E-Series will be available in 2018 as either the cutaway or stripped chassis with multiple packages.  -  Photo: Ford Motor Co.

E-Series will be available in 2018 as either the cutaway or stripped chassis with multiple packages.

Photo: Ford Motor Co.

Vans provide the commercial fleet industry with a versatile vehicle that can easily fit into a variety of vocations. Five automakers are offering a complete lineup of vans for the 2018 model-year.

Photo Gallery: 2018 Van Roundup

Ford Motor Co.

For 2018, Ford offers Transit, Transit Connect, and E-Series van models for fleet customers.

The full-size Transit is offered in cargo van, passenger wagon, chassis cab, and cutaway models.

The vans are offered in three roof heights and three lengths.

All Transit vans are powered by a 3.7L Ti-VCT V-6 gasoline engine paired with a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with overdrive. A 3.2L PowerStroke I-5 Turbo Diesel or 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 gasoline engine are also available.

Cargo capacity for the Transit cargo vans range from 277.7 to 487.3 cubic-feet with a max payload of 4,650 pounds. The Transit passenger wagon is available with seating for eight, 10, 12, or 15 passengers.
The smaller Transit Connect is offered as a small commercial cargo van or passenger wagon.

The Transit Connect cargo van is available as the XL and XLT series, while the passenger van adds the Titanium series to the lineup.

Both models are powered by the 2.5L Duratec I-4 gasoline engine that achieves 169 hp at 171 lb.-ft. of torque.

The cargo van features a max payload of 1,610 pounds while the passenger wagon maxes its payload at 1,270 pounds. Both models have a 2,000-pound towing capacity. Cargo volume ranges from 103.9 to 149 cubic feet for the cargo van. The passenger wagon has seating capacity for five to seven people.

Finally, Ford continues to offer E-Series as cutaway and stripped chassis models.

Each E-Series chassis features the choice of a standard, 6.8L Triton V-10 that achieves 305 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic, or an available 6.2L flex-fuel V-8 that achieves 331 hp and 356 lb.-ft. of torque.

E-Series cutaways come in three models: the E-350 SRW, E-350 DRW, or E-450 DRW.

Multiple packages are available for various fleet vocations, from ambulance to shuttle bus.
The E-350 stripped chassis is available in three wheelbases (138, 158, and 176 inches) and offers 11,500- or 12,500-pound GVWR.

The E-450 stripped chassis is available in two wheelbases (158 and 176 inches) with 14,000- or 14,500-pound GVWR.

General Motors

General Motor’s small van offering for 2018 is the City Express with 122.7 
cubic feet of available cargo capacity.  -  Photo: GM

General Motor’s small van offering for 2018 is the City Express with 122.7
cubic feet of available cargo capacity.

Photo: GM

General Motors will continue to offer the Chevrolet Express, City Express, and GMC Savana vans for 2018.

The smaller City Express van is powered by a 2.0L engine combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) powertrain that achieves 131 hp at 139 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition, the City Express features 122.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity and a 1,500-pound payload.

The larger Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana lineup of cargo and passenger vans are also available in 2018 offered in the 2500 and 3500 models and either regular (135-inch) or extended (155-inch) wheelbases.
The vans are powered by a standard 4.3L V-6 engine that achieves 276 hp and 298 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. An optional 6.0L V-8 gasoline is also available, which achieves 341 hp and 373 lb.-ft. of torque. A 2.8L Duramax turbodiesel engine can also be equipped, which achieves 181 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

In addition, new for 2018 will be GM’s van packages, which are optional equipment groups that combine content that previously had to be purchased separately and includes the Communications Package, Safety Package, Enhanced Convenience Package, and Cargo Package.

Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz offers the full-size Sprinter van for 2018 in five models, including the “Worker,” with simplified, straightforward equipment and packaging.  -  Photo: MBUSA

Mercedes-Benz offers the full-size Sprinter van for 2018 in five models, including the “Worker,” with simplified, straightforward equipment and packaging.

Photo: MBUSA

For 2018, Mercedes-Benz offers the Sprinter and Metris van lineups.

The full-size Sprinter van is available in five models: the Worker cargo van, cargo van, crew van, cab chassis, and passenger van.

