Best vans 2024

Choosing a new van is a minefield, especially if you’re busy running a business and aren’t familiar with van-related jargon terms and phrases, or have the inclination to get your head around them. This guide is a starting point to make things far simpler to understand.

Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are broadly categorised into four main types — small vans, medium vans, large vans and pickups. Unless your need is a very specialist one that requires a particularly complex conversion, then it should be pretty easy to work out which of these is the best fit for your business.

You need to think about what powers it — is an electric van right for you or are you going to be better off with a conventional engine, or a combination of the two with a hybrid van? These decisions will be based largely on what you use your vehicle for and where it is likely to be mainly driven.

Our individual van reviews and guides will allow you to narrow down your choice — here we’ve picked the best vans of different types to set you on your way:

Best vans Ford Transit Custom Mercedes eSprinter Ford Transit Courier Citroen Berlingo Vauxhall Vivaro Electric Ford E-Transit Custom Renault Master Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo Ford Ranger Maxus eDeliver 9

 

Ford Transit Custom

Car-like to drive, stylish, well-equipped and versatile, the Ford Transit Custom is the go-to choice for so many businesses. The UK’s best-selling vehicle of any kind, it’s offered in two heights and two wheelbase lengths, with a choice of frugal and responsive engines, impressive tech and dynamic agility. Ford’s wide dealer network helps to make owning a Transit Custom a painless experience.

Mercedes eSprinter

The Mercedes eSprinter was substantially revised in 2024 with a larger 95kWh battery, making the most usable electric van for carrying large loads over long distances with zero exhaust emissions. Downsides? It’s expensive and by tipping the scales at 4.25 tonnes you’ll need a C1 licence to drive it. Nevertheless, the newest version of Mercedes’ large van has moved the game on a long way for electric LCVs.

Ford Transit Courier

Small and nimble yet surprisingly practical, the Ford Transit Courier is the great-looking baby of the Ford LCV range and makes a great choice for businesses that don’t need anything bigger. It’s a lot of fun to drive, using the underpinnings of the acclaimed Ford Puma which is a lively and agile small SUV. Engine choices are a 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol in 100PS and 125PS guises as well as a 120PS 1.5-litre Ecoblue diesel.

Citroen Berlingo

Britain’s best-selling small van takes the honours for a reason — the Citroen Berlingo is a brilliant package, with a well-earned reputation. Recently revised with freshened-up styling and an improved cabin, it gets wireless smartphone charging and the choice of Citroen’s Advanced Comfort Seating, making it perfect for long journeys. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine punches above its weight, while there’s also an electric Citroen e-Berlingo with a 205-mile range.

Vauxhall Vivaro Electric

If you want to go electric, then the British-built Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is a good choice in the medium van market. It performs well and has a range of up to 217 miles, plus the clever e-Power Take Off for operating tools and equipment using the Vivaro’s battery pack as the electricity source. It’s the UK’s best-selling electric van thanks to Vauxhall’s strong market presence.

Ford E-Transit Custom

The Ford E-Transit Custom was a long time in gestation but the electric version of the UK’s best-seller was worth the wait. Unlike many rivals, the Ford E-Transit Custom is focused first and foremost on small business users and SMEs, with incentivised home chargers and a choice of power outputs, as well as a dedicated app that can automatically calculate your charging expenses for taxation purposes.

Renault Master

Voted European Van of the Year 2025, the Renault Master is one of the most advanced large vans on the market, as well as being one of the most adaptable. It’s offered with a vast choice of bodies and engines including an all-electric Renault Master E-Tech, while a hydrogen-powered alternative is set to follow within a couple of year. It’s the most versatile large van there is and a recognised class-leader.

Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo

If image matters to your business then the ultra-cool Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo can’t be beaten. No electric van will give your company as bold an image boost as the electric VW which redefines how effective such a business tool can be. It’s less practical than some rivals but the image more than makes up for it.

Ford Ranger

Our favourite pickup is the Ford Ranger which has multiple personalities. It’s offered in both single- and double-cab formats but is so much more than just a pickup. It runs on a rugged ladder-frame chassis with four-wheel-drive and is just as at home carrying loads as it is towing trailers or doubling-up as funky 4x4 family transport.

Maxus eDeliver 9

One of the most surprisingly competent vans on the market right now is the Maxus eDeliver 9 — the electric version of the Chinese manufacturer’s large Maxus Deliver 9 van. It can’t be beaten in terms of the amount of cargo volume on offer in a large van with electric power, yet it’s lively, smooth to drive, has a competitive range and is surprisingly agile, all the while offering phenomenal value for money.