Best small vans 2026

The best small vans combine a decent payload capacity with a roomy cab, large door openings and a versatile load space, without the bulk of a medium or large van. Small vans also manage to do all this while offering low running costs, strong efficiency and compact dimensions for ease of use in urban areas. 

Thankfully, there’s plenty of choice on offer, and our expert road testers have driven every small van you can buy in the UK, gathering up the very best right here. 

Compare the best small vans

All things considered, the Kia PV5 Cargo is currently the best small van on the market, offering a great blend of low prices and running costs with good practicality. 

The Renault Kangoo is the best petrol small van and if you’d prefer a small van which looks and drives like a car, the Toyota Corolla Commercial is our top pick, ahead of the Ford Explorer Van.

Click the links in the table or scroll down to find expert verdicts on the best small vans you can buy..

1. Kia PV5 Cargo

The Kia PV5 is the first van offered from the Korean manufacturer here in the UK, and it’s a very, very good small van

• Prices from £27,335 excl. VAT
• Maximum payload: 790kg
• Maximum load volume: 4.4 cubic metres
• Auto Express Small Van of the Year and Electric Van of the Year 2026

If you’re looking for a small van which is easy on the wallet, competitive on cargo space, and can turn heads, then look no further than the Kia PV5 Cargo. In fact, the PV5 Cargo is such a good all-rounder, we named it our Small Van of the Year for 2026.

Unlike the other traditional small vans on this list, the PV5 Cargo is only available with an electric powertrain, but this shouldn’t put you off.

There are two battery variants to choose from. The first is an entry-level 51.5kWh pack which is capable of going up to 184 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. During our testing we saw efficiency figures of 3.1 miles per kWh and 160 miles of real-world range which is pretty respectable. 

The second option is a 71.2kWh pack in the PV5 Cargo Long Range which can offer up to 258 miles of all-electric range and only commands a premium of around £3,000 over the 51.5kWh variant. Charging speeds of up to 150kW mean both batteries should top-up from 10 to 80 per cent in under half an hour.

This being an electric van, the payload isn’t quite as large as some other conventional diesel vans on this list, but it remains competitive at 790kg. The 4.4 cubic meter cargo space is large enough to swallow two Euro pallets, and loading the van should be easy thanks to its low loading heights, wide opening rear doors and option of dual sliding side doors.

On the road, the PV5 Cargo is easy to pilot down small, tight streets thanks to its slim stature and tight turning circle. Visibility is pretty good thanks to its tall driving position and large, wide side mirrors. Pulling out of off-set T-Junctions can be a bit difficult though, thanks to the bulkhead getting in the way. 

“Perhaps the most luxurious part of the PV5 Cargo’s interior is the seats. While they’re still pretty basic to look at, we didn’t feel any unwelcome cramps or pains after spending many hours and miles behind the wheel of our test van.” - Shane Wilkinson, senior content editor

2. Citroen Berlingo / Fiat Doblo / Peugeot Partner / Toyota Proace City / Vauxhall Combo 

You can get these vans in various different, but very similar flavours. The Citroen Berlingo would be our pick of the crop.

• Prices from £23,120 (Berlingo, excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 1,000kg
• Maximum load volume: 4.4 cubic metres
• Auto Express Small Van of the Year 2025

Stellantis is a big player in the commercial vehicle world, and it has five closely-related contenders in the small van market: the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner, Toyota Proace City and Vauxhall Combo. 

All of these vans are essentially the same vehicle underneath, so choosing between them will come down to what kind of deal you can find, any particular brand loyalty you might possess, or which van you most like the look of. Our favourite of the bunch is the Citroen Berlingo as it’s the cheapest of the bunch, and it it features Citroen’s Advanced Comfort seats.

Every van listed above uses the same running gear and are all largely identical from the leading edge of the bonnet all the way to the back doors. The platform mixes generous cargo volume of up to 4.4 cubic meters and a payload of up to a tonne on some versions, with car-like safety tech such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind spot monitoring are all offered. 

