Let’s look at two of the most popular medium vans – the Citroen Dispatch and the Ford Transit Custom.
Introduction To The Citroen Dispatch VS Ford Transit Custom
For businesses and individual users, picking the appropriate van is vital, and the Citroen Dispatch and Ford Transit Custom are both great options. Our comparison delves into the specific details of each van, including its specifications, engine varieties, key features, and overall performance, providing you with the insights to help you make an informed decision.
Citroen Dispatch
The Citroën Dispatch stands out as an ideal choice for those seeking a van that skilfully blends compactness with capability. Renowned for its functional design and adaptability, it caters effectively to a broad spectrum of business requirements, ranging from small-scale deliveries to more significant transportation tasks.
Specifications
A key feature of the Citroën Dispatch is its versatility in size, offering various dimensions to suit diverse needs. The Citroen Dispatch M1000 1.5 100PS Enterprise model, in particular, is built on the same base as the Vauxhall Vivaro and Peugeot Expert, sharing similar base dimensions for its cargo space. This flexibility is complemented by its efficient engine, catering to different power requirements while being mindful of environmental concerns.
Payload
In terms of payload, the Dispatch excels with three nominal gross vehicle weights – 2.7t, 2.9t, and 3.1t. These translate to payloads of approximately 1,000kg, 1,200kg, and 1,400kg, respectively, accommodating a wide range of business needs. Furthermore, its towing capacities, varying from 1,400kg to 2,500kg, add to its practicality.
Size
The Citroën Dispatch is available in a single size in the M1000 1.5 100PS Enterprise version, with a load length of 2512mm, load width of 1628mm, and load height of 1397mm. Furthermore, its ModuWork option, a standard feature in medium vans from most manufacturers, allows for transporting extra-length items by extending the load length to 3.3m under the passenger seat, enhancing its adaptability to various transportation requirements.
Ease of Access
Ease of access is another significant aspect of the Dispatch. Its ergonomic interior design, coupled with the ‘Moduwork’ feature, simplifies the loading and unloading processes, especially for oversized items.
Engine Options
The Dispatch’s diesel engine lineup includes a 1.5-litre engine producing 100hp and 270Nm of torque, as well as a 2.0-litre engine available in 120hp, 147hp, and 174hp configurations. These engines are designed for efficiency and reliability. The 100hp and 150hp engines come with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the 174hp engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering a choice to suit different driving preferences.
Notable Features
Noteworthy features of the Citroën Dispatch include its versatile load lengths, the unique ‘Moduwork’ facility, a variety of payload and towing capacities, and impressive fuel economy, with some models achieving up to 44.2mpg. The van also maintains competitive residual values, ensuring cost-effectiveness over time.
Final Thoughts
With its adaptability, economical operation, and user-centric features, the Citroën Dispatch emerges as a top choice for urban and suburban use, particularly suited to small and medium-sized businesses. Its combination of practicality and efficiency makes it a smart investment in the commercial vehicle sector.
Check out our range of Citroen Dispatch vehicles
Ford Transit Custom
The Ford Transit Custom, renowned for its robustness and spacious cargo area, epitomises practicality in the medium-sized van market. With a design focused on handling heavier loads and longer journeys, it stands as a preferred choice for businesses with extensive transportation needs.
Specifications
The Transit Custom’s acclaim stems from its substantial cargo capacity and robust build, making it a go-to panel van for significant transportation requirements. The Ford Transit Custom L1H1 300 Limited 130PS Auto model showcases this strength, boasting the highest load space in its class, albeit by a small margin. Its design and engineering are tailored to consistently deliver high performance, essential for businesses that depend on reliable and efficient cargo transport.
Payload
A key aspect of the Ford Transit Custom is its payload capacity. While not the highest in its class, the van offers a practical payload of 831kg. This capacity is suitable for businesses requiring the transportation of heavy or voluminous cargo, ensuring a balance between robustness and efficiency.
Size
In terms of size, the Transit Custom maintains its versatility. It has a load length of 2554mm, a load width of 1775mm, and a load height of 1406mm. However, it’s important to note that the rear wheel arches intrude into the space, narrowing it down to 1351mm at its tightest point. Despite this, the van is still capable of fitting a Euro pallet sideways, allowing a standard L1 model to accommodate up to 3 Euro pallets if loaded correctly. The optional load-through storage area also allows for the transport of items up to 3m in length through a hatch in the bulkhead beneath the passenger seat.
Ease of Access
Ease of access is another strong point of the Transit Custom. Its rear doors can lock 180 degrees open, simplifying loading and unloading, and the single side door is one of the widest in the industry, ensuring that loading and unloading cargo, especially in busy or confined urban environments, is efficient and hassle-free. This feature, coupled with the van’s generous load volumes and versatile dimensions, adds to the Transit Custom’s appeal as a practical and accessible vehicle for various business needs.
