Small van leasing
- Rated 4.9/5 on Feefo
- FCA authorised, FRN 315268
- BVRLA leasing broker member
- Part of Global Vehicle Group
Small van leasing gives you the use of a compact commercial vehicle for an agreed contract term and mileage. The right choice depends on the load, the people aboard and the routes you drive. Start with those requirements, then compare the exact van and the full terms of its quotation.
An administration fee of £295 plus VAT applies in addition to the rental. Select a model and version to review the quotation, including its initial rental, term and mileage.
Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a trading style of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 315268). We are a credit broker, not a lender, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. All finance is subject to status, availability and individual funder criteria.
Explore the options below, or use the model guide to narrow your shortlist first.
Which small van fits your working day?
Use the guide to choose which model pages to open. These are manufacturer range distinctions, not a promise that every body or powertrain is currently available through IVF. The individual listing and written quotation determine the vehicle you receive.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Explore the family | A useful starting point | What makes the comparison different |
|---|---|---|
| Transit Courier | A compact cargo van to compare when parking and frequent loading shape the working day. | Ford markets petrol, diesel and electric E-Transit Courier versions. An optional load-through hatch can help with longer items; check whether the quoted vehicle has it. |
| Transit Connect | A choice between a cargo van and a commercial FlexCab layout for people and equipment. | Short and long wheelbases are offered in the UK range, with diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. FlexCab changes the rear-seat and cargo layout; compare the usable space with the seats you need in place. |
| Caddy · Caddy Maxi | Compare Cargo and commercial Kombi configurations, including the longer Maxi. | Check the exact Cargo or Kombi version, its body length and seating. VW markets diesel, petrol and eHybrid plug-in hybrid versions; current stock and order availability vary. |
| Berlingo · Doblo · Partner · Combo Cargo | A useful group of compact cargo vans to compare for tools, materials and everyday deliveries. | All four manufacturers market diesel and electric cargo versions. Compare the actual body length, cabin layout and fitted load-through equipment rather than assuming that similarly sized vans have identical specifications. |
| Kangoo · Townstar · Citan | Further compact commercial choices where seating, access and powertrain could change the shortlist. | Kangoo has petrol, diesel and electric range options; Townstar has petrol and electric. Mercedes offers Citan/eCitan panel and crew configurations. Check the precise body and fuel type on each listing. |
| Proace City | A compact panel-van family with a longer body option when floor length is a deciding factor. | Toyota markets diesel and electric versions. Check the body length and cabin layout; the optional Smart Cargo load-through arrangement is not the same as unrestricted full-width floor space. |
| Deliver 3 | An electric cargo-van alternative to assess against the route and charging plan. | The manufacturer names this family eDELIVER 3; the IVF model page uses Deliver 3. Check the battery, body and equipment on the actual vehicle, plus availability for your required date. |
A longer van within a compact family can be a useful middle step. If it still cannot carry the load or accommodate the people and equipment together, compare medium vans rather than compromising the specification.
The guide uses UK manufacturer range information checked on 5 September 2026. See the model information sources.
Make room for the load, the equipment and the people
Two vans can look similar outside and do very different jobs. Carrying capacity is a weight limit; load space is the room available. You need enough of both, with the intended seating and equipment in place.
Start with what stays in the van
Record the weight and dimensions of racking, lining, tools and other equipment, then add the heaviest working load and the people travelling. Ask which allowances are already included in the manufacturer’s payload figure so nothing is counted twice. Confirm the remaining capacity for the fitted vehicle, not a model-range maximum.
Check the way you load
Measure the awkward item as well as the biggest one. Check door openings, space between the wheel arches and usable floor length. A load-through hatch may accept a narrow item that would not fit behind the bulkhead; it does not make the whole load area that length.
For roof equipment or a trailer, raise the requirement before choosing the van. Ask the specialist to confirm the relevant vehicle and equipment limits for the intended setup. Parking height, turning space and the access at customer sites can rule out an otherwise suitable vehicle.
Cargo space or extra seats?
A cargo-focused layout
A panel van is the starting point when the space behind the cab is mainly for goods or equipment. Compare the seating in the cab, the bulkhead and any load-through option. Extra floor length is useful only if the doors and layout let you use it.
