LDV G10 automatic 2015 review

Chinese brand LDV is challenging the established vans with a fresh model at a seriously sharp price.

It has introduced the G10 van, a vast improvement over the basic and dated V80 large van which LDV introduced two years ago and is still on sale. What is not clear is whether the G10 is safer than the V80 van, which recently scored a two-star ANCAP crash test rating. The G10 is yet to be tested.

The auto tested costs $29,990 drive away (as long as you have an ABN), or $25,990 drive away for the manual, and slots in below the $30,990 Hyundai iLoad, the $32,990 petrol Toyota HiAce and the $37,490 diesel-only Ford Transit, none of which include on-road costs.

LDV hopes that loading up its van with standard equipment will help encourage people to try the largely unheard of brand. It comes standard with a turbo petrol engine and an automatic transmission as well as 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, cruise control, central locking, a 7-inch touch screen entertainment screen, electric windows and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity.

LDV is reportedly working on a diesel engine, but it is not due any time soon.

That is a long list of standard features, but there are some things missing from the G10 package. The glaring one is the lack of a diesel engine.

Only 10 per cent of Hyundai iLoads have petrol engines and Ford doesn’t bother offering a petrol version of its Transit.

LDV is reportedly working on a diesel engine, but it is not due any time soon.

That lack of a diesel in a cargo van seems like a monumental mistake but it makes sense when you consider the genesis of the G10.

It was originally developed as a seven-seat people mover (which is also available in Australia) and then re-engineered as a cargo hauler.

The 2.0-litre turbo engine, which parent company SAIC says is all original, produces a healthy 165kW and 330Nm and it really does propel the van at a rapid rate, although we tested it empty.

It is also relatively refined for a commercial vehicle. The air-conditioning cutting in and out can make for a lumpy idle, but it is otherwise good.

LDV uses a Chinese sourced six-speed ZF torque converter automatic (like Falcon and Territory), which is an excellent transmission.

The official fuel consumption comes in at 11.7L/100km, which we pretty much matched on the test (it would be more when loaded).

Fuel costs will need to be considered by potential customers. Rival diesels use less fuel — the Transit has an official figure of 7.1L/100km — but comes with a price premium.

The G10 comes with stability control but only has two airbags, as opposed to the Transit, which has six airbags and a five-star ANCAP crash rating.

Nobody will know how the G10 performs until it is crashed.

As for the practical numbers, the single G10 variant LDV has 5.2 cubic metres of cargo space, a payload of 1093kg and a towing rating of 1500kg.

It has six low tie-down points, a rubber floor mat, two sliding doors and a tilting rear hatch (barn doors are not an option). A cargo barrier and Perspex shield that fits in behind the driver is optional.

The G10 drove fairly well in our test. Its steering has good feel, the brakes (discs front and rear) work well and there is decent engine performance. Some of the interior panel quality is ordinary, some parts feel a little flimsy and the rear hatch did pop loose over a bump during the test.

It is a good effort, although the unknown crash safety rating and lack of side or curtain airbags make it hard to recommend.