Best Small Vans in the UK available in 2024

In today's fast-paced business world, choosing the right commercial vehicle can make all the difference. This article aims to guide you through the best small vans available in the UK in 2024, helping you make an informed decision for your business needs.

Small vans play a crucial role for many companies and with advancements in technology, fuel efficiency, and design, so they are more capable and comfortable than ever before. Compact vans have become increasingly popular among business owners, and for good reason:  

These versatile vehicles offer the perfect balance of manoeuvrability, cargo capacity, and efficiency. Ideal for urban environments, small vans excel at navigating tight city streets and handling multiple drop-offs throughout the day. Whether you're a courier, florist, dog walker, window cleaner, or any professional requiring compact yet capable transport, a small van could be the answer you're looking for.

In this article, we'll explore the top contenders in the small van market, comparing their features, efficiency, and suitability for various business needs. Whether you're looking for economical running costs, maximum cargo space, or the latest in van technology, we've got you covered. Read on to discover our expert recommendations and find the perfect small van to drive your business forward. 

Here at Loads of Vans, we stock a wide variety of small vans for sale at unbeatable prices! Right now you can save over £4,000 on a Renault Kangoo and over £12,000 on a Renault Kangoo fully electric E-Tech van - browse our small van stock by clicking on the button below.

Small Vans for Sale

Why Choose a Small Van?

Small vans offer a unique blend of functionality and efficiency making them very versatile for various types of businesses. Providing a similar driving experience to cars, compact vans are ideal for manoeuvring through busy city streets and are easy to park. Below, we’ve listed 10 benefits of choosing a small-sized van:

1. It’s the same size as a hatchback car
2. It can fit on driveways and in garages
3. It’s ideal for driving in towns and cities
4. It’s easy to park on streets and in multi-storey carparks 
5. It’s convenient for businesses that need to make frequent stops
6. It can prove very fuel-efficient (especially diesel variants) 
7. It has purpose-built and flexible cargo storage areas
8. It is simple to load and unload cargo from the sides and rear 
9. It is secure enough to store tools and equipment in
10. It is fitted with advanced tech for connectivity and safety  

What is Classed as a Small Van?

A small van is a compact-sized commercial vehicle designed for transporting goods and equipment. As a light commercial vehicle that offers more cargo space than a car, small vans typically have the following dimensions:

• Overall Length: 4.3 to 4.8 metres
• Overall Width (excluding mirrors): 1.7 to 1.9 metres
• Overall Height: 1.8 to 1.9 metres
• Payload: 600 to 1,000 kg
• Load Volume: 3.3 to 3.9m³
• Load Length: 1.7 metres
• Load Width: 1.5 metres
• Load Height: 1.2 metres 

Our Top 7 Best Small Vans

1. Renault Kangoo
2. Citroen Berlingo
3. Peugeot Partner
4. Fiat Fiorino
5. Fiat Doblo Cargo
6. Nissan Townstar
7. Vauxhall Combo Cargo 

Renault Kangoo

Price from new: £25,390
Loads of Vans price: £15,990
Load volume: up to 4.3m³ 
Maximum payload: 975kg
Fuel economy: 54mpg

The Renault Kangoo has cemented its position as one of the UK's top small vans in 2024, thanks to its recent redesign and focus on modern business needs. Renault’s latest generation of its popular Kangoo van combines practicality with advanced technology, making it an attractive option for many uses. 

The Kangoo offers impressive versatility with its clever load space solutions, including the innovative ‘open sesame’ side sliding door that provides a best-in-class wide opening for easy loading. The van's interior has been significantly upgraded, featuring a more ergonomic dashboard design and improved connectivity options, including a large touchscreen infotainment system compatible with smartphone integration.

Read our detailed Renault Kangoo review here.

Available with a petrol or diesel engine (plus an all-electric E-Tech version is available too) the Renault Kangoo provides a competitive payload capacity and refined driving experience. All of this makes it a well-rounded, future-proof choice for businesses seeking reliability, efficiency, and comfort in a small van package.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Renault Kangoo ML19 TCe 100 Start model for just £15,990! View our Renault Kangoo offers here.  

Citroen Berlingo

Price from new: £23,900
Loads of Vans price: £18,480
Load volume: up to 4.4m³
Maximum payload: 950kg
Fuel economy: 54mpg

Considered to be Britain’s best-selling small van, the Citroën Berlingo (in-depth review here) stands out as one of the best small vans in the UK for 2024, building on its reputation for practicality and versatility. This popular model offers an impressive blend of cargo capacity and driving comfort, making it ideal for both urban deliveries and longer journeys. 

