Best/most car-like small van?

[gradeA]

Hoping for a few pointers as to what to look at as I'm in unfamiliar territory here.

Started a new job as a service engineer last year, and one of the things on offer was a van. Have now been told by the directors to choose a van for them to buy and they'll get it sorted.

Requirements (theirs):
Circa £15k budget
As near to new or ex-demo as possible
Not a panelled estate

Requirements (mine):
Small, but still big enough to fit a couple of mountain bikes in the back easily (I'll have it at weekends)
As close to a car's seating position and driving feel as possible

Was thinking along the lines of the Vauxhall Combi CDTi sort of size as my last work had one, but it was a bit boomy on long runs.

Any suggestions as to what to look at?

Cheers!

[cragswinter]

Jumped out of my 05 combi vauxhall & into a Peugeot 207 (whatever number they are these days) 61 plate van at the weekend-it felt like an old banger!

Too small for bikes as well I'd say.

[Classic Grad 98]

People raved about the Belingo/Partner thingy, perhaps Citroen still make something simular? C4 picasso van perhaps?

[f1nn]

Ford Transit connect with a metal bulkhead installed.

I ran one at a previous job and it was fine for motorway use. Mountain bikes no problem, and you can get them fairly well equipped.

[All that jazz]

Astravan Sportive is a comfy mile-muncher and drive/handle very nice. I have one myself and had many in the past too. I'm 6'3 and fit in one okay. Decent driving position too. Can comfortably fit 2 full size mountain bikes in the back as that is what my current one is primarily used for!

[spats]

I used to sell vans and the best van I got to drive was the VW Caddy.

I would have another 1.9TDI again any day of the week. The onyl thing with any van is the road noise. But spend some time with putting in some sound deadening and its not issue.

They do a SWB and LWB and the LWB has a plastic bulkhead as standard and twin sliding doors which are handy.

[All that jazz]

Dave I've just sent you a quick email with something that might be of interest to you/your company.

[gradeA]

Cheers all...

Didn't think of the Citroens, will have a look. What about Fiats?

Did think about the Transit Connect or the Caddy but they're at the top end size-wise really, and the Caddys are expensive. Are they worth the extra?

[Eighteeteewhy]

[All that jazz]

@ 8080y, looks like a 2012 version of Postman Pat's van!

[missing the VR6]

From personal experience I'd go for a Transit connect over the Corsa equivelent, they're god awful!

[badlands1]

OP, I have had quite a few Berlingo vans and now have a new one.
This one has bluetooth, reversing buzzers, heated wing mirrors, air con, on board poota and enough secret spaces to hide loads of dead body parts.
It's just like driving a nice car.

A truly fantastic van. (in silver is better)