the-best-medium-vans-in-2023

best-medium-vans-2023

Medium-sized vans are like the Swiss Army knives of the light commercial vehicle&nbsp;(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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-large-vans-2023/n20727">large van</a>, but with some of the more refined features that are expected in the smaller van market. Here are our picks for the best medium vans, as well as the model which we think is best avoided. You won't find any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric vans</a>&nbsp;here, since we have a separate article for those.

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Best medium vans 2023

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

Talento

Star rating&nbsp;4

The Talento is a&nbsp;rebadged version of the Renault Trafic and&nbsp;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&nbsp;any higher up our rankings, though.

8: Fiat Talento

For&nbsp;Top-end versions represent good value | Large dealer network | Innovative interior

Against&nbsp;Needs more interior storage | Lots of wind noise | No automatic gearbox option

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/talento/van/review/n21781">Fiat Talento review &gt;&gt;</a>

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Trafic

Star rating&nbsp;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.

7: Renault Trafic

For&nbsp;Good range of engines | Strong suite of safety tech | Quiet interior

Against&nbsp;More storage space needed | Slow-witted infotainment&nbsp;

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/trafic/van/review/n18803">Renault Trafic review &gt;&gt;</a>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

TRANSPORTER

Star rating&nbsp;4

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.&nbsp;Its 2.0-litre diesel engine develops&nbsp;up to 196bhp and can be paired with an exceptionally good seven-speed automatic gearbox. There are&nbsp;lots&nbsp;of sophisticated safety features, including lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>, and&nbsp;while it doesn’t quite match some rivals for its overall carrying capacity, it can move up to 1.2 tonnes.&nbsp;Transporters hold their value better than most other vans, so the total cost of ownership can be lower&nbsp;than that of some rivals.

6: Volkswagen Transporter 6.1

For&nbsp;Huge choice of variants | Modern safety and infotainment tech | Punchy diesel engine

Against&nbsp;Entry-level model is very basic | Firm ride compared with some rivals | Top-end models are expensive

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/transporter/van/review/n18205">Volkswagen Transporter review &gt;&gt;</a>

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

VIVARO

Star rating&nbsp;5

Alongside its siblings from Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen, we think&nbsp;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.

=2: Vauxhall Vivaro

For&nbsp;Wide choice of engines | Comfortable ride | Great payload capability

Against&nbsp;Cramped interior | Loadspace dimensions

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro/van/review/n18281">Vauxhall Vivaro&nbsp;review &gt;&gt;</a>

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Proace

Star rating&nbsp;5

You might not think of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota">Toyota</a>&nbsp;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.

=2: Toyota Proace

For&nbsp;Comfortable interior | Fun to drive | Huge payload capacity

Against&nbsp;Not a great engine choice | Compromised visibility | Safety options come a a price

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n20243">Toyota Proace review &gt;&gt;</a>

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Expert

Star rating&nbsp;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 Citroën, Toyota and Vauxhall, the Expert is also incredibly practical, and no matter what you've moving, the chances are that it can help.

=2: Peugeot Expert

For&nbsp;Comfort and handling | Wide choice of engines and sizes | Classy interior

Against&nbsp;Poor visibility | Needs bigger door mirrors | Adding safety features can be expensive

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n20207">Peugeot Expert review &gt;&gt;</a>

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

DISPATCH

Star rating&nbsp;5

The Dispatch stands out from other medium vans, and even from its badge-engineered siblings, 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 enough space to move anything that you might wish to, and the Dispatch is an easy van to recommend.

=2: Citroën Dispatch

For&nbsp;Car-like ride and handling | Capable range of engines | Parking camera and head-up display are useful features

Against&nbsp;Small wing mirrors | Not the best forward visibility

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n18249">Citroën Dispatch review &gt;&gt;</a>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

TRANSIT CUSTOM

Star rating&nbsp;5

The Ford Transit Custom is one of Britain’s best-selling vans, featuring prominently in&nbsp;sales charts since it was released in 2012.&nbsp;It not only drives brilliantly and is comfortable on the road, but is also available in&nbsp;a mid-boggling number of&nbsp;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&nbsp;upgrade to Euro-6d engines, it's now far more fuel-efficient than its predecessors.&nbsp;In fact, we think it's the best&nbsp;medium-sized van you can buy.

Bear in mind that a new electric version, the E-Transit Custom, is due to arrive later this year.

1: Ford Transit Custom

For&nbsp;Improved fuel economy | Class-leading productivity | Great ride and handling balance

Against&nbsp;Needs a better automatic gearbox | Loadspace protection could be better |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">Plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;is expensive to buy

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-custom/van/review/n18288">Ford Transit Custom review &gt;&gt;</a>

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

VITO

Star rating&nbsp;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.

Read our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/vito/van/review/n18152">Mercedes Vito review &gt;&gt;</a>

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And the medium van to avoid: Mercedes Vito

The best medium vans in 2023

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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

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