IN the world of vans small can sometimes be beautiful - especially when compact dimensions are combined with ease of access, comfort, good volume and a handy payload.
Van operators, especially small businesses are as much interested in downsizing as is the cash-strapped saloon driver and there are some exceptional options on the market to cater for this trend.
French manufacturers have an amazing market penetration in the world of commercials and Renault is up there at the front with one of the the latest versions of its trusted and tried Kangoo van, the Kangoo Compact.
This cheeky chappie of the delivery rounds should really be called 'can-do' because it is offers an optimum mix of abilities with superb driver comfort.
It enhances Kangoo's reputation as Europe's best-selling compact van with more than 1.3 million units sold since 1997.
The launch of the Compact means that the range is now in both short and standard wheelbases, the Compact being aimed primarily at urban use for all types of corporate customer from small businesses to large fleets.
And it is also Compact by nature as well as by name because its tiny turning circle of 9.70m is smaller than the Renault Twingo city car.
Renault say that the Compact is mainly for city use but after a week at the wheel of this commercial, I found that it was so comfortable, drives of hundreds of miles would be acceptable because of its true car-like qualities.
Like some other manufacturers, Renault has seized the chance to make life easy on the driver, because in a changing world it is the person at the wheel who can often have the say over the choice of next van.
Many buyers of this vehicle are small business owners and do the driving themselves so home comforts such as exceptional contoured seats, air conditioning and a quality stereo are musts. And for those who want them there are a wide range of options including Bluetooth compatibility, multi-function TunePoint system, rear parking sensors and much more.
But the real secret of success with small vans is carrying the largest load possible within the confines of the width and wheelbase.
The Kangoo Compact has a wheelbase of 3.83m and a load volume of 2.3 cubic metres which makes a lot of sense. Load length is 1.1m with a bulkhead in place.
The driving compartment is worthy of an MPV with classy instrumentation and a high driving position, plus the van driver's must-have feature - a documentation shelf below the roof. The 1.5 diesel is a relatively silent and very smooth power plant and provides a thrifty 55.4mpg for its 90bhp output.
What you do get is the smooth silent driving experience of a car and what you do not get are the tinny rattles thumping suspension and creaky groans usually associated with a delivery van.
FAST FACTS
Renault Kangoo Compact 1.5 dCi 85
Price: £13,343
Mechanical: 90bhp, 1,461cc diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed gearbox
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 14.2 seconds
Combined economy: 55.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 129g/km