Large vans are consistently some of the most popular models in annual UK van and pickup sales figures. Based on our experiences of every large van currently on sale, we’ve ranked them starting with the winner of the Parkers Best Large Van Award.
The list includes some familiar names like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Truck manufacturers like MAN and Iveco also feature amongst the class leaders offering the added benefit of their truck dealer networks.
While ‘large’ van is the overarching theme here, there’s varying levels of ‘large’. Across the sector there’s a variety of configurations including short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) models with different roof heights to maximise load space.
An increasing number of large vans are now being offered as electric models. We’ve mentioned some below but more about these vehicles can be found on our best electric vans page. All the vans here are ranked as models with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 tonne (3.5t), the heaviest van you can drive with a full UK car licence. The majority of these vans are available with a higher GVW but this required a different licence.
Best large vans UK
10. Toyota Proace Max 2025
Best warranty period at 10 years
The Proace Max is Toyota’s first large van model completing its extensive range of commercial vehicle models. Also based on the shared Stellantis platform, it comes as an all-electric model or with a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Strong competition from the Renault Master E-Tech and Ford E-Transit mean both are better to drive and have more appealing cabins.
Toyota’s key selling point is a 10 year warranty period across all its models. After the initial manufacturers warranty, it gets extended by a year every time you visit an authorised dealer for servicing. This is a great plus for used Proace Max models as the warranty can be reactivated by taking it back to a main dealer.
Price new: from £33,720*
Engines: 2.2 diesel (140hp), electric (270hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, two heights, two GVW (3.5t, 4.25t)
Load space: 11.5-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,070mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,460kg
Fuel economy: 31.3-36.7mpg
Read our full Toyota Proace Max review
Find a used Toyota Proace Max for sale near you
9. Nissan Interstar 2025
Closely related to the award-winning Renault Master
Formerly known as the Nissan NV400, Interstar is the new name for the manufacturer’s large van. It’s still based on the award-winning Renault Master and comes in diesel and electric variants. The all-electric version has a comparatively small battery compared to some rivals with a 40kWh unit capable of a range up to 124 miles. Fitted with the larger 87kWh battery, range increases to a maximum of 285 miles.
Its commonalities with the Renault Master are something of a double edged sword. On the one hand, it’s Nissan’s take on the Master and great value for money but there’s nothing particularly setting it apart from the Renault. The model has limited lengths and heights but there are a number of dealer-supplied conversions which streamlines the process for alternatives to a panel van.
Price new: from £32,390*
Engines: 2.0-litre diesel (105hp, 130hp,150hp, 170hp) electric (130hp, 143hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: two lengths, two heights, four GVW (3.3t, 3.5t, 3.8t, 4.0t)
Load space: 10.8-14.8 cubic metres
Max load length: 3,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,447kg
Fuel economy: up to 37.8mpg
Read our full Nissan Interstar review
Find a used Nissan Interstar for sale near you
8. Fiat Ducato, Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer, Vauxhall Movano 2025
Lots of choice across all four brands
Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall now come under the Stellantis group which means these large vans are all based on the same platform. Alongside the obvious branding differences between the models, prices and possible combinations vary slightly. Your decision might also be swayed depending on who your local dealer is.
Although the underpinnings of these vans dates back to 2006, the models have been updated over the years to include some of the more modern features drivers are looking for. The latest iteration of the Vauxhall Movano, for example, has a new dashboard design with a 5.0-inch or 10.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Price new: from £31,105*
Engines: 2.2-litre turbodiesel (120hp, 140hp, 180hp), electric (270hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, three GVW (3.5t, 4.0t, 4.2t)
Load space: 10.0-17.0 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,070mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,500kg
Fuel economy: 29.7-37.2mpg
Read our full Fiat Ducato review, Citroen Relay review, Peugeot Boxer review, Vauxhall Movano review
Find a used Fiat Ducato for sale, Citroen Relay for sale, Peugeot Boxer for sale, Vauxhall Movano for sale near you
7. Iveco Daily 2025
Hugely capable at 3.5t and beyond
Coming from Iveco’s truck background, the Daily is built in a slightly different way to the majority of other large vans so it can be had with GVW options of up to 7.0t or 7.2t for the chassis cab. The engineering to enable those higher weights also means with a 3.5t GVW it has a lower payload capacity than rivals since the vehicle itself is heavier.
