What is the best large van? We have driven every model currently on sale and ranked them to decide which is the best you can buy. We even have an annual Parkers Best Large Van Award to recognise the top performers in this ultra-important area of the market.
Large vans make up the sector that is most popular with buyers, and you can choose from some very long-established and famous names including the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. There is some real choice in the sector, too, as there are lots of different shapes and sizes of large van. As well as short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) variants you can also get a choice of roof heights while in some cases you can get a second row of seats for your colleagues to join you.
Some are now also available as electric vans, with the Ford E-Transit setting the standard for the class. They’re mentioned below, but you can find out more about these specifically on our best electric vans page.
All of these vans are judged as 3.5-tonne (3.5t) models. This refers to a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,500kg, making them the biggest vans you can drive on a standard UK car licence. Almost every van listed below is available with a higher GVW rating, increasing payload, but you’ll need a different licence for that.
Are large vans difficult to drive?
Large vans have come a long way in recent years, and many models are now as easy to drive as a regular car, and feature a good selection of safety aids and creature comforts.
Whatever kind of large van you’re looking for, we’ve listed it here complete with a link to the full review, so you can compare and contrast with every rival to make sure you’re getting the best buy for you.
Best large vans UK
11. Nissan Interstar
Best large van if you need a basic model with a five-year warranty
Interstar is the new name for the Nissan NV400, a change that’s come about as part of Nissan’s plans to refocus its efforts on the light commercial vehicle sector (the NV300 has been renamed Primastar, while the NV250 has been replaced by an all-new Townstar small van).
However, the name is one of the only new things about the Interstar, as it is still the same van as before, being based on the Renault Master and dating all the way back to 2011. It’s not a particularly sophisticated thing, with few safety aids and an old-school driving experience. But you can get front- and rear-wheel drive versions, there are dealer-supplied conversions, and all are covered by a five-year warranty.
Price new: from £30,990*
Engines: 2.3 twin-turbo diesel (110hp, 135hp, 150hp, 180hp (FWD) 145hp, 165hp (RWD))
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual gearbox
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, three GVW (2.8t, 3.3t, 3.5t)
Load space: 8.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 3,733mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,587kg
Fuel economy: up to 32.8mpg
Read our full Nissan NV400 review
Find a used Nissan Interstar for sale near you
10. Vauxhall Movano
Best large van if you want a pricier Boxer/Relay
Vauxhall is now part of Stellantis and the latest Movano is one of four vans here that are essentially the same vehicle with a different badge on the nose. The funny thing is this ‘new’ Movano is actually now based on an older van – previously it was a variant of the Renault Master, now it’s Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer in disguise, and these date back to 2006.
The basic pricing is higher than the French duo, and the range is smaller – though Vauxhall does offer more powerful engines. There’s not much high-tech kit, but these are capable vans with high payload ratings, Vauxhall also has a large dealer network, and you can order an electric Movano, although there are better options out there.
Price new: from £27,965*
Engines: 2.2-litre turbodiesel (120hp, 140hp, 165hp), electric (120hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, manual
Panel van variants: four lengths, three heights, two GVW (3.5t, 4.0t)
Load space: 8.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,070mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,495kg
Fuel economy: 25.7-40.4mpg
Find out all about the new Vauxhall Movano
Find a used Vauxhall Movano for sale near you
9. Citroen Relay / Peugeot Boxer
Best large van if you want a less sophisticated Fiat Ducato
The French pairing from the Stellantis large van family are similar in many ways, although there are slight variations in their pricing and specification options. That said, they have many crossovers in various areas, so it makes sense to view them as a pair.
With lead times and availability proving a challenge for many manufacturers, it could well come down to which dealer can do the better deal at the moment you’re looking to buy. For what it’s worth, the Boxer is usually the bigger seller. Electric versions are available, but there are better options out there from rival brands.