A commercial crew layout
A crew, Kombi or FlexCab version adds a different seating arrangement within a commercial model family. Assess the space with the required seats occupied, not only with a rear bench folded away. Passenger capacity and cargo capacity must work together.
That is why some longer and commercial crew versions appear in this small-van selection. Check the exact derivative: a familiar model name alone does not establish its body, seating or suitability.
Electric, diesel, petrol or plug-in hybrid?
Start with where the van spends the night and what its busiest day looks like. For an electric van, work through the route, the time available to charge and a fallback plan. For a plug-in hybrid, decide how often it will actually be plugged in.
Compare the full working cost using the same term and mileage: rental, initial rental, fees, energy or fuel, maintenance and any charging installation. A headline range or monthly rental does not answer that question on its own.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Powertrain | A reason to consider it | Resolve before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | A predictable route and dependable charging at the depot, workplace or home can make an electric van practical to assess. | Check route-specific range with the working load, available charging time and the cost and access arrangements for charging. |
| Diesel or petrol | A conventional powertrain may suit work where charging access is unresolved or the route varies considerably. | Compare the actual engine, use pattern, fuel costs and maintenance requirements. Do not assume every compact model offers both petrol and diesel. |
| Plug-in hybrid | Selected families, including Transit Connect and Caddy, offer a petrol engine alongside a rechargeable battery. | Plan regular charging and check the load and seating configuration. Compare the expected mix of electric and engine running for your work. |
Manufacturer range and charging figures need to be read with their test conditions and vehicle details. Weather, load, equipment and driving conditions can affect the result. Ask for a realistic plan for your work, without treating a range maximum as a guaranteed working day.
Why arrange your small van through IVF?
Intelligent Vehicle Finance helps you move from a working requirement to a vehicle specification and written lease options. You can bring a preferred van, an existing vehicle to compare or simply a description of the job. The conversation should establish what the van must do before a quotation is selected.
Our role as a credit broker is to source vehicles and introduce customers to lenders. Ask us to clarify the proposed vehicle, the available terms and what needs confirming before you proceed. Finance remains subject to your circumstances and the individual funder’s criteria.
A useful first brief: “We need to carry [load and equipment], with [people], over [annual mileage]. The longest item is [dimensions], and we need the van by [date].” Add any charging, towing or access constraint.
From your brief to a written quotation
- Describe the work. Tell us about the load, equipment, people, mileage and timing. Mention the requirement that would rule a vehicle out.
- Check the shortlist. Compare the exact body, powertrain, seating and fitted equipment. Ask for current availability rather than inferring it from a model page.
- Review the written quotation. Read the initial rental, monthly rental, term, mileage, VAT basis and fees together. Confirm the costs and services that are included.
- Confirm the next steps. Understand the information the funder requires, approval conditions and delivery arrangements before progressing. Keep the agreed specification with the quotation.
Raise racking, livery and other changes at quotation stage. Confirm who supplies and fits them, whether they are permitted under the agreement, how they affect the vehicle and what must happen to them at return. Ask for the agreed arrangements in writing.
Know what is included and how the agreement ends
A quotation should make the responsibilities clear. Check delivery and road-tax arrangements, servicing, tyres, maintenance, insurance and any fitted equipment. Do not assume an item is included because another offer included it. If a maintenance option is available, compare what it covers as well as the additional rental.
Under contract hire, you return the van at the end of the agreed term rather than acquire ownership. Check the mileage allowance, return-condition requirements and any charges that may apply. Ask how livery, racking and other fitted equipment should be dealt with, and plan a replacement around the confirmed return date.
Tell us whether you are enquiring for a business or personally, and check the VAT basis on every figure. Where VAT recovery or tax treatment affects the decision, ask your accountant to confirm your own position. Car tax assumptions should not be transferred to a van or crew vehicle without checking.
Small vans compared on published figures
The figures below are the manufacturers’ own published UK specifications, checked on 6 September 2026 and listed with their sources at the end of this section. Figures vary by version, equipment and model year, and some manufacturers publish different numbers on different pages, which is noted where it applies. Confirm the exact vehicle on the written quotation before relying on any of them.