The Worker lineup of vehicles offer simple, straightforward equipment and packaging and is available in both Sprinter and Metris models. The vans are powered by a 2.1L four-cylinder diesel engine that achieves 161 hp at 266 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 7G-TRONIC 7-speed transmission. An optional 3.0L V-6 BlueTEC turbodiesel engine, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, is also available.

The Sprinter is also available with the 2.1L four-cylinder engine or 3.0L V-6 and comes with the choice of two wheelbases (144 and 170 inches), GVWRs of 8,550 to 11,030 pounds and a high-roof option. The Sprinter is available in five configurations: Cargo, Crew, Passenger, MiniBus, and Cab Chassis.

The Metris is a mid-sized commercial van offered in four models: the Worker cargo van, cargo van, Worker passenger van, and passenger van.

Powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission, the Metris achieves 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Metris features a payload of 2,502 pounds with 186 cubic feet of cargo space.

Nissan Motor Co.

The Nissan NV Cargo Van is offered in three models, two roof heights, and three trim levels for a variety of configurations.  -  Photo: Nissan Motor Co.

The Nissan NV Cargo Van is offered in three models, two roof heights, and three trim levels for a variety of configurations.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co.

Nissan offers the NV Cargo Van in three models for 2018: the NV1500, available in standard roof and S and SV trims and the NV 2500 HD and NV 3500 HD, available in standard and high roof and S, SV, and SL trims. The automaker also offers the NV200 compact cargo van.

The Nissan NV Cargo Van is powered by a 5.6L Endurance V-8 gasoline engine, which achieves 375 hp and 387 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a heavy-duty 7-speed automatic transmission. In addition, a 4.0L V-6 engine is also available, which achieves 261 hp and 281 lb.-ft. of torque.

The NV Cargo Vans payload ranges from 2,750 pounds for the 1500 S to 3,860 pounds for the 3500 SL. Cargo capacity ranges from 234.1 cubic feet for the standard roof to 323.1 cubic feet for the high roof. Tow rating for the NV V-8 is 9,400 pounds.

The NV200 compact cargo van is available in two models, the S and SV, and features a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine that achieves 131 hp and 139 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to an Xtronic transmission.

The NV200 offers a payload capacity of 1,450 to 1,480 pounds with a total cargo volume of 122.7 cubic feet.
All Nissan vans come with an exclusive five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Ram Commercial

Ram offers the ProMaster City and full-size ProMaster (pictured) vans for 2018, which feature a front-wheel drive system.  -  Photo: FCA US

Ram offers the ProMaster City and full-size ProMaster (pictured) vans for 2018, which feature a front-wheel drive system.

Photo: FCA US

For 2018, Ram offers the ProMaster and ProMaster City van lineups.

The 2018 Ram ProMaster Class 2 full-size van lineup consists of 15 models from the ProMaster 1500 Cargo van with a 118-inch wheelbase and low roof all the way up to the ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab Cutaway with a 159-inch wheelbase and extended frame.

The vans feature an exclusive front-wheel-drive system, with all components located beneath the cab. The 2018 Ram ProMaster comes standard with a 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The vans offer from 259 to 462 cubic-feet of cargo volume.

In addition, the automaker offers the Ram ProMaster City Class 1 compact van for 2018. It is offered as a cargo van or passenger wagon with four models: the Tradesman Cargo (available with panels, glass, or a combination), Tradesman SLT Cargo (available with panels, glass, or a combination), Wagon with rear and side windows, and Wagon SLT with rear and side windows.

The ProMaster City is powered by a standard 2.4L I-4 engine that achieves 178 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to an exclusive 9-speed automatic transmission.

Tradesman cargo vans are two-seat vehicles, while Wagon configurations will seat five.

The ProMaster City features a cargo volume of 131.7 cubic feet and payload capacity of 1,883 pounds.

About the author
Lauren Fletcher

Lauren Fletcher

Executive Editor - Fleet, Trucking & Transportation

Lauren Fletcher is Executive Editor for the Fleet, Trucking & Transportation Group. She has covered the truck fleet industry since 2006. Her bright personality helps lead the team's content strategy and focuses on growth, education, and motivation.

View Bio
0 Comments