Whichever van you opt for, the driving experience is largely similar. Big windows give a great view out, the seats are pretty comfortable (especially in the Berlingo with Citroen’s Advanced Comfort chairs which are really supportive). There’s also a decent amount of sound deadening which helps make the cabin feel suitably refined. 

Diesel vans with the manual gearbox feel a bit lethargic, but vans with the automatic gearbox are reasonably responsive and there’s enough grunt on offer.

There are also pure-electric versions of each model if you’re keen to reduce your emissions. It can also travel up to 213 miles on a single charge.

“Light steering helps with low-speed driving and parking, and this is complemented by a tight turning circle, making manoeuvres just that little bit easier than they would be in a Renault Kangoo. The electric vans are more relaxing to drive than the petrol or diesel models because there are fewer vibrations and a lot less noise entering the cabin.” - Andy Goodwin, Auto Express contributor

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3. Renault Kangoo/Nissan Townstar

The Renault Kangoo and Nissan Townstar are both great small vans with big load carrying abilities.

• Prices from: £21,175 (Townstar, excl. VAT) 
• Maximum payload: 1,000kg
• Maximum load volume: 4.3 cubic metres

The current Renault Kangoo shares its DNA with the Nissan Townstar so, much like the aforementioned Stellantis models, the one you choose will most likely be based on price and brand loyalty. 

Both the Renault and Nissan offer the choice of petrol or fully-electric power, with the latter models getting a maximum range of between 183 and 186 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. 

Those after a traditional oil-burner under the bonnet will have to opt for the Kangoo over the Townstar, though. There are two diesel engine choices on offer, both of which can return over 50mpg. We’d opt for the more powerful version of the 1.5 Blue dCi with its 113bhp and 270Nm of torque as it’ll feel a little more peppy when carrying heavier loads.

There are also two lengths to choose from, and these offer 3.3 and 4.3 cubic metres of cargo space respectively, while maximum payload stands at 1,000kg.

There’s a decent amount of standard kit on the entry-level Kangoo and Townstar, too, with air-conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control and rear parking sensors all thrown in. 

Our road testers were particularly impressed with how refined the Kangoo and Townstar remain at higher motorway speeds, with the electric models being particularly quiet on the move - as you’d expect.

“The Kangoo is a breeze to drive. Light steering makes it easy to place, the permanent rear-view camera system is a handy addition, and you get a good view of the road ahead. Renault also offers a wide-view mirror mounted to the passenger sun visor.” - Sam Naylor, Auto Express contributor

4. Ford Transit Courier 

The Ford Transit Courier might be the smallest traditional van in Ford’s line-up but it’s incredibly capable.

• Prices from £17,700 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 820kg
• Maximum load volume: 2.9 cubic metres

If Ford’s Transit Custom is a little on the large side, the more compact Ford Transit Courier has you covered. 

Despite its small stature, the Transit Courier features a maximum loadspace of 2.9 cubic metres, which should easily fit two Euro pallets. The cargo area also has a load-through bulkhead and a maximum payload of up to 820kg. There’s more good news, too, as it’s by far one of the cheapest vans on the market.

While the range of body styles isn’t as broad as the Transit Connect’s or larger Transit Custom, it does have the option of petrol, diesel or electric powertrains. Whichever powertrain you choose, performance is sprightly and running costs shouldn’t break the bank.  

With Leader, Trend, Limited and Active trim levels each coming with a generous offering of on-board tech and equipment, there should be spec to suit your needs. An 8-inch touchscreen featuring Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, High Beam Assist, Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist and cruise control all come as standard across the range. Whichever trim you choose, the Courier is a solid small van and it even managed to bag our Van of the Year award in 2024.

“Since the Transit Courier is based on the Puma platform, it can lay claim to being one of the best-handling vans on the market, while the driving position and big windows give you a clear view of your surroundings.” - Sam Naylor, Auto Express contributor

5. Mercedes Citan 

Want a small van with class? The Mercedes Citan should fit the bill.

