What Is The Van With The Best MPG In 2025? 9 Most Economical Van Models Compared
What is the van with the best MPG figures you can buy in 2025? Van industry expert Tim Cattlin compares 9 of the most economical van models to help you cut down your fuel bill.
Fuel is probably the most expensive part of running a van. So when considering which one to buy or lease next, it’s important to consider just how economical they are. In this feature, we’ve scoured all the manufacturer’s data and have come up with a list of the top 3 small, medium and large vans with the best mpg figures you can buy in 2025.
Ok, let’s get a couple of things clear from the start.
Here, we’re looking at just petrol or diesel vans. There are no hybrid (although it’s important not to discount them as in some operations they can work out very economical) or electric vans here. I’m using the official WLTP Combined cycle test figures, mostly from manufacturers’ brochures although when not available (or vague) I’ve consulted other sources.
It’s important to remember that these test results are for comparison purposes only and, in the real world, especially with a payload in the back, you might struggle to achieve them (or get even close). To be fair, when I’ve tested vans for a week, with no load on, I’ve usually more or less matched these test numbers.
So, here we go, let’s take a look at the 3 most economical van models in each category – small, medium and large.
Contents:
- Best Small Van MPG
- Best Medium Van MPG
- Best Large Van MPG
- Conclusion: Which Van Has The Best MPG Overall?
Best Small Van MPG

3: Mercedes-Benz Citan 110 Progressive – 54.3MPG
Oddly enough, the Citan gets a slightly better result than its platform-sharing sibling, the Renault Kangoo.
It’s fitted with Renault’s venerable 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 95PS which, although by modern standards doesn’t sound a huge amount, actually works quite well in practice on the road, accelerating from 0-62mph in 13.6 seconds with the manual gearbox.
This van is a major award winner, having scooped the coveted International Van of the Year award (jointly with Renault) in 2023.
There are a couple of trim levels to choose from. But even the entry-level van gets air-conditioning, Apple and Android smartphone integration and a raft of advanced driver and safety (ADAS) features all as standard.

2: Ford Transit Courier Leader 100PS – 55.39MPG
I thought Ford’s all-new Courier might win this category, but it wasn’t quite to be.
Once again, a 1.5-litre diesel engine, this time offering 100PS, provides the driver with a decent amount of performance combined with excellent fuel economy. From a driving perspective, this is a cracking van which handles even better than the excellent Citan / Kangoo / Nissan Townstar and is an absolute joy to drive.
The previous Courier was a bit of an oddity. Nothing wrong with it. But from a load-carrying perspective, it didn’t really compete with anything else, being just a little too small.
That’s not the case now. The load volume is 25% bigger and it can carry up to 849kg. In fact, it’s very close in size to the Connect.

1: Volkswagen Caddy SWB Commerce 102PS – 57.15MPG
Topping the best small van mpg table is the Volkswagen Caddy.
Boasting a 2.0-litre engine – which is larger than its competitors – clearly doesn’t give it a disadvantage when it comes to economy.
Although VW’s TDI units have been around for quite a while now, the ones used in the Caddy are anything but dated. In fact, they were introduced when this latest Caddy was launched in 2021. State-of-the-art tech has been used, including a ‘twin dosing’ Adblue delivery system allowing the van to emit just 127g/km of CO2.
The van has that Volkswagen air of quality about it, both in the cab and on the road. Anyone considering a new small van would be wise to check it out.
Best Medium Van MPG

3: Ford Transit Custom Leader 110PS – 40.35 MPG
The bronze medal in this sector goes to the Ford Transit Custom in its very fresh, latest, almost all-new guise.
All Customs (with a standard diesel engine) have the 2.0-litre EcoBlue unit fitted with a choice of four power outputs, the lowest 110PS version achieving this result in the official tests.
You can only have a manual gearbox with this lower-powered option. You’ll need to specify a higher-rated unit if automatic transmissions are your preference.
What can you say about the Custom that hasn’t been said already? Britain’s most popular van sells in the tens of thousands and my recent week with this latest model proved to me why.
It looks good, drives well, the cab has been redesigned with the working driver in mind, and it’s well-equipped. Oh, and it carries a decent payload, too.
Another van that should be seriously considered by a prospective buyer.

