MAN TGE review

Background

Most LCV brands stem from passenger car manufacturers venturing into the commercial market. However, commercial vehicle owners' needs differ greatly from car buyers', making a brand focused solely on goods vehicles appealing to the business market. IVECO and Maxus meet this demand, but MAN takes the advantage of commercial vehicle heritage a step further.

MAN Truck and Bus, a reputable German truck maker under the Volkswagen group, leverages the Crafter large LCV as the foundation for its van sector offering. The resemblance is striking, but the MAN TGE has reasons to be considered a superior choice to its Wolfsburg counterpart.

Driving Experience

Once you settle into driving a large van like this, it's a very commanding experience. You sit high up in quite a car-like position thanks to the upright steering wheel, enjoying a supportive seat that's equipped with an armrest to prop a weary elbow on over longer trips. A pity then, that earlier Crafter engines tended to be relatively ponderous.

The 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit is available in 140 and 163PS outputs, plus there's a potent bi-turbo version putting out 177PS. All the engines will get you and your load where you need to be with deceptive speed. The smoothness and pulling power of this 2.0-litre unit is something that operators will notice in the first half a mile of use, even in the entry-level 102PS variant. Customers have a choice between front and rear wheel drive, plus 4WD, as well as the option of a manual or automatic gearbox. Trailers of up to 3.5 tonnes can be towed.

Power arrives low in the rev range so that you don't have to row the thing along with the gear lever so much in town. On the open road, overtaking's easy too. It's the main reason why this vehicle has so much towing power too, all TGE models able to haul a braked trailer grossing at up to 2,000kgs. Further up the range, the differences with what went before are even greater, the top-flight twin-turbo 177PS BiTDI variant offering around 400Nm of torque.

Design and Build

The MAN TGE doesn't go to much trouble to hide its Volkswagen Crafter-derived parentage. The Crafter's two bar grill is here replaced by one with a piano black appendage featuring the MAN logo with the brand's lion badge just above. Plus there are model designation badges at the front on the front wings ahead of the doors and there's a badge on the back. That's about it.

The driver's seat is multi-adjustable and the wheel can adjust for reach and rake, so it's easy to get comfortable. Once you are, there's plenty of space for all your odds and ends, with storage spaces aplenty. You get a large bin in each of the doors big enough to store a large road atlas and a 1.5-litre drinks bottle. Then there are large shelves above the windscreen and more shelves (one of which is big enough for an A4-sized clipboard) on top of the fascia. There are no fewer than five cup holders for that morning trip to McDonalds and a handy dash-mounted clip to deal with stray paperwork. You also get a large glovebox that can be air-conditioned to keep drinks cool. And useful jacket hooks on the B-pillars.

All TGE models get a 5 inch centre-dash infotainment screen complete with USB and 12V sockets for charging and there's an optional Volkswagen-sourced navigation system with an 8-inch touchscreen if you want it. As you'd expect, two or three people can comfortably travel side by side in the front, but if you're not using the middle seat, you can pull down its centre section and turn it into a table complete with two upholders and a pen-holder - ideal if you've paperwork to complete or if you're stopping somewhere to have a bite of lunch.

Market and Model

MAN has had to agree with Volkswagen that prices for this TGE won't undercut Crafter by more than around 5%. That means prices that, excluding the dreaded VAT, lie mainly in the £38,000-£48,000 bracket that you might expect for this class of large van, though in today's cut-throat market, that is slightly more than you'd pay for some mainstream rivals. Specific figures will depend on your choice of body shape. As with the Crafter, there are a wide variety of body, chassis and drive options.

The panel van most will choose comes in a choice of three roof heights - Normal, High and Super-high. And you can choose between three different body lengths - Standard, Long and Extra-long. With Long and Extra-long variants, there's a longer wheelbase. MAN also makes available TGE Chassis cab and Crew cab body styles. The Chassis cab is available in the same three different lengths as the panel van, while the Crew cab can be had in both Standard and Long guises.

