Ford Transit Custom vs. Vauxhall Vivaro: Which Is The Best Medium Van?

21/07/2025 15:56 Share

Ford Transit Custom vs. Vauxhall Vivaro: Which Is The Best Medium Van?

When it comes to teeing up mighty showdowns between two vans, rivalries don’t come more significant than the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro facing off for the ‘Best Medium Van’ crown.

Indeed, the significance of this mantle shouldn’t be underestimated. Between them, the Transit Custom and Vivaro racked up sales of 64,000 units in the UK alone last year.

In fact, the Transit Custom’s sales figures of 46,967 made it the third best-selling vehicle in the UK outright in 2024, bettered only by the Ford Puma and Kia Sportage (and only by a small amount too).

Unsurprisingly, the Transit Custom therefore rules the UK commercial vehicle charts, followed up the Ford Transit and Ford Ranger in second and third, thus demonstrating just how critical the LCV sector is for the Blue Oval.

However, ‘best-selling’ shouldn’t necessarily be mistaken as a synonym for ‘best-in-class’, even if it would be foolish to think that many van drivers could be wrong.

Regardless, it is a notion Vauxhall is keen to challenge with its own popular Medium Van entry, the Vivaro.

Another familiar sight on UK roads, it’s no surprise the Vauxhall Vivaro sits second to the Transit Custom in the Medium Van sales charts. With Vauxhall shifting 18,000 Vivaros last year, there is a big gap Ford in terms of unit sales – so are van drivers missing out by choosing Ford over Vauxhall?

This might be the only van head-to-head you’ll ever need...

Lease the Ford Transit Custom if...

- You need outright cargo capacity
- You want a choice of different specifications
- Safety is a top priority
- You like lots of options such as EV, PHEV and AWD

Lease the Vauxhall Vivaro if...

- You need a generous payload across all trims
- You’re wanting to go electric
- Safety features are a priority for you
- You regularly carry awkwardly long items

Lease A Ford or Vauxhall Van with Vansdirect

Leasing a new Medium Van with Vansdirect has never been easier or better value.

Get the right van at the right deal, right now with the best medium van leasing deals available across a wide array of models, including the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro.

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

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Cargo Load, Dimensions & Practicality

The Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro go toe-to-toe in terms of available body styles with the standard Panel Van format offered in either L1 or L2 configuration (L2 is referred to as XL for the Vivaro).

In addition to the Panel Van, both models have a six-seat Crew Van option, known as Double Cab-In Van for Ford, Doublecab for Vauxhall.

Notably, however, neither model comes with a high-roof (H2) option like the Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar.

From the outset, the Transit Custom is noticeably larger than the Vivaro in standard trim. Indeed, the Ford exceeds the Vauxhall’s dimensions in every direction, being just over five metres long and at 1777mm, wider than any other medium van.

This therefore translates to the Transit Custom comfortably bettering the Vivaro in terms of outright cargo room with the standard L1/H1 offering 5.8 cubic metres of space, compared with its rival’s more modest 5.3 cubic metres.

It’s the same story with the L2/H1 versions with the Ford’s cargo bay rising to 6.8 cubic metres, whereas the Vivaro is a considerably more modest 6.1 cubic metres.

The Vivaro does, however, offer a load-thru hatch in the bulkhead that allows a portion of the cargo hold to stretch into the front passenger cabin. As well as having the effect of increasing overall cargo space to 5.8 cubic metres (L1/H1) and 6.6 cubic metres (L2/H1), it offers a space for particularly long items to be stowed, such as poles or timber.

The Transit Custom offers a similar feature but is limited to Trend trim levels and above.

Better still, the Transit Custom is much easier to load thanks to its wide 1030mm aperture side door, compared with the Vivaro’s altogether more challenging 935mm.

It is also worth noting that the L2 configuration of the Vivaro (XL) places its extended length behind the rear-axle rather than as an extended wheelbase like the Transit L2. This allows for a less encumbered rear-opening unimpeded by the wheelarches and a better spread of weight distribution.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Weights, Loads & Towing

If you’re more concerned about the weight of your cargo than the size, then there is relatively little to split the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro when it comes to payload.

