Work Vans are the lifeblood for many a trade in the US car market. Able to carry every manner of tool, equipment, and gear you might need for the job, most work vans are able to be customized to a wide variety of needs. Two of the best bases to start from are the Ford Transit and the Volkswagen Transporter, both new for 2025.
And although the Transporter is not available in the US many are curious to know who stacks up better between the two? In today’s 2025 commercial van breakdown the Ford Transit vs Transporter interior space, performance, and updates will be compared. Our comparison guide is here to help you find out who’s bringing buyers the best bang for their buck in the new year.
Key Takeaways
- The Ford Transit is versatile as always, with its flexibility being a key selling point
- The VW Transporter is kitted out with a variety of upgrades, including vastly improved interior space.
- The Transporter is cheaper, but can the Transit keep up with its upgrades?
Is there a 2025 Transit?
Yes! Edmunds reports that the newly updated Transit Passenger Van walks the line between a personal vehicle and a commercial workhorse. Its compact size is enough for anyone with a standard driver’s license to handle, yet spacious enough to transport large groups. In its largest extended-length version, it can seat up to 15 passengers across five rows.
It’s also capable of hauling over 3,000 pounds of payload or towing up to 4,500 pounds. Inside, the cabin leans toward function over form, though the XLT trim adds a bit of comfort with carpeting and more advanced tech features. Whether you need to move people, cargo, or a mix of both, the Transit’s flexibility makes it an attractive option.
What is the load space on the VW Transporter?
The Volkswagen Brochure reports that the new Transporter steps up its game with a larger cargo area, higher payload limits, and greater towing capacity—making it more capable than ever for demanding jobs. The extended length allows for easy loading of Euro pallets, and the cargo space has grown to 5.8 cubic meters, or up to 6.8 cubic meters with the long-wheelbase version.
TDI models can handle payloads up to 1.3 tonnes, while BEV versions manage up to 1 tonne. Towing capacity reaches up to 2.8 tonnes for diesel variants and 2.3 tonnes for the electric models. The load compartment is now 60mm longer and 128mm wider compared to the Transporter 6.1. The interior can be tailored with partition walls, and you will have the choice between a tailgate or wide-opening rear doors.
How much is the Volkswagen Transporter?
For 2025, Car Expert reports that the outgoing Transporter had a starting price of $42,790 before on-roads when considering the reduced payload version. Based on this, they expect the price of the 2025 model to be around $46,000 before on-road costs for TDI diesel models.
While the Transporter is a worthy competitor, two things prevent it from winning this comparison. First, it’s not available in the United States. Second, it doesn’t have as much configurability as the Transit does. The Transporter has a long way to go before it can measure up to the supreme versatility of the Transit.
Summary
Between the two, we have to give the nod to the Transit for its new upgrades, which include an impressive tradesperson platform allowing buyers to easily kit out their Transit for a wide range of trades.
That level of flexibility can be hard to come by in this class, and for the Transit to roll out that major update as part of a series of smaller ones that make the all around experience that much better? It’s a clear winner in our books. Stop by Jarrett Scott in Plant City for the best selection of Transit vans and work trucks.