If you want to get ahead, get a hat. If you want to make some friends, get a van.

It’s amazing how quickly that news gets around that you have a seriously useful vehicle on the driveway. So within a day or so, the phone is ringing and tables, book cases, even fireplaces have been shifted from A to B.

And that happens with great ease when the vehicle is as versatile as the latest generation Renault Trafic, which is a product of a deal that goes back to 1996 between Renault and General Motors. That co-operation led to the production of the Trafic and its Nissan, Vauxhall and Opel equivalents.

Despite the French vehicle maker’s badge on the bonnet, most Trafic production is based in the UK at the IBC Motors plant in Luton, with high-roof models made at Nissan’s Barcelona plant.

The test model was the best-selling version of the Trafic panel van, the short wheelbase, low roof version, which has a load area length of 2.4m and interior height of 1.380m to provide five cubic metres of load space. Despite its chunky looks, it is surprisingly easy to manage and comfortable to drive. With suspension and steering development owing much to Renault’s people carrier engineering expertise, the Trafic delivers a quiet, comfortable and secure ride. The introduction of the ‘Phase 3’ van has produced revised styling with one-piece headlamp units with built-in indicators, a redesigned cab and more equipment with a Carminat TomTom satellite navigation system fitted as standard. While interior equipment has improved, the 2.0-litre dCi engine, linked to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, now delivers better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

Equipment levels are close to those you might expect from an up-to-date family saloon with climate control, cruise control, speed limiter and more sophisticated audio systems, including MP3 file playback, introduced to the range. The panel van version, which also comes with Bluetooth telephone connection for hands-free communications, offers easy loading with a low sill height, large, wide-opening rear doors and sliding doors.

There is no shortage of choice, with short and long wheelbases and low and high roof height options. The choice of powertrains, roof heights, engines, transmissions, payloads, specifications and body styles means there are more than 100 versions available. Add to that the opportunity for owners to create custom bodies and the range is almost limitless.

Auto facts Renault Trafic SL27 dCi 115 Sport

  • Price: £18,450
  • Insurance group: 6E
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 38.2mpg
  • Length: 478.2cm/188.2in
  • Width: 190.4cm/74.9in
  • Height: 1.9m/74.8in
  • Luggage capacity: 5 sq m
  • Fuel tank capacity: 90 litres/19.8 gallons
  • CO2 emissions: 195g/km
  • Payload: 1,000kg
  • Warranty: 3 years/100,000 miles