On a small screen, scroll sideways to compare all columns.
| Family | Load length at floor (mm) | Load volume (m³) | Maximum payload, diesel or petrol (kg) | Electric version | Gross vehicle weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Courier | 1,802 (one body length); up to 2.6 m with the optional load-through bulkhead | 2.9 (3.0 with the load-through bulkhead) | 672-678 as standard; 839-850 with the High Payload Option | E-Transit Courier: 46 kWh, 100 kW DC charging, payload 683-698 kg; range up to 181 miles on Ford’s model page and 201 miles combined in the March 2026 price list | 1,910-1,965 (2,085-2,135 with the increased GVM option); electric 2,250 |
| Ford Transit Connect | 1,797 (short wheelbase) / 2,150 (long wheelbase) | 3.1 / up to 3.7 | Diesel payload not published on Ford’s page; plug-in hybrid 758 | No fully electric version; plug-in hybrid with up to 72.7 miles of electric-only range | Not published on Ford’s page |
| Volkswagen Caddy Cargo and Caddy Cargo Maxi | Up to 2,150 (Maxi); standard length not published | 3.1 / 3.7 | 684 (Caddy Cargo 2.0 TDI) / 696 (Maxi 2.0 TDI) | No battery-electric version; eHybrid plug-in with a 19.7 kWh battery and 72-92 miles of electric range | 2,220 / 2,300 (eHybrid 2,400 / 2,500) |
| Vauxhall Combo, Citroën Berlingo Van, Peugeot Partner and Fiat Doblò (shared body) | 1,817 (M) / 2,167 (XL); up to 3,090 / 3,440 with the load-through seat folded | 3.3 / 3.9 (up to 3.8 / 4.4 with the load-through seat folded) | Combo 982 (M) / 936 (XL); Berlingo up to 1,000; Partner up to 987 (MY23 guide); Doblò up to 984 | Each brand publishes its own: Combo Electric 52 kWh, 180-219 miles, payload 759 (M) / 691 (XL); ë-Berlingo 54 kWh, up to 213 miles; E-Partner 52 kWh, up to 230 miles, payload up to 781; E-Doblò up to 213 miles, payload up to 781; all 100 kW DC charging | Combo 2,390 (M) / 2,400 (XL); Combo Electric 2,450 |
| Renault Kangoo Van, Nissan Townstar and Mercedes-Benz Citan (shared body) | Townstar 1,810 (L1) / 2,230 (L2); Citan up to 2.17 m; Kangoo panel-van figures not retrievable from Renault’s UK pages on the check date | Townstar 3.3 / 4.3; Citan up to 3.62 | Townstar petrol 726-774; Citan diesel up to 854 | Townstar EV 45 kWh (usable), up to 178 miles, payload 502 (L1) / 713 (L2); eCitan 45 kWh, up to 176 miles, 75 kW DC, payload up to 616; Kangoo E-Tech 45 kWh (44 usable) | Townstar 2,180-2,300 petrol, 2,240-2,510 electric; Citan up to 2,550 (eCitan up to 2,490) |
| Toyota Proace City | Up to 3,090 (L1) / 3,440 (L2) with the Smart Cargo hatch open | 3.8 / 4.4 with Smart Cargo | 990 (L1) / 936 (L2) | Proace City Electric: 50 kWh (total), 213 miles WLTP, payload 759 (L1) / 681 (L2) | 2,390 (L1) / 2,400 (L2); electric 2,450 |
| Maxus eDeliver 3 | 2,180 | 4.8 | Electric only: 1,045 | 50 kWh, 141 miles WLTP combined, 57 kW DC charging (Maxus’s page summary quotes 213 miles for a different cycle; use 141) | Not published (kerb weight 1,615) |
Figures and sources
Manufacturer and government sources checked on 6 September 2026. Each figure in the table above comes from one of these pages or documents, with the document date shown where the publisher states one. Where two official pages disagree, both figures are given. These sources establish published specifications, not the availability of any particular vehicle.
