Top 5: Best Small Vans to Buy In 2023

Why buy a small van?

Small panel vans are useful for a number of scenarios and businesses. When travelling around towns and cities, making deliveries, or in-between jobs, small vans provide you with transport that's efficient, easy to drive, and provides plenty of room for products, equipment, and tools.

Compact vans make great vehicles for those who run small businesses, or need a fleet of useful vehicles to regularly travel between locations and need the extra practicality of a van, but don't need to carry huge items.

We highlight some of the best new and used small vans on the market that excel in practicality, efficiency, and reliability.

• Ford Transit Connect
• Citroën Berlingo Van
• Vauxhall Combo
• Peugeot Partner
• Renault Kangoo E-Tech
• Nissan Townstar

Ford Transit Connect

The Ford Transit range has become a default choice for British van buyers, and the compact Transit Connect is yet another example of brilliant van design and engineering.

Available in both short and long wheelbase formats, it has a maximum payload of 961kg and provides up to 3.4 metres of load space.

Not only is the cargo and payload capacity very impressive, the Transit Connect is also praised for its car-like driving experience. That means a smooth and comfortable ride, as well as excellent steering and handling.

Technology is another stand-out aspect of the Transit Connect, with features such as Active Park Assist, which will automatically steer you into parallel or bay parking spaces without you having to touch the steering wheel.

Citroën Berlingo Van

Another long-term favourite of British tradespeople requiring a 3-seat small van is the Citroën Berlingo Van.

Diesel models are both 1.5-litre BlueHDi, and produce either 100bhp or 130bhp, and there's also a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine which provides smooth acceleration and exceptional fuel economy in both manual and automatic guises.

Like most small vans, it comes in two body lengths, the largest of which offers a 4.4 cubic metres carrying capacity and a payload of up to 1,002kg.

There are over 20 driver assistance systems fitted to the Berlingo. The central 8-inch touchscreen is home to the Surround Rear Vision system, which uses two cameras to give you a clear view out the back and side when reversing.

Vauxhall Combo

Developed to offer class-leading fuel economy and running costs, the Vauxhall Combo is available as both a panel van and a small crew van, with seating for up to five occupants; two in the front and three in the back.

Only available with a diesel engine, the Combo offers fantastically low fuel consumption, achieving up to 72.4mpg combined.

With a maximum payload of 1,000kg and up to 4.4 cubic metres of load space (thanks to an upward-folding passenger seat) it's another ultra-practical commercial vehicle for the city.

There are several model grades to choose from, with everything from a rugged entry-level version to top-spec editions with sat nav, alloy wheels, cruise control, parking sensors and air conditioning.

Peugeot Partner

The Peugeot Partner is notable in this list for being one of the best small automatic vans you can buy in the UK, thanks to its modern technology and latest range of PureTech petrol engines.

Available in two body lengths, the maximum cargo capacity is 3.44 cubic metres on the larger model, with a payload capacity of up to 1,000kg. If you tick the right box on the options list, this can be a small van with three seats in the front.

The i-Cockpit system, that's also found in many Peugeot cars, features an 8-inch touchscreen which houses all vehicle settings and infotainment in one place.

Renault Kangoo E-Tech

Small electric vans are rapidly growing in popularity in the UK, and that's largely down to Renault, who are one of Europe's largest manufacturers of light commercial vans. The Kangoo E-Tech has a driving range of up to 186 miles on a single charge, and can be easily recharged overnight.

The Kangoo's cargo capacity is slightly less than the petrol and diesel-powered models, but you still get a decent 615kg. There's also a standard load volume up to 4.2 cubic metres and loading length of up to 3 metres.

There are several useful driver aids and technology features on board the electric Kangoo, including Hill Start Assist, rear parking sensors, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Nissan Townstar

Small Japanese vans are few and far between in the UK, which is why we've seen fit to include the Nissan Townstar as a bonus van. It's another compact electric van which can help your business reduce its carbon footprint as well as its running costs.

It has an excellent cargo capacity of 4.3 cubic metres, and payload capacity is an impressive 800kg. There's also a very respectable 1,500kg towing capacity.

Driving the Townstar is a smooth and serene experience, with its automatic gearbox and electric motor providing instant response and fast acceleration. High-spec models come with 3D satellite navigation and real-time traffic updates, helping you to navigate urban areas with ease.