Ford Transit Custom VS Nissan Navara

With its 2016kg minimum kerb weight and 3225kg GVM, the Trend LWB offers a one-tonne-plus payload rating of 1209kg. It also has a big 2500kg braked tow rating and with its generous 5725kg GCM (or how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time) it impressively can tow its maximum trailer weight while hauling its maximum payload.

The cargo bay is accessed via a standard kerbside sliding-door with large 1030mm opening, plus rear barn-doors that open to 180 degrees. Note our test vehicle has the extra-cost option of sliding-doors on both sides (an optional single-lift tailgate is also available).

The LWB load floor is 3002mm long with 1392mm between the rear wheel-housings. So, it can comfortably carry up to two standard Aussie pallets or up to three Euro pallets, held in place by a choice of eight load-anchorage points.

By opening the hatch at the base of the cabin bulkhead, the floor length extends to 3450mm by utilising spare room under the passenger bench seat. This feature is handy for carrying long lengths of timber, electrical conduit, copper/PVC pipe, rolls of carpet etc.

Its 6.8 cubic metres of load volume is larger than the HiAce LWB’s 6.2 and the cargo bay comes standard with Ford’s ‘Load Area Protection Kit’ comprising a moulded floor-liner plus side and rear door protection. Three internal LED lights provide brilliant illumination in low-light conditions.

Although not fitted to our test vehicle, all MY24.5 models come equipped with Ford’s clever integrated roof-rack system, comprising a trio of hinged racks which lie flat when not in use but can be easily raised and locked into vertical positions. This sturdy design can carry up to 155kg when shared across the three racks.

There’s generous cabin storage too, with each front door offering three tiers of storage with the largest central tier comprising a large-bottle holder and bin.

There’s also small-bottle/cup-holders at each end of the dash and a fold-out small-bottle/cup-holder for the driver lower down, plus a glovebox and on top of the dash two cavernous compartments which negate the need for an overhead shelf.

The centre seat’s backrest folds flat to reveal a small work desk and the bench seat’s hinged base-cushions can tilt forward into a vertical position to access a large hidden storage area beneath. This vast space also serves as the cargo bay’s load-floor extension when carrying long items.

With its relatively light 2033kg kerb weight and 3150kg GVM, our test vehicle has a one-tonne-plus payload rating of 1117kg.

It’s also rated to tow up to 3500kg of braked trailer. However, to tow that weight would require a substantial 740kg reduction in vehicle payload to avoid exceeding its 5910kg GCM (or how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time). Even so, few (if any) Navara owners would need to tow 3500kg.

The load tub is almost square with its 1509mm floor length and 1560mm width. And with 1134mm between the rear wheel housings, it won’t fit a standard Aussie pallet but will take a Euro, held in place by a choice of four load-anchorage points.

In terms of cabin storage, the centre console offers open storage up front, two small-bottle/cupholders in the centre and a small lidded box at the back. There’s also a large-bottle holder and storage bin in each front door, plus a glove box and overhead glasses holder.

Rear passengers get a large-bottle holder and smaller storage bin in each door plus a fold-down centre armrest with two small-bottle/cupholders. The rear bench seat’s base cushion can also swing up and be stored vertically for more internal cargo space, or to access two small underfloor storage compartments.