In association with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Best large vans 2025 – tried and tested
Big load spaces and decent road manners are the order of the day for buyers of large vans, but which ones should you choose and which are best avoided?...
If you need to move a lot of cargo from A to B, but aren't in a fully fledged lorry, then chances are that you'll need to get a large van. Such vehicles make up around a third of the light commercial vehicles on UK roads, and are as popular with builders as they are with bakers – and, we think, a few candlestick makers as well. Indeed, the best large vans are incredibly versatile, offering a spacious and comfortable interior, powerful engines, and enough cargo space to store whatever you might need.
Most are sold as 3.5-tonne vans, the maximum weight of vehicle you can drive on a standard car licence, but large vans can go as high as seven tonnes. Large vans tend to use fairly powerful engines with high torque outputs to help with towing and make easier work of driving off with a heavy load, but there are also an increasing number of electric options to consider.
Our experienced van testers have driven and rated every large van on the market, testing them back to back against their key rivals and making sure they can handle anything which a buyer might expect of them. The result of all that testing is the story you see here, where we've named the 10 best large vans you can buy, as well as the one we think you should avoid.
If any of the vans below take your fancy, just click on the relevant links to learn more about them in our in-depth reviews. We've also answered your most commonly asked large van questions at the bottom of this story. Or, if you're in the market for a small van, a medium van, or an electric van, we've got separate top 10 lists for each of those categories.
Strengths
- Refined driving experience
- Large cargo volume and high payload limits
- Great value
Weaknesses
- Fifty shades of grey interior
- No keyless entry or start
- Options list can add significant cost
Whether your top priority is productivity, efficiency, driver comfort or safety, the latest Renault Master will have you well covered.
Rather than being a small update of the previous Master, this is instead an all-new van. And being based on all-new underpinnings means that Renault could take advantage of all the latest technology, driver aids and safety kit. That means the Master is a large van which will take care of you on the road – something which is justified by having received a Platinum award from the safety experts at Euro NCAP.
With an aerodynamic design which is said to reduce fuel useage by as much as 20% compared with the old Master, the latest van is perfectly capable of returning 40mpg in real-world conditions – even when you've loaded it full of luggage. Making use of that space is easy, too, thanks to the largest sliding door on the market, rear doors which swing all the way around to the sides of the van, and a convenient step to make getting in and out easy.
The Master's 2.0-litre diesel engine is available in 129bhp, 148bhp or 168bhp forms, and even the entry-level model has enough pep to keep up with motorway traffic. Certainly, there's more poke than in a like-for-like Ford Transit. Plus, if you fancy going green, then there's also an electric Master E-Tech electric van.
"Nobody would suggest that the new Renault Master is a true off-roader, but the Grip Xtend system was very helpful when I was traversing over loose gravel and stone." – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer
Read our full Renault Master review
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Huge range of body, engine and weight options
- Modern interior with good infotainment centre
Weaknesses
- Base trim very sparsely equipped
- Expensive list prices
- Not all models driveable on a car licence
The Ford Transit is consisently one of the best-selling vans in the UK, and with good reason, offering the most variety of any van on sale. It's as capable as it is versatile, too. While other vans have larger load volumes – both the Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter can carry more – the Transit makes up for it with faultless driving manners and an interior that wouldn’t feel too out of place in a car.
There’s loads of in-cab storage too, while smart safety systems such as adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection make it one of the safest vans on the market. Power is delivered primarily through a range of 2.0-litre diesel engines, with outputs varying from 103bhp to 163bhp. You can also have front, rear or even four-wheel drive, plus the option of a manual or automatic gearbox.
There's also the all-electric Ford E-Transit, itself a former What Car? Van of the Year winner, to consider if you want to go green.
“I was impressed with the quick responses of the Transit's 12in infotainment touchscreen. It has clear, crisp graphics, too, and a 5G modem to allow you to monitor the traffic in real time.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our full Ford Transit review
Strengths
- Quiet and comfortable
- Well thought out interior
- Huge carrying capacity
Weaknesses
- Fairly dull on the inside
- Confusing size and height names
Volkswagen went to extreme lengths to make its own van after a deal to borrow the underpinnings of the Mercedes Sprinter expired. The result, £1.5 billion of research and development later, is the latest Crafter. All that money was certainly well spent, because the Crafter is a very good large van. It has a refined 2.0-litre engine and is available with front, rear or four-wheel drive.
The interior has been ergonomically designed to make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible, plus it's practical, with plenty of storage and space for occupants. The Crafter also has one of the biggest load areas in the segment, with an enormous 18.4m3 carrying capacity from the very largest models.