2: Renault Trafic SH30 150 Advance – 40.9 MPG
Although the Renault Trafic has been around now for quite a while, it’s not lagging behind in the fuel economy stakes, beating the new Transit Custom.
Using a 2.0-litre common rail direct injection diesel engine which, at the 150ps output can propel the van to (where legal) 109mph, the van combines performance with economy better than most medium vans.
Appearances are subjective. But I reckon the Trafic still looks great.
It’s got a very practical loadspace, lots of safety and driver aids and it only requires a scheduled visit to the dealer for a service once every 2 years or 24,000 miles.
A great all-around proposition. We’ve also written a comprehensive Custom vs Trafic guide to get stuck into if you find yourself torn between these two options.

1: Vauxhall Vivaro Prime 120PS – 41.75 MPG
Taking the top spot for the best medium van mpg segment, Luton’s finest.
The Vauxhall Vivaro represents its Stellantis siblings the Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo and, also, due to a manufacturing agreement, the Toyota Proace. These are essentially the same van but may have slightly different test figures.
We’re back to an engine with a 1.5-litre displacement, quite small for a medium van. But this shouldn’t put a prospective buyer off.
The 120PS output should satisfy most drivers and, importantly, the engine has a decent torque output of 300Nm. Something those behind the wheel will appreciate when the van is fully laden.
The Vivaro is another van with a 2-year / 25,000-mile service interval, keeping downtime to a minimum.
Best Large Van MPG

3: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 215 L1H1 Pure – 32.8 MPG
In third place in a very tricky sector to compare (due to the vast number of derivatives) is the Mercedes Sprinter.
Although this particular model is fairly obscure, even a more typical 315 L3H2 model comes in at 30.3mpg. A good result for such a large van.
The Sprinter utilises a 1950cc diesel engine. And although this 150hp version is the lowest output in the range, I’d guess it would be more than adequate for the majority of applications (if not, there are 170hp and 190hp options).
The big selling point of a Mercedes-Benz? That has to be the after-sales support from the extensive dealer network, many of which offer 24-hour servicing facilities.
Downtime is another very expensive aspect of operating a van and having a vehicle serviced overnight can save the owner the cost of lost work or even hiring a replacement vehicle.

2: Fiat Ducato 35 120 MH2 – 34.4 MPG
Even though Fiat is part of the huge Stellantis corporation and the Ducato is primarily the same as the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Movano, the Italian company is proud of the fact it always used its own engines in the Ducato.
That’s not now the case. But Fiat couldn’t resist making a few tweaks of its own and so can claim this silver medal position without being troubled by its siblings.
The 2.2-litre Multijet unit is rated at 120hp, with a torque output of 320Nm.
Keeping it on the road for as long as possible, the van comes with a 3-year / 100,000-mile warranty and the service intervals are an excellent 2 years or 36,000 miles.
Fiat doesn’t have the strongest brand image, but the Ducato is an excellent van. Another vehicle I have experienced first-hand, and one that won a major industry award in this incarnation.

1: Ford Transit 105PS – 42.5 MPG
Blowing the competition completely out of the water is the Ford Transit with an 8 mpg lead on the second-placed Fiat.
Now, there’s a caveat here. Ford is not currently publishing fuel consumption figures in the data sheets available, so this is taken from an older version. Also, the company doesn’t issue figures for the various body, weight and trim derivatives. It’s just purely by the engine. So, make of that what you will.
still, over 40 mpg for a large van is a superb result. The 105PS EcoBlue engine is extremely efficient, further proven by the torque output of 310NM.
A worthy winner of the best large van for mpg section of this article, the Transit will no doubt continue to save fleets and small businesses money.
Conclusion: What Is The Most Economical Van Overall?
Overall, the most economical van you can buy in 2025 is the Volkswagen Caddy Commerce with a 102 PS diesel engine.
The obvious caveat here, though, is the Caddy is a small van. If you are solely looking for a van with the best MPG figures, a Volkswagen Caddy is your answer.
However, other factors will influence your van-buying decision.
It’s pointless buying a small van because of the fuel economy if you’ll have to make twice as many trips because the cargo space is too small.
We strongly recommend first establishing whether your business needs a small, medium, or large van. Then, if fuel economy is still your top priority, take your pick from the vehicles in this list.
Now, we’d love to hear from you.
Do you own any of the vans listed above? What are your thoughts on advertised fuel efficiency figures compared to real-world experience?
Leave us a comment below!
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