Fleets looking to make deliveries, haul cargo or provide transportation often rely on light duty pickup trucks and vans to meet their business’ needs. Finding the right vehicle for a fleet can be challenging because of the many options available in the U.S. market. This article serves as a summary of available Model Year 2016 pickups and vans to help fleets determine which vehicle is best for their specific applications.
FORD
The Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com) offers light duty work vehicles such as its F-150 pickup and Transit line of vans.
The 2016 F-150 provides a payload capacity ranging from 1,570 to 3,270 lbs, as well as a towing capacity of 5,000 to 12,200 lbs. With 14 to 19 mpg city and 19 to 26 mpg highway, the newest models offer Pro-Trailer backup assist, the SYNC 3 infotainment system and CNG prep. Special edition appearance packages and six various trim levels are available as well.
Featuring an electronic six-speed automatic transmission, the F-150’s range of standard engines includes the 3.5L EcoBoost V-6; 5.0L V-8; and 3.5L V-6. The 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 engine is optional. Additional standard features are a capless fuel filler, 2.3” productivity screen, Trailer Sway Control, fading interior lighting and cargo box tie-down and hooks. SuperCab models have a flip-up split bench and 170-degree rear door.
The Transit Connect – now with magnetic metallic paint, torque vectoring control, rear view camera and reverse sensing system – has a payload capacity ranging from 1,130 to 1,620 lbs and a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. The van offers 19 to 22 mpg city and 27 to 29 mpg highway.
With a six-speed automatic transmission, Ford’s 2.5L I-4 engine comes standard, while the 1.6L EcoBoost I-V is optional. There are five various van and wagon trim levels available as well. Other standard features include Ford’s capless fuel filler, 180-degree swing-out rear doors, integrated spotter mirrors and electronic emergency brake assist.
The 2016 Transit-150 comes standard with a 3.7L V-6, six-speed transmission, SYNC 3, dual sliding doors, and a rear view camera. The 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 and 3.2L I-5 diesel are optional. With a payload capacity ranging from 2,630 to 3,680 lbs and a towing capacity range of 4,500 to 7,500 lbs, this vehicle gets an estimated 14 to 15 mpg city and 18 to 19 mpg highway.
Additional standard features included the capless fuel filler, front overhead console, tinted glass and a rear view camera with trailer hitch assist. Three different van and wagon trim levels are offered.
GENERAL MOTORS
General Motors (www.gm.com) offers its line of Chevy Silverado 1500 trucks, Chevrolet Express vans and GMC Savana vans for the light duty market.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is available in Regular Cab, Double Cab and Crew Cab configurations. The 2016 models have an available remote locking tailgate, MyLink infotainment system, Intellibeam high-beam assist and Lane Keep Assist.
The Silverado 1500 Regular Cab comes standard with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission and either the EcoTec3 4.3L V-6 FlexFuel engine or EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 FlexFuel. Both engines are offered with the Silverado 1500 Double Cab and Crew Cabs in addition to the EcoTec3 6.2L V-8.
The 1500 Regular Cab has a payload range of 1,840 to 1,960 lbs and a maximum towing ability of 5,900 to 9,800 lbs with a ball hitch. The Double Cab provides a range 1,760 to 2,260 lbs of payload capacity and 5,600 to 12,000 lbs of towing capacity. The Crew Cab features a range of 1,650 to 2,160 lbs of payload and a range of 5,400 to 12,000 lbs of towing capacity.
With up to 24 mpg, the Silverado has an available cargo convenience package, including spray-on bedliner, upper cargo tie-downs and a cross rails tiered storage system. As many as five different trim levels are available, depending on the cab configuration.
The Chevrolet Express is available as a passenger van, cargo van and cutaway van. All three configurations utilize a Hydra-Matic 6L90 transmission and come standard with a 4.8L V-8 engine. A 6.0L V-8 and the Duramax 6.6L V-8 turbodiesel engines are optional.
The Express passenger van has a payload capacity of 2,329 to 3,461 lbs and a towing capacity of 7,800 to 10,000 lbs. The Express cargo van has a payload capacity of 2,158 to 4,120 lbs and towing capacity ranging from 8,600 to 10,000 lbs. The Express cutaway van has a payload capacity range of 7,307 to 9,147 lbs. All Express vans offer OnStar (a provider of in-vehicle safety, security and connectivity services) with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as six standard air bags. MyLink systems with navigation radio, single-pane side-view mirrors and a 220-amp generator are optional. The passenger and cargo configurations also have an optional dual isolated battery system.
The Chevrolet City Express comes standard with a 2.0L DOHC I-4 engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT). It provides a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 lbs and 24 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
The GMC Savana is available as a passenger van, cargo van and cutaway van as well. All three models come standard with a Hydra-Matic 6L90 transmission and 4.8L V-8 engine. Additional engine options include a 6.0L V-8 and Duramax 6.6L V-8 turbo-diesel.
The passenger van has a payload capacity of 2,329 to 3,461 lbs and a towing capacity of 7,800 to 10,000 lbs. The cargo van offers a payload range of 2,158 to 4,120 lbs and a towing capacity ranging from 8,600 to 10,000 lbs. The cutaway van has a payload capacity of 7,307 to 9,147 lbs.
All three configurations offer OnStar with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hotspot and six standard airbags, plus optional features that include a GMC IntelliLink system with navigation radio and 220-amp generator. The passenger and cargo vans also offer optional single-pane side-view mirrors and dual isolated battery system.
MERCEDES BENZ
Two work vans are offered by Mercedes Benz (www.mbusa.com) – the Metris and Sprinter.
