Which is better vito or transporter

The most limited engine line-up can be found on the Ford Transit Custom. The Custom solely employs the new 2. In terms of driving characteristics; the Vito comes out on top thanks to its low centre of gravity, minimal body roll and direct steering but its let down by the poor NVH noise, vibration and harshness ; the shock absorbers do little to cushion bumps and potholes while there a number of noticeable squeaks and rattles above 30mph.

The Transit Custom also suffers — albeit to a lesser degree — from a couple of niggly squeaks and the engine can be quite load during heavy acceleration. However, its also impressive to drive and the steering is direct and provides plenty of feedback. Residual values are the largest contributor to total life costs, and the Volkswagen Transporter has the best of any panel van.

Although the Transit Custom has the most fuel-efficient variant Econetic returns up to However, spec-for-spec, the Ford comes out on top. The Transit Custom has the longest service intervals at 30, miles or two years, while the Mercedes-Benz Vito has the longest warranty at three years, unlimited mileage. There are also lots of niggly squeaks and rattles emanating from the bulkhead. The Volkswagen Transporter is the most expensive mid-sized van to buy — whether new or used — and its not hard to see why.

The Transporter is well-built, has a well-appointed cab and an excellent fit-and-finish, and it has the widest selection of engines, and the best auto box on the market. Finishing closely behind the Transporter is the Transit Custom. Both engines are coupled to a six-speed transmission although the Vito has rear wheel drive and the Transporter is front wheel drive. Both vehicles fare well in terms of driving impressions, although it was the Silver Star that came out on top.

There was very little body roll from either vehicle but the Vito provided more feedback. Despite there not much difference between the two outputs bhp and Nm on the Transporter and bhp and Nm on the Vito , the Transporter has a wider spread of torque, which means power is more readily available.

Engine noise, however, was more noticeable on the Transporter. The long wheelbase Vito three wheelbases and one roof height and the long wheelbase, low roof Transporter two wheelbases and three roof heights are mid-size derivatives and equate to load volumes of 6. Access to the cargo area is far easier on the Transporter with a wider rear and side aperatures compared to the Vito, although it has two side loading doors compared to the Transporter's single one.

There is half-height wood panelling, but no floor protection, on the Transporter, while the Vito receives a half-height side panelling and a slip-resistant floor. In terms of weights, however, very little separates the two. Payload is rated at 1,kg on the Transporter and 1,kg as the kerb weights are generally lower on the Vito.

An increasingly important aspect of commercial vehicles is the cost of ownership. If a car-like driving position is important to you, the Vito is the outright winner. It too is refined — possibly even more so than the Vito — and has nicely weighted steering and gear change. The Trafic sits somewhere in the middle. Refinement is pretty much on par with the other two as well, though the engine likes to make its presence known under anything other than light acceleration.

The two German brands here have the monopoly on premium image — and rightly so. Neither will seat three without the middle passenger feeling the squeeze, though. All three have plenty of cup holders and cubbyholes, though the Trafic gets extra points for its extra dash-top glovebox and spacious storage bin hidden under the front passenger seats. The Transporter, meanwhile, can feel like a bit of a squeeze for taller drivers — squeezing you between the bulkhead and the dashboard in a way the other two vans manage not to.

Crew cab versions, which do away with the bulkhead altogether, offer more room to stretch out. In terms of materials and build quality, the Transporter is the clear winner. Everything from the steering wheel to the dials to the climate control system is borrowed from the Golf and Passat, so all feel and look reassuringly expensive.

Its infotainment system is the best by a country mile too. The Vito gets a few choice cuts from the likes of the C-Class — including the leather multifunction steering wheel, solid-feeling indicator stalks and aluminium-effect electric window switches — but the majority of the dash is unremittingly grey and utilitarian.

Thankfully it works well enough, even if it looks a bit cheap. Our van has the optional R-Link system too, which works well and comes complete with TomTom sat nav maps.