Best medium vans 2025 – tried and tested
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...
Whether it's your local plumber or painter, a delivery driver for a well-known online retailer, or someone working for a larger trades company, the chances are that you've seen your fair share of medium-sized vans. Such vehicles are the single largest market for vans in the UK, with Britain's best-selling new van so far in 2025, the Ford Transit Custom, coming from the medium van sector.
To thrive in the medium van market, the best must of course have lots of space that's usefully organised. They need to be cheap to run, but not feel so cheap inside that the prospect of spending your day in one fills you with dread. And while practicality is more important than performance here, the best medium vans need to be able to haul you and your goods up to motorway speeds without any fuss. Any van which can feel engaging through corners will impress us, too.
And while combustion power still rules the roost, there are an increasing number of electric medium vans to choose from too, which we've covered in our best electric vans feature.
Our experienced team of van reviewers have spent hundreds of hours behind the wheel of every medium-sized van in the UK, assessing them in all of the key areas which matter to van buyers. We've driven them on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track.
The result is this list, where we're naming the best medium-sized vans, as well as the model we think you should avoid. Remember that if any of the vans here take your fancy, you can click through to our full reviews to read more about them. We've also answered some of the most common questions about medium-sized van ownership at the bottom of this page.
1. Ford Transit Custom
Star rating 5
The Transit Custom is one of Britain's best-selling vans – and we think it's also the best medium-sized van you can buy. It drives brilliantly, is comfortable on the road and is available in a mind-boggling number of permutations. It's the van with the biggest payload capacity here – up to nearly 1.5 tonnes – making it the most versatile medium-sized van you can get in the UK. And s ince getting an upgrade to Euro-6d engines, it's more fuel-efficient than ever.
The range includes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an electric version, the Ford E-Transit Custom .
For Best payload capacity in its class | Great ride and handling balance | Available as an electric van
Against Needs a better automatic gearbox | Loadspace protection could be better | PHEV is expensive
Read our full Ford Transit Custom 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 only two engine options, which is less than for most rivals, but the generous payload capacity makes up for that.
All things considered, the Proace is a more well-rounded product than its sister vans from Stellantis' other brands, which is why we've put it ahead in our rankings here.
For Comfortable interior | Fun to drive | Huge payload capacity
Against Not a great choice of engines | Compromised visibility | Safety options come at a price
Read our full Toyota Proace review >>
=3. Citroën Dispatch
Star rating 4
The Dispatch is a badge-engineered van that shares lots of parts with three other models – the Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, the Toyota Proace and the Vauxhall Vivaro – but it stands out from the others 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 the Earth. Add in a car-like ride and handling balance, and enough space to move pretty much anything, and the Dispatch is easy to recommend.
For Can carry a heavy load and tow plenty behind it | Pleasant driving experience | Lots of equipment for a competitive price
Against Twisted driving position can cause trouble | No high roof option | Cargo volume is lower than rivals
Read our full Citroën Dispatch review >>
=3. Peugeot Expert
Star rating 4
Thanks to the sheer variety of engine, body and equipment variations on offer for the Expert, this medium van offers something for everyone. We like its classy interior, which features high-quality materials and a comfortable yet adaptable driver's seat. As with the Dispatch and its other badge-engineered siblings, the Expert is also incredibly practical, and no matter what you've moving, the chances are that it can help.
For Impressive payload capacity | Good ride and handling balance | Entry-level model is well equipped
Against Small cargo box limits ultimate cargo volume | One roof height limits options | Awkward driving position
Read our full Peugeot Expert review >>
=3. Vauxhall Vivaro
Star rating 4
Alongside its badge-engineered siblings, we think the Vivaro is one of the most practical medium-sized vans on the market. It can carry items that are more than 3.6 meters 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 makes long motorway journeys less of a chore.
For Can carry more weight than rivals | Drives and rides well | Useful equipment and tech fitted as standard
Against Offset driving position can be a literal pain | Load volume falls short of others | Only one roof height
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review >>
6. Renault Trafic
Star rating 4
The Trafic is closely related to the Nissan Primastar, but we think the Renault is the more well-rounded van of the two. 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, which helps to take some of the stress out of long journeys. Unfortunately you have to put up with a slow-witted infotainment touchscreen.
For Good range of engines | Plenty of safety kit | Quiet interior
Against Rivals can carry more | Poor infotainment | Entry-level engine lacks power
Read our full Renault Trafic review >>
7. Mercedes Vito
Star rating 3
If you can get past its relatively high purchase price, there is lots to like about the Mercedes Vito. For a start, its interior feels properly premium, with high-quality materials and the same 10.25in infotainment system which we've praised in the larger Mercedes eSprinter.
