5 of the best medium vans to lease in 2022

Looking for a medium panel van lease?

The Goldilocks of the van world, the midsize van is just right for many businesses.

Not too big, not too small, and as flexible as they come with a range of roof heights, wheelbases, and variations.

Not as compact as a small van and not as bulky as a large van, it’s the perfect size for twisting round country lanes, sitting in stop-start town traffic, and squeezing into tighter parking spaces. Midsize vans are often kitted out with the latest little luxuries and tech more often found in family cars, and make a pleasant place to pass the day.

The cargo area is generally pretty hefty, with space for two standard pallets, and payloads are similar to those of larger vans.

And you’re not missing out in the cabin either. There’s space for three people, and they’re designed for workers on the go, with lots of clever storage to stash away everything you could need for the day; from those all-important snacks to big water bottles to takeaway coffee cups.

Most are available in at least two lengths, while many have high roof options. There’s always at least one sliding side door offered, and the barn-style doors at the rear usually lock out to 90 degrees but will open to 180.

And if it’s people, not pallets, you need to cart around, many medium vans have five-seat double cab versions available, as well as basic multi-seat vans or nine-seater MPV versions.

The best midsize vans are cheap to run and easy to drive, so we’ve rounded up a selection of our favourites to make choosing your next van lease deal as easy as pie. So you can concentrate on the bits that matter to you – like paperwork, or working out if your new van will fit round the drive-thru.

Ford Transit Custom

If we merely mention the word van, we’re 99% sure the van you’re picturing is a Ford Transit.

Not because we’re psychic, but because it’s one of the biggest names in the motoring world. The Transit is to vans what the Hoover is to vacuums, or Sellotape is to sticky tape. However, the traditional Transit is a little on the large side.

But never fear – the Ford Transit Custom is here.

Consistently the UK’s best-selling van,  it's one of the best workhorses on the market. Hugely practical, hugely spacious, and with more options than you could shake a stick at, there’s sure to be a Transit Custom that ticks all your boxes.

Need a no fluff, no bells, no whistles work van? Opt for an L1H1 entry-level Base model, and you’ve got yourself a very good, very affordable van.

Want something a bit fancier? The Transit Custom Sport comes complete with vivid colours, sporty stripes, and a set of diamond-cut alloy wheels, while the top-spec Transit Customs feature Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system with satnav, voice control, and connectivity options.

And with a max payload of up to 1459kg, there’s not really any other van that can match the Transit Custom for practicality and the ability to fit a lot of stuff in the back.

Browse our best-selling Ford Transit Custom lease deals

Toyota Proace Electric

Toyota's first all-electric vehicle to hit UK shores wasn't an electric car like so many other manufacturers. Instead, it was this, the Toyota Proace Electric.

It's an electrified version of the brilliant Toyota Proace. Though only available in the top-spec Icon trim, it's generously equipped and has a choice of two batteries. Opt for the slightly cheaper 50kWh battery for a claimed range of 142 miles, or, if range anxiety is one of your worries when it comes to making the switch, go instead for the larger 75kWh battery with a WLTP-tested range of 205 miles. 

The electric motor doesn’t impinge on the space either, with the same 5.3m3 of cargo space in offer. Though the payload capacity is slightly reduced at a maximum of one tonne. This is still more than enough for most day-to-day business, and the addition of the through-loading means you’ll be able to fit longer items with ease.

And while electric vans on the surface can look more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts, the overall running costs of an electric van - particularly for businesses - are very attractive. Charging a van works out cheaper than filling a tank the majority of the time, and zero-emissions driving means you'll qualify for the lowest rates of Benefit-In-Kind tax.

With three seats, a comfortably high driving position, and plenty of cabin storage, the Toyota Proace Electric is an excellent option for your first electric van lease.

Browse our best-selling Toyota Proace Electric lease deals

Renault Trafic

If you’re after a no-nonsense van, look no further.

2020 marked the 40th anniversary of the Renault Trafic. It has aged like a fine wine, with Renault sticking firmly to the adage ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’.

The Trafic has stood the test of time, and with a long wheelbase and short wheelbase variant on offer, it’s versatile. In fact, it’s so versatile that Renault claims there are 275 different versions of the Trafic available when you factor in trims, wheelbases, heights, and load space.

Renault also offers some ready-made conversions, so that businesses who need more specialist vans can get them at shorter notice.

The cabin is finished with hard-wearing materials, and there are plenty of storage options dotted throughout. When it comes to tech, the base-spec models come with an old-school DAB radio with Bluetooth and AUX input, while the Sport and Business+ trims come complete with 7in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The stats for the Trafic don’t let it down either.

The L1H1 Trafic comes with a load area volume of 5.2m3 and a payload of up to 1192kg, while the L2H1 is the van for carting about anything heavy, with a max payload of 1255kg.

But if it’s space you’re after, opt for the L2H2 with an 8.6m3 cargo space and a max payload of 1145kg.

Browse our best-selling Renault Trafic lease deals

Citroen Dispatch

The Citroen Dispatch might not match the Trafic for cargo-carrying ability, but it’s much more carlike to drive and brings plenty of tech with it.

One of the main draws of the Dispatch is its comfortable cabin; complete with space for three adults, a touchscreen infotainment system, and plenty of safety features including blind-spot assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The Dispatch also features power-assisted sliding side doors, so if you find yourself without a hand to open the doors, you can waggle your foot underneath and they’ll slide right open.

The latest Dispatch is the best one yet, with a smart interior, cleaner engines, and a fresh exterior look.

Unlike rivals, it’s only available in one roof height, but there are still two wheelbases on offer (M and XL), as well as three trims ranging from the entry-level X to the top-spec Enterprise Plus.

The base X model, though the most basic Dispatch, is an excellent place to start if you’re after an affordable van lease.

It comes with cruise control, remote central locking, and DAB radio with Bluetooth and an AUX connection. But if you’ve got the budget, the range-topping Enterprise Plus is worth some consideration, with exterior trim upgrades, front and rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, 7-inch infotainment screen, and a 3D connected nav system with voice recognition.

And with a payload of between 1100kg and 1498kg on offer, there’s sure to be a Dispatch that ticks all the boxes.

Browse our best-selling Citroen Dispatch lease deals

Mercedes-Benz Vito

The commercial sister to the popular V-Class, the Mercedes-Benz Vito is a workhorse that lives up to the prestige badge on its nose.

While it hasn’t been around for as long as rivals like the VW Transporter and Ford Transit, there’s no denying that the Vito is absolutely the Mercedes-Benz of vans. There are three lengths on offer, as well as crew van and people carrier variants.

There’s no high roof option – Mercedes reasons that if you need more space you’re better off going for the larger Sprinter – but the three trims have an upmarket edge on rivals with a hard-wearing, comfortable cabin.

It’s spacious too, with space up front for three adults, not to mention the spongey seats are exactly what you’ll need after a hard day’s graft.

The Vito sits between the Citan and the Sprinter, and it’s designed to be a big empty box with plenty of customisations on offer to suit the load you’ll be carrying. It’s just as comfortable to drive empty as it is full with a payload of up to 1369kg, depending on the model you go for.

For your next Mercedes van lease, the sophisticated and versatile Vito is worth some serious consideration.

Browse our latest Mercedes Vito lease deals