- Ford UK: Transit Courier and E-Transit Courier price list, 2026.75MY, effective 6 March 2026 (technical data)
- Ford UK: Transit Courier model page
- Ford UK: E-Transit Courier model page (46 kWh, 100 kW DC, range up to 181 miles)
- Ford UK: Transit Connect model page (load lengths, volumes, PHEV figures)
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK: Caddy Cargo brochure, issue 1 April 2026
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK: Caddy Cargo model page
- Vauxhall UK: Combo Electric including diesel range price and specification guide, 1 April 2026 (MY2026.5)
- Citroën UK: Berlingo Van model page
- Citroën UK: ë-Berlingo Van model page (54 kWh, up to 213 miles, 100 kW DC)
- Peugeot UK: E-Partner model page (52 kWh, up to 230 miles, payload up to 781 kg)
- Peugeot UK: Partner and e-Partner prices and technical specifications, MY23 (5 October 2022)
- Fiat Professional UK: Doblò model page (MY26.5)
- Fiat Professional UK: E-Doblò model page
- Nissan UK: Townstar dimensions page
- Nissan UK: Townstar engine comparison (45 kWh usable, up to 178 miles)
- Mercedes-Benz Vans UK: Citan panel van overview
- Mercedes-Benz Vans UK: eCitan panel van overview (45 kWh, up to 176 miles, 75 kW DC)
- Renault UK: Kangoo Van E-Tech electric page (45 kWh battery)
- Toyota GB media site: Proace City technical specifications (March 2025)
- Maxus UK: eDELIVER 3 model page and brochure
Small van leasing questions
How do I choose a small van for my business?
Start with your heaviest working load, the longest or bulkiest items, equipment that stays in the van and the people who travel. Add annual mileage, site access and the required date. Compare those requirements against the exact vehicle specification, then review the full written quotation.
Are longer and crew vans included in the small-van selection?
Yes. The selection covers compact commercial model families, including longer and commercial crew versions where listed. Check the body and seating on the actual vehicle. A longer version remains part of its compact family, while a crew layout must leave enough space and carrying capacity for the work.
What is the difference between payload and load space?
Payload concerns the weight the vehicle can carry; load space concerns the usable room and access. Both depend on the exact version and fitted equipment. Ask which allowances are included in the manufacturer’s figures, then confirm that the intended people, equipment and working load fit within the vehicle’s limits.
Should I choose an electric small van?
Assess the busiest working day, the loaded route and dependable charging access first. Compare the actual vehicle’s range and charging requirements with the time available, including a fallback plan. Compare rental, energy, maintenance and charging costs on the same basis as a conventional alternative.
Can I add racking, livery or other equipment?
Discuss the intended equipment before choosing the quotation. Confirm permission under the agreement, who will arrange the work, how it affects carrying capacity and which return conditions apply. Keep the agreed specification and responsibilities in writing.
What should I check in a small van lease quotation?
Check the exact vehicle, initial rental, monthly rental, contract term, annual mileage, VAT basis and applicable fees. An administration fee of £295 plus VAT applies in addition to the rental. Confirm delivery, road tax, maintenance, tyres, insurance and fitted-equipment arrangements rather than assuming they are included.
What happens at the end of a small van contract hire agreement?
You return the van under the agreement’s mileage and condition requirements rather than acquire ownership. Check which charges may apply and how any fitted equipment or livery must be handled. If you need a replacement, discuss timing before the existing agreement ends.
Is Intelligent Vehicle Finance the lender?
No. Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a trading style of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 315268. We are a credit broker, not a lender, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. Finance is subject to status, availability and individual funder criteria.
Other useful van routes
If you need more room, compare medium vans. If timing is the priority, start with in-stock vans and confirm the required date. For the wider choice, browse all van options or use our van leasing guide to discuss a different body type.
Model information sources
UK manufacturer range information checked on 5 September 2026. Features and powertrains vary by version. These sources establish model-range distinctions, not IVF stock or a delivery commitment.
Find the van that works for your business
Tell us what needs to travel, who is coming with you and when the van is needed. Start with a practical brief and ask for written options matched to it.
Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a trading style of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 315268). We are a credit broker, not a lender, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. All finance is subject to status, availability and individual funder criteria. Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a BVRLA leasing broker member.
Vehicle images are illustrative. Specifications, fitted equipment, availability and delivery arrangements must be confirmed for the vehicle quoted. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change; confirm your position with a qualified accountant.