AUTO EXPRESS AWARDS - VW's Transporter takes Van of the Year and the Caddy gets a commended nod too.

• Transporter named ‘Van of The Year’ at this year’s Auto Express New Car Awards
• New Caddy panel van also commended in the category
• High standards of comfort, refinement and quality key to securing accolade

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ sixth-generation Transporter has claimed another overall ‘Van of the Year’ award, this time thanks to Auto Express, with the Transporter’s car-like level of quality, high level of comfort and class-leading residual values giving it the edge over rivals.

The leading consumer motoring title also commended the Transporter’s smaller sibling, the fourth-generation Caddy panel van. With class-leading reliability plus a smooth and responsive drive, the Caddy impressed the judges with its impressive fuel economy, load carrying capability and strong residual values.

Offered with an extensive range of wheelbases, roof heights, load volumes and payload options, the new Transporter, which went on sale in the UK in September, caters for all business needs within the medium van sector. Available as a passenger carrier, panel van or more recently chassis cab and dropside variants, the Transporter comes equipped with a range of economical EU6 2.0-litre engines, manual and DSG transmissions, and two- and four-wheel drive. The new Transporter boasts a comprehensive list of safety equipment, including standard Driver Alert and Automatic Post Collision Braking System, plus optional Adaptive Cruise Control, City Emergency Braking and High Beam Assist.

Auto Express editor-in-chief, Steve Fowler, said: “The Volkswagen Transporter sets a very high standard in terms of comfort and refinement while the cab environment delivers genuinely car-like levels of quality. The level of safety technology built into the van is excellent, while class-leading residual values contribute to a powerful value proposition. It all goes towards making the Transporter an excellent tool for businesses of all sizes.”

Commenting on the awards success, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The Transporter continues to gain recognition from across the industry and this latest award demonstrates its high quality. To have the latest generation Caddy commended by the judges is also extremely pleasing and further recognition of the strength of our brand.”

This latest award builds on a number of impressive results for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand. The Transporter has won the prestigious ‘International Van of the Year’ award as well as Van Fleet World’s ‘Best New Van’ award, overall Van of the Year titles from VansA2Z and Trade Van Driver, and Honest John’s ‘Most Popular Van’ accolade.