What is a panel van?

When someone says ‘van’, chances are what springs into your head is a panel van. A panel van is the most classic type of van, featuring an enclosed, windowless cargo area behind the driving compartment and usually separated by a bulkhead.

Panel vans are distinct from box or Luton vans because their cargo area isn’t a separate, discrete compartment placed on the rear chassis – it’s part of the vehicle’s main body. They’re also distinct from window vans or crew vans because (and this may seem obvious) they don’t have windows and they don’t carry crew.

So a panel van is that most versatile of commercial vehicles – it’s essentially a big empty space you can drive around. Read on for more info on panel vans, and why they’re the favoured business transport for people across the country.

What is a panel van?

A panel van is what you might typically just refer to as ‘a van’. They’re called panel vans because they feature solid panels in place of side and rear windows.

Designed primarily for transporting goods, a panel van usually features a bulkhead separating the driving compartment from the load area. The smallest may only have access from the rear, while most others also have at least one sliding side door.

Panel vans are very versatile, and can be utilised by all sorts of businesses. Many install racking or storage systems inside. Others may fit specialised equipment to enable them to work on the road, while others use panel vans as the basis of all sorts of specialised conversions – from ambulances to campervans.

Business owners love panel vans due to their flexibility, versatility, and cost-effectiveness – they also provide plenty of space on their featureless sides for custom sign-writing.

Key features of panel vans

Solid sides

Panel vans feature solid metal panels in place of rear windows, giving them their name. Some or all of these panels would be glazed on the equivalent window or box van.

Enclosed cargo space

Most panel vans feature a solid bulkhead between the cab and the cargo area, though some have a mesh bulkhead or one with a window. This can be deleted if required for a future conversion, but it’s in place by default.

Loading access

All panel vans have doors at the rear, which on some small vans can be a lift-up tailgate but is usually a pair of barn-style doors. All but the smallest will also have at least one side sliding door for access from the roadside.

Versatility

Panel vans are usually the starting point – the cheapest models in a manufacturer’s lineup. Above panel vans you can get crew vans (two rows of seats and a cargo area) or shuttle vans (three rows of seats), window vans (a fully-glazed cargo area), box or Luton vans (with a separate, discrete, square box in place of the integrated cargo area) or any number of specialist conversions.

Pros and cons of panel vans

Pros of panel vans

Security

Panel vans are windowless, and it’s easy to add additional security on the sides. While they can often be targets for criminals, it’s less likely that opportunistic thieves will see something they like and break in on a whim. This is particularly important when transporting valuable tools or equipment.

Weather protection

Fully enclosed with no glazing means that the items inside a panel van are shielded from the weather, the sun, and from prying eyes. This is useful for sensitive or perishable items.

Drivability

A standard panel van direct from the vehicle manufacturer will always feel more sorted than a box or Luton van, which has a separate unit on the back to shake, rattle and flex. Some panel vans are positively car-like to drive and almost as refined.

Versatility

A panel van really is a blank canvas – you can use it just to sling large items in, but they can also be decked out with a limitless array of shelving, racking, or equipment depending on your needs. Panel vans also have the highest payloads of vehicles their size.

Running costs

Panel vans are cheaper to buy than other, more sophisticated types of van. They also have good fuel economy – better than a box or Luton van as they’re more streamlined – and so can save businesses money in the long run.

Cons of panel vans

Lack of seating

Small panel vans can usually only carry the driver and one passenger, and while many larger vehicles do have a double front passenger seat to transport three total, it can be very cramped if they’re adults.

Visibility

Having no rear window does make a panel van harder to park or manoeuvre than a glazed alternative – though increasing numbers do have reversing cameras to help alleviate this.

Ergonomic concerns

Uncomfortable seats and cramped driving positions are one thing, but you won’t be able to stand up in the rear of most panel vans – which means if you’re constantly climbing in and out, your back could really suffer.

Basic cabs

You can spend a lot on a panel van and get one with quite a lot of equipment – but most business owners won’t, so you’ll have to put up with cheap upholstery, plastic steering wheels, manual air-conditioning and a general lack of advanced driver aids.

Panel van FAQs

What’s the difference between a box van and a panel van?

A panel van’s cargo area is continuous with the vehicle’s body – it’s built as a single, integrated unit sharing one body shell. The load bay is enclosed by solid metal panels with no physical separation on the exterior or underneath. A box van is effectively a passenger cab, a chassis behind it, and a large, separate load box bolted onto the rear.

Why are panel vans so expensive?

Cost-of-living crisis aside, they aren’t particularly. Panel vans are some of the most cost-effective vehicles, especially if you’re buying through a business and are able to reclaim your VAT on purchase. However, the prices have been creeping up, as increasingly strict safety and emissions regulations necessitate the installation of expensive extras.

What is an example of a panel van?

A panel van is any basic ‘van’ from any commercial vehicle manufacturer – so think Ford Transit Custom, Citroen Dispatch, or Mercedes Vito. There are also small panel vans (Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo) and large ones (Renault Master, Mercedes Sprinter).

Is a Luton a panel van?

No, a Luton has a separate load box bolted onto the back of the cab – with a distinctive overcab bulge which marks it out from a typical box van. Apart from this, though, a Luton is a type of box van.

Time for a new van? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your van quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a van brand new or are after something used, Carwow is your one stop shop for a new van.

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