All TGE models are decently equipped and can now be ordered with more sophisticated infotainment systems and greater degrees of electronic safety. Active driver assistance systems include ESP with trailer stabilisation, ACC Adaptive Cruise Control, a post-collision braking system, a side wind compensation system and a trailer manoeuvring assistant system. Buyers might also want a reversing camera, a parking distance monitor and a Rear Traffic Alert system. Optional LED headlights, cornering lights and a Light Assist set-up can ensure a clear view of the road ahead at night, while the TGE can also come with online services tailored to the specific needs of customers.

Practicalities and Costs

The TGE proves practical in daily use, with rear doors that swing open to 90 or 180 degrees. Loading height is reasonable, and space varies based on wheelbase and roof height. Load volumes span 7.5 to 17 cubic meters, accommodating different cargo needs. Towing capacity depends on the Gross Vehicle Weight.

Running costs hinge on engine and weight selection, with the 2.0 TDI Euro6 diesel engines offering impressive fuel efficiency. Expect an average of 32 to 36mpg on the combined cycle. MAN's Mobile24 breakdown service adds value to the TGE's ownership experience.

• Loading Doors: Twin rear doors can swing to 90 or 180 degrees.
• Loading Height: Reasonably low loading height, as low as 670mm.
• Space and Configuration: Available space depends on wheelbase (Standard, Long, Extra-long) and roof height (Normal, High, Super-high).
• Load Compartment Lengths: Four load compartment lengths from 2,600mm to 4,700mm.
• Load Volumes: Range from 7.5 to 17 cubic meters.
• Load Width: 1780mm width, narrowing to 1350mm between wheel boxes.
• Payload Capacity: Varies based on Gross Vehicle Weight (3.0, 3.5, or 5.0 tonnes).
• Payload Weight: Smallest models carry 815-833kg, while 3.5-tonne GVW version handles 1315-1333kg.
• Versatility: Careful model selection accommodates most cargo needs, even fitting up to five euro pallets in larger models.
• Sliding Side Door: Standard, with a second door available as an option.
• Load Lashing: Two load lashing rings on B-pillar, six to twelve floor-mounted rings based on vehicle length.
• Bulkhead: Standard full height bulkhead separates load area from the cab.
• Cargo Protection: Half-height plastic panels on doors, recommended to use a ply-lining kit for full protection.
• Running Costs: Dependent on engine and Gross Vehicle Weight, 2.0 TDI Euro6 diesel engines are very fuel-efficient (32-36mpg on average).
• Maintenance Service: 24/7 Mobile24 breakdown service minimizes downtime during maintenance, setting TGE apart from rivals.

Summary

The MAN TGE, benefiting from its commercial vehicle heritage, emerges as a strong choice in the large LCV segment. It combines the quality of the Volkswagen Crafter with MAN's trusted reputation in the commercial vehicle realm, backed by robust post-sales support. This makes it a sensible option for businesses seeking a dependable and capable van solution.

The highlights:

• Strong Diesel Engines: The 2.0 TDI diesel engines offer impressive power and smoothness, even in the base variant.
• Practical Cargo Area: The van boasts a practical cargo bay with various load compartment lengths and high load volumes, accommodating different cargo needs.
• Diverse Body Styles: The MAN TGE provides a wide range of body style choices, including different roof heights and body lengths, catering to various business requirements.
• Reliable: MAN's heritage in commercial vehicles and solid post-sales support make the TGE a dependable option.
• Towing Capability: The TGE's towing power is noteworthy, able to handle trailers of up to 3.5 tonnes.
• Comprehensive Storage: Ample storage spaces, including door bins, shelves, and cup holders, add to the van's practicality.
• Advanced Features: The TGE offers options for advanced infotainment systems and electronic safety features, enhancing the driving experience.
• MAN Mobile24 Service: The dedicated emergency service provided by MAN adds value and minimizes downtime during maintenance.