Best medium panel vans 2024
There's plenty of choice available in the hard-fought medium-sized van sector. We rank our favourites
As the name suggests, the best medium-sized panel vans offer more space than smaller compact vans, but without the sheer bulk of a full-sized large panel van. This combination makes mid-size vans easier to drive around towns and cities, while still being able to carry a decent amount of cargo in terms of weight and load volume. We’ve thoroughly tested every medium-sized panel van in the UK to find the very best for your business, so read on to see our top picks.
Best medium panel vans
- Ford Transit Custom
- Volkswagen Transporter
- Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar
- Vauxhall Vivaro/Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Scudo
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo
- Mercedes Vito
- Maxus eDeliver
- LEVC VN5
1. Ford Transit Custom
- Prices from £32,350 (excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 1,327kg
- Maximum load volume: 6.8 cubic metres
There’s a reason why the Ford Transit Custom is one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK; not only does it offer a car-like driving experience, but it’s also highly versatile where it counts. The Transit Custom features rival-beating door openings, along with competitive payload weights and cargo capacity. There are a range of powertrains to choose from, too, ranging from traditional diesel to a fully-electric model. In fact, the E-Transit Custom is our 2024 Electric Van of the Year.
Trim levels are also plentiful, ranging from the base Leader to the higher-spec Trend, Trail and Sport versions. There’s also a slightly bonkers MS-RT variant, if you prefer your van to stand out by a country mile. All versions of the Transit Custom come with advanced driver-safety aids, such as lane-keeping assist and collision prevention, as well as Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2. Volkswagen Transporter
- Prices from £36,468 (incl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 1,278kg
- Maximum load volume: 6.7 cubic metres
You might be unfamiliar with Volkswagen's van range, but the Transporter has a heritage that's almost as long as VW's itself. The T6 is the sixth-generation of mid-sized van produced by the firm, while the revised T6.1 added a raft of kit that will be familiar to anyone who's driven a Golf. While some rivals offer a greater load volume, the T6.1 feels like a particularly premium offering, thanks to its car-like features.
Volkswagen’s 2.0 TDI diesel engines are available with a manual or DSG automatic transmission, as well as with the option of 4MOTION all-wheel drive. For the first time in the Transporter’s long history, a fully-electric version is also offered, the ABT e-Transporter. This features the same running gear as the VW e-Golf, and a range of 82 miles, it won’t be suited to long-distance driving, but should prove enough for a day's work making urban deliveries. You’ll have to be quick if you’re tempted by the T6.1, though, because a new Transporter is set to arrive in 2025.
3. Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar
- Prices from £30,590 (Primastar, excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 1,166kg
- Maximum load volume: 8.9 cubic metres
The Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar share the same DNA, and they are both proper old-school, no-nonsense vans. This isn’t to say that they’re sparsely equipped, however, because there’s still a plentiful amount of kit thrown in as standard. There’s also a wide range of choice when it comes to size; you can choose different lengths and heights, while there’s also the option of a crew cab.
One particularly great thing about the Trafic and Primastar is the high-set driving position. With a commanding view of the road ahead, these vans offer one of the tallest seat heights of any vehicle in the class. Add in the large rear-view mirrors and visibility isn't an issue in the Renault or Nissan, either.
4. Vauxhall Vivaro/Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/ Toyota Proace/Fiat Scudo
- Prices from £27,010 (Dispatch, incl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 1,446kg
- Maximum load volume: 6.6 cubic metres
Until a few years ago, the Vauxhall Vivaro shared much of its running gear and most of its tech with the Renault Trafic. But now Vauxhall is part of Stellantis and the Vivaro is essentially the same as the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace and Fiat Scudo.
No matter the make of van you opt for, equipment levels, trims and engines are broadly similar. The Vivaro comes in three different lengths, as well as panel or Crew Cab body styles. Cargo space isn’t the roomiest, however, there is a through-loading bulkhead to help carry longer items. In the cabin, there is a three-seat layout which might be a little on the tight side for some people, but the arrangement does offer versatility if you need it. There are plenty of soft-touch materials and in-car tech to help make the interior feel upmarket, while a host of driver aids, such as active cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, are also available.
5. Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo
- Prices from £35,616 (excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 710kg
- Maximum load volume: 3.9 cubic metres
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo is the van version of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Not only does it offer a distinct retro charm by referencing the classic VW Type 2, but it has a range of up to 276 miles on the WLTP combined cycle and a cleverly designed cargo area. Being based on the same MEB platform as many of Volkswagen’s electric cars means the ID. Buzz Cargo feels car-like to drive, with the suspension soaking up imperfections in the road well.
When it needs recharging, the VW’s 79kWh battery can be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent capacity in around 30 minutes using a 185kW DC fast charger. The 24-month service intervals should also keep costs down, with no mileage restriction in that time.
6. Mercedes Vito
- Prices from £32,850 (excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 910kg
- Maximum load volume: 6 cubic metres
The Mercedes Vito is a reliable and dependable workhorse with plenty of hard-wearing materials inside, yet it also offers the prestige of the Mercedes badge for users who seek a van that doesn't live up to the typical stereotypes. There are two different panel van lengths available, L2 and L3, as well as two trim levels to choose from. Both of these offer an upmarket feel when compared with rival vans.
The engine range comprises three diesel units, with up to 187bhp on offer. For zero-emissions driving, there’s also the choice of the fully-electric Mercedes eVito, and this offers up to 164 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle.
7. Maxus eDeliver 7
- Prices from £44,995 (excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 1,135kg
- Maximum load volume: 5.9 cubic metres
Maxus may be an emerging name in the UK’s commercial-vehicle markets, but the Chinese brand has actually risen from the remnants of former British manufacturer LDV. Unlike most vans on this list, the Maxus eDeliver 7 comes exclusively with all-electric power.
You won’t be short changed when it comes to cargo capacity or payloads, though, because the Maxus offers figures that are genuinely competitive when compared with some of its diesel-powered rivals. There are also three body sizes on offer, with the largest wheelbase and roof height offering up to 8.7 cubic metres of load space. The 77kWh is also good for up to 230 miles of range.
8. LEVC VN5
- Prices from £53,950 (excl. VAT)
- Maximum payload: 830kg
- Maximum load volume: 5.5 cubic metres
The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) is best known for building the current generation of London Black Cab, the TX, but now the firm is expanding its portfolio by branching out into the commercial-vehicle market. Based on the famous London Black Cab, the LEVC VN5 is a plug-in hybrid range-extender (REx) van that can travel up to 74 miles on battery power alone, and has a total range of around 308 miles once the petrol engine kicks in to drive the electric motor.
On board, the LEVC VN5 is also packed with safety and driving tech, while a tight taxi-style turning circle will appeal to urban users. Downsides? Well, LEVC is still relatively unknown in the van market, and the VN5 is far from cheap.
Choosing the right medium panel van
Buy a medium-sized van, and you're buying a versatile set of wheels. There's usually space for three people up front, with a payload area that can handle two Europallets with ease.
In terms of body style, there aren't quite as many options for sale as you'd find in the large-van sector, but there's still plenty of choice. Nearly all vans in this segment are of unibody construction, which are therefore harder to strip back to a bare chassis. This means chassis-cab options are rare, but there are still plenty of choices when it comes to panel van shapes and sizes.
Most medium-sized panel vans come in at least two lengths, while others also offer high-roof options. All will come with a steel bulkhead separating the cab from the cargo area, and there will be at least one sliding side door offered. Barn-style rear doors that lock open at 90 and 180 degrees, and can sometimes be fully opened to 270 degrees, usually feature, with a top-hinged tailgate offered as an option, often at no extra cost.
There are five-seat double-cab versions of these vans, too, which add windows to the sliding side doors and move the steel bulkhead back to make room for a three-seat bench behind the front seats. If that's not enough seating for your needs, most medium-sized panel vans also come as either basic multi-seat vehicles (ideal for conversion to a taxi) or more luxurious MPVs, with up to nine seats and varying levels of comfort.
One area where there's more choice than ever is in terms of motive power. Diesel still dominates, and most medium-sized vans offer a variety of power outputs ranging from modest to punchy. Alternatively, an increasing number of van manufacturers are moving towards more eco-friendly drivetrains, meaning that there are an increasing number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vans to choose from.
Need even more space? These are the best large panel vans...
