What are the best small vans for 2025?

We’re now a fair way into 2025, and although we’re only as far as Spring, there are already a couple of small vans which have started to distinguish themselves as the UK’s clear favourites. Here at the Van Discount Company, we have decades of experience in providing the very best van deals for our customers, so you can count on us to be up to speed on the elements that have made these vans such excellent choices – whether you’re zipping through city streets, delivering goods across towns, or handling tools and kit for local jobs. Here’s a look at some of the top contenders on the UK market this year!

Ford Transit Courier

The Ford Transit Courier is widely known as Ford’s entry-level van, but at this stage in 2025, it’s clear to see how it’s been bumped up considerably. Still compact enough for tight city streets, it’s aimed squarely at small businesses and tradespeople who need to navigate urban environments while carrying a decent amount of gear.

The move to the Ford Puma SUV platform (replacing the old Fiesta chassis) has enabled the Courier to make significant progress in both cabin and cargo areas. Maximum load volume now stands at 2.9m³, with a payload of 680kg as standard. (If you’d like, you can even increase this to 856kg with optional dual-rate springs.)

The Courier’s cabin has seen a major upgrade – it now features a more refined layout, Ford’s latest infotainment system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The new design arguably feels more modern and practical, making it notably parallel with Ford’s car range. The Courier is also widely recognised for the attention paid to safety in its design – on that note, it recently became the first Ford commercial vehicle to earn a Platinum Euro NCAP rating, thanks to its updated platform and driver assistance features.

An all-electric E-Transit Courier is on the way, joining the existing petrol and diesel options and giving buyers a broad range of powertrains to suit different needs. In the meantime though, diesel models continue to provide good low-end torque for heavier loads, which makes them the prevailing choice for most UK businesses.

Renault Kangoo

The Renault Kangoo continues to anyone who values flexibility and innovation. Positioned as a compact but highly adaptable van, it’s particularly attractive to our customers who make regular deliveries in built-up areas.

Load space is generous, with thoughtful design elements like the Easy Inside Rack for storing ladders and long items along the roof inside the van. Payload varies depending on spec, and there’s a diesel option available for those who need a bit more pulling power.

Inside, the Kangoo feels more car-like than ever. Renault has updated the dashboard and materials, resulting in a cleaner, more modern look. It’s also noticeably quieter than previous models, with improved sound insulation making it more comfortable on longer journeys. One of the Kangoo’s standout features is the ‘Open Sesame’ sliding side door, which removes the central pillar for wider access – a clear bonus for urban delivery drivers. It also comes with solid standard equipment across most trims.

The Kangoo E-Tech electric model is available, offering over 180 miles of range, and making the van a suitable choice for anyone who wants go zero-emissions without compromising on practicality.

Ford Transit Connect

The Ford Transit Connect sits above the Courier in the Ford range and continues to be a well-established choice for small business owners who want something slightly larger and more capable.

With up to 3.1m³ of load space and the ability to fit a Euro pallet, it offers solid carrying capacity. Payload tops out at around 982kg on the longer wheelbase versions. Buyers can choose between two 2.0-litre diesel engines (101bhp or 120bhp), or a plug-in hybrid setup offering up to 74 miles of electric-only range.

The interior is well-equipped too, with driver-focused features like a high-resolution touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC infotainment, and optional adaptive cruise control. The cabin layout is spacious and comfortable, making it easy to spend a full working day behind the wheel.

Thanks to its shared platform with the Volkswagen Caddy and Golf, the Connect delivers sharp handling and refinement on the road. Even with those shared components though, Ford has tuned it to feel distinctively different to drive. The plug-in hybrid makes this van appealing to anyone operating in cities with emissions restrictions (like London for example, with its ULEZ), offering the flexibility of electric driving backed by a petrol engine for longer trips.

Citroën Berlingo

The Citroën Berlingo has built its reputation on straightforward, no-nonsense practicality – so unsurprisingly, it continues to be a go-to van for tradespeople and local delivery services looking for a capable, durable workhorse.

The load space is (in our view) excellent, and the Berlingo supports payloads ranging from 650kg to 950kg, topping out at 1,000kg with the larger wheelbase models. It’s available with a 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 diesel engine that delivers solid performance and fuel economy, particularly on longer journeys.

The interior benefits from Citroën’s Advanced Comfort programme – and the results from that are clear to see, with softer suspension and supportive seating. The cabin layout is nicely intuitive, and the cabin materials clearly built to last. (Higher trims also include handy practical additions like a built-in phone cradle.) There’s also an electric ë-Berlingo available, which offers a useful alternative if you’re looking to transition to electric without giving up the space and usability of a traditional small van.

That’s all the essentials covered! And of course, if you have any questions about any of these vans – or indeed any of the others we supply here at the Van Discount Company – don’t hesitate to get in touch for the very best cheap van deals. We’ve even been able to save some customers up to 30% off the RRP of selected models! Call now on 01282 872 530 to take advantage of our expert advice and the best new van deals today.