The Suzuki Eeco panel van may look like something you could put in the boot of a luxury cruiser's spare wheel compartment. However, it swallows a huge load and punches well above its fighting weight in moving that along.
The introduction of the Eeco allowed me to experience its seating comfort during a journey from Johannesburg into the rugged terrains of Drakensberg. Our mission was to deliver essential supplies to remote schools while navigating challenging roads.
Eeco Panel Van Road expedition
We kept the load light for this expedition, with the performance leaving an impressive and lasting impression, prompting Carshop to take it one step further when the review version arrived.
They decided to put it through its paces and joined forces with Creating Great Memories catering to orchestrate a grand launch event in Potchefstroom. Together, they ensured that everything necessary for a high-end function was delivered flawlessly.
With sliding doors on both sides and a full-size rear door, access to loading the Eeco is made easy and so, filled to the brim with chafing dishes, food hot boxes, a gas oven, crates of fresh produce and all the other things needed to feed the launch guests, we set off.
Ample load capacity for a minivan
The Eeco boasts an impressive 650 kilograms load capacity. Although our specific load was not as heavy, it still contributed around 400 kilograms to the weight. The cargo box dimensions measure 1,620 mm in length, 1,300 mm in width, and 1,070 mm in height, and it remains unencumbered by any intrusion from the wheel arches.
The Eeco is 3 673 mm long and 1 475 mm wide, riding on a wheelbase of 2 350 mm and 13-inch wheels and tyres.
Performance and engine configuration
The road from Johannesburg to Potchefstroom is in reasonable condition and, apart from a couple of long inclines, is reasonably flat. However, the windy weather on the day affected the Eeco, but not enough to make it unplayable.
My primary concern was not having to make any sudden pothole swerves or other swift directional changes so the chicken curry would not break its restraints and form an intimate relationship with the Moroccan spiced lamb in the hotbox behind me.
The two-seater transporter hauls its frame through a 1,2-litre petrol engine with 59 kW and 104 Nm of torque driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
Although the Eeco might seem incapable at first sight, it handles traffic effortlessly and can maintain a comfortable pace slightly below the legal highway limits even when carrying a load. It may require gear downshifting to keep its momentum when tackling long inclines, but this is a seamless transition rather than a laborious process of pushing it through the gearbox.
Its progress towards – and from – our destination garnered more than one appreciative look from transporters hauling their goods, all tied down with ropes on the back of bigger-engined bakkies.
Seating and comfort
Although the front compartment of the Eeco is small, it is not uncomfortable for two adults and the seats are sufficiently padded and shaped to make long-haul journeys a breeze. The squab moves fore and aft, and the backrest has some adjustment before it comes up against the mesh cage that separates the load from the passengers.
Safety comes in the form of dual front crash bags, anti-lock braking and electronic stability control, while manual air-conditioning provides comfort for occupants. It is factory-fitted with the wiring for the radio and has a 12-volt power socket.
Eeco safety and braking system
The Eeco Panel Van is equipped with disc brakes in the front and drums at the rear, providing ample stopping power for trips. Although its narrow track prevents aggressive cornering, the vehicle's handling remains stable and exhibits minimal body roll – a perfect choice for safely transporting all the cargo on our trip.
With the benefit of VAT claimable for business users, the Eeco is ideal for businesses.