These are front-wheel drive only, which makes them less suited to very heavy hauling, and they don’t come with much modern equipment – which some buyers might actually prefer, as it makes the vans less complex. The Fiat Ducato they’re based on has moved ahead in this area, though…
Price new: from £26,890*
Engines: 2.2-litre turbodiesel (120hp, 140hp), electric (120hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, manual (single-speed electric)
Panel van variants: four lengths, three heights, two GVW (3.5t, 4.0t)
Load space: 8.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,070mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,570kg
Fuel economy: 25.6-40.1mpg
Read our full Citroen Relay review and Peugeot Boxer review
Find a used Citroen Relay for sale and Peugeot Boxer for sale near you
8. Renault Master
Best large van for lots of choice
The Renault Master is available with front- and rear-wheel drive and comes in a wide range of versions, with a large selection of lengths and heights. There is also a range of conversions, which are available to order direct from your nearest Renault Pro+ dealership, including box vans, tippers, chassis cabs and platform cabs.
The all-electric E-Tech version is a little weak, with just 77hp and an official driving range of only 126 miles per charge. However, overall this is a tough, practical van with a long loadspace that just doesn’t quite do enough to give it a higher-place finish.
Price new: from £31,825*
Engines: 2.3-litre turbodiesel (135hp,150hp, 180hp (FWD) 145hp (RWD)), electric (77hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: four lengths, three heights, five GVW (3.0t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 4.0t, 4.2t)
Load space: 8.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,383mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,551kg
Fuel economy: 21.1-33.2mpg
Read our full Renault Master review
Find a used Renault Master for sale near you
7. Fiat Ducato
Best large van for lots of choice and a five-year warranty
Thanks to its latest update, the Fiat Ducato is currently comfortably ahead of the other Stellantis vans that are based on it. Although it now uses Peugeot-Citroen engines instead of Fiat’s own, the Ducato has better tech inside the cab, more active safety equipment and a higher payload. It’s available in a wider range, too, ironically including engine power outputs.
The all-electric e-Ducato, however, is still different, being developed entirely by Fiat rather than a third-party conversion as it is with the Boxer, Movano and Relay. What’s more, most Ducatos come with a five-year warranty. Quite the combo.
Price new: from £29,675*
Engines: 2.2-litre turbodiesel (120hp, 140hp, 180hp), electric (122hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, manual (single-speed electric)
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, five GVW (3.0t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 4.0t, 4.2t)
Load space: 8.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,070mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,515kg
Fuel economy: 29.7-37.2mpg
Read our full Fiat Ducato review
Find a used Fiat Ducato for sale near you
6. Iveco Daily
Best large van for maximum possible payload
The Iveco Daily’s real strength lies beyond the 3.5-tonne GVW restriction of your regular car licence; with gross vehicle weight options of up to 7.0-tonnes, this is a large van that can compete in strength with some small trucks. The maximum listed payload for a Daily panel van is 3,973kg – nearly 4.0 tonnes. These things are immense, if also slow when fully loaded.
The fundamental strength that enables such feats makes them less handy for payload at 3.5t, due to the sheer weight of the vehicle itself. But you can get a lovely automatic gearbox, the latest models can be equipped with air-suspension on all four corners, you can get Amazon Alexa built-in, and Iveco is a leader in on-board connectivity. There are some impressive specialist Iveco Daily 4×4 versions, too.
Price new: from £32,405*
Engines: 2.3-litre turbodiesel (120hp, 140hp, 160hp), 3.0-litre turbodiesel (160hp, 180hp, 210hp), 3.0-litre CNG (136hp)
Drivetrain: RWD, 4×4, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: four lengths, three heights, five GVW (3.5t, 4.6t, 5.2t, 6.5t, 7.0t)
Load space: 7.3-19.6 cubic metres
Max load length: 5,125mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,340kg
Fuel economy: 23.6-32.2mpg
Read our full Iveco Daily review
Find a used Iveco Dailyfor sale near you
5. Maxus Deliver 9
The Maxus Deliver 9 is a bit of a left-field choice in the large van market, but hear us out. It crept out under the radar in 2020, but has been offering a credible alternative to the established and bigger names thanks, primarily, to its combo of value and practicality.
On top of this, the Maxus eDeliver 9 is one of the best electric versions that you can buy, with a great payload and a range that is right up with the best in class. It also feels far less compromised than many of its rivals and it offers a genuine EV alternative to the superb Ford E-Transit.
