Vivaro vs Transit Custom vs Transporter: Best Medium Van?
The three most popular medium vans head to head, Vauxhall Vivaro, Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter on price, payload, running costs and resale.
These are the three best-selling medium vans in Britain, and most buyers in this class end up choosing between them. They're closely matched on size, but they pull in different directions on price, running costs and resale. Here's how to pick.
Compare live: Vauxhall Vivaro · Ford Transit Custom · VW Transporter.
At a glance
- Ford Transit Custom, the all-rounder and UK best-seller. Great to drive, cheap to run, deepest used choice, strongest resale of the mainstream pair. Full Transit Custom guide.
- Vauxhall Vivaro, the value pick. A Stellantis van (twin of the Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch), so parts are cheap and you can shop across badges. Full medium van guide.
- VW Transporter, the premium pick. Nicest cabin, best badge appeal, and the strongest resale of the three, but you pay more to buy. Full Transporter guide.
Driving & cabin
The Transporter feels the most car-like and upmarket inside, the Transit Custom is close behind and the most composed to drive, and the Vivaro is comfortable and easy if a touch plainer. All three are far nicer than vans were a decade ago.
Payload & practicality
Very similar across the class, roughly a tonne of payload, with short/long lengths and crew-cab options on all three. The Custom and Transporter offer slightly broader conversion/accessory ecosystems; the Vivaro matches the basics and shares them across the Stellantis family.
Engines & running costs
- Transit Custom: 2.0 EcoBlue, economical; watch the wet-belt cambelt service.
- Vivaro: Stellantis 1.5/2.0 BlueHDi, economical; cheap shared parts.
- Transporter: 2.0 TDI, refined; DSG auto popular (check service).
All three are cheap to run; the Vivaro is usually cheapest to buy and fix, the Transporter costs most up front.
Price & resale
- Cheapest to buy: Vivaro (and its badge twins, shop them all).
- Best all-round value + resale: Transit Custom.
- Holds value best, costs most: VW Transporter.
Who should buy which?
- Want the safe, sellable, do-everything choice? Transit Custom.
- Want the lowest price for a solid medium van? Vivaro, and compare the Expert/Dispatch twins too.
- Want the nicest one and don't mind paying? VW Transporter (great if you'll also use it at weekends).
Read the full guides (Transit Custom, medium van / Vivaro, Transporter) then compare Vivaro, Custom and Transporter for sale near Southampton or your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ford Transit Custom is the best all-rounder and UK best-seller; the Vauxhall Vivaro is the value choice; the VW Transporter is the premium one. Pick on budget and priorities.
The VW Transporter has the strongest resale, with the Transit Custom close behind thanks to its popularity.
It's a strong, cheaper van and mechanically shared with the Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch. The Transporter feels more premium and resells for more, but costs more to buy.
Vans 4 Sale
Editorial
Guides and comparisons from the Vans 4 Sale team.