• Prices from: £21,575 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 686kg
• Maximum load volume: 3.6 cubic metres

The Mercedes Citan shares the same platform as the Renault Kangoo and Nissan Townstar mentioned above, but it adds a little bit of badge prestige and quality to the mix - as you’d expect from a Mercedes. It’s also available in a number of forms; a short-wheelbase ‘L1’ and long wheelbase ‘L2’ panel van plus the all-electric eCitan. 

Although the Citan’s exterior might look similar to the Kangoo, it’s inside where you’ll find the biggest differences. The Mercedes’ interior borrows technology from other Mercedes models.

Some current Mercedes styling cues and switchgear can be seen around the cabin and the firm’s MBUX infotainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel equipped with touchpad buttons adds to the overall upmarket feel of the Citan. 

While it’s far from being a Mercedes S-Class, the Citan still rides well for a small van, with minimal tyre and wind noise intruding into the cabin, which will make those longer trips to jobs much more bearable. 

“The cabin of the second-generation Citan has been infused with an essence of Mercedes’ passenger cars. Elements like the round air vents and three-spoke steering wheel look familiar, but of course the Citan uses tough plastics to give the cabin a more robust quality. We like the metallic-ringed dials for the heating and ventilation system, and the large shortcut buttons under the dashboard.” - Sam Naylor, Auto Express contributor

6. Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 

With underpinnings taken from the VW Golf, the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is one of the most comfortable small vans going.

• Prices from: £25,060 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 710kg
• Maximum load volume: 3.7 cubic metres

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo has the kind of quality that wouldn't look out of place within VW's car range, and as a result it's one of the most comfortable small vans on the UK market. What’s more is that the latest model starts from around £25,000 before VAT. 

Buyers have a choice between the standard SWB Caddy or the larger Maxi model, and these can be specced in Commerce, Commerce Plus or Commerce Pro trim. The shorter wheelbase model can certainly carry its fair share of cargo, though, with 3.1 cubic metres of capacity — rising to 3.7 cubic meters in the Maxi — and the Caddy Cargo’s maximum payload ranges from 676kg to 725kg, depending on the powertrain. 

There’s also a Caddy MPV for those in need to carry people as well as cargo. Its Volkswagen Golf underpinnings make the Caddy one of the best vans to drive, too, and all-round visibility is excellent.

“If you enjoy driving, then the VW Caddy Cargo is one of the more engaging small vans, courtesy of those Golf underpinnings. The chassis is nimble, and all versions of the Caddy Cargo feature an electronic differential lock that helps with traction out of corners – it’s not quite the same as the XDS electronic diff that’s fitted to sportier versions of the Golf, but it boosts the van’s agility all the same.” - Andy Goodwin, Auto Express contributor

7. Ford Transit Connect

The old Ford Transit Connect was one of the best small vans money could buy. This new version is even better.

• Prices from: £24,150 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 913kg
• Maximum load volume: 3.6 cubic metres

The old Ford Transit Connect was one of the best small vans on the market, offering plenty of bodystyle and trim level choices while being surprisingly fun to drive. Ford introduced the latest Transit Connect with the aim of improving these qualities even further, and it has succeeded.

The current Transit Connect offers more load space than its predecessor, and it’s able to accommodate two euro pallets in both standard and long wheelbase form. These different sizes offer a total load space of 3.1 and 3.7 cubic metres respectively. 

If you need the flexibility of extra seats, the Transit Connect FlexCab can seat up to five people and has a unique mechanism that allows the second row of seats to fold upwards to create a full-height bulkhead.

The Transit Connect is available with either a 2.0-litre diesel engine in two power configurations, or a plug-in hybrid petrol. Both diesel options are economical, but if you’re mostly driving around town and long motorway jaunts aren’t a journey you undertake regularly, we’d recommend the plug-in hybrid.