“The addition of electromechanical steering in the Crafter might sound boring, but in reality it's very useful. It allows to van to make use of technolgy like Trailer Assist, for example, and Park Steering Assist, which helps to avoid embarrassing scrapes in the car park.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our full Volkswagen Crafter review
Strengths
- Comfortable and great to drive
- Loads of customisation options for ultimate customisation
- After hours dealer support
Weaknesses
- Fairly drab interior
- Very basic entry-level model
- You’ll have to make a lot of choices
Being based on the Volkswagen Crafter further up this list, it's no surprise that the MAN TGE shares many of the same virtues as that van – namely, being comfortable if not overly inspiring to drive, as well as having enough space to haul just about anything you might wish. It's available in two wheelbase lengths, with three body lengths and three heights. If that weren't enough options to choose from, there are also multiple configurations possible for each of those variants, which can lead to some confusion in finding the best version to suit your needs.
Still, being primarily a truck manufacturer means that MAN is used to dealing with the out-of-hours needs of fleets, so you won't be caught short if something goes wrong.
“If you regularly need to travel on the motorway, I'd go for the 138bhp engine option. With this, the TGE pulls away smoothly from low revs, and has no trouble keeping up with faster traffic.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor
Read our full MAN TGE review
Strengths
- Good value when comparing list prices to rivals
- Strong and refined 2.2-litre diesel engine
- Flexible configurations thanks to broad range of body sizes
Weaknesses
- Updated interior still lags behind rivals
- High-power engine not available for 3.5t models
- Newer rivals offer more load volume and payload limits
Thanks to a mid-life update earlier last year, the Fiat Ducato is now better than ever. While still not quite troubling the class leaders, the latest Ducato is just as practical as the old model, but also sports an elegant interior design and is loaded with assistance kit to make the business of driving easier and safer.
You can fit more into the Ducato than you could into the Ford Transit, while the smallest Renault Master can swallow more than a similarly-sized version of the Fiat.
If you stick with entry-level versions of the Ducato, then this large van can represent decent value for money. If you venture too far up the range, however, then the Ducato starts to look pricey.
“While much of the latest Fiat Ducato is new, its underpinnings are beginning to show their age – several rivals, including the Renault Master, are more comfortable over long distances.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
Read our full Fiat Ducato review
Strengths
- Good value
- Cargo volumes are competitive
- Vastly improved interior is reasonably modern
Weaknesses
- Terrible infotainment system
- Lack of engine options
- Payload limits dropping behind newer rivals
There's more to love about the Vauxhall Movano than just its impressive ability to move lots of items from A to B; it's also good to drive, with a range of responsive engines and a commanding seating position that gives you a good view of the road ahead.
And although it looks a little uninspiring inside, the quality of the materials used is decent enough and there's lots of storage space for your odds and ends. Plus, the Movano's updated 2.3-litre engine is more efficient than before, resulting in reduced running costs, with the best-performing models returning a healthy 32.2mpg according to official tests.
“Nothing’s changed in the back of the Vauxhall Movano since 2006, but I don't think that’s a bad thing. While not the best in class, the Movano is still a competitive load-lugger.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer
Read our full Vauxhall Movano review
Strengths
- Huge range of body styles
- High-tech but user friendly infotainment
- Improved fuel economy with front-wheel drive vans
Weaknesses
- Not the cheapest van to buy or run
- Aggressive safety systems
There’s no doubting the Mercedes Sprinter has long been the van that everyone aspires to own, with a first-class interior and build quality of the highest order. And while entry-level versions make do with a 7.0in infotainment screen, more expensive versions get a larger 10.25in unit which replicates what you'll find in Mercedes' road cars.
The range of engines on offer in the Sprinter mean most drivers will find a version to suit those needs, while it feels more powerful than its large van rivals, including the Citroën Relay and Peugeot Boxer.
However, the Sprinter is beginning to feel outclassed in the large van market, while its high price tag means running one is prohibitive for some businesses.
“When shopping for your Sprinter, I'd recommend looking at the Comfort and Driver's equipment packs, because they add much-needed luxuries like electric seat adjustment, as well as parking sensors and air-conditioning.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our full Mercedes Sprinter review
Strengths
- Cargo volumes beat most rivals
- Vastly improved interior is fairly modern
- Smooth and refined engine
Weaknesses
- Infotainment system is outdated and frustrating
- Limited engine options restrict appeal
- Payload limits are falling behind newer rivals
If you're looking for value in the large van market, then the Citroën Relay is worth considering. It's available in enough different forms to suit most buyers, and offers enough space to shift big loads. That alone might put it onto your shortlist, but we'd advise caution. You see, in crucial areas such as comfort and refinement, the Relay is lacking by modern standards.
