Why do so many vans look the same?
If you've noticed that — logos aside — several commercial vehicles look exactly the same, then you're not alone. Here's your complete guide to van clones.
- Find out why so many vans look identical to one another
- Learn what sets them apart and which could be best for you
- Discover which of today's vans remain unique propositions
While few of us would consider ourselves to be ardent ‘van spotters’, there’s something about modern commercial vehicles that won’t have escaped many motorists’ casual attention while out driving — badges aside, some vans don’t just look quite similar, they are identical. So, what’s going on?
Below we explain why commercial vehicles from seemingly unrelated manufacturers share so many hidden components and not just those you can see on the outside.
We also guide you through which vans on sale today are fundamentally the same as each other and how to decide which of those clones is best for you. Alternatively, if you're looking for a new van that's all its manufacturer's own work then we've also got a rundown of those.
Why do van manufacturers sell near-identical models?
To save money is the simple answer. Developing a new van from scratch is a very expensive undertaking for any manufacturer, particularly with various regulatory hoops to jump through which frequently differ in various parts of the world.
Adding to the financial strain is the need to develop fully electric drive systems and battery packs to comply with future legislation which will outlaw the sale of new vans fitted with combustion engines.
These costs can be significantly reduced by working in conjunction with another van manufacturer. It could be a simple commercial arrangement where one company is paid a licencing fee to supply vans to a second, which in turn simply sticks its own badges onto a vehicle it had no involvement in engineering.
More complex arrangements involve different companies establishing a joint venture to share their developmental and manufacturing expertise and resources. Both solutions centre around improving economies of scale — the more shared components used within the overall number of vans that can be produced, the greater the chance of profitability.
While car manufacturers also co-develop models, their products aim to strike an emotional chord with consumers, usually requiring a far greater need for distinct visual identities. In most instances, vans are more likely to chosen on a logical basis — a head- rather than heart-based decision — meaning it’s far less likely to be a deal breaker when most of the bodywork is shared, with only the grille design and marque logos to tell them apart.
And yes, the greater percentage of a van’s body panels that remain identical regardless of the brand name stuck to them, the lower the costs become. Ultimately that improved affordability is good news for van buyers as it allows for more opportunity to negotiating a discount.
Identical vans: a brief history
Vans which are essentially the same product being sold under different brand names is not a new concept. From the earliest years of vehicle manufacturing, larger businesses took over smaller ones, while firms of similar size merged — usually in unsuccessful attempts to avoid being gobbled-up by a bigger rival. These giant combines effectively owned a suite of what had essentially become brand names rather than individual companies. Weaker, less appealing marques were retired while those considered to have cachet continued.
Readers who were around in the 1950s and 1960s will doubtless recall that the once proudly separate Austin and Morris marque names were, post-merger, applied to all manner of vans — and cars — that were essentially facsimiles of each other.
The business model which is commonplace for van manufacturers today effectively kicked off in 1978 with the creation Sevel — its name being an acronym in both French and Italian which translates as European Light Vehicle Company. It was a joint-venture between France’s PSA (which then owned Citroen, Peugeot and Talbot) and Italy’s Fiat in alliance Alfa Romeo, the latter of which at the time was still a separate enterprise. This was essentially the first step along the convoluted path which eventually saw the formation of Stellantis.
Sevel’s first product was a large van range launched in 1981, all with identical bodywork, interiors, engines and transmissions that differed primarily by their grille designs and badges. Names were tweaked for different markets — in the UK it was initially sold as the Citroen C25, Fiat Ducato and Talbot Express — while commercial vehicle buyers in other countries could also buy them as Alfa Romeos and Peugeots.
When those large vans were replaced by a new generation in 1994, they were swiftly followed by a line-up of medium-sized models. These were the first iterations of the Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo and Peugeot Expert and were collectively known as the Eurovans.
Sevel’s success encouraged other manufacturers to either collaboratively develop new vans or simply abandon their intention to do so independently and instead pay for the right to attach their names to another firm’s commercial vehicles.
Outside of the Sevel arrangement, a pooling of resources saw the co-creation of the first Mercedes Sprinter and the final generation of Volkswagen LT in the mid-1990s. Shortly after they were launched, General Motors forged a licencing deal with Renault that initially saw the French marque’s Trafic sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Arena, while Nissan struck a similar arrangement for its Spanish-built Vanette to be marketed as the LDV Cub.
Since then, most new commercial vehicle designs sold across Europe have been a collaboration of one sort or another.
Which of today’s vans are identical?
We’ve organised identical vans you can currently buy brand new into different sizes to help you see more clearly which models are closely related.
Which small vans are the same?
Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner, Toyota Proace City and Vauxhall Combo
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Citroen Berlingo is the only one available with Advanced Comfort seats and a petrol engine
- Peugeot Partner has a different dashboard design using its i-Cockpit theme of a small steering wheel and high-mounted instruments
- Toyota warranty can be extended to 10 years
These are the most notable and prolific examples of vans sharing bodywork, underpinnings, engines and electric drive components.
They were developed by PSA with involvement from General Motors and sold initially under the Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall brand names.
Toyota contributes financially to the arrangement to have the Proace City Verso built for it.
When PSA merged with what was then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create Stellantis, Fiat soon ended production of its unrelated Doblo van and applied the name to its version of this van.
Read our full Citroen Berlingo review
Read our full Fiat Doblo review
Read our full Peugeot Partner review
Read our full Toyota Proace City review
Read our full Vauxhall Combo review
Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Ford is available in Active specification for a pseudo-SUV look
- Perceived superiority of VW name may influence resale values
Ford and VW have several far-reaching agreements across their commercial vehicle ranges as well as for electric cars.
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On the vans side, which firm takes the development lead varies from project to project with VW being in charge when it came to the small vans. That’s because the Caddy — and by extension its Transit Connect twin — essentially use engines and underpinnings shared with many Volkswagen cars. In terms of the dashboard and interior there is little to separate the two.
Mercedes Citan, Nissan Townstar and Renault Kangoo
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Perceived superiority of Mercedes name may influence resale values
Not for the first time have these brands been involved together in the small van market but this time around Mercedes was more closely involved from the start. That’s somewhat ironic given its recent announcement that it will soon cease sales of its Citan version.
Renault and Nissan have long had a strategic alliance, although the resulting product is far more heavily skewed towards the former when it comes to engineering and development. Combustion engines and electric drive systems are available on all three models.
Interior designs, including dashboards, are essentially the same, while regardless of brand name UK market versions of all three vans miss out on the clever extra-wide side-opening feature that’s available on left-hand drive models.
Read our full Mercedes Citan review
Which medium vans are the same?
Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo, Iveco Jolly, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace and Vauxhall Vivaro
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Toyota warranty can be extended to 10 years
Now in its third generation, this Sevel-produced van range was sold first as a Citroen and Peugeot, with Toyota continuing its licencing deal.
The Vauxhall Vivaro arrived later replacing the Renault Trafic-based model of the same name.
Following Stellantis’s creation Fiat joined the party and resurrected the Scudo nameplate to replace replacing the Talento, which was another Renault Trafic rebadge. All versions share the same diesel and electric power options, benefitting from a facelift and interior overhaul in 2024.
Despite the basic design of these Eurovans now being nine years old, 2025 has seen the arrival of the Iveco Jolly giving the van its sixth name in the UK market.
Read our full Citroen Dispatch review
Read our full Fiat Scudo review
Read our full Iveco Jolly review — coming soon
Read our full Peugeot Expert review
Read our full Toyota Proace review
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review
Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter
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Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper, bonnet, head and tail light design is brand-specific
- Perceived superiority of Volkswagen name may influence resale values
Ford’s latest Transit Custom and the new Volkswagen Transporter share the same underpinnings, much of their bodies and interiors as well as engines, plug-in hybrid and electric drive systems.
Unlike the smaller Transit Connect and Caddy twins, this medium-sized van was developed mostly by Ford, leading to some consternation among VW aficionados that resulted in a surge in demand for the last-of-the-line T6 Volkswagen Transporter.
In truth, they’re both among the very best medium-sized vans available, proving to be extremely refined to drive and blessed with clever interior touches such as a flip-up steering wheel that forms the basis of a makeshift table.
Nissan Primastar and Renault Trafic
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
As part of the Renault’s strategic alliance with Nissan, the Japanese brand markets a rebranded version of the van originally co-funded by General Motors and sold as the Vauxhall Vivaro.
For a while when it’s relationship with its erstwhile partners was off, Fiat also sold a rebadged version of the Trafic using the Talento name, a label previously used in some European markets for short-wheelbase versions of its larger Ducato van.
Now available with both diesel and electric drive options, this range will soon go out of production to make way for its replacement. Expect the Renault first with the Nissan six months or so later — might we also see it badged as a Dacia or even a Mitsubishi in due course?
Which large vans are the same?
Citroen Relay, Fiat Ducato, Iveco SuperJolly, Peugeot Boxer, Toyota Proace Max and Vauxhall Movano
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Most chassis cab-derived motorhomes are based on the Fiat version
Today’s Sevel-built large vans are fundamentally the same as those launched back in 1994 albeit with more facelifts than Cher to try and keep them competitive in the face of much newer rivals.
