Dacia Vans

Dacia Van Review: Is Britain's Cheapest Commercial Vehicle Actually Worth Buying? (2025 Test)

The Dacia van leads the UK market as the cheapest commercial vehicle. I needed to find out if its rock-bottom price really offers good value. My two weeks of hands-on testing with the new 2025 model gave me all the answers I was looking for.

Business owners across the UK take notice when they see the Dacia van's price tag that beats other brands by thousands. A van needs to do more than just save money - it must handle daily work reliably, offer practical features, and keep running costs low. The new Dacia makes big promises on all three fronts, yet many buyers remain cautious. The 2025 model faces tough competition from brands that have ruled the market for decades.

Let me help you see past the sales pitch and show you if this budget-friendly workhorse deserves your investment. Anyone looking at a Dacia van in the UK needs to understand what their money buys - and what they might have to give up in return.

What Is the 2025 Dacia Van and Who Is It For?

Dacia sells two commercial vehicles in the UK market: the Spring Cargo and the Duster Cargo. This review looks at the Spring Cargo, which is Britain's most affordable compact electric van at £14,995 excluding VAT. The van also qualifies for a £2,500 UK Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG).

Dacia's engineers turned their electric passenger car into a practical N1-classified commercial vehicle. They removed the rear seats and added a mesh bulkhead. The van's compact size makes it perfect for city use - just 3.7m long with a 9.6-metre turning circle. Despite its small footprint, it can carry 370kg and has 1,085 litres of load space.

The van's 65hp electric motor connects to a 26.8kWh battery. Drivers can expect up to 186 miles on the WLTP urban cycle or around 140 miles on mixed routes. Fast charging takes the battery from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes.

Standard equipment is impressive. The Spring Cargo comes with a 10-inch display that supports smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, manual air conditioning, cruise control, parking sensors and a reversing camera. The van's bi-directional vehicle-to-load feature lets users power 240V devices - perfect for running tools at work sites.

Small businesses looking for an affordable zero-emissions option for city deliveries will find the Spring Cargo an attractive choice.

Real-World Performance: How the Dacia Van Handles Daily Work

The Dacia van reveals its true character during daily drives. The Spring Cargo's nimble nature stands out with its compact 3.7m length and tight 4.8m turning radius, which makes city navigation a breeze. This electric model reaches 68mph at full power and 57mph in Eco mode when battery preservation becomes priority.

The Duster Cargo comes with two distinct powertrains. A mild hybrid 130 combines a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a small electric motor (128bhp). The full hybrid 155 pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and small 1.4kWh battery (153bhp). City driving allows brief periods of pure electric operation.

Each model in the range delivers unique ride characteristics. The Duster Commercial's soft suspension smooths out road imperfections but leads to body roll in corners. Models equipped with four-wheel-drive feature upgraded rear suspension that delivers better off-road capability and on-road handling.

The Spring Cargo shines in urban environments where its regenerative braking system adds range during stop-start driving. The Duster's fuel efficiency impresses with the 1.0-litre TCE 90 petrol achieving 45.6mpg, while the diesel version reaches 57.6mpg.

Road noise from rear wheels becomes more noticeable in the converted cargo area. The two-wheel-drive petrol Duster handles payloads up to 503kg, and the Spring Cargo manages 370kg.

Is the Dacia Van Worth Buying in the UK?

The Dacia van's price tag makes other market competitors look expensive. At £14,995 (excluding VAT), the Dacia Spring Cargo saves you a lot of money compared to the Citroen Berlingo at £24,035 and Ford Transit Courier at £20,150. The £2,500 Plug-in Van Grant brings the price down to £16,489.

The van's running costs stay surprisingly low. The Duster Cargo's 1.0-litre TCE 90 petrol gives you 45.6mpg, while the diesel version does even better at 57.6mpg. These numbers add up to big savings over time.