The Daily can be had with an excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox and handy features like adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, crosswind assist and traffic jam assist. Air suspension can be specified on all corners and inside the driver gets an Amazon Alexa built in to the media system to improve the user experience. In its 4x4 configuration there’s some impressive Daily conversions to tackle all terrain.
Price new: from £32,995*
Engines: 2.3-litre turbodiesel (116hp, 136hp, 156hp, 160hp), 3.0-litre turbodiesel (176hp, 207hp), 3.0-litre CNG (136hp), electric (188hp)
Drivetrain: RWD, 4x4, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: five lengths, three heights, four GVW (3.5t, 3.8t, 5.2t, 7.0t)
Load space: 7.3-19.6 cubic metres
Max load length: 5,125mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,232kg
Fuel economy: 23.6-32.2mpg
Read our full Iveco Daily review
Find a used Iveco Daily for sale near you
6. Maxus Deliver 9 2025
Strong contender for best large electric van
While its launch in the UK was largely overlooked due to Covid-19, the Maxus Deliver 9 has become a popular pick for fleets thanks to its affordability and practicality. Available in a diesel and electric version, the range is fairly limited compared to rivals but it prioritises maximum load capacity with one length option which is close to the Ford Transit’s L3 body. The chassis cab is offered in two lengths.
The Chinese brand has also managed to make the Maxus eDeliver 9 one of the best electric vans. Depending on how the van will be used it can be specified to maximise payload or range, but not both at the same time. In the large electric van segment, it’s second only to the Ford E-Transit.
Price new: from £28,089*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (148hp), electric (201hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual
Panel van variants: one length, two heights, one GVW (3.5t)
Load space: 11.0-12.9 cubic metres
Max load length: 3,413mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,215kg
Fuel economy: 28.2-31.4mpg
Read our full Maxus Deliver 9 review
Find a used Maxus Deliver 9 for sale near you
5. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2025
King of reliability
Year on year the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tops the large van charts for reliability in the FN50 van reliability survey. As standard, the model comes with an unlimited mileage three-year warranty and if the van is serviced with an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer you can get up to 30 years free roadside assistance. For drivers crunching thousands of miles on a regular basis this kind of reliability and support is a huge bonus.
The cab benefits from an MBUX infotainment system which can be operated with voice commands. If you’re considering a large electric van, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter was updated in 2024 with a bigger battery and more options to make it a more attractive pick than the version that was launched in 2020.
Price new: from £48,460*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (150hp, 170hp, 190hp), electric (136hp, 204hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, two heights, three GVW (3.5t, 3.9t, 5.0t)
Load space: 10.5-15.5 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,810mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,200kg
Fuel economy: 26.9-32.8mpg
Read our full Mercedes-Benz Sprinter review
Find a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for sale near you
4. Volkswagen Crafter 2025
Best driver-focused large van
Another regular Parkers Large Van Award winner is the Volkswagen Crafter. The model is a particular standout with its easy driving experience and comfortable cab environment. Although its quality finish is impressive, the Crafter comes up slightly short of competitors in payload and fuel economy. It’s not the cheapest large van on the market but it still feels like decent value for money given the driver-focused design.
The range is highly customisable with options for FWD, RWD and 4x4 with a six-speed manual gearbox or optional eight-speed automatic. Crafter can be had in a choice of three lengths and three heights which makes it a popular pick for various conversions. It’s even used as the basis for the VW Grand California campervan.
Price new: from £38,115*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (138hp, 161hp, 175hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, three GVW (3.0t, 3.5t, 5.0t)
Load space: 9.3-18.4 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,229kg
Fuel economy: 23.7-32.5mpg
Read our full Volkswagen Crafter review
Find a used Volkswagen Crafter for sale near you
3. MAN TGE 2025
Best large van for servicing and repair support
Traditionally known for its larger range of commercial vehicles including trucks and buses, MAN joined the large van segment in 2017. Since then, it’s taken victory at the Parkers Van and Pickup Awards earning the title of Parkers Large Van of The Year in 2022, and joint recognition for the award with the Volkswagen Crafter in 2021 and 2020. The two vans are almost identical since they’re built in the same factory and come in the same configurations.