Mechanical overhauls have also seen the introduction of fully electric drive systems, while the interiors have also seen several makeovers.
The Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot versions were the original in this generation with the Vauxhall-badged Movano only joining the fray in 2019 when it replaced the more modern Renault Master-derived van of the same name.
When the most recent facelift was introduced in 2024, Toyota extended its licencing deal with Stellantis upwards so that it could sell a large van, with the choice expanding further still in 2025 with the launch of the Iveco SuperJolly.
Read our full Citroen Relay review
Read our full Fiat Ducato review
Read our full Iveco SuperJolly review — coming soon
Read our full Peuegot Boxer review
Read our full Toyota Proace Max review
Read our full Vauxhall Movano review
Nissan Interstar and Renault Master
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
Much like the medium-sized Trafic, this is a Renault product first and foremost, the Nissan link being by dint of the two firms’ strategic alliance. Mitsubishi is the third wing of that arrangement and while it’s not longer present in the UK market, rumours persist that it may return — doing so in the van market could be a useful way to test the waters.
Both the diesel-engined Master and the electric Renault Master E-Tech have won a flurry of awards since their introduction, but the Nissan Interstar remains relatively unknown by comparison, even though it’s essentially the same commercial vehicle aside from some stylistic differences.
Read our full Nissan Interstar review — coming soon
MAN TGE and Volkswagen Crafter
Key points of differentiation
- Grille, bumper and headlight design is brand-specific
- Far greater number of VW Commercial Vehicle dealers
Although the previous generation of Volkswagen Crafter was developed alongside the contemporary Mercedes Sprinter, this one is all VW’s own work — and a fine job it did of it, too.
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To broaden the van’s appeal with the intent to increase sales volumes, Volkswagen’s truck division — MAN — also markets this model under its own name via its dedicated retailer network. MAN’s version is aimed at lorry fleet operators who additionally want the comparative convenience of a large van for inner-city use without the need to use another brand’s dealer network.
Which vans are still unique?
There aren’t many vans available today that still stand completely alone — the chances are high that those which are will be replaced by models associated with other commercial vehicle manufacturers.
Of course, calling them ‘unique’ is stretching the point several degrees. They will all share some major components, particularly engines and electric drive systems, with other models, while others are derived from underpinnings designed primarily as a car platform. Outside the UK market some of them will even wear different brand names altogether.
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On a superficial level, ‘unique’ is fine to use as a descriptor as these vans currently available to buy all have bodywork that’s wholly specific to them:
- Farizon SV
- Ford Transit and E-Transit
- Ford Transit Courier and E-Transit Courier
- Iveco Daily and eDaily
- Kia PV5
- LEVC VN5
- Maxus eDeliver 3
- Maxus eDeliver 5
- Maxus Deliver 7 and eDeliver 7
- Maxus Deliver 9 and eDeliver 9
- Mercedes Sprinter and eSprinter
- Mercedes Vito and eVito
- Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo
Does it matter which brand of identical van I buy?
Generally speaking, no. Where vans are co-developed, the finished product will be essentially the same regardless of the badges it wears. However, there are several factors may swing your decision in favour of one over its clones.
One of the most important of these will be the van’s price. If you’re looking at a commercial vehicle that’s sold under various brand names it’s worth shopping around to see which dealer will give you the best financial package, even if their list prices all hover around the same figures.
How far you are from the dealers may also be an influencing factor, particularly if the finance packages on offer aren’t dissimilar. Why travel 25 miles to a dealer when a near-identical van from another brand is just two minutes away and costs more or less the same?
This also impacts aftersales support and servicing which is why you see far more Volkswagen Crafters on the road than you do MAN TGEs.
Also consider potential differences in warranties for what’s essentially the same van. Aside from its homegrown Hilux pickup, Toyota doesn’t build any of its own commercial vehicles that are sold in the UK, yet it offers greater warranty cover than any of the Stellantis brands do.
If you keep a Stellantis-made Toyota-labelled van serviced and maintained within its dealer network the warranty can last for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. For a small business user who doesn’t cover a huge annual mileage this could be the determining factor among identical vans.
Some identikit vans also have more complex exterior differentiators designed into them than simply the shape of the grille within the front bumper moulding —the Ford Transit Custom and the Volkswagen Transporter being prime examples.
From the front doors backwards, the body panels are common to both with differentiation generated with stick-on pieces of trim and altered tail light graphics. Up front, as well as the bumper and its integral grille shape, the headlights aren’t just differently shaped, there’s a variance between the heights they’re positioned at, while their bonnets follow contrasting angles up to the base of the windscreen leading to subtly altered front wings.
Whether those changes feels sufficient to appease long-time VW buyers who’ve never fancied a Ford before remains to be seen.
