In a market where utes dominate sales, vans still make more sense for many fleets. For couriers, tradies and service operators, the extra cargo space, lower running costs and driver-friendly cabins give them an edge.
We put three of Australia’s most popular mid-size vans to the test: the Ford Transit Custom, the Renault Trafic and the Hyundai Staria Load.
Comfort and Tech
The Transit Custom feels the most car-like, with heated, adjustable seats, armrests and a 13-inch SYNC 4 system. The Trafic surprises with its premium-feeling cabin and clever fold-down seat that doubles as a laptop workstation. Meanwhile, the Staria Load looks and feels futuristic, with an SUV-like driving position, overhead storage, and wireless charging.
Engines and Efficiency
All three are diesel-powered, but differ slightly in output and efficiency:
- Transit Custom: 2.0L, 125kW/390Nm, 8.0L/100km (real-world closer to 7.2).
- Trafic: 2.0L, 125kW/380Nm, 7.2L/100km (manual) or 6.5L/100km (auto).
- Staria Load: 2.2L, 130kW/430Nm, 7.0L/100km.
Emissions are all competitive, with the Hyundai leading on paper at 183g/km CO₂.
Cargo and Capability
For cargo, the Transit Custom and Trafic both offer 5.8m³ in short wheelbase, while the Staria Load makes do with 4.9m³ but wins points for its flat, wide floor. Renault’s clever load-through flap extends to 3.75m, making it the best for long items. Payloads range from 1,072kg (Staria) to over 1,200kg (Transit and Trafic). All three tow up to 2,500kg, though the Trafic auto is limited to 1,680kg.
Driving and Safety
On the road, the Transit Custom delivers sharp handling and a tight turning circle. The Trafic feels composed with smart lane departure warnings, while the Staria Load surprises with SUV-like refinement and smooth ride quality.
Safety is strong across the board: Ford offers adaptive cruise and blind spot assist, Renault includes AEBS and driver attention alerts, and Hyundai leads with its SmartSense suite and blind spot camera view in the cluster.
Verdict
All three vans are excellent fleet options. The Trafic is the cleverest for load flexibility, the Staria Load feels the most refined, but the Transit Custom edges ahead on driver comfort and tech.
“All would be an excellent choice for tradies, couriers and fleets alike. But for me, the Transit… makes it the winner in this comparison.“
- IVECO Daily 42S: Playing last-mile delivery driver around Melbourne
I spent a day behind the wheel of the IVECO Daily 42S doing what many vans do every day — short trips, tight streets, constant stops, and plenty of hopping in and out of the cab. It’s the kind of work that exposes the strengths and weaknesses of a delivery vehicle very quickly. Melbourne’s inner - Kia EV4 Review: A New Electric Sedan Takes On the Fleet FavouriteThere was a time when every fleet yard had rows of medium sedans lined up ready for duty. Today, those spaces are mostly filled with SUVs. But the arrival of the Kia EV4 suggests the traditional sedan might still have a role to play — especially as organisations look for practical ways to reduce emissions
- The Medium SUV for Drivers Who Think VW Has Become a Bit Too SensibleThis is the car for people who think the typical medium SUV has become predictable. The CUPRA Terramar is designed to shake things up a little — still practical, still sensible enough for family duties, but with a streak of attitude that makes it feel more like a lifestyle choice than a fleet commodity. And that’s really
- Cupra Leon VZ Review: The Hot Hatch That Makes Everyday Driving Feel SpecialThe Cupra Leon VZ is one of those cars that quietly surprises you. On paper, it looks like a sensible hatchback. In the car park, it blends in just enough to keep a low profile. But spend a week behind the wheel and you quickly realise this isn’t just transport — it’s a car that brings a
- Mitsubishi ASX Aspire Review: Better Looking, Better Inside, But No Longer a Fleet BargainFor years, the Mitsubishi ASX was the safe, sensible choice sitting quietly in the value corner of the showroom. It was familiar, affordable, and easy to justify to a Fleet Manager with a spreadsheet in one hand and a depreciation forecast in the other. This new ASX Aspire is not that car anymore. Yes, it