Engine Options
The Transit Custom offers a range of powerful diesel engines. The 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines, introduced in 2016, provide power ratings of 105hp, 130hp, 170hp, and a new 185hp option, catering to heavy-duty operations. The 2020 model also introduced a 10-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive models, enhancing fuel economy.
Mild Hybrid Option
An innovative addition is the mHEV variant, which uses a belt-driven generator to recover and store energy during deceleration. This technology results in a 3% fuel saving, making the Transit Custom more efficient.
Notable Features
The 2020 Ford Transit Custom features a stylish facelift, interior upgrades, and advanced technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Recognition. These enhancements not only improve the van’s aesthetics but also contribute to a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
Final Thoughts
For businesses and individuals requiring a van that combines ample space and power, the Ford Transit Custom is a compelling option. It delivers dependable performance and ensures a comfortable and efficient driving experience, making it a trusted vehicle for various demanding tasks.
Check out our range of Ford Transit Custom vans
What’s The Best Choice For Me?
The decision between the Citroen Dispatch and the Ford Transit Custom depends on your specific requirements. The Dispatch is ideal for more compact operations and city driving, while the Transit is better suited for larger, more demanding transportation needs. Each model has its unique strengths, and the best choice will vary based on the individual’s or business’s specific demands.
You may also like: Citroen Dispatch Vs Peugeot Expert | Citroen Dispatch Review
Crusader Vans
Crusader Vans, established in 2004, stands as a beacon of reliability and customer satisfaction in the van leasing sector, having fulfilled the diverse requirements of over 8,000 clients nationwide. Our offering pivots around providing a seamless, comprehensive leasing experience with a wide array of brand-new vehicles supplied directly by UK main dealers to choose from.
Clients enjoy free mainland UK delivery, transparent fixed monthly costs, and the latest vehicle technology with every new lease agreement, all wrapped in a package meticulously tailored to individual budget and need. Embrace the opportunity to navigate the roads in the newest models with unwavering support and expert advice, ensuring your journey with Crusader Vans is consistently smooth, enjoyable, and distinctly yours.
At Crusader, we are proud to offer van leasing deals on both Citroen and Ford vans. For a van leasing deal tailored to suit your business, talk to one of our professionals today!
Contact Us
Feel free to get in touch with a member of our team for more information or to chat about your van needs.
Address: Crusader House, High Street, Buxted, East Sussex, TN22 4LA
Phone: 01825 701200
Email: enquiries@crusadervans.co.uk
FAQs
Let’s check out some of your most common questions about the Citroen Dispatch vs Ford transit.
Is The Citroen Dispatch As Big As The Ford Transit Custom?
The Citroen Dispatch and Ford Transit Custom, while similar in their utility, differ slightly in size. The Citroen Dispatch is designed with a focus on compactness and manoeuvrability, making it ideal for urban environments and narrow streets. It offers multiple size options but generally remains slightly smaller than the Ford Transit Custom. The Ford Transit Custom, on the other hand, is known for its more substantial size, providing a larger cargo area, which is beneficial for those who need more space for transportation or equipment. The choice between the two should be based on the specific space requirements of your business or personal use.
What Is The Best Medium-Sized Van?
Determining the “best” medium-sized van depends largely on individual needs and preferences. The Citroen Dispatch and Ford Transit Custom are both strong contenders in this category. The Citroen Dispatch is often praised for its efficiency, modern design, and versatility, making it suitable for a variety of purposes. The Ford Transit Custom, known for its reliability and spacious interior, is a popular choice for businesses requiring a larger cargo capacity and robust performance. It’s advisable to consider factors such as the type of cargo, frequency of use, fuel efficiency, and comfort when choosing the best medium vans around.
What Is The Most Comfortable Van To Drive In The UK?
Comfort in a van can be subjective and varies depending on the driver’s values. However, the Citroen Dispatch and Ford Transit Custom have features that contribute to a comfortable driving experience. The Citroen Dispatch is appreciated for its car-like driving dynamics, ergonomic interior, and smooth handling, especially in city driving conditions. The Ford Transit Custom, with its higher driving position, spacious cabin, and advanced driver-assistance features, offers a comfortable ride, particularly on longer journeys. The most comfortable van would be the one that aligns best with your driving style, comfort preferences, and the typical routes you travel.
What Is The Best Size Medium Van?
Medium panel vans, including the Citroen Dispatch, Ford Transit Custom, and Volkswagen Transporter, offer varying load space options and body lengths to cater to different cargo needs. The Citroen Dispatch is known for its adaptability with multiple body lengths, including short wheelbase versions, making it suitable for diverse requirements. The Ford Transit Custom is celebrated for its robustness and ample cargo capacity. The Volkswagen Transporter, along with other large vans, provides substantial load length options. To choose the right medium van, consider your specific load-carrying needs and assess how the load space and body lengths align with your requirements.
