Best large panel vans 2024

​Large panel vans are ideal workhorses for small-business use or as part of a larger fleet, with the very best large vans offering plentiful cargo space, rugged build quality, top reliability and punchy engines – helping you keep your business running day-to-day. The best large vans have plenty of versatility and are ideally suited to roles from ferrying parcels around town to driving cross-country as mobile maintenance vehicles, but which model should you choose? 

We’ve tested every large panel van on the UK market to help you find the perfect commercial vehicle, listing our favourites below.

Best large panel vans

1. Renault Master/Nissan Interstar
2. Fiat Ducato
3. Mercedes Sprinter
4. Volkswagen Crafter / MAN TGE
5. Ford Transit
6. Toyota Proace Max
7. Iveco Daily
8. Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer/Vauxhall Movano
9. Maxus Deliver 9

1. Renault Master/Nissan Interstar

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• Prices from £33,500 (Master, excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 1,925kg
• Maximum load volume: 14.8 cubic metres

The latest Renault Master and Nissan interstar are two of the freshest models on the current large-van market, because they both arrived in 2024. This relative youth compared with the majority of long-serving rivals works in Nissan and Renault’s favour, too, because the Master and Interstar are both surprisingly refined machines to drive, not to mention spacious to work with. Both models share the same design and characteristics, so the best choice will largely depend on any tempting deals that you can find when it’s time to buy (or lease).

There’s plenty of options when it comes to the configuration of your ideal Master or Insterstar, too, because there are three length and height combinations to choose from, as well as the option of a crew cab. On top of this, there’s also a selection of powertrains that range from diesel to fully electric power.

2. Fiat Ducato

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• Prices from £30,380 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 2,000kg
• Maximum load volume: 17 cubic metres

While the Fiat Ducato looks similar to the Citroen Relay and Peugeot Boxer on the outside, it’s on the inside where these vans differ, because the Fiat uses the brand’s own engines and tech. The Ducato’s 2.2 Multijet 3 diesel is available with either 138 or 178bhp, and both have the choice of a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic gearbox. Alternatively, an all-electric e-Ducato is also available, and this has a claimed battery range of up to 261 miles.

As well as the panel van, there's a spacious crew van variant, along with a dropside or tipper – the latter of which comes in either single or double-cab forms. Whichever version you choose, the Fiat can be had with a traction-control system that can compensate for off-road driving, while the stability control automatically adjusts according to the amount of payload and its distribution in the load area.

3. Mercedes Sprinter

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• Prices from £48,460 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 2,479 kg
• Maximum load volume: 18.4 cubic metres

The Mercedes Sprinter offers all of the payload, cargo volume and configurations you could possibly need from a large van, while it also features plenty of tech from the brand’s car range.

The Sprinter was the second model from Mercedes to receive the MBUX infotainment system (after the A-Class), and the van's connectivity means it's easy for fleet operators to monitor and track their vehicles via dedicated software. Throw in the latest safety kit and highlights such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, and the Sprinter is a safe place to be. Go for a high-spec version and it's plush, too. There’s also the option of the fully electric eSprinter, and this can cover up to 272 miles on the WLTP combined cycle.

4. Volkswagen Crafter/MAN TGE

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• Prices from £38,115 (Crafter, excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 2,905kg
• Maximum load volume: 18.4 cubic metres

If the MAN TGE looks familiar, it should, because aside from the MAN badges, it's essentially a rebadged Volkswagen Crafter. MAN is part of the VW Group, and while the maker is best known for its trucks, it has added the TGE to the line-up to cater for truck users who need something a little smaller to bolster their fleet.

Both vans offer the same level of quality inside, and they use the same tech you'll find in the VW passenger-car range. This means air-conditioning, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are on offer, while self-parking including trailer assist is also available. The Crafter and TGE are surprisingly car-like to drive, too. They feel nimble and handle well for such a large van, while still offering the high driving position and clear view of the road ahead that these machines are known for. 

5. Ford Transit

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• Prices from £40,735 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 2,447kg
• Maximum load volume: 15.1 cubic metres

With the latest Transit, Ford divided up the range so that the largest model is called Transit, with the Transit Custom catering for the medium panel van sector. That has allowed Ford to concentrate on producing a large van that's perfect for work use, while constant updates have helped to keep the Transit fresh.

The latest EcoBlue diesel engine is far more efficient than the old TDCi unit, and this will allow you to travel much further between fill-ups without any compromise when it comes to payload. Opt for the 10-speed auto gearbox and this offers efficiency and pulling power in equal measure. Of course, if efficiency and low emissions are at the top of your list of priorities, there’s always the electric E-Transit to consider.