Price new: from £33,843*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (163hp), electric (201hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual
Panel van variants: two lengths, two heights, four GVW (3.0t, 3.5t, 5.0t, 5.5t)
Load space: 11.0-12.9 cubic metres
Max load length: 3,760mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,360kg
Fuel economy: 27.7-28.8mpg
Read our full Maxus Deliver 9 review
Find a used Maxus Deliver 9 for sale near you
4. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Best large van for reliability
The Sprinter is the undisputed king of when it comes to the most reliable vans, having come first in the FN50 van reliability survey eight years in a row now. Add to that the unlimited mileage three-year warranty, and the fact that you can get free roadside assistance for up to 30 years, and no wonder the big Mercedes is so popular with long distance drivers such as couriers and parcel delivery people.
The latest model is also one of the cleverest large vans you can buy, with impressive voice recognition built-in and a lot of tech inside. It’s a comfortable machine, too, though its cab isn’t quite as well thought-out as our very favourite large vans. The electric Mercedes eSprinter is also hard to recommend, as it’s currently available in just a single variant in the UK.
Price new: from £32,465*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (150hp, 170hp, 190hp), electric (114hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, 4×4, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: four lengths, three heights, four GVW (3.0t, 3.5t, 5.0t, 5.5t)
Load space: 7.8-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,810mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,413kg
Fuel economy: 30.0-32.8mpg
Read our full Mercedes-Benz Sprinter review
Find a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for sale near you
3. Volkswagen Crafter
Best large van for putting the driver first
We’re big fans of Volkswagen Crafter. It’s a multiple winner in the annual Parkers van awards and, although it doesn’t offer the payload capacity of some of the older designs here, the Crafter proves that a big van can be as easy to drive as a car, and its modern design includes lots of standard safety features, including autonomous emergency braking. You get a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, as well.
Available with FWD, RWD and as a 4×4 model, the standard six-speed gearbox can be upgraded to an excellent eight-speed automatic, which has helped make it very popular as a platform for campervan conversions (VW even makes its own, the Grand California). What we really love about this van, however, is the cab, which is just incredibly well thought-out and user friendly.
Price new: from £33,210*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (102hp, 122hp, 140hp, 177hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, three GVW (3.0t, 3.5t, 5.0t)
Load space: 9.9-18.4 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,336kg
Fuel economy: 24.4-33.2mpg
Read our full Volkswagen Crafter review
Find a used Volkswagen Crafter for sale near you
2. MAN TGE
Best large van for round the clock servicing and aftercare
The MAN TGE is fundamentally exactly the same as the Volkswagen Crafter – they’re built in the same factory, and can be equipped with all the same things. The cab design is identical, the engines are the same, and you can have all the same variants – including a number of factory conversion options, available to order direct.
So why did it place above the Crafter as our 2022 Large Van of The Year? Simply because MAN is a truck brand, and the TGE gets truck levels of aftercare – which means round the clock servicing and repairs are available. From what we’ve seen in owners’ groups, TGE customers rave about how good an experience this is – so if getting back on the road as soon as possible is your priority, start here.
Price new: from £28,657*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (102hp, 122hp, 140hp, 177hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, four GVW (3.0t, 3.5t, 5.0t, 5.5t)
Load space: 9.9-18.4 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,336kg
Fuel economy: 24.4-33.2mpg
Read our full MAN TGE review
Find a used MAN TGE for sale near you
1. Ford Transit
Best large van for all-round ability and electric tech
The good old ‘backbone of Britain’ remains an excellent choice of large van. It comes in a wider range of trim levels than any competitor and, whether you choose front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, it’s an amazingly good van to drive. It’s also a very capable performer when it comes to actually shifting stuff and it’s supported by the huge Ford Transit Centre dealer network.
Ford has now made the Transit range even more compelling with the addition of what is by far the best electric large van in the class. The Ford E-Transit sets the standards that the rivals will have to try and live up to – not only is it the best to drive, it has really strong payloads and is very competitively priced. The Transit was a strong proposition without it but with it it is unbeatable and the 2023 Parkers Large Van of the Year.
Price new: from £38,860*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (105hp, 130hp, 170hp), electric (184hp and 269hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, two heights, seven GVW (2.9t, 3.1t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 3.9t, 4.25t, 5.0t)
Load space: 10.0-15.1 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,217mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,472kg
Fuel economy: 24.8-43.5mpg
Read our full Ford Transit review
Find a used Ford Transit for sale near you
*All prices correct at time of writing