The latest generation of Berlingo vans boasts enhanced fuel efficiency, with both diesel and electric powertrains available to suit various business needs. Its well-designed interior provides a car-like driving experience, while the spacious cargo area offers up to 4.4m³ of load volume in its longest XL configuration. 

The van's innovative features, such as the Extenso cab with its folding passenger seat and the available Surround Rear Vision camera system, add to its appeal. With competitive pricing, low running costs, and Citroën's reputation for reliability, the Berlingo remains a top choice for sole traders and small businesses.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Citroën Berlingo M PureTech Enterprise Edition model for just £18,480! View our Citroën Berlingo offers here. 

Peugeot Partner

Price from new: £26,505
Loads of Vans price: £18,880
Load volume: up to 4.4m³
Maximum payload: 987kg
Fuel economy: 54mpg 

Designed for city driving, the Peugeot Partner (detailed review here) is an obvious choice as one of the best small vans in the UK for 2024, building on its already strong reputation for versatility and innovation. This popular model has evolved to meet the changing needs of businesses by offering a blend of practicality, efficiency, and technology. 

The Partner van provides a driver-focused interior that enhances both comfort and safety. Peugeot has further refined its powertrain options, offering efficient diesel engines and an improved electric version of the Partner van to cater to various requirements. 

Advanced features like the Overload Indicator and Surround Rear Vision camera system set the Partner apart, making loading and manoeuvring easier and safer. With its combination of smart design, robust build quality, and cutting-edge technology, the Peugeot Partner is certainly one of the best small vans available.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Peugeot Partner BlueHDi Asphalt Premium model for just £18,880! View our Peugeot Partner offers here.  

Fiat Fiorino

Price from new: £17,490
Loads of Vans price: £14,450
Load volume: 2.8m³
Maximum payload: 610kg
Fuel economy: 62mpg

One of the smallest vans in the compact van category, the Fiat Fiorino (read the full review here) continues to prove its worth as one of the best choices in the UK for 2024. Despite its petite exterior dimensions, the Fiorino offers a surprisingly spacious cargo area, with a load volume of up to 2.8m³ and a payload capacity of around 610kg. 

More recently, Fiat has updated the Fiorino van with improved fuel-efficient engines, including advanced diesel options that strike a balance between performance and economy. The van's interior has also been refreshed, featuring more comfortable seating and an updated infotainment system that keeps drivers connected on the go. 

With its low running costs, compact size, and Fiat's reputation for producing reliable commercial vehicles, the Fiorino is an excellent choice for small business owners and couriers looking for a nimble, efficient, and cost-effective small van solution.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Fiat Fiorino Cargo 1.3 Multijet Standard model for just £14,450! View our Fiat Fiorino offers here.        

Fiat Doblo Cargo

Price from new: £22,805
Loads of Vans price: £16,880
Load volume: up to 4.4m³
Maximum payload: 1,000kg
Fuel economy: 56mpg

Boasting best-in-class load capacity, the Fiat Doblo Cargo (review here) is a strong contender among the best small vans in the UK for 2024. This well-rounded van meets the needs of businesses requiring a compact-sized van, with improvements in both functionality and comfort. 

The Doblo Cargo is one of the most spacious vehicles in its class and now Fiat has enhanced the Doblo's powertrain options, including more efficient diesel engines and an all-electric e-Doblo variant. The van's interior has also been upgraded with improved driver comfort and the latest infotainment technology to help with long journeys. 

With its wide range of body styles, including short and long wheelbase options and high roof variants, the Doblo Cargo offers exceptional adaptability to suit various business needs.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Fiat Doblo Cargo Standard 1.5 BlueHDi model for just £16,880! View our Fiat Doblo Cargo offers here.  

Nissan Townstar

Price from new: £21,175
Loads of Vans price: £18,890
Load volume: up to 4.3m³ 
Maximum payload: 762kg
Fuel economy: 41.5mpg

The multi-award-winning Nissan Townstar is an obvious choice for our list of one of the best small vans in the UK, building on the success of its predecessor, the previously named NV200. The new Townstar model represents Nissan's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the commercial vehicle sector, available in both petrol and all-electric versions.

