Small LCV 2014 Comparison

While sales in this segment are eclipsed by those of vans in the 2500-3500kg GVM range (last year saw 3069 small LCVs sold, versus 15,552 mid-size vans), for the multitude of operations that require modest payload capacity, car-like ease of use and LCV utility, these lighter offerings are the most practical alternative.

The motoring.com.au team recently thrust three such vehicles under the microscope. We found that while the segment's parameters might initially seem quite limited, the scope of the vehicles reviewed was broad. Indeed, each of the models on test has its own unique character and tackles the delivery task from different perspectives.

To that end this review offers more of a taste of the broad diversity to be found in this class, rather than a pure head-to-head shootout.

Unfortunately, Volkswagen wasn't able to provide an example of the market leader in this niche, the Caddy (priced from $21,990 plus ORCs).

To the end of May (2014), VW had sold 717 Caddys, the figure giving it a dominant market share of 55.9 per cent. Its vice-like grip does appear to be weakening, however, the sales figure representing a drop of 23.8 per cent on the corresponding 2013 period.

That leaves us with the three remaining players examined here: Renault's Kangoo (in the recently released Maxi Crew format), Citroen's Berlingo (in Long Body format), and Suzuki's APV.

The Kangoo currently sits in second place on the sales chart with 221 units to the end of May for a market share of 17.2 per cent, but the APV is just behind with 220 units and 17.1 per cent.

That leaves Berlingo with 107 sales and a market share of 8.3 per cent. Its 'twin under the skin', Peugeot's Partner, is languishing well behind with just 18 sales for 1.4 per cent.

First introduced locally in 2004, the Kangoo is the 'mover and shaker' in this niche right now. It's model family is undergoing a revitalisation that's part of a freshening across Renault's entire LCV line-up from the second-half of last year. The renewed focus appears to be working – Kangoo sales were up 66.2 per cent to the end of May 2014 over the previous year.

The Maxi Crew takes the longer wheelbase of the Kangoo Maxi and adds a second row of seating, available as a 60/40 split-fold arrangement or, from September 2014, a single three-seater bench with sliding cargo barrier.

Effectively bridging the gap between LCV and passenger car, Maxi Crew is the Kangoo flagship, and is priced from $27,990 (plus ORCs).

First introduced locally in 1999, our other Euro entrant, the Berlingo, is the premium Citroen offering, tested here in Long Body (L2 HDi) format with twin sliding doors. Priced from $24,990 (plus ORCs), our test vehicle was also fitted with an optional front centre seat ($500).

That leaves Suzuki's APV, which first appeared in Australia in 2005. Available in a 'one size fits all' format, it's the budget champion in this review. It is priced from $17,990 (plus ORCs) – a cool $10,000 under the Kangoo Maxi Crew.

To assist in putting this trio to the test, motoring.com.au turned to Melbourne-based auto-wrangling specialist, Motorsport Safety & Rescue (MSR). Two runs were conducted in each vehicle from MSR's Tullamarine HQ – one with a 400kg payload, followed by a second lap unladen.

The test loop provided a good mix of busy industrial estate, country bends, decent gradients, motorways, and city traffic – just about anything a vehicle of this nature could expect to encounter.

We also used Racelogic's GPS-based 'VBOX' technology to accurately measure a range of performance criteria, and a sound meter to measure the level of internal cabin noise (dBA) at 80km/h.

The results threw up some surprises and shone a light on the broad spread of light delivery solutions available to buyers hunting a compact workhorse.

Safety First
The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) doesn't offer safety ratings on all commercial vehicles, but it has conducted tests previously on earlier variants of the three LCVs reviewed here.

The Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo both achieved a four-star rating when tested in 2011 while the Suzuki APV managed a three-star rating when tested in 2009.

Of the three vehicles on test, the Kangoo Maxi Crew tops the list in terms of standard safety features, with driver and passenger airbags, stability control (including traction control), anti-lock brakes and seatbelt pre-tensioners as standard. Side airbags are available as an option.

The Berlingo sees the standard features level drop back a notch – stability control and the passenger airbag are both options, while anti-lock brakes, the driver's airbag and the seatbelt pre-tensioners are standard. Side airbags are available as an option.

In line with its appreciably lower price point, the APV is a 'bare bones' affair when it comes to safety. While a driver and passenger airbag are standard, it is these, and basic three-point seatbelts, that are the only standard safety inclusions. There's no stability control to be had, and no antilock brakes.

Dimensional measurements and payload (as tested):