Most of its engines thrum away in the background, for example, and the gearshift is rather notchy, making long-distance journeys more of a chore than they need to be. Plus, there's no automatic gearbox option. The rival Ford Transit can carry slightly less than the Relay, but will be more comfortable and engaging for drivers.
“It's a shame that payload limits in the Relay are lower than in many rivals, and that despite being a large van, there's only one sliding side door. That means it's difficult to load bulky items into the expansive load bay.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor
Read our full Citroën Relay review
Strengths
- Good value for money
- Pleasingly refined engine
- Competitive cargo volume
Weaknesses
- Uncomfortable
- Dated interior
- Vague and lifeless steering
The Boxer and the Citroën Relay above are, essentially, the same van, which means they share many of the same attributes. Namely, that means it offers lots of space to move big loads for not very much money. Sadly, many of the Relay's shortcomings apply too, which means most large van rivals will be more comfortable – and quieter – over long distances, and the interior doesn't have a high level of perceived quality.
The Boxer's 2.2-litre diesel engine is available in three forms, with range-topping models getting 177bhp. Torque across the range is set at 258lb/ft, which is fine for most situations, but if you regularly travel fully laden then you might wish for a bit more brute force.
"When I'm weaving around tight city streets, I appreciate light steering – even in something as large as the Peugeot Boxer. So I liked that I could easily turn the wheel without much effort.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our full Peugeot Boxer review
And the large van to avoid...
Despite being updated recently, the Iveco Daily falls behind in too many areas to be recommendable. While the latest Daily rides more smoothly than previous models, it also has a raised ride height which makes loading larger items into the rear trick. Plus, while... Read our review
How we choose the best large vans
As our van reviewers put large vans through their paces, they assess them on their performance, interior, practicality and costs. What Car?’s thorough testing procedure allows them to rate and rank each van against rivals to give you an up-to-date and definitive list of the best large vans you can get in the UK.
To make sure our reviews are informative and useful to large-van buyers, we make it our job to understand their needs, so we’re particularly focused on assessing vehicles in the following key areas:
If you’re buying a large van, it almost goes without saying that you’re looking for a vehicle that’s strong on carrying capacity – both in terms of volume and weight. Our reviews tell you how much you’ll get in the load bay of each model, and how the payload and carrying capacity figures compare across the model range and against rivals. We use a Euro pallet as a benchmark, test the ease of loading and also consider whether you get useful mounting points to secure cargo.
A large van needs a lot of muscle to get itself and a big load around, so as well as looking at raw 0-62mph sprint times and power figures, we test how that power is delivered across the rev range. We’ll let you know about the van’s handling prowess and manoeuvrability (a vital element of day-to-day usefulness) and engine efficiency.
A long shift driving a large van can take its toll, so you can save yourself a lot of pain by picking a model that keeps you comfy behind the wheel. Our testers give the driver’s seat a good going over, checking it for adjustability and lumbar support. We also let you know if there are quirks such as offset pedals that might grate after a few hours on the road. We also measure the noise levels experienced at various speeds – a key factor if, for example, you’ll be spending a lot of time on motorways..
There is, of course, much more to reviewing a large van than those three factors. To find out more see our how we test vans feature.
FAQs
In the large van market, nothing can match high-roof, long-wheelbase versions of the Mercedes Sprinter. In its largest form, this behemoth offers up to 17m3 of space inside, along with a payload capacity of 3175kg. In short, that's enough space to move just about anything you like. If you need more space than that, then you'll be looking at a lorry or Heavy Goods Vehicle. While the Sprinter impresses with its carrying capacity, however, it is out-matched in other areas which matter to large van drivers, including costs and safety tech. That's why it doesn't climb higher up our top 10 rankings
While both the Fiat Ducato and the Ford Transit appear on our top 10 list, we ultimately think the Transit is the better option. The Ducato has no shortage of space, and combines that practicality with a pleasant interior and steering which gives this large van surprising agility, which is handy on urban roads. Where the Transit takes the lead, however, is with a punchy range of engines and the fact that it comes with most of the kit you're going to want as standard. By contrast, once you've added a couple of options to the Ducato, it can become rather expensive.
We don't measure the reliability of individual vans as part of the What Car? Reliability Survey, but in terms of brands making vans which appear on our top 10 large van rankings, Citroen was in 7th place out of 31 brands featured, with Renault in 9th place. Ford was in 14th position, ahead of Volkswagen in 18th place and Peugeot in 19th place. Fiat rather brings up the rear here, sitting in 25th position. Since MAN is purely a commercial vehicle manufacturer, it was not included in our Reliability Survey.
The size of van you can drive depends on your driving licence. Anyone with a full, B category driving licence can drive any van weighing up to 3500kg, while drivers with the older C1 licence can drive vans weighing up to 7500kg. Generally speaking, if you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you'll have the C1 licence.