6. Toyota Proace Max

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• Prices from £36,423 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 2,270kg
• Maximum load volume: 17 cubic metres

The Toyota Proace Max is another recent arrival onto the large panel van scene, but it probably looks familiar because it shares the same basic design as Stellantis’s large vans, the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Movano. There’s a reason why the Toyota outshines its siblings, though, and that is the brand’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Provided that your Proace Max is serviced at a Toyota-approved workshop either yearly or every 10,000 miles, you should enjoy a stress-free life when it comes to maintenance. There’s also the choice of diesel or fully electric power, and both versions are generously equipped.

7. Iveco Daily

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• Prices from £29,995 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 1,400kg
• Maximum load volume: 19.6 cubic metres

While Iveco is more suited to making trucks for heavy haulage, the Iveco Daily is the smallest vehicle that the manufacturer builds. The Daily comes with a choice of engines, with the light-duty versions featuring a 2.3-litre diesel, and the heavy-duty vans coming with a 3.0-litre diesel with up to 210bhp. That latter engine is offered in vans that exceed the 3.5-tonne LCV weight limit, so you'll need a CV licence to drive one. There’s also a pure-electric model called the eDaily.

It’s been with us since 2014, but the latest round of updates have seen the Iveco Daily get a subtly revised look. This wasn’t purely for cosmetic reasons, either, because it’s actually been designed to deliver greater efficiency. Driving the Daily needn’t be intimidating, despite being one of the largest panel vans on the market, thanks to useful tech such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and crosswind monitoring. These have been added to make driving easier and safer. Iveco’s connected services also make the Daily a good choice for fleet operators.

8. Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer/Vauxhall Movano

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• Prices from £30,615 (Relay, incl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 1,975kg
• Maximum load volume: 17 cubic metres

The Citroen Relay, Vauxhall Movano and Peugeot Boxer are all essentially the same van, but with different badges on the nose. Thankfully, there's plenty of variety in the range, so finding the right version to suit your needs should be fairly straightforward. There are four lengths in three wheelbases and three roof heights on offer, which means cargo volumes range from 8-17 cubic metres, while a payload of up to 1.9 tonnes is available if that's what's important to you.

As with their rivals, there are off-the-shelf conversions also available, with Luton, dropside, tipper, box body and even curtainside versions available direct from dealers. Electric versions of the Relay, Movano and Boxer are also all available. The interior is fairly basic when compared with the very latest large vans, but it's functional, robust and roomy enough for three passengers. The diesel-powered vans are fitted with BlueHDi engines that offer various power outputs, and while these engines are a bit noisy, they get the job done.

9. Maxus Deliver 9

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• Prices from £33,843 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 1,535kg
• Maximum load volume: 13 cubic metres

Maxus is continuing to expand its aspirations in the commercial vehicle market, and the Deliver 9 was the brand’s first all-new van. The Deliver 9 is certainly a step forward from its LDV predecessors in terms of looks, and its Euro 6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine is far more modern than the VM Motori unit found in the Maxus V80. Alternatively, if you’d prefer lower emissions, the all-electric eDeliver 9 claims up to 219 miles of battery range. 

In the cab, the Deliver 9 offers passengers plenty of comfort options as standard, including air-conditioning and cruise control. There's even a Deliver 9 Luxury model, with kit such as LED headlights, keyless entry, blind spot and lane assist, alloy wheels and smartphone connectivity.

Choosing the right large panel van

While diesel engines are still the most common powertrain in the big van sector, there's now an increasing number of electric vans available for those looking for a zero-emissions vehicle. Many drivers will find these electric versions even easier and more comfortable to drive than their diesel counterparts, too, because they're automatic and move in relative silence. Even better, the latest big vans are packed with technology, with some featuring the kind of kit you'd usually find in cars, as well as the latest telematics tech, so operators can get the most out of busy fleets.

The majority of large vans are offered with various body lengths (wheelbases) and roof heights, while chassis-cab variants in different lengths offer a wide range of conversion options to buyers. If you're going down the conversion route, some variants are available directly from the factory, but there are also plenty of approved companies who can build a vehicle to your exact requirements.

In addition, there are single and twin-wheel rear axle options available for carrying the heaviest payloads, front-wheel drive to maximise payload volume, and even 4x4 vans with a raised ride height for more rugged work.

Multi-seat crew van and crew cab variants are also on offer, as are tipper and pick-up versions, while multi-seat minibus versions cater for the private-hire market and schools. Conversions also allow you to fit out the interior of a panel van however you want – including adding racking and other useful features. The latest large vans are prepped to an industry standard so they're ready to be kitted out from the factory.

It’s worth noting that the size of the van you can drive depends on your driving licence. Anyone with a regular category B licence can drive a van weighing no more than 3.5-tonnes. Generally speaking, if you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, you’ll also have the additional C1 category on your licence, allowing you to drive vans weighing up to 7.5-tonnes. If payload rather than cargo volume is important to you, and depending upon any licence restrictions, it could be worthwhile looking at a slightly smaller van so you don't break the limit.

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