What gives the MAN TGE the edge above its Volkswagen sibling is the company’s aftersales care. The large van benefits from an established truck network offering round the clock repair and maintenance work. For businesses reliant on keeping their vans on the road, this kind of support is essential in maximising the amount of time your TGE can be earning.
Price new: from £31,758*
Engines: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (140hp, 163hp, 177hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, AWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: three lengths, three heights, five GVW (3.5t, 3.9t, 4.0t, 5.0t, 5.5t)
Load space: 9.9-18.4 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,226kg
Fuel economy: 24.4-33.2mpg
Read our full MAN TGE review
Find a used MAN TGE for sale near you
2. Ford Transit 2025
Great range of options at affordable prices
Now in its sixth generation, the Ford Transit remains a great pick with a good amount of trim and configuration choices to suit various applications. In 2022, Ford added to the range with the electric E-Transit model. Following this we named the Ford Transit Large Van of the Year in the Parkers Vans and Pickups Awards in both 2023 and 2024. We cover the electric version in our Ford E-Transit review.
While some older competitors can best the Transit on payload capacity, it has better safety equipment and offers a comfortable driving experience. The Transit range strikes the right balance for most buyers with a high quality flexible van at an affordable price. This goldilocks recipe means it consistently holds a spot as one of the UK’s bestselling vans.
Price new: from £40,735*
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, six GVW (3.1t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 3.9t, 4.25t, 5.0t)
Load space: 10.0-15.1 cubic metres
Max load length: 4,256mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,480kg
Fuel economy: 29.1-40.9mpg
Read our full Ford Transit review
Find a used Ford Transit for sale near you
1. Renault Master 2025
Parkers Van of the Year 2025
The Renault Master has topped the Parkers Van and Pickup Awards 2025, claiming the overall title for Van of the Year. This year the Master took home awards in every category it was eligible for, achieving the title for the Best Large Van and the Best Electric Van. The model has been completely redeveloped for the latest generation with a new interior and updated powertrain options.
There’s three diesel engines and one all-electric drivetrain to choose from. Power and range are much better in the updated Master E-Tech with 140hp and up to 255 miles for variants with a GVW up to 3.5t, models exceeding 3.5t GVW have a range of up to 285 miles. Diesel versions can be had with either a six-speed manual gearbox or nine-speed automatic.
Price new: from £33,500*
Engines: 2.0-litre diesel (130hp,150hp, 170hp) electric (140hp)
Drivetrain: FWD, RWD, manual and automatic
Panel van variants: two lengths, two heights, four GVW (2.8t, 3.3t, 3.5t, 4.5t)
Load space: 10.8-14.8 cubic metres
Max load length: 3,855mm
Max payload at 3.5t: 1,125kg
Fuel economy: 21.2-29.0mpg
Read our full Renault Master review
Find a used Renault Master for sale near you
FAQs
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Are large vans difficult to drive?
With an increasing amount of safety technology and car-like interiors, large vans are typically easy to drive. We always recommend test driving a few different options to make sure you’re happy with the one you choose. For more information on each large van listed here we’ve linked the full reviews.
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Can I drive a large van on my licence?
If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997 then you can legally drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) up to 8,250kg. For those who passed on or after 1 January 1997, you can drive a vehicle with a GVW up to 3,500kg.
Since electric vehicles can be a bit heavier to account for the weight of the battery, the government changed the law in 2019 to allow drivers to drive an electric vehicle with a GVW up to 4,250kg. First drivers have to take part in at least five hours of training to get a certificate to confirm you can drive an electric van with a higher weight. Instructors can be found on the LGV Instructors Register.
Our van weights guide goes through everything you need to know. -
What is the best large van to buy?
Topping our list is the Parkers Van and Pickup Awards Van of the Year 2025: the Renault Master.
To find out more about this award-winning model, check out our full Renault Master review. -
What is the most reliable large van?
Of the most reliable vans available in the UK, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is consistently the best performing large van.
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*All prices correct at time of writing.
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