“Few van buyers will be tempted away from diesel, but for light-duty urban work, the plug-in hybrid petrol can make sense. All Transit Connects are front-wheel drive, although you can add a mechanical limited-slip diff and all-season tyres to all models if you need a bit more traction.” - Steve Walker, head of digital content

8. Toyota Corolla Commercial 

Not everyone needs the versatility of a traditional van. This is where the car-based Toyota Corolla Commercial comes into its own.

• Prices from: £25,065 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 465kg
• Maximum load volume: 1.3 cubic metres

Toyota has smoothly transformed the Corolla estate car into a van with the Corolla Commercial model. There are very few estate-based vans on the current market, so the Toyota is an ideal pick if you don’t need the space of a fully-sized van, but do need something more utilitarian than a standard estate car.

When it comes to load-lugging capabilities, the Corolla Commercial is very capable for its body type with a maximum capacity of 465kg and 1.3 cubic meters worth of cargo volume. Accessing the space is done through the wide-opening rear doors or the boot with its low load lip.

Choices are limited when it comes to powering the British-built Corolla Commercial. In fact, there’s only one engine to choose from, the same 1.8-litre petrol hybrid which is found in the regular Corolla hatchback. Fear not though as its very economical with Toyota claiming up to 64.2mpg.

Equipment levels are similar to the entry-level Corolla Touring Sports and as standard you get LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a reversing camera, heated front passenger seats with powered lumbar support and a raft of safety equipment. 

You also get Toyota’s ten-year/100,000-mile warranty, providing you get the car serviced at a Toyota-approved dealer and in accordance with the service schedule.

“On the road, the Corolla Commercial is just as simple and easy to drive as the passenger versions. It fires up silently when there's enough charge in the hybrid battery, and the system is quiet as you're driving along. Due to the nature of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) it can get noisy under hard acceleration as the revs rapidly rise, although this doesn't really happen that often, while the van favours electric drive in most circumstances.” - Matt Robinson, Auto Express contributor

9. Ford Explorer Van

Want an electric car with the load carrying-capacity of a van? The Ford Explorer Van has you covered.

• Prices from £40,262 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 650kg
• Maximum load volume: 1.25 cubic metres

It seems Ford’s reputation when it comes to vans is well deserved as its Explorer Van is the third commercial vehicle from the Blue Oval to land a spot on this list.

Based on the regular passenger-going electric Ford Explorer SUV, the Explorer Van is available with two powertrain options in the form of a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration, or a dual-motor version. Ford claims a range of up to 373 miles on a single charge, and the Explorer Van can tow up to 1,200kg.

Inside, the rear seats have been removed and a bulkhead now separates the front seats from the rear load compartment. This means the Explorer Van has a cargo space of up to 1.25 cubic meters and a maximum payload of 650kg.

Ford offers a raft of optional extras including the Utility Pack which adds frunk storage, a roof rack, rear window mesh, as well as seat covers and easy-clean rubber mats. You can even spec amber lights on the front and rear of the vehicle, too.

There is one small catch when it comes to the Explorer Van. Ford Pro Commercial, Ford’s commercial vehicle arm is only taking orders for the Explorer in batches of five vans or more at a time

10. Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial

 Need to take your small van off-road? The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial can get you to your destination with minimal fuss.

• Prices from: £54,425 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum payload: 810kg
• Maximum load volume: 2.0 cubic metres

If you often find your jobs take you off the beaten track, then the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial has you covered. Not only does it have great off-road ability, its payload even rivals that of traditional small vans.

There’s very little in the way of customisation. In fact, you can only get the Land Cruiser Commercial in one configuration. While it might not be as plush as the regular Land Cruiser, you do get heated and ventilated seats, a powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.8-litre diesel engine which produces 201bhp and 500Nm of torque. While Toyota is known for making efficient engines, it’s not particularly high on the agenda here with Toyota claiming a fuel economy figure of just 25.9mpg. Then again, it is a 2.3 tonne SUV with permanent four-wheel drive.

