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Image caption: 2018 Ford Transit Passenger Wagon

These days, a half-dozen or so carmakers are retooling their large and small vans and rolling out plusher models up to 15 passengers. Rather than tweaking a commercial van, these designs are tailored to larger families and to groups that want to carry people on trips around town or hours away.

Newer models include the full-sized Ford Transit and smaller Transit Connect, Mercedes-Benz Metris and its larger Sprinter cousin and the Nissan NV. The Fords are the largest selling among what's known as “modern large vans,” followed by the somewhat more traditional looking Ram ProMaster and the Sprinter.

Even the less glamorous, older cargo vans such as the Chevrolet Express, Ford E-Series are enjoying a rebirth –with the GMC Savana up 207 percent in third quarter 2017, according to Krzysztof Wozniak writing in the carsalesbase.com blog. Chevrolet City Express saw sales double compared with the same time last year, and Metris jumped 33 percent in the late summer to fall months of the ear, Wozniak says.

Overall sales of commercial vans, which include the passenger models, bounced back some after declines earlier in the year. Large van sales grew 2 percent from a year ago while sales of small vans were flat. Still, that was up from declines in double figure percentages in the first half of last year, Wozniak noted.

Classic vans.com offered a perspective on the industry in 2015 as Ford brought out the Transit, “replacing the archaic Econoline.” According to the website, the Transit evolved from the old style Econoline in a host of ways. “The Econolines’ awkward tiny double doors which cause you to bang your head are a thing of the past. The transits load floor is barely more than knee high with a huge side door,” it says. “The raucous rattle and harsh ride is a thing of the past. Ford Transit handles extremely smooth rides.” Also, Ford replaces the Econolines ‘prison cell’ like windows with ones that are actually made to be looked out of. The seats are supported and covered with durable fabric allowing for you to relax inside."

The Transit also offers higher fuel efficiency than the full-sized vans of the past, powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 producing 275 horsepower compared with the former E-series 6.8-liter V-10 gas engine. The newer van also is available with hands-fee calling, voice-activated commands and access to mobile apps.

Chevy Express was the most value-oriented at $22,950 followed by the Ram ProMaster at $28,530, Ford Transit at $30,560, Nissan NV at $31,470 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, manufactured in the Charleston area, at $44,475 to $48,475. (Note: today’s prices are within a few thousand dollars of those in the classicvans.com comparison).

Maximum passenger totals go from two-15, while all models are four-door.

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