What are the most reliable vans to lease in 2025?
What are the most reliable vans to lease in 2025?
Getting the right van for your business is important. At Synergy, we’re often asked, “What are the best reliable vans?” The answer always depends on each customer’s business needs and objectives. With this in mind, let’s explore the three main van size categories to showcase some of the most reliable vans to lease in 2025.
Factors to consider when choosing a reliable van
When the time comes to lease a reliable van for your business, consider the following:
- Brand reputation: Established brands with a market history tend to have a proven track record. Well-known brands such as Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen have reputations built on reliability and quality.
- User reviews and expert ratings: User reviews can provide practical, real-world insights into van performance, while expert ratings can provide deeper technical specs and safety analysis.
- Warranty and service plans: All new and pre-registered vans benefit from the manufacturer’s warranty, but these differ between brands. Some brands offer extended warranties, which is important for commercial vehicles.
- Cost of ownership: Fuel efficiency and insurance costs differ between vans. Some vans may have higher upfront costs, but other models offer long-term savings when you consider engine type and fuel efficiency.
The best reliable vans to lease in 2025
Let’s look at some of the most reliable vans on the road in 2025.
Volkswagen Caddy
The Volkswagen Caddy solidifies Volkswagen’s reputation for engineering. It offers adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and lane-assist safety features. The 2.0L TDI diesel option is great for durability and longer-range trips, while the 1.5L TSI petrol engine is perfect for smoother, quieter city driving.
The Caddy is one of the most cost-effective, reliable small vans on the market. The diesel variant offers up to 55 mpg, while the 1.5 TSI petrol manual model provides up to 44.1 mpg. Although compact, the Caddy is incredibly robust and offers a payload capacity of up to 780kg, making it the perfect choice for small deliveries.
Volkswagen offers a 3-year/100,000 mileage warranty covering major components. The warranty starts on the delivery date to the first owner and automatically transfers to the next owner.
Citroën Berlingo
Offering versatility and practicality in abundance, the Citroën Berlingo is available with a 1.5L BlueHDi diesel, 1.2L PureTech petrol engine, or 50kWh electric engine. The diesel option offers 75 to 130hp and is perfect for long-distance trips. The PureTech petrol engine is noted for its responsiveness and provides a solid choice for urban environments and multi-stop journeys.
One of the most fuel-efficient small vans on the road, the BlueHDi diesel engine offers up to 65 mpg, while the PureTech petrol engine provides up to 54 mpg. The electric engine provides a range of up to 171 miles on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle. If you want to save on fuel long-term, we recommend putting the Berlingo on your shortlist.
The Berlingo also provides a payload capacity of 1,000kg, making it one of the highest capacities in the small van range. Used by those transporting large loads and working in construction, the van offers a practical edge over other similar-sized counterparts.
All Citroën owners enjoy a comprehensive three-year manufacturer’s warranty or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Citroën’s extended warranty provides 12 months cover if you do not exceed 100,000 miles.
Ford Transit Connect
The Ford Transit Connect is the vehicle of choice for many small businesses and tradespeople, thanks to its reputation for practicality and durability. The Transit Connect comes with a 1.5L EcoBlue diesel, offering power outputs from 75 to 120hp. The Ford Transit Connect ranks among the best in fuel efficiency, with up to 60 mpg.
The Transit Connect’s payload capacity is an impressive 928kg, offering versatility for deliveries and heavy equipment transportation. With a cargo volume of 3.6 cubic metres, side sliding doors, and low loading height, the Transit Connect puts practicality and efficiency at the heart of its design.
Ford offers a three-year warranty or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty covers faults caused by manufacturing defects and replacement parts with genuine Ford parts.
Mercedes-Benz Vito
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz Vito received a flurry of upgrades from previous models, with modernisations throughout the cabin and exterior. Although the Vito is still a rare sight on UK roads, the van provides abundant comfort and quality, and experts cite the cabin as one of the best on the market.
The latest Mercedes 2L turbodiesels, available in four variants, power the core Vito range. All are based on the same three-cylinder engine and are badged at 114 CDI, 116 CDI, and 119 CDI. The 116 CDI and 119 CDI engines are only available with automatic gearboxes. The 116 CDI is the most economical option at 49.6 mpg, while the 119 CDI falls just behind with a consumption of 45.6 mpg. The electric variant is powered by an 85kW or 150 kW electric motor with 300Nm of torque.
Although the Vito outperforms competitors in comfort and style, it still needs to catch up in payload capacity. The L2 and L3 models offer only a maximum payload rating of 978kg and 951kg, respectively.
