Best Large Vans to Buy in 2025

02/09/2025 11:54 Share

Best Large Vans to Buy in 2025

When it comes to load carrying ability, nothing beats a Large Van quite like a Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – but with such strong competition in the class, which is the best large van you can buy in 2025?

Large vans are the hardy workhorses of Britain’s roads with hundreds of thousands pounding the streets of the UK delivering and transporting goods for countless businesses.

With the flexibility to be specified in a variety of different length and height combinations, it is easy to get the large van you need if your priorities are outright load space, low running costs and/or manoeuvrability.

It’s a lucrative market space so it is little wonder there is such broad competition with esteemed favourites like the Large Van quite like a Ford Transit, Vauxhall Movano and Renault Master increasingly rivalled by upstarts like the MAN TGE and the Maxus Deliver 9.

With more choice than ever in the large van sector, Vansdirect gives you the lowdown on which are the best buys in 2025.

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Get the right van deal, right now on the van you want, including the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Vauxhall Movano and Volkswagen Crafter.

Speak to our expert team today and you could be driving a new large van sooner than you expected for less than you think.

How Big Is a Large Van?

Large vans are available with multiple body configurations, ranging from L2 all the way to L5 in terms of length, as well as H1 to H4 in height. While not all large vans are available in these sizes, most can be configured in different lengths and height combinations.

The load sizing guide of a van is determined by the length at floor between the bulkhead and the door, as demonstrated below, as well as the entire cargo volume measured in cubic metres. We have included a load volume guide below.

Check our Load Sizing Guide for full dimensions of each Large Van on Vansdirect and how they compare with rivals.

*Load volume in cubic metres

Which Engine Is Best for a Large Van?

- Turbodiesel

A turbodiesel engine is the most popular choice for medium vans and is thus widely available across the segment. Diesel engines are renowned for strong torque lower in the rev range, making it ideal for hauling heavy payloads, and delivering superior fuel economy

- Electric

With zero exhaust emissions and requiring only the cost of recharging either at home or with a public device, large electric vans greatly reduce running costs and are significantly kinder to the environment.

Top 6 Best Large Vans to Buy in 2025

Renault Master
Nissan Interstar

Body Styles: L2/H2, L3/H2, L3/H3
Engines: 2.0-litre 130 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 150 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 170 (Diesel), 87kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 1905-1971kg (Diesel), 1547-1625kg (Electric)
Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg (Diesel), 1000-1500kg (Electric)

The all-new fourth generation Renault Master – and its near-identical sister, the Nissan Interstar – bring fresh innovation for efficiency and frugality to the large van sector.

Dubbed ‘the Aerovan’ by Renault, the Master has been aerodynamically sculpted to be 20 per cent less drag co-efficient than its predecessor, which allows it to be lighter and more fuel efficient without disrupting payload.

Three body sizes are available – L2/H3, L3/H2 and L3/H3 – with the maximum payload for the diesel nearing two-tonnes. It can also be had as a dropside, tipper, Luton Box and crew van.

Available with three versions of its 2.0-litre turbodiesel – with 130, 150 or 170 brake horsepower – both the Master and Interstar come as an 87kWh electric (E-Tech and EV). Though it is a smaller battery than other rivals, it trumps them for range – managing up to 285 miles – while putting the emphasis on retaining a generous payload of up to 1625kg.

Moreover, the overhauled interior is smart, logical and ergonomically designed, complete with an extra 135-litres of cabin storage space.

VERDICT: By focusing on making the Master and Interstar lighter and more frugal, both models maintain an impressive payload and cargo space without tipping the scales

Volkswagen Crafter
MAN TGE

Body Styles: L2/H1, L2/H2, L3/H2, L3/H3, L4/H3, L4/H4
Engines: 2.0-litre 140 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 160 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 175 (Diesel)
Payload Capacity Range: 1055-1226kg (FWD), 892-1058kg (AWD), 1032-2916kg (RWD)
Braked Towing Capacity: 3000-3500kg

With its large range of body sizes – ranging from L2/H1 all the way to L4/H4 - the Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE have a model to suit your business needs.

Rather than stipulate the classic L2/H2 et al. format for size, the Crafter and TGE are distinguished by three different wheelbase lengths (Medium, Long and Long Maxi) and three roof heights (Low, High, Super High) though these approximate to L2/H2 etc.

In L3 (Long) wheelbase guise, the Crafter and TGE represent superior cargo space for the large van class with 14.4 cubic metres (Long/High) rising all the way to 18.4 cubic metres for the largest (Long Maxi/Super High).

Beyond the impressive versatility credentials, the Crafter and TGE come with classy, well-built interiors, generous payloads of up to a huge 2916kg and can tow upwards of 3500kg.

While there is little to choose between the Crafter and TGE mechanically, the latter does benefit from MAN’s round-the-clock servicing potential adapted from its interests in the heavy-goods industry. This ensures minimal downtime for businesses.