If you don’t mind the Land Cruiser Commercial’s thirst for fuel, it will certainly impress you when you need to traverse the roughest terrain. You’ll also be able to tow up to the maximum permissible weight of 3,500kg.

“With permanent four-wheel drive and low-range gears, the Land Cruiser Commercial is a capable off-road machine. An electronic diff lock is included to split power 50:50 between the front and rear axles, while there are hill-descent and uphill-start assist systems on offer, too.” - Dean Gibson, senior road test editor.

How we choose the best small vans

Let’s be frank; the whole purpose of a business is to make money, so spending a small fortune on buying and running a van quickly defeats this objective. 

Price and value

Value for money is by far the most important factor to those in the market for a small van, so it's essential if a van is going to appear on this particular list. 

A low purchase price, economical engines and affordable insurance are just some of the cost-related areas which our experts carefully research when reviewing every small van on sale in the UK. 

It’s worth remembering that we look at purchase price and running costs as a whole. While some of the cheapest vans on sale do feature on this list, not all of them are ones we’d pick.

Practicality

Of course, alongside these low costs you’ll also need maximum capability, so we pay very close attention to every van’s maximum payload, load volume and towing capacities. 

In short, maximum capability for the lowest price is the winning formula in the small van market. In addition to this, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect a modern small van to be good to drive and adorned with up-to-date tech, so these are all part of our in-depth testing criteria, too.

Choosing the best small van

Buy a small van, and you’re buying a versatile set of wheels. Small vans need to be short enough to navigate tight, narrow lanes in towns and cities and slot through width restrictions with ease, while also providing enough cargo space, a decent payload and wide-opening and sliding doors. 

Load carrying

Big sellers such as the Citroen Berlingo Van, Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy follow a simple formula which is standard throughout the small van sector. There is usually just a single sliding side door (a second door will be often optional), plus barn doors at the back, usually in a 60:40 split (again, some vans offer the option of a top-hinged tailgate). More often than not there's a steel bulkhead dividing the load area from the passenger compartment – although some vans still only offer this as an option – while some vans offer a through-loading bulkhead to accommodate longer items. Ply lining for the load area is often a common extra which can be specced during the order process. 

In terms of bodystyles, there aren't as many options as you’d find in the larger medium van sector, but there’s still plenty of variation. Most small vans come in at least two body lengths, but high roof variants are less common, while conversions are virtually non-existent. Crew Vans usually feature a basic folding bulkhead with an integrated second row of seats. These are designed for work transport rather than being considered an alternative to an MPV, because the sliding side doors will usually only have glass if you add it as an option. Besides, the leading lights in the small van class are available as MPVs, which are far more suited to family life.

Engines and driving experience

The vast majority of small vans are front-wheel drive, although some vans and commercial vehicles have the option of off-road packages that add switchable traction control and all-season tyres that provide extra traction. If you want four-wheel drive, then you have the option of a commercial 4x4. These are based on SUVs, but have their windows blacked out, all the back seats stripped out and a long, flat load area put in their place. These models are an interesting stop-gap between a small van and a pick-up truck, because they offer nearly as much cargo volume and security as a small van, but with the off-road ability of a pick-up truck, if not the payload capacity.

Diesel is the most common fuel choice for small vans. There are a handful of petrol-engined small vans available, but there are just as many electric versions on offer these days, which are ideal for short urban delivery routes, zero-emissions running and last mile transport. 

Today's small vans deliver a driving experience that will be a surprise to most. Vans such as the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy are surprisingly agile and if driving dynamics really matter then car-based vans like the Toyota Corolla Commercial are ideal candidates. The level of kit on board is also starting to match passenger cars, including safety gear, with assorted cameras, lane-keeping assist functions and autonomous emergency braking on offer, although usually as an option.

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