Best medium vans 2025 – tried and tested
Medium vans need to be able to carry substantial loads, plus the best are comfortable to travel in and cheap to run. Here we name our favourites, plus the model to avoid...
Most of the vans you see on UK roads fall into the medium van category, and the best are as versatile as a Swiss Army Knife. You'll find them doing all manner of jobs, from moving people and materials to goods deliveries – meaning medium vans are as popular with florists as they are with furniture removal specialists.
There's also quite a lot of medium vans to choose from, ranging from big names like the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro , to more niche options like the LEVC VN5 . And while combustion power still rules the roost, there are an increasing number of electric medium vans to choose from too, which we've covered in our best electric vans feature.
To help separate the best from the rest, our team of experienced van reviewers have spent hundreds of hours behind the wheel of every medium van, not only testing their performance, comfort and handling, but also how they handle cargo. We also test each model back to back against its direct rivals.
In the end, our expert reviewers have determined that the Ford Transit Custom is the best medium van you can buy. In this article, we'll go into more detail about why that is, and name the other medium-sized vans you might want to consider. Plus, we've answered your most common medium van questions.
1. Ford Transit Custom
Star rating 5
The Transit Custom is one of Britain's best-selling vans – and we think it's also the best medium-sized van you can buy. It drives brilliantly, is comfortable on the road and is available in a mind-boggling number of permutations. It's the van with the biggest payload capacity here – up to nearly 1.5 tonnes – making it the most versatile medium-sized van you can get in the UK. And s ince getting an upgrade to Euro-6d engines, it's more fuel-efficient than ever.
The range includes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an electric version, the Ford E-Transit Custom .
For Best payload capacity in its class | Great ride and handling balance | Available as an electric van
Against Needs a better automatic gearbox | Loadspace protection could be better | PHEV is expensive
Read our full Ford Transit Custom review >>
2. Toyota Proace
Star rating 5
You might not think of Toyota as being a big name in vans, but perhaps you should. You see, the Proace is a very comfortable medium van, with suspension that does a good job of soaking up the ruts and bumps of British roads, and an interior that's as much about keeping you comfortable as it is about making sure you always have somewhere to put your odds and ends. There are only two engine options, which is less than for most rivals, but the generous payload capacity makes up for that.
All things considered, the Proace is a more well-rounded product than its sister vans from Stellantis' other brands, which is why we've put it ahead in our rankings here.
For Comfortable interior | Fun to drive | Huge payload capacity
Against Not a great choice of engines | Compromised visibility | Safety options come at a price
Read our full Toyota Proace review >>
=3. Citroën Dispatch
Star rating 4
The Dispatch is a badge-engineered van that shares lots of parts with three other models – the Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, the Toyota Proace and the Vauxhall Vivaro – but it stands out from the others because of the sheer amount of equipment you get for your money. Even entry-level models come with everything you're likely to need, and upgrading to a mid-range version won't cost the Earth. Add in a car-like ride and handling balance, and enough space to move pretty much anything, and the Dispatch is easy to recommend.
For Can carry a heavy load and tow plenty behind it | Pleasant driving experience | Lots of equipment for a competitive price
Against Twisted driving position can cause trouble | No high roof option | Cargo volume is lower than rivals
Read our full Citroën Dispatch review >>
=3. Peugeot Expert
Star rating 4
Thanks to the sheer variety of engine, body and equipment variations on offer for the Expert, this medium van offers something for everyone. We like its classy interior, which features high-quality materials and a comfortable yet adaptable driver's seat. As with the Dispatch and its other badge-engineered siblings, the Expert is also incredibly practical, and no matter what you've moving, the chances are that it can help.
For Impressive payload capacity | Good ride and handling balance | Entry-level model is well equipped
Against Small cargo box limits ultimate cargo volume | One roof height limits options | Awkward driving position
Read our full Peugeot Expert review >>
=3. Vauxhall Vivaro
Star rating 4
Alongside its badge-engineered siblings, we think the Vivaro is one of the most practical medium-sized vans on the market. It can carry items that are more than 3.6 meters long thanks to the inclusion of a load-through bulkhead, and can carry up to 1446kg in its load area. We also like the Vivaro's wide choice of engines and its comfortable ride, which makes long motorway journeys less of a chore.
