The Ford Transit Custom has been the best-selling van in the UK for quite a few years already, and when the latest version is - by some considerable distance - the best van currently on sale in the UK, we can't see that changing anytime soon.

The Double Cab is especially popular, which makes it a great choice for small businesses and owner operators who need the added practicality of a six-seater van that will also carry up to two Euro pallets (in L2 spec). Add in an excellent cabin with lots of clever practical touches and a civilised car-like driving experience, and it's easy to see why the Custom remains such a popular choice.

The T6 generation of the VW Transporter has been around for quite a few years now, but it had a facelift not all that long ago - it's now called the T6.1 - to keep it competitive against some very strong competition from the likes of the Vauxhall Vivaro and Mercedes Vito. The changes on the outside were subtle, with a revised front end the most obvious, plus there's an revised interior and an updated Volkswagen infotainment system.

Available with two roof heights and in two different wheelbases, the Kombi holds its value better than many of its rivals, with camper van converters snapping up the best used examples. It also has a very strong and classy image.

The Mercedes Vito Crew Van isn’t especially cheap - this is a Mercedes-Benz after all - but it is a well-finished and good looking van that, thanks to its upmarket image, should give customers a good impression of your business. It also happens to be very comfortable and spacious, plus it comes with Mercedes PRO connect, which gives you live information about your vehicle 24/7 via your mobile phone, including your van’s location.

The range is vast, with different heights, wheelbases and engine choices, making it a particularly versatile choice if you’re buying new. All Crew Van variants will carry six adults, along with a Euro pallet in the back. 

The Vauxhall Vivaro was relaunched a few years back following the PSA takeover of Vauxhall, and then the subsequent merger of that company with the Fiat Group to form manufacturing powerhouse Stellantis.  All of that means the Vivaro no longer shares its architecture with the Renault Trafic as was the case previously. Instead, it’s based on the Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch body, which is lower and longer. 

It’s an excellent van - its overload indicator is a feature of particular note, plus it will average more than 40mpg - but it’s not that cheap compared to the competition. However, Vauxhall’s business-focused van centres make it our choice of the trio though. 

Spacious and comfortable, the Trafic Crew is a six-seater that shares its architecture with the Fiat Talento and previous generation Vauxhall Vivaro. It’s not the newest van on the market by any stretch, but its modern looks and good equipment levels mean it’s still more than competitive. The crew van is impressively spacious, too.

The latest model has a front-end that glistens with LED lighting signatures and generous helpings of chrome. There is also a Black Edition model if you want a sporty look for your Trafic. It gets a piano black grille, black alloys and extras like rear parking sensors.

The Peugeot Expert Crew Van is essentially the same van as the Vauxhall Vivaro, but with a different front end, fewer trim levels and a smaller dealer network. 

Nevertheless, the Expert is still one of the best mid-sizers on the market and can fit up to six people thanks to a fixed rear bench seat, which means decent comfort and passenger space, plus there's still a floor-level load length of up to 2.36 metres. 

The people who make car badges must love this one, as it’s one of the longest vehicle names on the market. The Combo Cargo Crew Van is a panel van version of the passenger-carrying Vauxhall Combo Life, which is sold as a utilitarian MPV and is, itself, based on the Combo Cargo Van. Confused? You're not the only ones...

All you need to know is that although it may be one of the smallest double cabs on the market, its clever design means it’s still a capable load carrier, with room for a standard Euro pallet in the back. It's also very comfortable with an impressively smooth ride.

The Ford Transit Connect is one of the few small double cab vans that has a six-seat option, with a choice of either a single- or twin passenger seat in the cab, behind which is a three-seat bench. 

Available in L1 or L2 van sizes, the largest Double Cab provides 1.6 cubic metres of load space, while a dealer in every town also makes it an easy van to own and maintain. Sadly, you can't get the Sport or Active versions as double cabs, which means you're left with the utilitarian Leader or Trend models.

The five-seater version of the Volkswagen Caddy is a popular choice with leisure users as much as it is with businesses, the image of the Volkswagen badge among surfing folk and mountain bikers making it a popular choice for those who like a van for the weekend. 

That doesn’t stop it being a useful van for work duties, though, with a load length of 1.6 metres and a maximum payload of 637kg. A new Caddy model arrived in 2021, but the previous version still has plenty of appeal and there are lots on the used market. If you can't find a Kombi, look for a Caddy Life. 

Citroen’s Berlingo Crew Van derivative is one of the cheapest double cabs on the market right now and is a thoroughly decent package: spacious, well-equipped and decent to drive, with a useful load bay. It has seating for up to five people with a folding second row of seats and a through-loading moveable bulkhead.

It’s essentially the same van as the Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo Cargo, though the Crew Van is only offered on the longer wheelbase XL variant. It can carry a standard Euro pallet in the back and comes with the choice of a 1.2-litre Puretech petrol alongside the usual diesels. There's an all-electric option, too.