For both vans the payload is ultimately dependent on the choice of powertrain – diesel or electric – and the gross vehicle weight of the model you select.

With its broad range of trims and engines, there is a relatively wide variation of payload capacity dependent on which Transit Custom you drive.

The Transit Custom is offered in three GVW (gross vehicle weight) designations – 280, 300 and 320. This stands for 2800kg, 3000kg and 3200kg, though the more accurate readings have the gross vehicle weight range for the Transit Custom being between 2825kg and 3225kg.

While the Vivaro has a relatively similar format for its smaller range of diesel and electric-powered options, its gross vehicle weight range is between 2830kg and 3100kg.

In terms of payload capacity, the Transit Custom’s maximum payload of 1407kg is available on the 2.0 EcoBlue 320 L1 H1 Manual, while the Vivaro with the highest payload of 1375kg is the 2.0 Turbo D Pro (3100 GVW).

However, though the Transit Custom has the highest maximum payload overall, all the diesel versions of the Vivaro offer 1000kg or more, unlike the Ford.

As such, the Vivaro’s payload capacity for all diesel versions ranges from 1121kg to 1375kg, whereas the Transit Custom ranges from 824kg to 1407kg.

In electric trim, the E-Transit Custom offers a payload range of 966kg to 1066kg, while the Vivaro Electric sits between 915kg to 1001kg.

The Transit Custom offers a higher maximum braked towing capacity of up to 2800kg, whereas the Vivaro peaks at 2500kg.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Engine, Performance & Running Costs

Of the two models here, the Ford Transit Custom offers a wider choice of turbodiesel and electric powertrains compared with the Vauxhall Vivaro.

Indeed, the Ford has four power variations of its venerable 2.0-litre turbodiesel offering either 110PS, 136PS, 150PS or 170PS, while the Vivaro has a choice of either a 1.5-litre turbodiesel generating 120PS, or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel offering either 145PS or 180PS.

Comparing the entry-level engines in each range – the Transit Custom 2.0 EcoBlue 110PS and the Vivaro 1.5 Turbo D 120PS – the Ford proves the more economical of the two, achieving a combined 40.4mpg compared to the Vauxhall’s 38.7mpg.

Similarly, the 150PS Ford engine is more frugal than the Vauxhall’s equivalent 145PS unit, the Transit Custom managing 38.7mpg to the Vivaro’s 34.0mpg. The Transit Custom is also marginally cleaner in terms of CO2.

Both the Transit Custom and Vivaro are available in electric trim with the Ford offering three power variations on its 64kWh battery generating either 136PS, 218PS or 285PS.

It therefore makes the electric-version of the Transit Custom the most powerful models in the entire range, though the most potent of these is reserved for the specialist MS-RT trim only.

With different power outputs comes different results in terms of mileage range for each.

Unsurprisingly, the 136PS E-Transit Custom achieves the best combined WLTP range of 203 miles, while the 218PS version is quoted as 195 miles. The 285PS E-Transit Custom MSRT manages 165 miles.

By contrast, the Vivaro Electric offers the better prospective range from its single option 75kWh battery. Going toe-to-toe with the entry-level E-Transit Custom by also generating 136PS, the Vivaro Electric betters its rival in terms of range with an impressive 230 miles on a single charge possible.

As well as having a more comprehensive engine line-up, the Ford Transit Custom is also available as a Plug-In Hybrid, which mates a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a battery to offer an enticing mix of reduced cost running and strong performance.

There is also the option of an all-wheel drive variant with the Transit Custom, available on selected trim levels.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Cab & Interior

Both the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro feature interiors designed to be hard-wearing and practical, while incorporating smart connected features aimed at making the working day more efficient.

The Transit Custom is particularly well-screwed together and while those faithful to the brand might find the current digital-dominated dashboard set-up a touch overwhelming, it all works well and is easy to get along with.

Stepping from the Ford to the Vauxhall, the Vivaro presents a similar layout with a digital instrument cluster flanked by a touchscreen. However, while the Vivaro’s infotainment screen is smaller, it doesn’t devote quite as many functions – such as the air-conditioning – to scrolls and menus. Instead, it sticks with old-fashioned but perfectly simple buttons to get the job done quicker.