Nissan has equipped its Townstar van with an impressive array of safety features and driver assistance systems, including ProPILOT advanced driver technology in higher-spec models. The van's interior is both comfortable and functional, with a well-designed dashboard and infotainment system that enhances the overall driving experience. 

With its combination of practicality, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology, coupled with Nissan's reputation for reliability, the Townstar has quickly become a top choice for businesses seeking a versatile and future-proof small van.

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Nissan Townstar 1.3 Acenta 130ps model for just £18,890! View our Nissan Townstar stock here.   

Vauxhall Combo Cargo

Price from new: £24,364
Loads of Vans price: £18,890
Load volume: 4.4m³
Maximum payload: 1,020kg
Fuel economy: 65mpg

Crowned International Van of the Year in 2019, the Vauxhall Combo Cargo is our final van on the list of the top 10 best small vans. Offering an impressive blend of practicality, technology, and efficiency, the combo cargo stands out with its spacious load area and impressive payload capacity of just over 1,000kg for the L1 variant. 

For 2024, Vauxhall has expanded the Combo's powertrain options, including more efficient diesel engines and an improved all-electric e-Combo variant. Safety features have also been enhanced with advanced driver assistance systems now available across the range. 

In stock now at Loads of Vans: Get your hands on a Vauxhall Combo Cargo L1 1.5 Turbo D 100 Edition for just £18,890! View our Vauxhall Combo deal here!

What Other Small Vans are Available?

While our list contains the 10 best small vans in the UK, there are of course other small vans available from competing manufacturers, including: 

• Ford Transit Connect
• Ford Transit Courier
• Mercedes-Benz Citan
• Toyota Proace City
• Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 

FAQs and Answers

We hope our guide highlighting the best small vans in the UK has helped steer you in the right direction when it comes to purchasing your next compact model. Below, we share the most frequently asked questions from our customers alongside our answers: 

What is the best-selling small van in the UK?

The Citroën Berlingo van has been confirmed as the best-selling small van in the UK in 2024. In the first quarter of the year, Citroën sold 4,175 Berlingo vans to UK customers, continuing its strong light commercial vehicle sales performance from last year. The Berlingo van is renowned for its practicality, reliability, and comfort, making it a favourite among sole traders and small business owners.  

Which small van is most reliable?

The Renault Kangoo has built a reputation as a reliable small van for several reasons. Having been in production for many years, it has a proven track record with models being refined throughout multiple generations. The Kangoo’s straightforward mechanical design contributes to its reliability, with fewer complex systems that could potentially fail or need attention. Additionally, Renault's diesel engines used in the Kangoo are known for their longevity and reliability when properly maintained.

What is the best small automatic van?

The Peugeot Partner van has become a popular choice for those seeking an automatic model in the small van segment. This is largely due to the fact that Peugeot has equipped the Partner with a modern 8-speed automatic gearbox in many models, offering improved efficiency and performance compared to older automatic transmissions.

What is the smallest van in the UK?

The Fiat Fiorino is considered the smallest van in the UK market due to its compact dimensions. It is exceptionally small, measuring approximately 3.86 metres in length, 1.72 metres in width, and 1.72 metres in height. These dimensions make it significantly smaller than other small vans in the market.

What small van can you sleep in?

The Peugeot Partner has gained popularity as a choice for van camping or living, making it a great option for those looking to sleep in a small van. Despite its small exterior dimensions, the Partner offers a surprisingly roomy interior, providing enough space for a comfortable sleeping area.

Discover Unbeatable Prices on the Best Small-Sized Vans in the UK

At Loads of Vans in Sutton near London, we pride ourselves on offering unbeatable deals on the best small-sized vans in the UK. Our extensive selection features top models from leading manufacturers, including the efficient Renault Kangoo, the versatile Citroën Berlingo, the reliable Peugeot Partner, and the perfectly compact Fiat Fiorino. 

Whether you're a small business owner, a tradesperson, or a fleet manager, we have the van to suit your needs and budget. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you find the ideal vehicle, with flexible financing options and competitive pricing that simply can't be matched. 

If a small van isn’t big enough for your needs, then we also have a fantastic selection of medium-sized vans for sale such as the Renault Trafic or the Citroën Relay and large-sized vans for sale like the Renault Master vans. You can make BIG savings on our entire range which also include the latest fully electric models too. 

No matter what size van you choose, speak to us about the bespoke finance options available to you - from Hire Purchase to Lease Purchase deals and even Business Hire Contracts, why not make your investment more affordable by spreading the cost? We’re here to help drive your business forward!