Toyota Quantum vs Ford Transit vs Volkswagen Transporter: here's our winner

South Africans are familiar with the Toyota Quantum from the public transport sector, with thousands of the previous generation models still providing millions of citizens with mobility on a daily basis. The latest Quantum is quite a bit different though, with a luxurious VX variant, the standard 11 and14-seater, the crew cab and of course, the panel van version.

The local panel van segment is rather small from a South African context, however, the Quantum panel van finds itself amongst well established and well-packaged rivals in the form of the Ford Transit Custom panel van and the Volkswagen Transporter panel van. We will be comparing the Quantum with these two key rivals to determine which one is best.

Toyota Quantum 2.8 LWB panel van

Engine, performance, and consumption

The Quantum has the biggest and most powerful engine in the comparison, with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel that produces 130kW and 420Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. This does not necessarily make it the best performer though, as it has the highest claimed fuel consumption and comes off second best in both payload and braked towing capacity.

Standard equipment

Since this is a panel van, it is not exactly brimming with specification, however, there are nice-to-haves such as traction control, hill-start assist, ABS with EBA, airconditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, an onboard information display, Bluetooth/USB/AUX connectivity, front electric windows and a rear-view camera housed in the interior rear-view mirror.

Safety

The Toyota was crash-tested by ANCAP in 2019 and achieved a 5-Star safety rating, with a 94% score for adult occupant safety, 88% for child safety, 84% for pedestrian safety and 77% for its safety assistance systems.

Practicality

While the Quantum’s loading area is not exactly small at 6 300-litres, it is certainly the smallest in this comparison, which is a key consideration when shopping for a panel van.

Price and value proposition

The Quantum is the most expensive product here, but not by much, and compared favourably with the other two contenders in terms of specification and safety while losing out in terms of fuel efficiency and loading space.

The competition

Ford Transit Custom panel van 2.2TDCi 92kW LWB Ambiente

The Transit Custom is powered by the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and 6-speed manual gearbox that has done duty in the Ranger bakkie lineup for years. While it is down on power and torque, it is certainly efficient, nearly matching the Volkswagen in terms of efficiency, coming in third when it comes to braked towing capacity (1 800kg) but outperforming both of its rivals in terms of payload, with a figure of 1 505kg.

The Ford matches the Toyota in terms of standard kit but also features cruise control as well as both front and rear PDC. From a practicality perspective, the Ford features the largest rear loading capacity at 6 830-litres.

The Ford was tested by the ANCAP crash test evaluation programme in 2012 where it achieved a 5-Star rating, including 84% for adult occupant safety, 90% for child occupant safety, 48% for pedestrian safety and 71% for its safety assistance systems.

Looking at the Ford from a value for money perspective, the Transit Custom is the cheapest, second-most efficient, best specified and has an impressive warranty and service plan.

Volkswagen Transporter 2.0TDI 81kW panel van LWB

The Transporter is powered by the VAG Group’s tried-and-tested 2.0-litre TDI engine which produces 81kW and 250Nm which is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Transporter is the most efficient product on paper, and also offers the best braked towing capacity at 2 200kg but has the lowest payload of 849kg.

In terms of specification, the Volkswagen is the least well-specified product here, missing out on a multifunction steering wheel, USB functionality and a reverse camera but benefitting from heated and electrically adjustable side mirrors. The Volkswagen offers the second most loading capacity in this test, with 6 700-litres of space.

From a safety perspective, the Euro NCAP crash test assessment programme has a commercial vehicle safety assessment section, where the latest T6 Transporter was evaluated in 2019, achieving a Gold rating, including ‘Good’ and ‘Adequate’ ratings in five of the six safety sectors, with a ‘Marginal’ rating for Occupant Status Monitoring.

The Volkswagen sits between the Ford and the Toyota in terms of price and is similar in terms of specification, but its service plan and warranty are inferior to both its rivals.

Facts and figures:

 

	Toyota Quantum 2.8 LWB panel van	Ford Transit Custom panel van 2.2TDCi 92kW LWB Ambiente	Volkswagen Transporter 2.0TDI 81kW panel van LWB
Engine size (cyl/size)	4-cyl, 2.8-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.2-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	130 kW/420 Nm	92 kW/350 Nm	81 kW/250 Nm
Kerb Weight	2 215kg	1 820 kg	1 951 kg
Service plan	9 service / 90 000km	6 yr/ 90 000km	3 yr/60 000km
Airbag count	2	2	2
Loading capacity capacity	6 300 litres	6 830 litres	6 700 litres
Fuel tank capacity	65 litres	80 litres	80 litres
Ave Consumption *	8.7 L/100 km	7.3 L/100 km	7.2 L/100 km
Warranty	3 yr/100 000 km	4 yr/120 000	2 yr/unlimited
Price	R 557 300	R 531 800	R 549 600

* Manufacturer's claimed figures.

Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.

Verdict

Looking at the figures shows us that the Ford Transit Custom panel van offers the best overall panel van package, with the second most efficient powertrain, the lowest list price, the most loading space and payload while featuring the most amount of standard kit.