Dacia has made their value offer even better with their new Zen warranty programme. The company now covers vans up to seven years old that have less than 75,000 miles on the clock. Getting this coverage is easy - just get your yearly service done at a Dacia dealership.

The base model comes packed with features including:

Air conditioning and electric front windows

Cruise control with speed limiter

DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity

Small businesses that need budget-friendly options without giving up practicality will find the Dacia van hard to beat. This van gives great value to small enterprises, sole traders, and urban delivery services working with tight budgets.

Conclusion

The Dacia van makes a strong case for businesses keeping an eye on costs. After getting the full picture, this budget-friendly option gives you more value than its price suggests. Higher-end brands have their advantages, but the most important cost savings - both upfront and during ownership - are hard to ignore.

I had my doubts at first, but the Spring Cargo proved to be a practical workhorse that fits urban operations perfectly. The van's compact size became an asset rather than a limitation, especially when you have to navigate tight city streets or packed delivery areas. It also surprised me with its payload capacity that handles most small business needs with ease.

Without doubt, you'll find some trade-offs - premium competitors offer better refinement, more cargo space, and possibly higher resale values. In spite of that, these drawbacks become less important when you look at the money you'll save. The low purchase price, minimal running costs, and Zen warranty's coverage create a package that just makes good business sense.

Britain's cheapest commercial vehicle deserves a serious look, especially when you have small enterprises, sole traders, and urban delivery services in mind. This van is nowhere near just a budget choice - it's a smart business move for companies that value practicality and efficiency over premium badges. You shouldn't ask if you can afford this van - ask if spending thousands more elsewhere makes any sense.

Key Takeaways

After extensive testing, here's what small business owners need to know about Britain's cheapest commercial vehicle:

• The Dacia Spring Cargo at £14,995 (excluding VAT) undercuts competitors by thousands, with the Ford Transit Courier costing £20,150 and Citroën Berlingo at £24,035.

• Despite its budget price, the van delivers practical performance with 370kg payload capacity, 186-mile electric range, and excellent urban manoeuvrability in a compact 3.7m frame.

• Running costs remain exceptionally low, with the diesel Duster achieving 57.6mpg and the Spring Cargo qualifying for the £2,500 Plug-in Van Grant.

• Dacia's new Zen warranty programme extends coverage up to seven years, providing long-term peace of mind for business operators.

• The van proves ideal for urban deliveries and small businesses prioritising cost-efficiency, though larger operations may require more cargo space and refinement.

While premium competitors offer additional refinement and features, the Dacia van's combination of low purchase price, minimal running costs, and surprising practicality makes it a genuinely smart business decision for cost-conscious operators rather than simply the cheapest option available.

FAQs

Q1. Is the Dacia van a good investment for small businesses? The Dacia van offers excellent value for small businesses, particularly those operating in urban areas. With its low purchase price, minimal running costs, and practical performance, it's a cost-effective choice for companies prioritising efficiency over premium features.

Q2. What is the range and charging time of the Dacia Spring Cargo? The Dacia Spring Cargo offers a range of up to 186 miles on the WLTP urban cycle, or approximately 140 miles on mixed routes. When fast charging is available, the battery can be recharged from 20% to 80% in just 45 minutes.

Q3. How does the Dacia van's payload capacity compare to competitors? The Dacia Spring Cargo offers a payload capacity of 370kg, which is suitable for most small business needs. While this is less than some competitors, it's impressive considering the van's compact size and low price point.

Q4. What warranty does Dacia offer for their vans? Dacia has introduced the Zen warranty programme, which can extend coverage up to seven years for vehicles under six years old with fewer than 75,000 miles. This is available when you have your annual service completed at a Dacia dealership.

Q5. How fuel-efficient are the Dacia vans? The Dacia vans are quite fuel-efficient. The Duster Cargo's 1.0-litre TCE 90 petrol engine returns 45.6mpg, while the diesel variant achieves an impressive 57.6mpg. The all-electric Spring Cargo offers even lower running costs with its electric powertrain.