There’s a good reason why the commercial van market is worth a staggering $955.57 billion. Millions of business owners rely on these vehicles to transport them and their equipment from job site to job site.

However, not all small business owners have the same requirements for their cargo vans. And given the expensive nature of the vehicles, you don’t want to pay for what you won’t use.

That’s why it’s important to know what features to look for when you’re shopping. We’ll be helping you decide which things you should prioritize when choosing the best cargo van for small business owners. That way, you’ll be satisfied with your purchase for years to come.

Cargo Space

Cargo space refers to the size of your van’s trunk. This is typically measured in cubic feet.

Cargo space typically falls between two hundred to four hundred cubic feet. The right type of cargo space for your small business will depend on what you need to transport.

For example, if you have a food delivery service, you might not require that much cargo space since you can easily stack your deliveries on top of each other.

However, if you have a lawn care contracting business, you likely need to transport a wide range of large equipment, like lawnmowers, weed wackers, and fertilizers.

In these cases, you should always make sure that the panel van you want can accommodate the equipment you need through side loading. The last thing you want is to purchase a new van only to find out that it’s the wrong size for your needs.

Storage Space

Storage space is a little different than cargo space. It refers to whether or not your cargo van comes with shelves, drawers, and other forms of organization for whatever you’re transporting.

For some businesses, this isn’t important. However, for others (like plumbers) it’s essential. You likely have hundreds if not thousands of different components in your van.

And if you’re not able to find them quickly, you can keep clients waiting far longer than is needed. It’s important to note that just because your van doesn’t come pre-built in storage space doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s wrong for you.

There are plenty of DIY ways to add more storage to your cabin. However, it will take some effort and resources on your part to accomplish.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy might be more important to some businesses than others. For example, if you have a food delivery business or catering company, your driver is likely to travel a long distance every day.

That means that gas costs can quickly add up. However, if you only need your van to cater to local clients a few times per week, then the cost of gas might not be as big of a concern for you.

If fuel economy is important to you, we recommend looking for a van that has forty to sixty MPG. If it’s not as important to you, you can save some money by finding a more average twenty to thirty MPG.

Just keep in mind that any money you save will likely go toward gas if you start traveling long distances in the van.

Technology

Certain technology on newer vans might seem unnecessary for some business owners. However, in many cases, they can make your small business more efficient.

For example, if you rely on your cargo van for deliveries, some of your drivers might sometimes get lost when finding new locations. As such, an infotainment center with built-in GPS can help you reduce the time between deliveries.

Similarly, if your business is located in a crowded city, your drivers might have trouble finding a parking spot.

A backup camera ensures that they’re able to get parking spots that might otherwise be too tight. Other safety features are also important because they protect both your employees and your investment.

Performance

Performance refers to the amount of horsepower and torque that your cargo van comes with. Again, this feature isn’t necessarily important for all businesses.

Your van isn’t a race car that needs to outperform other vehicles on the road. And if your cargo load is especially light, it doesn’t make sense to invest in a heavy-performance engine.

However, if you’re hauling heavy equipment (like lawnmowers) that require cargo tie-downs, it’s something to consider. If you plan on carrying a trailer behind your cargo van, it’s vital.

If you need a good option, you can’t go wrong with the 2023 GMC Savana Van. It can tow trailers that weigh as much as 10,000 pounds thanks to its hard-working 4.3L V6 engine.

New or Used?

There’s no denying that new cargo vans are quite expensive at the moment. However, if you view them as an investment, they do come with lots of benefits. For starters, they’ll likely last a lot longer than used models.

They also come with the latest and greatest features that can save you time and money while adding a lot of convenience to your transportation drivers. That being said, it’s not always worth it for every business.

If you aren’t using your cargo van at least every day, you might be better off going with a used model instead. If you do buy used, just make sure it’s from a reputable dealer first.

There are a lot of con artists out there in used dealerships. So if you don’t do your research first, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with a van that breaks down after only a few months.

Appreciate Finding the Best Cargo Van for Small Business Owners? Keep Exploring

We hope this guide helped you learn more about the features you should look for when finding the best cargo van for small business owners. It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all perfect van for each business.

That’s because the right vehicle for you will depend on the specifics of your business and transportation needs.

So once you’ve defined these needs, start test driving today to find the perfect vehicle. Want more business advice? We have plenty of similar topics, so keep exploring to find them all.