Vehicle types

Box vans

This is a box shaped van which has a garage-style rear ‘shutter’ door. These are usually used by companies that need to haul large amounts of cargo. They are also used as moving vans. Popular box vans include the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and the VW Crafter.

Combo / kombi  vans

What makes the combo van unique is that not only can it carry large loads but it can also seat up to three extra people. There are different types such as sportive combo van which come with additional features such as an overload shelf and soundproofed bulkhead, as well as it’s sportier look and powerful engine. These are a good alternative.

During heavy snow, rain and other tough weather, Sport Utility Vehicles provide an unmatched ability to power through snow, ford minor road floods and navigate around other obstacles a driver will typically encounter on the highway. An SUV lets you pack a large family in and still have plenty of room for suitcases and other gear typically packed on trips. With monster good-looks and practicality to suit anyone, SUV’s are the way forward.

SUV’s, or sport-utility vehicles, consist of anything with a tall body, a hatchback and an elevated ride height. The term “crossover” is often used to describe a utility vehicle based on a car platform rather than a truck platform.

Car based VS truck based

Crossovers have the following attributes;

• Larger interior room
• Sharper handling
• Superior fuel economy
• A quieter, more relaxed ride

What makes the combo van unique is that not only can it carry large loads but it can also seat up to three extra people. There are different types such as sportive combo van which come with additional features such as an overload shelf and soundproofed bulkhead.

Top combo vans 2017:

• Ford Transit Double Cab
• Volkswagen T6 Transporter Kombi
• Nissan NV200 Combi

SWB

SWB is short wheel base therefore it is not as long as the LWB. If you intende to carry hefty small things, then the SWB would be a more suitable choice.

Top SWB vans 2017:

• Ford Transit Connect
• Volkswagen Caddy
• Fiat Doblo Cargo

MWB

Medium wheel base vans are a great "in the middle" option. It can carry large and heavy items while remaining compact and easy-to-manage.

Top MWB vans 2017:

• Volkswagen Transporter
• Ford Transit Custom
• Vauxhall Vivaro

LWB

If you plan to carry very large items, the LWB will suit your needs better.

Top LWB vans 2017:

• Ford Transit
• Volkswagen Crafter
• Mercedes Sprinter

If you’re searching for a reliable and efficient family car a saloon will be your best option. With plenty of room for the kids and the weekly shop, it’s a perfect companion for you in every day life.

A saloon is a car with seats for four or more people, a fixed roof and a boot that is separated from the rear seats. Saloons are one of the most popular types of cars and its main purpose is to carry people and luggage. There’s a wide array of saloon available today such as hatchback saloons (instead of a trunk lid, the entire back of the vehicle lifts up) and notchback saloons (the roof is parallel to the ground).

Top saloons 2017:

• BMW 5 Series
• Jaguar XE
• Mercedes E-Class
• Audi A3

MPV’s are also known as people carriers which can seat up to eight passengers. Any larger and it would be considered a minibus. MPV’s often feature crafty and innovative ways to create space such as folding or collapsing seats. The large amount of space is especially useful for families with a lot of members or a team of people.

Top MPV's 2017:

• Citroën Grand C4 Picasso
• SEAT Alhambra
• Renault Grand Scenic

You don't need to be a cattle rancher to appreciate the benefits of pickup trucks. Anyone, be them a tradesperson or a suburbanite, can enjoy the toughness, power and utility of these machines. Load the truck bed with anything from lumber, to furniture, to camping equipment and drive anywhere; even on the roughest terrain, comfortably.

A pick-up truck is a light commercial vehicle with an open-top, rear cargo area. Light-duty trucks are able to carry and tow a small load which is useful for small business owners that may need to transport goods or materials. Heavy-duty trucks are much more powerful and can have a bigger cargo-bed with a lot more holding capacity.

Top pickup trucks 2017:

• Mitsubishi L200
• Fiat Fullback
• Nissan Navara
• Toyota Hilux

The popularity of the hatchbacks is easily explained as the best models make great all-rounders, and tend to be extremely practical. Latest models are typically roomy, compact around town but with good refinement on the motorway, and they're often highly efficient too.

A hatchback is a vehicle with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second row seating, where the interior can be flexibly reconfigured to provide more space for cargo.

Top hatchbacks 2017:

• Ford Focus RS
• Seat Leon Cupra
• Honda Civic Type R
• Ford Fiesta

If you are looking for low running costs, eye catching looks and "big-car” refinement in a small package then a supermini is right up your street. They’re also practical, good to drive and easy to park in tight city spaces. That criteria is a lot to ask for a small car, but the ever improving supermini class means that there are some real gems out there.

A supermini is a vehicle larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. If you are looking to downsize but don’t want to sacrifice style, most modern superminis offer good looks and technology that is advanced enough to compete with some executive saloons.

Top superminis 2017;

• VW Polo
• Mini
• Ford Fiesta

Green vehicles

Just how high will gas prices rise? Nobody knows. Luckily there are now vehicles with new technology to deliver better fuel economy and produce fewer emissions. These vehicles are efficient, comfortable and pleasant to drive. Deciding which car to buy isn't just about diminishing how much you spend on petrol and tax. Buying a green car can be a way of contributing to our national security and a step into reducing the alarming rate of climate change.

A green vehicle is a car that produces less harmful damage to the environment than conventional vehicles running on petrol or diesel. The term is used for any vehicle that complies or surpasses the European emission standards.

There’s plenty of choice around if you’re looking for an estate car. From small and highly economical hatchback-based estate models, through to large estate cars based on big family saloons - and even high-performance luxury and premium models with extreme power outputs - there’s a perfect estate car for everyone.

An estate car has a large carrying area behind the seats which is accessed by a door at the rear.

Best estates 2017:

• Skoda Superb
• Peugeot 308
• Seat Leon
• Volkswagen Passat

Coupe’s have been driven by style and looks ever since the first one came into existence. If you’re searching for an exciting sporty-looking vehicle that’s practical and comfortable to drive then the coupe will suit all your needs. With head turning curves and perfect for city driving, a coupe will get you where you need to be with a few double-looks.

A coupe is a closed-body, two door car with a permanently attached fixed roof. It generally has either two seats or four seats implanted in a 2+2 composition, meaning there are only two seats in the back (as opposed to three) which are smaller than average.

Top coupe’s 2017:

• Honda Civic
• Mercedes-Benz C Class
• BMW 2 Series
• Audi A5

We all know that 4X4’s have extraordinary off road capabilities, able to take on any rough terrain with ease. It can take you from the heart of the city to the rugged wilderness with athletic manoeuvrability and solid stability. With advanced safety features and a comfortable drive, the 4X4 has become a stylish addition to many families.

The first figure (4) means how many wheels there are and the second figure (4) means how many of them are powered.

AWD stands for ‘All Wheel Drive’.

Top 4X4’s 2017:

• Jaguar F Pace
• Volvo XC90
• Kia Sorento
• Land Rover Discovery Sports