Top 10 most fuel-efficient vans


Fuel economy is a key consideration if you’re in the market for a new van. For business owners, a van’s fuel economy can significantly impact overheads, running costs, and their company’s brand image.

So, whether you’re a sole trader leasing just one van and want something more fuel-efficient, or a limited company with a fleet of commercial vans but want to make greener choices, which vans should you consider?

Best fuel economy vans to lease this year

For many van drivers and businesses, choosing a model that’s as efficient as possible is often a high priority. Fuel economy and MPG figures are good places to start, which help show how far you can travel on a full tank of fuel. Mpg stands for miles-per-gallon and is used to calculate the number of miles you can travel for every gallon of fuel. This helps drivers compare the different models available and see which are the most fuel-efficient.

Whether you’re seeking a small van perfect for urban driving, or a large van that can meet your business’s changing needs, Synergy can help. We’ve taken a look at the ten most fuel-efficient vans. They help support greener driving with cleaner engines and advanced driver aids, with some coming with the option of all-electric powertrains too.


  1. VW Caddy

If you’re looking for a well-built and premium economical van, the VW Caddy is one to consider. Its petrol and diesel engines are refined but punchy and can be paired with VW’s DSG automatic gearbox. The 100bhp diesel unit is the most fuel-efficient, capable of up to 58mpg.


  1. Citroen Berlingo

The latest Citroen Berlingo is more economical than ever before. This funky French van showcases new petrol and diesel engines, including a 1.5-litre turbo diesel and 1.2-litre turbo petrol. It is capable of 45 mpg and 57 mpg respectively. There’s also an electric version capable of up to 186 miles on a single charge.


  1. Ford Transit Courier

The Ford Transit Courier is a stylish and robust van ideally suited for urban driving. It can achieve a claimed 43mpg from its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. If you want to maximise fuel efficiency, we’d suggest the 1.5-litre diesel engine, capable of up to 54mpg. Alternatively, an electric zero-emission version is expected in late 2024.


  1. Renault Kangoo

The current generation Renault Kangoo has established itself as a popular and efficient small van. It shares the same platform as the Nissan Townstar, with a choice between petrol and diesel engines. The 1.5-litre diesel comes with 95bhp and is the most fuel-efficient, capable of 53mpg. An all-electric version of the Kangoo is also available, capable of up to 186 miles on a single charge.


 

  1. Ford Transit Custom

The Ford Transit Custom is a common sight on UK roads and has proven to be a reliable medium van. This latest model hopes to continue the trend and easily meet business needs. It benefits from clever design touches, a wide range of standard equipment, and fuel-efficient engines. The 2.0-litre diesel ecoblue engine is the most economical, achieving up to 40.9mpg.


  1. Vauxhall Vivaro

Another iconic commercial van is the Vauxhall Vivaro. Over the years, it has benefited from extensive redesign and the addition of some great driver tech. The 1.5-litre turbo diesel is the most popular engine, seamlessly balancing economy, and performance. It also delivers some impressive figures, capable of 47mpg and emitting just 155g/km of CO2.


  1. Peugeot Boxer

The Peugeot Boxer is a robust and capable van that offers affordable transport for any business. It might be the largest van in the Peugeot family but it maximises economy without compromising performance or design. Each 2.2-litre unit returns up to 47mpg, although this does vary depending on model specifications.


  1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The Mercedes Sprinter is the largest van in the Mercedes commercial range. It showcases years of manufacturing experience, a premium badge, and lots of advanced safety features. The 2.0-litre diesel engine that comes as standard offers a competitive 32mpg, an impressive figure for such a large and capable van.


  1. Ford Transit

The Ford Transit needs no introduction and has been the go-to for business in the UK for over 50 years. Its varying shapes and sizes are a big part of its success thanks to the range of lengths, heights, and body types available. Powering this commercial icon is a 2.0-litre diesel engine as yet, but the claimed fuel economy is as high as 42.2mpg.


  1. Nissan Interstar

The Nissan Interstar replaces the popular NV400, promising to offer big levels of space and practicality with the potential to transport just about anything a business needs. It can achieve a claimed 32mpg from its 2.3-litre dCi engine.


Tips to improve your van’s fuel efficiency

Once you’ve chosen a van for your business, you might start wondering if there are steps you can take to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. With this in mind, we’ve put together some helpful tips to improve your van’s fuel efficiency.

  1. Only carry essential itemstransporting unnecessary weight will reduce fuel economy, so clear out any clutter regularly and ensure you’re only transporting the essentials.
  2. Use start/stop featuresif you drive in urban areas regularly, take advantage of the start/stop feature your van might have. This will switch the engine off automatically when stationary, saving you fuel while sat in traffic.
  3. Plan ahead making shorter journeys and covering fewer miles can help limit unnecessary driving. This will help save on running costs and maximise fuel efficiency.
  4. Service regularlythis will already be a requirement of your leasing contract, but regular servicing will make sure your van is running efficiently and highlight anything that could be impacting fuel economy.
  5. Drive carefullysmoother driving has proven to be a great way to maximise economy, so avoid sharp acceleration and braking.

If you want to go one step further, we’d suggest considering an electric van lease. Long-range models with larger batteries will cover higher miles, ensuring you’re running an electric commercial vehicle that’s as efficient as possible.

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about van leasing with Synergy, get in touch with our team today. We can support with any specific business needs, budget, fuel efficiency, and lead times.


This article should be used as a guide only. ‘Top 10 most fuel-efficient vans’ is for information only and is subject to change. Information is supplied by a third party, and Synergy accepts no responsibility for errors in the data. Eligibility criteria, terms & conditions apply. You will not own the vehicle. Vehicles are subject to availability. Real-world MPG figures may vary.