Best small vans 2026 – tried and tested

Whether you're a one-person business or part of a larger firm with a whole fleet of vans, small vans are the models which keep Britain moving. And the fact that there have never been more options to choose from is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you get lots of choice, and on the other, it's hard to know which models are worth your time, and which are more trouble than they're worth. Thankfully, What Car? is here to help.

The best small vans are more than just spacious, and offer the kind of comfort which makes long stints at the wheel easy, as well as low running costs and light, accurate steering which makes threading your goods along narrow streets a doddle. Of course, it also helps if they have a flexible cargo space with enough customisation to make sure you can carry whatever you need to.

In this story, we'll reveal our picks for the best small vans on the market, plus the model which we think is best avoided. In each case, we'll also show you how to pick up a bargain with our used van deals – just follow the links to find out more. And you can find out more about how we test and rate vans in our dedicated feature.

Or if you're more interested in medium vans, large vans or electric vans, we have dedicated features for those classes too.

Best small vans to buy now – and how to get the best deal

The best small vans for you

We think the Ford Transit Courier is the best small van around, because it's well priced and surprisingly spacious inside, yet remains good to drive.

If you want something a bit different, then the Renault Kangoo offers more comfort than most small van rivals while also being more spacious, plus its latest updates have improved performance and emissions across the board.

For a more premium-feeling small van, the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is the model to turn to, with an interior which feels a cut above most rivals, and underpinnings borrowed from the VW Golf family car which make it comfortable to drive.

Best small vans 2026

1. Ford Transit Courier

As the basis for a small van which has historically been good to drive, the Ford Transit Courier couldn't hope to do any better. That's because it's based on the Ford Puma small SUV – a former What Car? Car of the Year – and so inherits many of that car's good qualities.

Its car-based underpinnings don't just make the Transit Courier great to drive, though – they also allow it to come with some truly impressive safety and assistance technology. Indeed, the Transit Courier acheived a Platinum Euro NCAP safety award when it was tested earlier this year, a first for any Ford commercial vehicle.

Its new underpinnings have also grown the Transit Courier's dimensions. Indeed, with 2.9m3 of loadspace available, the Transit Courier compares well with rivals including the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Cargo, as well as Ford's own slightly larger Transit Connect.

You can have your Transit Courier with either petrol or diesel power, but it's the latter which we'd recommend for most drivers for its extra low-down pulling power. If you'd rather have a greener choice, then an all-electric Ford E-Transit Courier will be coming soon.

All things considered, then, it's little wonder that we named the Ford Transit Courier as our Best Small Van at the most recent Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards.

Strengths: Great to drive | Surprisingly spacious |Appealing price

Weaknesses: Slightly iffy interior | Annoying lack of buttons |More interior storage would be handy

“Being based on the Puma’s chassis gives the Transit Courier delightful handling. For a van, I found it pretty fun to drive.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Read our full Ford Transit Courier review

2. Renault Kangoo

The Renault Kangoo name is synonymous with good value among small van drivers, and the latest version stays true to that theme, with pricing that remains competitive against rivals, and the promise of plenty of kit on most versions.

We like the Kangoo's spacious interior and large load area, plus the fact that it's quieter on the road than previous models. Indeed, it's more versatile inside than the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy thanks to innovative features like the Easy Inside Rack, which allows you to store longer items, such as ladders, along the roof of the van.

As well as more space for your cargo, the latest Kangoo also offers more space in the cab, and drivers of all shapes and sizes should find that they have plenty of room to stretch out. The driving position is comfortable, too, even if you cover a lot of miles. Indeed, when we lived with the Kangoo for six months, it didn’t disappoint.

Strengths: Spacious interior | Larger rear loadspace | Quiet road manners

Weaknesses: No pull-out glovebox | No 'Open Sesame' door | Less storage kit than European versions

“I found it easier to get comfortable inside the Renault Kangoo than in some small vans, because its steering wheel adjusts for both reach and rake.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Read our full Renault Kangoo review

3. Volkswagen Caddy Cargo

Based on the latest Volkswagen Golf family car, the Volkswagen Caddy has a wealth of safety and driver assistance features that make it enjoyable, safe and relaxing to drive.

Inside the Caddy feels well built, and even though its 10.0in infotainment screen features some confusing menus, it does at least include Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring to keep you in touch with your co-workers.

In terms of practicality, you can get more inside it thank you can in the Ford Transit Connect, but long-wheelbase versions of the Toyota Proace City – as well as its badge-engineered siblings from Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall – can hold more still. Our favourite 2.0-litre diesel engine endows the Caddy Cargo with plenty of low-down grunt, and should also help to keep your running costs in check.