For Can carry more weight tha rivals | Drives and rides well | Useful equipment and tech fitted as standard
Against Offset driving position can be a literal pain | Load volume falls short of others | Only one roof height
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review >>
6. Volkswagen Transporter 6.1
Star rating 4
The Transporter is a highly desirable and attractive mid-sized van, with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that develops up to 196bhp and can be paired with an exceptionally good seven-speed automatic gearbox . There are lots of sophisticated safety features, including lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking ( AEB ). It can't quite match some rivals for overall carrying capacity, but can move up to 1.2 tonnes. Transporters hold their value better than most other vans too.
There's an all-new version of the Volkswagen Transporter due to arrive in 2025, offering more carrying capacity than the current model, as well as the option of electric power.
For Huge choice of variants | Modern safety and infotainment tech | Punchy diesel engine
Against Entry-level model is very basic | Firm ride | Top-end models are expensive
Read our full VW Transporter review >>
7. Renault Trafic
Star rating 4
The Trafic is closely related to the Nissan Primastar, but we think the Renault is the more well-rounded van of the two. It's available with a choice of engines to suit different needs, and the higher-output options are our recommended choices if you'll regularly be moving heavy cargo. There's also a good suite of safety and driver assistance kit. It's quiet on the move, which helps to take some of the stress out of long journeys. Unfortunately you have to put up with a slow-witted infotainment touchscreen.
For Good range of engines | Plenty of safety kit | Quiet interior
Against Rivals can carry more | Poor infotainment | Entry-level engine lacks power
Read our full Renault Trafic review >>
8. Mercedes Vito
Star rating 3
If you can get past its relatively high purchase price, there is lots to like about the Mercedes Vito. For a start, its interior feels properly premium, with high-quality materials and the same 10.25in infotainment system which we've praised in the larger Mercedes eSprinter.
Twin-sliding rear doors make loading your cargo easy, but it's worth noting that plenty of medium van rivals, including the VW Transporter further up this list, can carry more than the Vito.
Every Vito is rear-wheel drive, and buyers can choose between three 2.0-litre diesel engines with outputs of up to 184bhp. Most engine options come with a slick nine-speed automatic gearbox.
For Fine engine options | Sharp handling | Good interior build quality
Against Expensive | Firm ride | No high roof option
Read our full Mercedes Vito review >>
And the one to avoid...
LEVC VN5
Star rating 2
This range-extending van has a flexible range and decent practicality, but it costs a lot and its interior quality could be better.
Read our full LEVC VN5 review >>
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FAQs
As the name suggests, medium-sized vans are usually larger than small vans , which means they can carry heavier or longer loads, but can't quite match the size or carrying capacity of large vans. The most popular medium vans include the Ford Transit Custom , the Vauxhall Vivaro and the Renault Trafic .
Comfort can be measured in different ways, but we think the Vauxhall Vivaro ticks most of the right boxes for most people. You see, unlike some of its rivals, the Vivaro has a comfortable ride whether you're driving it empty or fully laden.
Alternatively, if comfort to you means having the most supportive driver's seat which won't make you tired on longer journeys, then we'd point you in the direction of the Volkswagen Transporter .
With a carrying capacity of nearly 1.5 tonnes, the Ford Transit Custom has the largest payload of any medium-sized van. In fact, it challenges some large vans in that respect too.
Maximum load lengths for the Transit Custom range from 2254mm for the short-wheelbase version to 2921mm on long-wheelbase models.
Exact dimensions depend on which version of either van you go for, but generally speaking, for short-wheelbase versions of both vans, the Ford Transit Custom is longer than the Vauxhall Vivaro, but the Vivaro is slightly wider than its Ford rival. In terms of height, the Transit is a little taller than the Vivaro.
