Top 10 Best Vans and Minivans in Australia

Commercial vans and people-moving minivans are a great option that add a heap of versatility to your arsenal, while remaining compact and user-friendly enough to not be a handful while driving around town.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 of the best vans and minivans on sale here in Australia in 2023 to help you out with your next purchase.

Toyota HiAce

The Toyota HiAce has long been an option for businesses looking to move cargo around towns and cities, transport companies ferrying people and even large families looking for maximum space and practicality.

In its latest form, the HiAce is offered in short- and long-wheelbase variants offering a heap of space for cargo, as well as a commuter variant that offers seating for up to 12 people.

• Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (130kW/420Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.5-8.4L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 6.2m3 (short wheelbase) 9.3m3 (long wheelbase) 

• Payload Capacity: 975kg (manual) 965kg (automatic)

Volkswagen Transporter

Volkswagen has been in the van business for decades now, with the Transporter becoming one of the most popular options for small businesses and families alike thanks to its range of body styles and engine options.

VW offers the Transporter in a range of body shapes, including a short and long wheelbase van, a crew van variant with seats for five people, and a pair of single and dual cab chassis featuring a large tray that both come ready for work duties.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (81kW/250Nm - 146kW/450Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.9-8.4L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 3.5m3 - 9.3m3 

• Payload Capacity: 853-1220kg

Ford Transit

The Ford Transit has become one of the most famous names in the world of commercial-focussed vans, with the latest Transit available in short & long wheelbase variants, a cab-chassis and even a bus that can fit 12 passengers.

Ford’s expertise with the van platform has resulted in an immensely practical lineup filled with options tailored to the needs of your business, combined with a sleek interior layout and a range of engines with healthy outputs to pick you up to speed and get you to your next location.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (125kW/390Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & ten-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: N/A

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 11m3 - 15.1m3 

• Payload Capacity: 1061-2448kg

Hyundai Staria & Staria Load

Hyundai’s futuristic Staria and Staria Load van platforms make for a great option for businesses and growing families alike.

The work-focussed Staria Load picks up a generous list of active safety features as standard, making for a great van option when it comes to safety equipment, combined with a large platform that can swallow up a heap of cargo.

For those looking for a practical and comfortable minivan, the standard Staria comes competitively priced, well-equipped and offers a comfortable cabin for up to eight people.

• Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (130kW/430Nm) 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.0L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 2.3m3 - 4.9m3 

• Payload Capacity: 1072kg

Renault Trafic

Renault knows a thing or two when it comes to making a work-ready van, and while it might not enjoy the same share of the market it commands back in its homeland of France, the Trafic is a great commercial van platform for Australian businesses.

In its latest form, the Trafic has picked up some added safety equipment and a revised interior layout that offers a more sophisticated place to sit than some of its rivals, in everything from the short and long wheelbase variants and the crew van.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (125kW/380Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & six-speed dual-clutch automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.5-7.2L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated (previous three-star rating) 

• Cargo Volume: 4m3 (crew van) 5.8m3 (SWB) - 6.7m3 (LWB) 

• Payload Capacity: 1053-1279kg

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Another great van option from Europe comes in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Vito, which is available in your choice of short and long wheelbase panel vans and a crew cab perfect for six people.

Within the range, there’s two turbo-diesel engines available, a decent range of active safety equipment and a cockpit far more refined than its work-ready underpinnings might suggest, in a package that feels great on the road.

• Engine: 1.6 & 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinders (84kW/270Nm & 120kW/380Nm)

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & nine-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.6-7.5L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 5.8m3 (short wheelbase) 6.9m3 (long wheelbase) 

• Payload Capacity: 975-1302kg

LDV Deliver 9

While it might not be the most well-known option in the world of vans, the LDV Deliver 9 offers a tonne of versatility within the wide-sprawling and well-equipped range.

LDV offers the Deliver 9 in medium & long-wheel base variants, optioned with either a mid or high roof, as well as a work-ready cab chassis and a passenger-focussed 12-14 seater bus variant, making it perhaps the most versatile van range currently on sale in Australia.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (108kW/375Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: N/A

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Cargo Volume: 9.66-12.33m3 

• Payload Capacity: 1500-2460kg

Peugeot Expert

Peugeot is another major retailer of vans back in its home market of France and across Europe, with the Peugeot Expert positioned well here in Australia in terms of price and versatility.

Available in three trim levels split across short and long wheelbase variants, there’s something for every type of commercial or family buyer in the latest Expert range.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (110kW/370Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.0-6.3L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated  

• Cargo Volume: 5.3m3 (short wheelbase) 6.1m3 (long wheelbase) 

• Payload Capacity: 1400kg

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The larger sister to the Mercedes-Benz Vito, the Sprinter has cemented itself a reputation as one of the most versatile and premium large van platforms out there.

In its latest form, the Sprinter comes available in countless combinations of short, medium and long wheelbase platforms, medium and high-roof bodies, cab chassis variants for the worksite and even buses that can fit up to fifteen people.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder 

• Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.5-8.4L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 7.8-17m3 

• Payload Capacity: 1521-2236kg

Kia Carnival

For buyers looking for one of the ultimate family-friendly minivans on the market, the Kia Carnival should be atop your shortlist.

Combining Kia’s largest people-mover platform with a range of clever interior touches, the Carnival is one of the most comfortable and practical means of transporting up to eight people, and comes extremely well-equipped even in the base model.

• Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (148kW/440Nm) & 3.5-litre V6 petrol (216kW/355Nm) 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.5L/100km (diesel) - 9.6L/100km (V6 petrol) 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Cargo Volume: 627-2785L

• Payload Capacity: 742-744kg

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If you’re searching the market for your best work-ready van and family-friendly minivan options, reach out to one of our car buying specialists for the best possible price on your dream car.