Volkswagen Transporter wins Best Medium Van

Commercial vehicles have a tough brief. They need to be the perfect partner across a wide range of trades. Plus, they have to be reliable, affordable to run and actually good to drive and live with. No easy task. It’s unsurprising then that the commercial vehicle market is mightily competitive – and the medium van segment is the most hotly contested of all. So which van is the best of the bunch? This year, it’s the Volkswagen Transporter that comes out on top as What Car?’s Best Medium Van. So what separates it from the competition?

First and foremost, What Car?’s test team were keen to point out the Transporter’s class-leading ride and handling: “Its underpinnings set the benchmark for driving manners and day-to-day usability,” they say. “Independent rear suspension gives it a level of ride comfort and composure that rivals such as the Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro can’t match, particularly when running empty.” Also of note was its manoeuvrability in town, stability at motorway speed and impressively hushed nature. 

Of course, above all else, a commercial vehicle needs to get the job done. The Transporter excels in that regard with two body lengths on offer and useful load-carrying capabilities. “Payloads exceed 1.3 tonnes in the right configurations, and most models can tow up to 2.8 tonnes – figures that put it firmly at the sharp end of the segment,” say What Car?’s test team. “The load area is square, accessible and well thought through, too.”

The What Car? team were also fans of the modern cab area – particularly its airy, usable nature and suite of useful tech, including a large touchscreen and a digital driver’s display. Also of note was the seating position, which offers plenty of adjustability, making it easy to get comfortable. There are plenty of handy storage spaces to keep all the bits you need throughout the day, too. 

The Transporter’s biggest advantage over its competition, though, is what happens after you’ve taken ownership of the vehicle. Volkswagen includes its impressive ‘5 Plus Promise’ with every Transporter, which offers fantastic aftersales support and reassurance. “Volkswagen includes five services, 3 MOTs, five years' warranty and five years' roadside assistance as standard,” say What Car?’s testers. “For small businesses and sole traders in particular, its ‘5 Plus Promise’ provides a level of built-in cost certainty and downtime protection that is hugely reassuring.” The longevity of that standard package is particularly noteworthy, given that many rivals require an additional payment for that length of support.    

Ultimately, the Volkswagen Transporter outshines the competition by blending superb driving dynamics and practicality with an exceptional long-term ownership package. In a demanding medium van sector where every penny and kilo of payload counts, this added peace of mind secures the Volkswagen Transporter’s place as What Car?’s Best Medium Van for 2026.