While Volkswagen vans have something of an undeserved reputation for being more expensive than the competition, the Caddy Cargo is actually competitive next to key rivals – especially if you stick with the cheaper versions. And you don't need to venture far up the trim range to get the kit you'll want, because mid-level Commerce Plus has everything you're likely to need including climate control, rear parking sensors and an armrest for the driver's seat.

Strengths: Clean and quiet engines | Car-like ride and handling | Impressive residual values

Weaknesses: Filly sliding controls on top trip levels | Poor payload compared with most rivals | Noticeable amount of road noise

“The Caddy Cargo's optional seven-speed automatic gearbox is ideal if you drive in the city, because it offers lightning-fast changes. It can be a bit jerky at low speeds, though.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Read our full Volkswagen Caddy review

4. Ford Transit Connect

If you're looking for a small van with a Ford badge on its bonnet, yet the Ford Transit Courier is just a bit too small for your needs, then the Transit Connect is the next logical step up.

It's a well-rounded van, but shines by being one of the best options in this class to drive – helped by the fact that it shares its underpinnings with cars including the Volkswagen Golf. You can choose between two 2.0-litre diesel engines producing either 101bhp or 120bhp, or a plug-in hybrid model with an official range of up to 74 miles. That could mean you could complete your commute, or your delivery route, without using any petrol.

All versions of the Transit Connect can carry a standard Euro Pallett in the rear, and there's a tota volume of 3.1m3 in the load bay – more than you'll get in the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, but less than rivals including the Toyota Proace City and Vauxhall Combo Cargo.

We like the Transit Connect's interior, which is well thought out and sturdily constructed, but the infotainment system can be a bit sluggish to respond to your inputs.

Strengths: Agile handling | Competitive pricing | Plenty of standard kit

Weaknesses: No electric version | Payload capacity less than many rivals | FlexCab models are pricey

“On narrow urban streets, the Transit Connect felt smaller and more wieldy than I would’ve expected. Good news for delivery work and trades.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our full Ford Transit Connect review

5. Toyota Proace City

Like its badge-engineered siblings, the Toyota Proace City gets its own styling to help it stand out from the small van crowd, but ultimately impresses in all the same ways as the Berlingo, the Combo Cargo and the Partner. That is to say, it's good to drive, has an interior which feels like it will stand the test of time, and can haul around an impressive amount of cargo.

However, the Proace City comes with more equipment as standard, and while that makes it more expensive than some rivals, it also comes with a better warranty should things go wrong (not that they should, with Toyota consistently being a top performer in our real-world Reliability Surveys). You'll be covered for five years with the Proace City versus three years for the Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall, and that gives the Proace City a slight edge here.

As in the Berlingo and the Combo Cargo elsewhere on this list, it's the 98bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine which we think will suit most drivers best, but there's a lesser 74bhp of the same engine available too if you want to keep your costs down.

Strengths: Generous base-level equipment | Enhanced warranty | Smart and comfortable interior

Weaknesses: Few optional extras | Limited choice of engines | Just two trim levels to choose from

“There are plenty of places to lash down cargo in the back of the Proace City – I counted six in total.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Read our full Toyota Proace City review

6. Nissan Townstar

Sharing its underpinnings with the Renault Kangoo and Mercedes Citan, the Townstar impresses by being comfortable and easy to drive. Indeed, its interior is covered in soft-touch materials of the kind you might not expect at this price point. And combined with the fact that even the most basic trim levels come loaded with kit, any Townstar represents a comfy place to spend your working day.

You can have your Townstar with electric or combustion power, and while the EV version isn't especially quick, its 121bhp motor offer performance that's good enough for a small van that's likely to spend most of its time in the city. In any version, you're well isolated in terms of road and wind noise. Plus, like its Renault and Mercedes cousins, you get a good view out of the Townstar thanks to tall windows.

The Townstar is well priced among its small van rivals, and should also be economical whether you spend most of your time driving in town or on the motorway. As for a warranty, the Interstar comes with five years of cover capped to 100,000 miles. That's better than the three-year, 100,000-mile warranty you get with the rival Renault Kangoo.

Strengths: Capacious and well-designed load area | Generous standard equipment | Comfortable at cruising speeds

Weaknesses: Petrol and electric power only | Not the sharpest small van to drive | Infotainment system feels dated

“If you’re particularly safety conscious, Tekna+ is the trim level to go for because it brings a useful jump in driver assistance kit.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Read our full Nissan Townstar review

=7 Citroën Berlingo

The Citroën Berlingo is one of four badge-engineered vans that largely share the same qualities. Like its siblings – the Peugeot Partner, Toyota Proace City and Vauxhall Combo Cargo – the Berlingo is decent to drive and can carry an impressive amount of cargo. It also comes fully stocked with safety and assistance kit, and gets the option of a slick automatic gearbox.

