Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards 2025: Best Medium Van

Priced from £32,350 (Excl. VAT) Fuel economy 32.1-40.4mpg  CO2 emissions 184-232g/km Load space 5.8-6-8.3m3  Payload Up to 1407kg  Power 108-229bhp  Torque 229-288lb ft

After producing Britain’s best-selling van (and sometimes best-selling vehicle overall) for several years, Ford hasn’t been content with sitting on its laurels as the competition in the medium van sector continues to headway. This year, the time had come for an all-new Ford Transit Custom.

Although the exterior bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessor, the van has some striking, ultra-modern design features. Attention has been given to the front, with the Transit Custom bestowed with wafer-thin headlights, a bold grill and a front panel with large ‘scoops’ giving the van a spirited, almost aggressive stance.

Looking pretty isn’t going to earn its keep, though. The two body lengths can accept loads of 2602mm and 3002mm, respectively, offering load volumes of 5.7 and 6.6m3. But where the Custom really scores is with its payload capacity, with over 1400kgs being more than many larger vans can provide. Most models can also tow a trailer of up to 2800kgs. There’s also an innovative ‘Multicab’ model, providing up to 5 seats but with a laterally displaced bulkhead that still allows a full-length (but narrow) load to be carried.

The cab interior has been designed with the driver’s workday in mind, from the steering wheel with an optional facility to fold flat, providing a small desk for writing or operating a laptop, to the flat cab floor, which doesn’t sound like an earth-shattering development but will be appreciated by passengers and those needing to load items in the cab area. The dash is dominated in all models by a 13.0in touchscreen running Ford's Sync4 software, and an 8.0in digital instrument panel. 

Diesel engines range from 108bhp to 168bhp in output with an eight-speed automatic gearbox option. With its new independent rear suspension, the Transit Custom offers an air of refinement unmatched by any other medium van.

This sector is competitive, but judged side by side, the Transit Custom triumphs over vans from the Stellantis group — the all-but-identical Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro — and the Mercedes Vito with its class-leading cab environment, excellent payloads and sublime driving experience.

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