Best medium vans 2023
Medium vans still 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...
Mid-sized vans are like the Swiss Army knives of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) world. You’ll find them doing all manner of jobs, from moving household goods to food deliveries, and being used equally by builders or couriers.
The best medium vans need to offer all the practicalities of a large van, but with some of the more refined features that are expected in the smaller van market. These LCVs strike a balance between comfort and storage, while delivering the goods with high payloads and large load volumes.
Medium vans also double as passenger vehicles, and many have several minibus variants or even luxury people-mover models to their name.
So, what are the best medium vans on sale today? The answer is below.
8. Fiat Talento
Star rating 4
The Talento is a rebadged version of the Renault Trafic and aims to offer value in the medium van segment. Indeed, you can save substantial money even on top-end versions thanks to good levels of standard equipment compared with rivals. There's also the back-up of the Fiat Professional dealer network. We like the Talento's innovative interior, which is well put together and works well as a mobile office environment if you need it to. The lack of an automatic gearbox option and the excessive wind noise stop it getting any higher up our rankings, though.
Star rating 4
Although the Trafic is used as the basis for the Fiat Talento, we think the Renault is the more well-rounded van of the two, hence its higher position here. 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, too, which helps to take some of the stress out of long journeys. If only the infotainment system wasn't quite so slow-witted, it might have come further up this list.
Read our full Renault Trafic review >>
6. Volkswagen Transporter 6.1
The Volkswagen Transporter has enjoyed a cult following since it first arrived more than 60 years ago, and to this day it remains a highly desirable and attractive mid-sized van. Its 2.0-litre diesel engine 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), and while it doesn’t quite match some rivals for its overall carrying capacity, it can move up to 1.2 tonnes. Transporters hold their value better than most other vans, so the total cost of ownership can be lower than that of some rivals.
Star rating 5
Alongside its siblings from Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen, we think the Vauxhall Vivaro is one of the most practical medium-sized vans on the market. Like its siblings, it can carry items that are more than 3.6 metres 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 can help stop long motorway journeys from becoming a chore.
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro 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 not as many engine choices on offer as there are in some rivals, but a huge payload capacity makes up for that.
Read our full Toyota Proace review >>
=2. Peugeot Expert
Star rating 5
Thanks to the sheer variety of engine, body and equipment variations on offer in the Peugeot Expert, there really is something for everyone in this medium van. We like its classy interior, which features high-quality materials and a comfortable yet adaptable driver's seat. As with its siblings from Citroen, Toyota and Vauxhall, the Expert is also incredibly practical, and no matter what you've moving, the chances are that it can help.
Star rating 5
The Dispatch stands out from its rivals 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 you the Earth. Add in a car-like ride and handling balance, and the practicality benefits we've already lauded in its badge-engineered siblings, and the Dispatch is an easy van to recommend.
Read our full Citroen Dispatch review >>
1. Ford Transit Custom
Star rating 5
The Ford Transit Custom is one of Britain’s best-selling vans, featuring prominently in sales charts since it was released in 2012. It not only drives brilliantly and is comfortable on the road, but is also available in a mid-boggling number of permutations. It’s also the van with the biggest payload capacity here – up to nearly 1.5 tonnes – and can carry larger volumes than most. Overall, it's the most versatile medium-sized van on sale and, since getting an upgrade to Euro-6d engines, it's now far more fuel-efficient than its predecessors. In fact, we think it's the best medium-sized van you can buy.
Read our full Ford Transit Custom review
And the one to avoid...
Mercedes Vito
Star rating 2
The Vito offers sharp handling and its interior is well built, but a high price and a firm ride, plus the lack of any high-roof option, means it's hard to recommend.
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