VERDICT: If it is outright load space you need from your large van, the Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE take some beating

Citroen Relay
FIAT Ducato
Peugeot Boxer
Toyota Proace Max
Vauxhall Movano

Body Styles: L2/H1, L2/H2, L3/H2, L3/H3, L4/H2, L4/H3, L4/H4
Engines: 2.2-litre 140 (Diesel), 2.2-litre 180 (Diesel), 110kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 710-2115kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2400-3000kg

The Stellantis (+Toyota) quintet are grouped together here by virtue of having identical dimensions and mechanicals, thus making them difficult to split.

Comprising the Citroen Relay, FIAT Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Toyota Proace Max and Vauxhall Movano, they are only differentiated by their different front-end design treatments and badging.

Regardless of the model, the large vans offer excellent versatility with body sizes ranging from some of the smallest in the class (L2/H1) to the largest (L4/H4), while they can also be had in Luton Box, dropside, tipper and crew van.

In its largest configuration (L4/H4), the quintet offers 17 cubic metres of cargo space, while the 2.2-litre BlueHDi 180 version can lug 2115kg of payload.

The electric models also have one of the biggest batteries in the large van class of 110kWh, which translates to between 235 and 263 miles of range on a single charge cycle.

VERDICT: Flexible and configurable, any one of the Citroen Relay, FIAT Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Toyota Proace Max and Vauxhall Movano make strong cases

Ford Transit

Body Styles: L2/H2, L2/H3, L3/H2, L3/H3, L4/H3
Engines: 2.0-litre 130 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 165 (Diesel), 68kWh 184 (Electric), 68kWh 269 (Electric), 89kWh 269 (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 924-2145kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 750-3500kg

For a long time the nation’s favourite, the Ford Transit remains a highly commendable choice in a competitive segment.

It is still the most customisable large van on the market with countless variations on size, gross vehicle weight and body style available.

The recently introduced 2.0-litre turbodiesel is considerably more efficient and frugal than its predecessor, while it has impressive pulling power and torque to lug heavy loads of up to 2145kg on selected models.

There is also the new electric Ford E-Transit, which can achieve just over 200 miles of range, while there is Ford’s vast dealer network to consider for quick maintenance turnaround.

VERDICT: The Ford Transit may be ubiquitous to the large van sector in the UK but it’s still one of the best to drive, immensely practical and can be easily tailored to your business needs.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Body Styles: L2/H2, L3/H2, L4/H2
Engines: 2.0-litre 150 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 170 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 190 (Diesel), 81kWh 135 (Electric), 81kWh 200 (Electric), 113kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 946-2479kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2000-3500kg

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter continues to impress with its sheer breadth and versatility with several versions of the large van able to exceed 2000kg in payload capacity.

Available with three turbodiesel engines (offering either 150, 170 or 190 brake horsepower), the Mercedes-Benz mates them to a choice of three body styles (L2/H2, L3/H2 and L4/H2) which are available with different GVW designations. The higher the GVW, the larger the payload capacity.

There is also a choice of three electric versions – named the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter – which can be had with a either 87kWh battery (135 or 200 horsepower) or a mammoth 113kWh battery which can achieve 272 miles of range.

Beyond that, the Sprinter has arguably the smartest interior of any large van, complete with Mercedes’ celebrated MBUX infotainment system.

VERDICT: A stalwart of the large van sector, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter remains a classy option, while it comes with a bewildering array of different power, size and weight combinations too

Maxus Deliver 9

Body Styles: L3/H2, L3/H3
Engines: 2.0-litre (Diesel), 77kWh (Electric), 88kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 1040-1520kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2400-3000kg

A relative newcomer to the large van sector, the Maxus Deliver 9 has quickly established itself as a major player based on a foundation of great value pricing and a simple specification.

Just two body sizes are available with the Deliver 9 – an L3/H2 and an L3/H3 – but they offer a competitive cargo capacity of 11.5 and 12.9 cubic metres respectively.

It also comes with a contemporary-looking interior and is well-kitted out for the price, while it is easy to drive with a torquey 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.

It also comes with two different battery options for the electric Maxus eDeliver 9. Available with either 77kWh or 88kWh battery capacities, the larger of the two can achieve just over 200 miles of range.

VERDICT: A great value contender in a crowded marketplace makes the Maxus Deliver 9 a tempting prospect considering its cargo capacity and generous equipment

Honourable Mentions

Iveco Daily

There aren’t any large vans that can match the sheer adaptability of the Iveco Daily, which can be tailored to your business needs via an extraordinary 8,000 different configurations.

While it differs from its rivals by having an old-school ladder frame chassis, the benefit of this is that the Daily can be extended to an enormous 7680mm length in its largest form.

With a GVW of up to 7.2-tonnes, though you’d need a special licence to drive one, no other van can come close to this model’s sheer cargo capacity of 19.6 cubic metres.