Medium vans offer the best of both worlds – the power and practicality of large vans combined with the manoeuvrability and efficiency of smaller vans. They’re a sensible, versatile, dependable choice for almost any application. So whether you’re a builder, a florist, or a home removals specialist, there’s sure to be a medium van that meets your needs.
What do we mean when we say “medium-sized van”? Mostly, we’re talking about mid-size panel vans. But we’re also looking at long wheel base vans, and even box vans.
Let’s take a look at some of the best medium-sized vans to buy in 2021.
Vauxhall Vivaro
This is one of the smaller medium vans available. But while it might be comparatively compact, this does mean it’s a lot easier to drive than many other vans on the market. Indeed, many reviewers said that driving the Vauxhall Vivaro felt more like driving a car than a van!
The L1 model has a 5.3 m³ loading volume. That’s more than enough for a city-based courier business. But if you have more practical needs, you can choose two other wheel base lengths to get up to 6.6 m³ loading volume. In terms of payload, the entry-level 100PS model can manage 975kg. But again, if you need more, you can take on up to 1,418kg with a larger model.
Finally, if you’re looking for a greener option, Vauxhall Vivaro-e model claims to have the longest range of any electric van.
Peugeot Expert
Like the Vivaro, the Peugeot Expert has a reputation for feeling more like a car than a van. It certainly looks the part, though – if this were a car, it’d be a robust yet reliable family car, with excellent handling and room to spare in the back.
Look no further for that ideal compromise between high performance and low running costs. The Peugeot Expert can manage a payload of 1,400kg while returning more than 50mpg.
You can choose from three body sizes and two wheelbase lengths, making this a practical choice for most delivery drivers and tradesmen. But all models have the same roof height. So no matter how big it gets, it’ll still fit in a multistorey car park. Evidently, the Expert was built for the city.
Ford Transit Custom
For many, the Ford Transit is synonymous with medium vans. Just like some people call all vacuum cleaners “Hoovers”, some people call all mid-sized panel vans “Transit Vans”. This model obtained its ubiquitous popularity through doing what it does very well indeed. And the latest models are the best yet.
Even the smallest model offers a 6.0 m³ loading volume, while larger models can manage payloads of up to 1,459 kg. If moving people is your business, it’s even available as a minibus.
The Ford Transit has been the most popular medium van on UK roads for nearly a decade now. And with good reason: You’ll struggle to find a better combination of practicality, reliability, and driveability. There’s a huge range of models to choose from, so it’s probably no exaggeration to say that, if you need a van for any purpose, there’ll be a Ford Transit to suit you.
Mercedes Sprinter
This is one of the best long wheel base vans available in 2021. With a maximum load volume of 3,175kg and a maximum payload of 17 m³, it’s as close as you can get to a HGV while still enjoying the benefits of driving an LGV.
Like the Ford Transit Custom, there’s a huge range of variants to choose from, so you should be able to find a model that meets your practical requirements. There’s probably too much room and power to play with here for anyone who delivers smaller, lighter goods. But if you work in construction, renovation or home deliveries, the Mercedes Sprinter will probably tick all your boxes.
The Mercedes Sprinter is also an excellent choice for fleet managers, as all models include the Mercedes PRO fleet management software. This might not be the best selling point if you already subscribe to fleet management software. But if you’re a smaller business, or you’re just starting out, investing in a fleet of Sprinters could enable you to manage your running costs like never before.
Vauxhall Movano
Finally, the Vauxhall Movano is a great choice if you need to move large, bulky and heavy items, but you don’t want to drive a HGV. Why? Because the Vauxhall Movano is available as a Movano Box Van conversion.
What’s a box van? It’s a more compact version of a box truck – a single cab chassis van with a large, square container bolted to the back. This boosts the loading capacity to an astounding 22 m³. And you get to use every inch of that space too: Because the back is uniformly square, you won’t have to contend with awkward wheel arch intrusions. Meanwhile, twin doors, or an optional aluminium loading shutter, makes loading larger items a breeze.
Don’t Forget Insurance!
Whatever medium van you choose, don’t forget to get it insured!
At Insure 2 Drive, we specialise in comprehensive insurance for vans at an affordable price, with a range of optional extras including tool cover. Head here to get an online quote in minutes.