Where the Berlingo carries a slight edge over its siblings is with its seats, which are comfy and provide the right kind of support for longer motorway trips. And while most of the materials used inside aren't what you'd call plush, they do at least feel hard-wearing. Enterprise models also come with a cradle which is useful for holding your mobile phone in place.

In terms of engines, the range-topping 1.5-litre diesel engine (called Blue HDi 130) is our top choice, because it has enough power to make easy work of long motorway journeys yet should still be efficient. There's also an electric e-Berlingo van which we've reviewed separately.

Strengths: Advanced Comfort seats are comfy and supportive | Drives and handles well | Class-leading payload and load volume limits

Weaknesses: Only one side door on shorter M models | Lack of high roof option limits load heights | Warranty limited to three years

“If you need to carry people as well as cargo, then the Berlingo is also available in a crew van version (based on the longer, XL model) with a second row of three seats.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our full Citroën Berlingo review

=7 Vauxhall Combo Cargo

Given that it's part of the badge-engineered foursome which also includes the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Toyota Proace City, it won't surprise you to learn that, like those models, the Vauxhall Combo Cargo is good to drive and comes with an economical line-up of engines – there's even the fully electric Vauxhall Combo Electric if you want to go green.

The 98bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine which we think would suit most drivers best offers plenty of pep, even when you've loaded the cargo bay with weight, and it comes with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox

The interior of the Combo Cargo is a very usable, if visually uninspiring, space, with lots of storage options for your odds and ends, and materials which feel like they'll stand up to years of rough work.

While every version of the Combo Cargo comes with decent safety and convenience kit, however, its price is ultimately higher than is badge-engineered siblings.

Strengths: Car-based underpinnings provide find ride and handling | Load volume is, in some cases, class-leading | Optional rugged worksite package adds flexibility

Weaknesses: Interior is rather staid | No high-roof option limits practicality | Entry-level models are basic

“Every Combo can take two Euro pallets in the back (as can each of its rivals) with rear doors that swing open to 180 degrees, allowing a forklift driver to slide them in quickly” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Read our full Vauxhall Combo Cargo review

=7 Peugeot Partner

The Peugeot Partner is very similar to the Citroën Berlingo van, Toyota Proace City and Vauxhall Combo Cargo – that means it drives in the same manner as those vans, and that we recommend the same 1.5-litre diesel engine for most buyers.

It's worthy of standing in isolation though, not just because it looks different, but also because Peugeot has morphed its celebrated i-Cockpit design to fit into the small van. This unusual arrangement has you looking over a small steering wheel at the instruments, rather than through it, and in a segment where the driver is often the sole occupier, and therefore the centre of attention, we think it's worth looking at if you want something a little left-field.

Like the rest of Peugeot's van range, the Partner also uses artificial intelligence technology to assist with plotting sat-nav destinations. And if you'd rather go for an electric model, then we've reviewed the e-Partner separately.

Strengths: Fine car-like handling and comfort | Load volumes are impressive | Payload limits are class-leading

Weaknesses: Only one side door on shorter Standard models | No high-roof option limits load heights | Warranty limited to three years

“If you'll be taking your van to mucky site compounds, the optional Worksite pack raises the suspension a little, adds mud and snow tyres, provides some underbody protection, and includes some specific traction control software.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Read our full Peugeot Partner review

10. Mercedes Citan

Think of the Mercedes Citan as being the more glamorous cousin to the Renault Kangoo which features elsewhere on this list. That's because both vans share many of their components under the skin, along with the Nissan Townstar.

That's a good thing for the Citan, which despite only having one engine option at launch feels sprightly on city streets and is pleasantly quiet. The interior is a step above the Renault’s, too, with plenty of soft-touch materials and Mercedes' dazzling MBUX infotainment system, which is loaded with features and looks swish.

In terms of carrying capacity, the Citan again apes its Renault sibling, with a maximum payload of 667kg and being able to tow up to 1500kg.

It's a shame that the Citan misses out on some of the Kangoo's more practical features, though, which combined with a high price stops it from climbing any further up our rankings.

Strengths: MBUX infotainment system is easy to get along with | Lots of space for odds and ends inside | Unlimited mileage warranty

Weaknesses: Only one engine option | Poor payload limit | Premium price

“While you'll pay more for a Citan than you would for most small vans, you do at least get a lot of kit for your money. And for some owner-operators, that will be enough to justify the cost.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Read our full Mercedes Citan review

And the small van to avoid...

Fiat Doblo Cargo

It drives reasonably well and can hold a lot of cargo, but a limited warranty and restricted practicality on some versions stops the Doblo from competing with the class best.

Read our full Fiat Doblo Cargo review

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