The microvan market may be a relatively small sector of the total LCV parc but it’s certainly a close-fought one with some cracking models available – the Vauxhall Corsavan and the Peugeot 207 van to name just two.

But Ford has blasted back on to the small van scene with a new Fiesta van that has stunning looks along with a low front-end price and rock bottom running costs.

The new Fiesta car has been Britain’s best-selling model for the past three months.

So it’s hardly surprising that the Fiesta van – basically a Fiesta with the rear seats removed – is already getting rave reviews ahead of its official launch.

For the first time, three trim levels are available – base, Trend and Sportvan – and all have impressive standard spec that includes driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes and remote central locking.

The Sportvan boasts alloy wheels, a sports body kit, air conditioning, foglamps, side and knee bags and traction control.

There’s also a clever capless refuelling system that prevents drivers accidentally filling up with the wrong fuel.

The rear side windows are replaced by body coloured solid panels and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide the loadspace.

Load volume is one cubic metre, with a maximum useable load length of 1,300mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1,278mm (1,004mm between the wheelarches) and a height of up to 936mm.

A half-height bulkhead and solid DIN-compliant tie-down hooks are standard.

The new Fiesta van is available with a choice of engines: 1.2-litre 82bhp Duratec 16v petrol unit, a 1.4-litre 68bhp Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel and a 1.6-litre 90bhp Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel with standard diesel particulate filter.

The petrol engine has combined fuel consumption of 49.5 mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km.

Both diesel engines have a combined fuel consumption of 67.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 110g/km.

Prices start at £9,025 for the Base 1.2 Duratec to £11,305 for the Sportvan 1.6 TDCi 90bhp (all prices ex-VAT).

Ford currently has a 25% market share in this sector and expects to maintain this figure, with sales mainly to meter readers, IT engineers and small parcel delivery firms.

Behind the wheel

In the past few years, the ‘wow’ factor offered by new vans has increased enormously – in fact I’d go as far as to say that until recently, no-one really cared what they looked like.