiting time could surpass 6 months from the date of purchase. Interest rates are held sometimes for only 30 days and they might vary from purchase to the time of delivery!

It is always recommended to visit your local dealerships, get all the informations needed from different van options. Once you have your data in place, a better decision is guaranteed.

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