Both models offer impressive levels of interior space, but the Transit Custom greater storage space in the dashboard thanks to Ford moving the passenger airbag into the roof-lining instead.

The Ford also has a nifty feature that allows the steering wheel to tilt when the van is stationary so it can be used as a table. Perfect if you need a spot to each lunch or a flat surface to scribble some notes.

The Vivaro in Pro trim offers something similar but gets its flat surface from folding the centre seat backrest.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Standard Equipment & Features

The Ford Transit Custom is available across six different trim options – Leader, Trend, Limited, Trail, Sport and MSRT – each with their own characters and often their own stylistic variations.

Choosing between them will come down to some personal preference over whether you want the slightly raised suspension and rugged bodywork of the off-road-inspired Trail, or the racy alloys and decals of the Sport, for instance.

In base Leader trim, the Transit Custom gets power mirrors, daytime running lights, rain-sensor front wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, quick-clear heated windscreen and a lane-keeping aid.

Upgrade to the most popular model in the range – the Trend – and it’ll add front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and automatic air-conditioning.

The Vauxhall Vivaro in entry-level Prime trim offers air-conditioning, cruise control, electric mirrors, electric windows, rear parking sensors, traction control, emergency braking assist, daytime running lights, driver attention alert and adjustable seat/wheel.

Upgrade to the Vivaro Pro and you’ll also get the FlexCargo load through bulkhead, larger wheels, painted bumpers and Dynamic Surround View of front and rear park assist, Visiopark 180-degrees and blind spot detection.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Reliability

The Ford Transit Custom comes with a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. The E-Transit Custom has an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

The Vauxhall Vivaro also comes with a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while the Vivaro Electric is offered with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery.

Transit Custom vs Vivaro: Safety & Security

Both the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro are well kitted out in terms of safety features with technology designed specifically to keep drivers alert and secure on the road.

In base trim, each come with driver/passenger/side airbags, cruise control with speed limiter, emergency braking system and driver attention alert.

Both models have been tested by EuroNCAP on the strength of their safety features and their effectiveness in simulated tests.

From this, the Transit Custom emerged as the higher-rated van of the two with a total score of 96%. Not only does this earn it the uppermost Platinum award from EuroNCAP it is (as of July 2025) the highest rating achieved by any commercial vehicle.

By contrast, the Vivaro’s safety systems weren’t as effective in practice, earning it 67%, enough for a Gold award.

In terms of security, the Ford Transit Custom has recently debuted a clever feature named 'Delivery Assist' that allows you to configure settings for your van that aims to improve efficiency when making deliveries. Select the setting and it will automatically raise the windows, put the parking brake on, turn the engine off and secure the van when you close the door in one go, rather than having to do each task individually.

The aim of this is to allow delivery drivers to focus on completing their job and make stops quicker. 

Ford Transit Custom vs Vauxhall Vivaro: THE VERDICT

It speaks to the importance of the commercial vehicle industry that Ford and Vauxhall have together brought the segment on leaps and bounds with the Transit Custom and Vivaro in recent years.

What was once simply a battle for market supremacy based merely on how spacious a van was, today there are numerous factors to be considered when deciding the best new Medium Van for a customer.

Considering the immense popularity of the Ford Transit Custom, it is no surprise to learn that Ford has put a lot of thought into the latest generation model.

Blurring the lines between a no-nonsense workhorse and a convincing lifestyle accessory, the Transit Custom is capable of taking on multiple personalities to fulfil the many different briefs it will be tasked with.

So not only does it offer class-leading levels of space and practicality, the Transit Custom is also car-like and refined to drive, feels well put together, is well-equipped and immensely flexible. It helps too that EuroNCAP regards it as the safest van on the road right now.

As for the Vauxhall Vivaro, it successfully tackles its rival in a number of key areas. It’s comfortably the more frugal choice in electric trim, while it has a better spread of trims that offer a payload of more than 1000kg.

It too has a functional interior and while it lags behind the Transit Custom in terms of outright space statistically, it is still very flexible.

There are many out there who will come down to a straight choice between the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro, so it’s reassuring to know whichever you do choose, you’re unlikely to feel short changed.