The Ford Fiesta was always up with the best superminis you could buy in this country and with their current model, Ford have proven themselves to be sticklers for tradition. Amongst its strengths, the car can number a collection of thoroughly modern engines, a roomy interior and some smart styling - characteristics that, to a large extent, have been inherited by the Fiesta van. Now the onus falls on companies to select between it and the many other supermini-derived small vans that ply the marketplace.

Most manufacturers with a commercial vehicle line-up and a supermini product in their standard car range have seen fit to wrench out the rear seats, panel over the rear side windows and offer said supermini as a van. It's a simple enough procedure and it meets the operational requirements of a whole sector of the business community, the people who have comparatively small loads to transport around congested urban areas. This trend has given rise to the likes of Peugeot's 207 van, Vauxhall's Corsavan van and the Ford Fiesta van on which we'll concentrate here. As passenger cars, these vehicles compete for a slice of the UK market's biggest pie but as commercial vehicles, the pickings are much slimmer. Motorists who need superminis dramatically outnumber businesses who need compact car-derived vans, so the Fiesta van will have its work cut out in trying to make an impact on the Ford balance sheet.

"Ford always go large on security in their commercial vehicles and this policy has a lot to do with the enormous popularity of their van range."

It joins the Transit panel van, the Transit Connect light van and the Ranger pick-up in the highly regarded Ford commercial vehicle range. Maximum payload is 494kg and the space afforded items in the back is fractionally over one cubic meter. Engine-wise, there are two options, a 1.4-litre TDCi diesel is destined to be the biggest seller but it's ably supported by Ford's 1.3-litre Duratec petrol unit. Commercial users love the ample torque, low fuel consumption and bomb-proof construction of a good oil-burner but the petrol option is likely to find favour with those seeking a vehicle for conversion to ultra-economical LPG.

Buyers going for the petrol option will get their return in the shape of 70bhp at 5,000rpm and 106Nm of torque at 2,800rpm. The engine is Euro4 compliant and fuel consumption of 45.6mpg is possible on the combined cycle. The diesel option (or 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi to give it its proper name) is a second generation engine of the common-rail fuel injection school. 4,000rpm will deliver the maximum power output of 65bhp and this unit is all torque with 160Nm at just 2,000rpm. Combined fuel economy of 65.7mpg means that the £350 premium you pay over the £8,922 petrol option can soon be recouped. Unless you're chronically short of cash or have some incurable aversion to the red-handled pumps, having driven the two, you'd probably go for the diesel. It's a much more lively drive with all that torque at you disposal and stop-start urban motoring requires far less gearbox action than in the petrol model. The trade-off in increased engine noise is not too pronounced either. The ride is comfortable and the 9.8-metre turning circle is a boon for extricating yourself from tricky situations but the handling less involving than some.

The Fiesta passenger car's interior is not its strongest point but the staid design and uninspiring grey plastics aren't so much of a problem in a commercial vehicle where these things are judged primarily from a functionality standpoint. The high ceiling and upright driving position actually give the car quite a van-like feel. Certainly, there's no drama involved in the repeated entries and exits that couriers and the like must make during a working day. The durability of some of the materials used might be open to question but you certainly don't get the impression that the fascia is on the verge of disintegrating or that the controls are about to come away in your hand.

Ford's effort of bestowing a usable load bay on their Fiesta passenger car platform has not been a half hearted one. There's a solid half-height bulkhead to keep unruly goods off the driver's back and you can complete the separation betwixt cabin and cargo with and optional mesh upper section. A sturdy rubber mat covers the floor and four load lashing points are provided. The Fiesta's prodigious interior space means that you get a lot of room inside for a supermini-derived van but even that capacity isn't going to trouble a commercial vehicle designed for the purpose.

Ford always go large on security in their commercial vehicles and this policy has a lot to do with the enormous popularity of their van range. If you're intent on leaving valuable tools or equipment in the back, any concerns will be greatly alleviated by the presence of remote central double locking, an immobiliser and an optional perimeter alarm. Then there's the locking fuel filler cap and anti-theft coded audio equipment for good measure. Safety provision is also impressive with twin dual stage front airbags and ABS as standard.

Running costs are always of great interest to business users and they're essential reading for fleet managers who see slight differences in these figures compounded over a whole fleet. The Fiesta van has lengthy 12,500-mile service intervals and the option of either a 12-month/unlimited mileage warranty or a 3-year/60,000-mile dose of Ford Protection Plan - though a long trawl through the small print might be needed before you can identify the one that best suits you. A 12-year anti-perforation guarantee goes a long way to reassure buyers of Ford's faith in their product's capacity not to fall foul of Mr rust and if all goes to plan, the 1-year breakdown cover will be surplus to requirements. When it comes to insurance, the Fiesta van performs admirably: its 1E grouping is about as low as you can go.

Nothing short of a brutal Government clamp-down on all passenger carrying vehicles and car manufacturers beginning with the letter 'F' is going to stop the Ford Fiesta van from becoming a big player in the small van sector. UK businesses continue to display a strong penchant for their Ford commercial vehicles and the Fiesta van is another solid addition to the Blue Oval range.