The Best MPG Vans - Vans with the Best Fuel Economy
Discover the most economical commercial vehicles
Do you know how economical your van is? Fuel prices have been at an all-time high in 2022 and with many businesses being hit hard by the cost of living crisis, it’s no wonder people are looking at ways to reduce their spending.
In this article, we look at how you can increase your fuel economy and the best MPG vans on the market right now…
What is MPG?
MPG - which stands for Miles Per Gallon - is a term used to describe the amount of miles a vehicle can travel per gallon of fuel consumed. For example, if a van is said to offer 38 MPG, you can expect to drive 38-miles per gallon of fuel available within the tank.
If the van’s tank holds 17 gallons of fuel, the overall MPG would equate to 646-miles in total driving range. However, the quoted driving range from the manufacturer can vary depending on a number of factors, including the outdoor temperature and driving style.
How is MPG calculated?
MPG is calculated using a number of contributing factors, including:
- Size and weight of the vehicle. This has a big impact on the amount of fuel a van can consume; the larger and heavier the van, the more fuel it will use.
- The vehicle’s engine type and size. Another important consideration is the type of engine and its size. Fuel consumption will vary between diesel and petrol variants.
- Emissions from the vehicle’s tailpipe. The amount of CO2 a van emits is linked to the amount of fuel it consumes - the higher the MPG, the lower the emissions.
Nowadays, all vehicles are MPG tested using a process called the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Replicating real-life driving situations, the lab-based test uses different speeds and conditions to determine a car or van’s fuel efficiency.
How to improve your van’s fuel efficiency
When it comes to increasing the fuel economy of your van, there are a number of ways in which you can help make the diesel or petrol last that little bit longer. Here we share our top 10 tips for improving your van’s fuel efficiency:
- Lighten the load. Clear out the clutter and you’ll be surprised at just how much extra weight you were carrying around on the daily drive.
- Reconsider roof racks. If you’re not utilising your van’s roof rack then remove it - a rack or roof bars really can add extra drag to the vehicle at higher speeds.
- Wind up those windows. Having your van’s windows open can also create extra drag which only adds up to further fuel consumption.
- Keep the tyre pressure on the track. Routine checks on your van’s tyres will identify if they are correctly inflated - under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by around 3%.
- Consider air conditioning usage. Do you really need your air conditioning on all year round? The AC uses up a lot of fuel, so prioritise it for demisting windows.
- Stick to the service schedule. Having a regular service will keep your van running efficiently and highlight any problem which can negatively impact fuel consumption.
- Slow your speed. While we appreciate time is money, driving at 60 mph on the motorway can prove a lot more economical than travelling at 70 mph.
- Beware of harsh braking and acceleration. The harsher your brake and the quicker you accelerate can consume fuel quicker than you may think.
- Don’t fill up to full. A full tank of fuel can weigh the same as a bag of cement, so instead consider only filling up halfway to save on fuel consumption.
- Turn off the engine in traffic. If you’re stuck in delays while queuing at traffic lights, switch the engine off to save fuel - many vans now have a stop/start system which will do this automatically.
Whether you’re searching for a small van for city driving or a large van for lugging extra big loads, you’ll want to find one that is not only practical, but economical too. We’ve listed the best MPG vans by size to give you a helping hand…
Most economical small vans
Car-sized vans are getting ever more popular and drivers are looking for the most fuel-efficient options. Here at the best small vans by MPG:
Ford Fiesta Van
The car-derived Ford Fiesta van is by far the most economical small van on the market in terms of its MPG offering of up to 88.3 mpg on the 1.5 TDCi 95ps model. Although it outperforms other small vans for the amount of miles per tank, Ford ceased production of its Fiesta Van in February 2022 to instead favour the Transit Courier model, which means you’ll now only get hold of a Ford Fiesta Van as a used vehicle.
Ford Transit Courier
This leads us nicely to the Ford Transit Courier. The smallest member of the Transit family is in fact based on the same chassis as its Fiesta Van sister, making it a like-for-like option. It performs very well by MPG standards, so van drivers can expect a return of around 76.3 mpg which by today’s standards, is not to be sniffed at.
Citroën Berlingo
The Citroën Berlingo is the first of the Stellantis Group small vans to receive recognition for its MPG achievements. Snapping at the Ford Transit’s heels, the Citroën Berlingo boasts 68.8 mpg in its 1.5 litre diesel models.
Peugeot Partner
Sharing the same platform as the Citroën Berlingo, the Peugeot Partner offers a fuel economy range of around 67.7 mpg if you opt for its most economical version; the 99 bhp diesel engine model.
Vauxhall Combo Cargo
The last of the Stellantis Group badge-sharing small van trio, the Vauxhall Combo Cargo slots in just behind the Peugeot Partner as one of the most economical small vans. Motorists can expect 67.3 mpg for a more fuel-efficient drive.
Most economical medium vans
Vans in the midsize segment are in high demand, so what really sets apart the wheat from the chaff is their fuel economy benefits. Here are the best medium vans by MPG:
Toyota Proace
Of all the medium-sized vans, it is the Toyota Proace that tops the chart by offering maximum fuel economy. Reaching up to 54.3 mpg with its Euro 6 compliant 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, even its 2.0-litre variant hits the 50 mpg mark.
