Formerly known as Leyland DAF Vans and rebranded as LDV in 1994, the former British brand of light commercial vans and cab/chassis was manufactured in Birmingham under various owners until 2008, when production halted.
China’s automotive giant, SAIC Motor, acquired the intellectual property rights to the LDV range in August 2010 and began production of the vans and cab/chassis models in China in March 2011. In 2012, LDV was re-introduced into NZ starting with the G10 and V80 models.
The V80 commercial vans and cab/chassis lineup was replaced with the all-new Deliver 9 in 2021. It was recently upgraded for the 2024 model year with a Euro 6-compliant engine, but more about that later.
Like its predecessor, the V80, the LDV Deliver 9 is available in three sizes of delivery van: the Big, Bigger, and Biggest. The Big features a cargo area that’s 3019mm long, 1800mm wide, and 1792mm tall. As tested here, the Bigger offers almost 400mm of extra cargo length, with the Biggest adding more than 200mm of additional height. Dimensionally, the Deliver 9 Bigger and Biggest are slightly longer, wider, and taller than the long-wheelbase Toyota Hiace ZX and are much larger than the Hiace ZR variant.
The MY23 LDV Deliver 9 Bigger almost equals the load area volume of a MY23 Ford Transit 350L but for $23,000 less, giving the Chinese van a competitive edge.
All three MY23 Deliver 9 models share the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which produces 108kW of power at 3500rpm and 375Nm of torque at 1500 to 2400rpm. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The MY23 Deliver 9 van range is also competitively priced. The Big starts at $49,990, the Bigger at $54,990, and the Biggest at $59,990.
The model year 2024 Deliver 9 range has also just landed, which offers an updated Euro 6 version of the 2-litre diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic and improved power and torque figures of 128kW and 420Nm. The MY24 Deliver 9 also boasts a larger infotainment screen, electric power steering, and more safety features.
Reflecting the MY24 upgrade, pricing for these models sees a $5000 premium on the MY23 models, starting at $55,990 for the Big, $59,990 for the Bigger, and $65,990 for the Biggest.
Read the 2024 LDV T60 Traverse review
The Bigger is likely the most popular of the three models available due to its 1640 kg payload. However, all models are rated to tow up to 2800kg with a braked trailer. The Deliver 9 comes standard with dual sliding side doors and a pair of barn doors mounted on 180-degree hinges. It also has a non-slip bumper step for easy access. Eight recessed tie-down points and a host of portals are in the walls and ceiling; that’s enough hooks to ensure straps and tie-downs safely secure any cargo. All MY23 Deliver 9 models have a non-slip floor, LED cargo area lighting, and a dashboard area punctuated by a 10.1-inch touchscreen.
LDV says the Deliver 9 Big, Bigger, and Biggest host 9.66, 10.97, and 12.33 cubic metres of cargo space, respectively. All can carry two standard pallets between their rear wheel arches thanks to the 1380mm space between them. The Bigger is ideally suited to freight and logistics operators thanks to easily accessible steps through the double sliding side doors, rear barn doors, and ample mounting points throughout.
The front cabin easily accommodates three people, and the driver’s seat is one of the most comfortable you’ll find in a commercial vehicle, ideal for long-distance journeys. LDV has fitted the Deliver 9 with a functional dashboard incorporating many handy cubby holes. There’s also a storage area above the driver’s side of the cabin, with integrated grab handles into its structure. The cabin has few soft-touch materials, but the hardy and tough plastic surfaces are practical and will no doubt survive the harsh life of a workhorse.
The MY23 Deliver 9 has only two areas for improvement, which the new MY24 model has likely addressed. While the infotainment system might be sizeable the software has a few quirks and confusing menus. Hopefully, the MY24 upgrade has addressed this.
The 108kW/375Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is quiet and refined. Paired with the six-speed automatic, its performance can be described as adequate rather than scintillating. It’s not slow, but it sometimes feels like running out of puff. Our average fuel consumption of 11L/100km was not far off the manufacturer’s quoted figure of 9.5L/100km, but to be fair, most of that was in stop/start urban traffic with a few short motorway sprints thrown in.
However, the Deliver 9 offers excellent cornering and braking for a large commercial vehicle. It offers excellent manoeuvrability and visibility, belying its size and weight with responsive steering and a comfortable and pliant ride, even when unladen.
The one caveat for the MY23 Deliver 9 will be towing heavy loads regularly. Buyers should consider the more expensive but upgraded MY24 model, which offers more power, torque, and two additional forward gears.
The MY23 Deliver 9 is a competent and competitive entrant to the large van segment and LDV’s best effort to date. However, the MY24 range will undoubtedly further improve its standing in the market.
Model: MY23 LDV Deliver 9 Bigger
Price: $54,990
Engine: 2.0-litre IL4, TDI
Transmission: six-speed auto
Power: 108kW
Torque: 375Nm
Economy: 9.5 litres/100km
Weight: 3500kg (gross vehicle mass)
Warranty: 3 years, 160,000km
Load capacity: 9.66 cubic metres
Payload: 1640kg
Towing capacity: 2800kg (Braked)