Twin-sliding rear doors make loading your cargo easy, but it's worth noting that plenty of medium van rivals, including the VW Transporter further up this list, can carry more than the Vito.
Every Vito is rear-wheel drive, and buyers can choose between three 2.0-litre diesel engines with outputs of up to 184bhp. Most engine options come with a slick nine-speed automatic gearbox.
For Fine engine options | Sharp handling | Good interior build quality
Against Expensive | Firm ride | No high roof option
Read our full Mercedes Vito review >>
8. Fiat Scudo
Star rating 2
It's a shame that despite being every bit as practical as its Stellantis siblings, leasing costs for the Fiat Scudo are considerably higher – a by-product of Fiat's weaker resale values here in the UK.
Still, if you do manage to get a good deal on one, you'll be working with a mostly capable medium van. Twin-sliding side doors make access to your cargo easy, while the rear doors can open up to 180-degrees, which is ideal if you plan on using a forklift to load or unload your cargo. When it comes to payload, though, the Scudo is beginning to lag behind key rivals – something that's especially true if you go for the all-electric E-Scudo.
Fiat has clearly spend a good deal of effort on upgrading the latest Scudo's interior, which now includes a 10in infotainment touchscreen. It's a shame that those updates haven't really increased oddment storage, though, which continues to lag behind rivals. Most medium van rivals also feel that bit more spacious for passengers.
For Larger infotainment screen is a much-needed update | Smooth and refined under most conditions | Strong cargo volumes
Against Payload limits are lower than rivals | Costs more to lease than other Stellantis vans | Offset driving position is irritating
Read our full Fiat E-Scudo review >>
And the one to avoid...
LEVC VN5
Star rating 2
This range-extending van has a flexible range and decent practicality, but it costs a lot and its interior quality could be better.
Read our full LEVC VN5 review >>
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FAQs
As the name suggests, medium-sized vans are usually larger than small vans , which means they can carry heavier or longer loads, but can't quite match the size or carrying capacity of large vans. The most popular medium vans include the Ford Transit Custom, the Renault Trafic and the Vauxhall Vivaro.
Comfort can be measured in different ways, but we think the Vauxhall Vivaro ticks most of the right boxes for most people. You see, unlike some of its rivals, the Vivaro has a comfortable ride whether you're driving it empty or fully laden.
Alternatively, if comfort to you means having the most supportive driver's seat which won't make you tired on longer journeys, then we'd point you in the direction of the Volkswagen Transporter .
With a carrying capacity of nearly 1.5 tonnes, the Ford Transit Custom has the largest payload of any medium-sized van. In fact, it challenges some large vans in that respect too.
Maximum load lengths for the Transit Custom range from 2254mm for the short-wheelbase version to 2921mm on long-wheelbase models.
Exact dimensions depend on which version of either van you go for, but generally speaking, for short-wheelbase versions of both vans, the Ford Transit Custom is longer than the Vauxhall Vivaro, but the Vivaro is slightly wider than its Ford rival. In terms of height, the Transit is a little taller than the Vivaro.
How we choose the best medium vans
To test medium-sized vans, we put ourselves in the shoes of the driver and owner. Our experienced testers examine every element of every van to deliver the best reviews in the business. And that testing – and continual reassessment – underpins our list of the best medium vans on sale.
Yet we know that all things aren’t equal, and through understanding both the vans and the people who buy and run them, we’re able to focus on the areas that really matter. For medium-sized vans, these include:
There are many factors to consider when buying a new van, including buying, running and ownership costs. We take each of these into account when testing medium vans – whether it's powered by a combustion engine, an electric motor or both – to see what you get for your money, and how much you can expect to spend on fuel, repairs and other running costs. Where applicable, we also report on how reliable each van is and how long the warranty lasts for.
A medium van must be practical, which is why we measure the cargo capacity and payload against key rivals. Elsewhere, we assess the van’s features, such as the number of tie-down hooks, as well as how far – and how easily – all the doors open. We also look at the practicality of the cab to find out if a van can make your life easier as a driver or passenger.
Considering the amount of hours you can spend behind the wheel of a van, interior comfort is vitally important. That’s why we look at elements such as the steering wheel and seat adjustment, as well as how supportive the seats are. We also take into account the interior layout, the size of mirrors and active safety systems, because the number of blind spots in a van can make driving more stressful than it otherwise could be.
To help with your van buying decisions, we continuously update our list of the best medium vans by following a strict programme of testing (and retesting) every van on the market. To find out more about how we do this, you can head to our how we test vans page.