Mercedes offers a limited 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. The terms exclude normal maintenance and wear terms. A limited outer-body warranty is also available for five years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Volkswagen Transporter
Renowned for its capability and practicality, the Volkswagen Transporter offers smooth driving and abundant comfort. The responsive steering and grounded suspension perfectly complement the vigorous 2.0L diesel engine range, which provides 89 to 201hp. The 2.0 TDI 150 officially averages up to 40 mpg, which is respectable for a medium-sized van.
Depending on the body size, you can enjoy a maximum payload capacity between 685kg and 1,217kg and 5.8 to 6.7 cubic metres in the loading bay. If you’re looking for a Transporter that can carry serious weight, the Transporter Dropside offers a payload capacity of up to 3,000kg.
The Transporter is also notable for its safety features, which include automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane assistance, and crosswind assistance. As with the Volkswagen Caddy, the Transporter has a 3-year/100,000 mileage warranty that covers major components.
Renault Trafic
The Renault Trafic is one of the most overlooked reliable vans on the market and has enjoyed a series of updates over the years. The Trafic’s core range offers a 2.0L diesel engine with four outputs, ranging from 120 to 170hp. Fuel economy numbers range from 39.2 mpg to 40.4 mpg, a small drop from older Trafic models. The all-electric Trafic comes with a 52 kWh battery with a driving range of up to 186 miles, based on WLTP figures.
The van can accommodate a payload between 886kg and 1166kg and offers up to 8.9 cubic metres in the loading bay. A generous number of lashing points are also available, with 16 hooks in the short wheelbase and 18 in the long wheelbase models.
All models come with a warranty package for up to three years from the registration date with unlimited mileage for the first 25 months, then limited to 60,000 miles, or three years, whichever comes first.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Often regarded as the most reliable large-sized van on the market, the newest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers serious technology upgrades, including keyless start, push-of-a-button breakdown assistance, and multi-function steering wheels.
The 2025 base engine is a 2.0L 168hp turbodiesel. There’s an optional high-output engine, rated at 208hp, that includes all-wheel drive, though both engines offer nine-speed automatic transmissions. The sprinter’s official fuel economy figures range from 29.1 mpg to 32.1 mpg.
The largest panel van offers 17 cubic metres of load volume and a maximum payload weight of 3,175kg. However, if you’re looking to carry large amounts of cargo, it’s important to remember that some smaller vans might offer more volume but less weight.
The Sprinter comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, which excludes normal maintenance and wear items.
Nissan Interstar
The Nissan Interstar offers one of the most dynamic driving experiences in the large van market and features modern technology, such as the NissanConnect infotainment touchscreen with integrated satnav.
The Interstar’s engine range centres around CDI diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 110hp to 180hp. Both front-wheel (FWD) and rear-wheel (RWD) options provide robust and responsive power, making them ideal for heavy-duty loads. As you might expect, fuel efficiency varies between models, but expect an average of 32 mpg in perfect driving situations.
The largest Interstar offers up to 17 cubic metres in the load bay and can carry up to 1,925kg of payload in the largest model. Its robust and sturdy chassis means the van can be adapted for various uses, including conversion into a tipper, dropside, or box van.
The Nissan Interstar comes with a 5-year warranty and breakdown assistance, a testament to the brand’s confidence in the van’s range.
Ford Transit
The bigger sibling to the Ford Transit Connect, the Ford Transit is one of the most recognisable large vans on the road and one of the world’s best-selling vans. The Transit is powered by the latest 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engines and available in four power levels: 108hp, 134hp, 148hp, and 168hp. According to Ford, the Transit offers up to 38.7 mpg.
The all-new Ford E-Transit has a powerful 67 kWh battery with a range of up to 209 miles. What’s more, with DC fast charging facilities, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just ten minutes.
The Transit provides a low floor height for loading and includes a new sidestep at the rear sliding door. The maximum payload sits at 1,327kg, while the towing capacity is 2.5 tonnes. The Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, and Vauxhall Vivaro all have slightly higher payload capacities, at 1,400kg each, which is worth bearing in mind if you transport heavy loads. The short-wheelbase Transit Custom L1 offers 5.8 cubic metres of volume, while the longer L2 model provides 6.8 cubic metres.
Ford offers a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first, and covers faults caused by manufacturing defects.
Final tips
Leasing the right van for your business is incredibly important, and you should consider a range of factors before signing the dotted line. Check important features and details, as well as estimated running costs. If you’re still unsure, a member of the Synergy team is always available to provide expert advice. Contact us today to speak with a team member.