The 2016 Sprinter comes standard with a 2.1L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. Three body lengths and a high-roof option are available, in addition to cargo, crew, passenger, minibus and cab chassis configurations. A 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and five-speed automatic transmission are optional.
Additional standard features include LED daytime running lights, a headunit with a 5.8” screen – including Bluetooth, iPod and auxiliary interface, a locking glovebox and Crosswind Assist. Optional available offerings include a 4x4 system with downhill speed regulation and optional low-range gearing, a navigation system and the company’s Active Safety Plus Package which provides blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, highbeam assist and collision prevention assist. The Parktronic feature to assist with parking is also available.
The Metris is available as both a passenger and cargo van. New to the U.S. market, the 2016 model offers a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and up to 24 mpg. The cargo configuration offers 2,502 lbs of payload and 185 cubic feet of cargo volume. The passenger van provides 1,874 lbs of payload and seats seven.
Additional standard features include attention assist, load-adaptive ESP with crosswind assist, a headunit with 5.8” color screen and Bluetooth connectivity, 270-degree opening rear doors on cargo models and 180-degree opening doors on passenger models. Optional features available are ECO start/stop, blind spot assist, collision prevention assist, lane keeping assist, active parking assist, liftgate rear door, electric sliding doors and a rear view camera.
MAZDA
Mazda (www.mazdausa.com) offers three light duty models that meet work van demands – the CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9. All three models come standard with four-wheel drive and offer all-wheel drive as an option. The CX-3 and CX-5 are available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.
The CX-3 has a payload capacity ranging from 1,031 to 1,038 lbs. It comes standard with a 146hp, 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission, as well as push button start, back-up camera and power windows and door locks. With 27 to 29 mpg city and 32 to 35 mpg highway, the CX-3 is available with active cruise control, advanced blind spot monitoring and LED headlights.
The CX-5 comes standard with a 155hp, 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and six-speed manual transmission and is capable of towing up to 2,000 lbs. The CX-9 can tow up to 3,500 lbs and comes standard with LED headlights and tail lights.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA
The Frontier and TITAN XD are offered by Nissan (www.nissanusa.com) for the light duty market.
The 2016 Frontier, available in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles, comes standard with a 4.0L V-6 and either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. An optional 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission is available with the King Cab body.
Five different trim levels are available among both the 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. With a payload capacity ranging from 1,039 to 1,469 lbs and a towing capacity of 6,100 to 6,300 lbs, the Frontier gets an estimated 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Two bed lengths are available with the Utili-track channel system, locking tailgate and cargo bed light.
Customers can choose between the NissanConnect system with mobile apps and a 5” color display or the NissanConnect system with navigation and mobile apps.
The all-new TITAN HD has a standard 5.0L Cummins Turbo Diesel V-8 engine and an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission. An optional 5.6L V-8 gas engine has been announced and will be available later this year.
With five different trim levels and three body types and two frame sizes offered, TITAN HD has a maximum payload of 2,091 lbs and a towing capacity ranging from 10,608 to 12,314 lbs.
RAM TRUCK
Ram (www.ramtrucks.com) provides a number of light duty trucks and vans for many applications.
The Ram 1500 pickup is available with a diesel, gasoline or flex-fuel engine. The company offers a 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6, a 5.7L HEMI V-8 and the E-85-capable 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine, which provide up to 29, 22 and 25 mpg, respectively. Available in Rebel, Laramie and Sport trims, the 2016 Ram 1500 has a TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation (PWM) fuel-saving technology, Bluetooth connectivity and active aerodynamics that include grill shutters and air suspension. Bed lighting is also available for 2016 models.
The Ram ProMaster is available in seven cargo van, three chassis cab and three chassis cab cutaway configurations. There are two roof heights, three wheelbases and four body lengths. A window option is now available for the largest ProMaster configuration – the 159”, high roof, extended model.
The ProMaster is available with a 3.6L Pentastar V-6 or 3.0L EcoDiesel I-4 engine. The 62TE automatic six-speed transmission comes standard with the Pentastar V-6. The MT40 manual six-speed transmission comes standard with the I-4 turbo diesel.
The van has a payload capacity of up to 5,160 lbs and a towing capacity up to 5,100 lbs. The ParkView rear backup camera and ParkSense rear park assist are among its safety features.
The new Ram ProMaster City replaces the Ram C/V, offering 131.7 cubic feet of cargo volume, 1,883 lbs of payload and a 2.4L Tiershark I-4 engine combined with the 948TE nine-speed automatic transmission to deliver 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The ProMaster City comes equipped with ParkView and ParkSense among other safety features and is available in a cargo van or wagon body style.
The Ram 2500 offers a five-link coil suspension with optional air suspension and the 3500 provides a supplemental air bag suspension option to assist with heavier payloads. Both the 2500 and 3500 offer gooseneck or fifth-wheel capability in addition to an in-box connection junction and a standard Class 5 receiver hitch with a four- and seven-pin connector on the bumper to provide a towing rating of 31,210 lbs.
The trucks come standard with a Cummins 6.7L diesel engine or 6.4L HEMI V-8 gasoline engine. The Ram 2500 offers CNG availability in its regular cab and two-wheel drive pickups. Other engine options include the 5.7L HEMI V-8. The 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission comes standard with the HEMI gasoline engine and the diesel is paired with the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission.
The Ram Chassis Cab lineup features several pickups, including a 10,000-lb GVWR model of the 3500. The Chassis Cabs offer a 74-gal dual fuel tank option, ParkSense rear backup system and Bluetooth connectivity, among other features. The lineup is available with gasoline or diesel powertrains, offering a 6.4L V-8 gasoline engine and 6.7L Cummins diesel option, along with six-speed automatic or manual six-speed transmissions.