Citroën Dispatch
Another Stellantis Group van to be awarded a mention in the most economical vans is the Citroën Dispatch. The most efficient engine to date is the 120 hp 1.5-litre diesel model which peaks at 55.4 mpg.
Peugeot Expert
Based upon the same platform as the Citroën Dispatch, the popular mid-sized Peugeot Expert matches the fuel economy of its Stellantis Group sister van. Expect the 120 hp 1.5-litre diesel engine version to reach up to 55.4 mpg.
Renault Trafic
Without a doubt one of the best-selling medium-sized vans in the UK, the Renault Trafic also impresses for fuel economy too. The standard 1.6 Energy dCi 125 model hits the mark at 47.9 mpg - it's also Euro 6 compliant.
Most economical large vans
As we mentioned previously, the larger the van, the less economical it will be, purely based on its size and weight. However, there are a few large vans worth recognising when it comes to fuel economy. Here are the best large vans by MPG:
Renault Master
For a large van, the Renault Master goes top of the class for fuel efficiency. Within the Master range, it's the dCi 150 diesel engine which proves to be the most economical by reaching 47.9 mpg - not a bad result for a great weight-carrying van.
Citroën Relay
A key model in the large panel van sector, the Citroën Relay almost meets the chart-topping fuel efficient engine offered by the Renault Master. Expect up to 47.1 mpg with the 2.0 BlueHDi 110 L1H1 model.
Peugeot Boxer
The platform-sharing Peugeot Boxer isn’t to be outshined by its Stellantis Group Citroën Relay cousin. In fact, the large Peugeot Boxer van matches its fuel economy by offering 47.1 mpg through its near-identical model - the 2.0 BlueHDi 110 L1H1 variant.
Most economical Pick-up Trucks
If a pick-up truck is on the cards, then you’ll want to know which is the most fuel efficient of the bunch. Here are the best pick-up trucks by MPG:
Nissan Navara
A firm favourite of the pick-up truck world, the Nissan Navara is not only capable of hauling heavy payloads but is pretty economical too. You can expect to reach up to 46.3 mpg with the class-leading NP300 2.3 dCi single turbo king cab model.
Isuzu D-Max
The only Isuzu model available to buy in the UK, the Isuzu D-Max comes in many variants to make up for the lack of British presence. However, it’s the 1.9 Utility 4x2 RWD Single Cab edition that hits the spot in terms of fuel economy, with 45.6 mpg.
What is the most economical van in the UK?
From our list of fuel efficient small vans, medium vans, large vans, and pick-up trucks, the vehicle that comes out on top and leads the pack as the most economical van in the UK is a Ford!
- The most economical used van is a Ford Fiesta Van with 88.3 mpg.
- The most economical new van is a Ford Transit Courier with 76.3 mpg.
Is a small van more economical than an SUV?
But compared to an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), is a small van still more economical? Due to its size and practicality, an SUV is now the best-selling type of car in the UK. Some models can even offer as much storage space as a small-sized van when the back seats are folded down, making it a viable alternative option.
Out of the top 10 SUVs on sale in the UK right now, it is in fact small vans - particularly those that are car-derived - which remain top in terms of fuel economy. Due to the interior design of an SUV and the need for family-sized seating and storage options, overall an SUV tends to be heavier than a small van, which in turn impacts the overall fuel consumption.
Is a diesel van more economical than a petrol van?
So how does a diesel van match up to its petrol-fuelled equivalent? Unlike cars which tend to be petrol-based, most vans are produced with diesel engines. This is because diesel vans generally last longer than petrol vans, making them more reliable and cost-efficient in the long run.
Vans see their fair share of usage, so a reliable and long-lasting model is needed to stand the test of time. Although diesel remains more expensive than petrol to purchase in the UK, diesel-based vans offer better fuel economy and a driving performance that outweighs petrol equivalents.
How economical are electric vans?
When searching for a new or used economical van, your options are further widened by the choice of electric vans on the market. However, it’s worth understanding that zero-emission vehicles aren’t tested on their MPG achievements because they are not fuel-based. Instead, electric vehicles are judged on their kWh figure to test for efficiency.
kWh stands for KiloWatt Hour which is a unit of energy and as such, is the equivalent of MPG when measuring a van’s efficiency. Like a standard combustion engine van, electric vehicles are still tested using the WLTP process to replicate a real-world driving situation in order to determine their efficiency.
The amount of miles an electric van can do varies. At the top-end of the scale, the Fiat E-Ducato can achieve up to 223 miles on a single charge, closely followed by the Citroën ë-Dispatch, Toyota Proace Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro-e, which can each reach 205 miles on a single charge.
Discover the best MPG vans at Loads of Vans
Here at Loads of Vans in North Cheam, South London, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to sourcing an economical van. We appreciate you’ll want to keep your van’s running costs low, so a fuel-efficient vehicle that goes that bit further should be a top priority.
Check out our choice of over 300 vans in stock which you can explore online. To help you with your search, you can filter the results by MPG to find the most economical vans on offer. Don’t forget to view our Hot NEW VAN DEALS too to save even more money on your van purchase!
