When memorable getaways are mentioned, most people often think about a vacation in the Maldives or Greece on turquoise waters and white sand beaches. It doesn’t have to be that way though. With the best van for road trips, it’s very possible to experience the best time of your life while exploring the UK’s breathtaking countryside.
UK road trips present splendid opportunities to explore picturesque towns, diverse landscapes, and the country’s most historic towns. Whether it’s a family and friends adventure or a solo escapade, finding the right vans for road trips can make all the difference.
In this post, we’ll help you through the process of finding and choosing the right off-road van for your adventure. We’ll highlight the top features of the top contenders and what makes them ideal for road trips.
Choosing The Best Van for Road Trips – What You Need to Consider
Choosing the most ideal van for your off-road adventure in the UK shouldn’t be difficult, bearing in mind what your preferences are. Let’s have a look at the factors that you need to look into it in detail:
a) The van capacity
The choice of vans for road trips as far as capacity is concerned, is dependent on how many companions or how much luggage you’ll bring to your journey. For larger groups of up to eight people, you might want to consider something with a minimum of 9-passenger capacity. And an excellent example here is Volkswagen Transporter Kombi.
On the other hand, if it’s a solo or two-person road trip, you may opt for a small van with a compact interior and more manoeuvrability.
b) Comfort and amenities
Planning to spend longer hours driving? The experience can be nerve-wracking. But with a well-equipped and comfortable van, your road trip will be more enjoyable than tiring. Check out for features such as comfy ergonomic seats, entertainment options, and climate control.
Also, if you’ll be spending your nights in the van, you might want to consider conversion vans for road trips as they offer more sleeping comfort and luxury.
c) Manoeuvrability and handling
The best van for road trips should have easier navigation and manoeuvrability on narrow streets and tight parking spaces. During your UK road trip, you’ll experience different situations with demanding handling challenges. If your van of choice offers better handling, you’ll be more confident on the road and have an easier time navigating any street.
d) Fuel efficiency
When planning long road trips that could go beyond borders, the fuel efficiency of your chosen van needs to be at the top of your list. With more fuel-efficient vans, you can significantly reduce your overall road trip cost with lower environmental impact.
With electric vans booming in the market, you can as well opt for a cost-friendly hybrid option to save your overall fuel expense. The Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) makes an excellent option, featuring a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with a 13.6kWh Li-ion battery-powered motor. Alternatively, the fully electric IVECO Daily Electric can cover up to 400km on a full charge and can equally serve as a camper van for road trips.
These are among the key considerations among other factors you may want to look into when looking for an off-road van. Other factors will mostly depend on your preferences, such as the availability of storage compartments, et cetera.
Top 5 Contenders for Best Van for Road Trips In the UK
Now that you know what to look for in a van, let’s have a look at the top van choices that can make your road trips more memorable. We selected these vans because of their tested and proven performance in terms of reliability, practicality, and versatility.
Whether you are after luxury, practicality, reliability or affordability, you are sure to find the best van for road trips from our top contenders.
1. Volkswagen Transporter: The Reliable Companion
Volkswagen is a trusted German brand name, known for producing high-performance and reliable vehicles in the market. Road trip enthusiasts are increasingly opting for these vans for their solid build and unwavering reliability on performance.
Volkswagen Transporter Campervans offer numerous features making them ideal for road trip adventures. They come in a variety of engine options to offer power and fuel efficiency suited for a range of needs. They’re skilfully built with customizable roomy interiors to accommodate a sleeping area, storage, and dining space.
These vans can carry up to 1,292kg load and comfortably accommodate 9 passengers. It offers sufficient space to load up all your road trip luggage and still has more room for passengers. The load-carrying capacity greatly depends on the van model, ranging between 749kg and 1,292kg.
Powered by a reliable 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel engine with output ranging between 84hp and 204hp, this van offers a reliable and consistent power output. Its versatile design allows it to double as a comfy living space and a practical transportation mode.
To make your road trip more comfortable, the VW Transporter is equipped with air conditioning, heating, comfortable seats, and a small fridge. With the latest VW MIB3 technology, the van has a Discover Media system featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen. This van for road trips is an ideal choice for any adventurer looking for comfort and luxury for a memorable journey.
2. Ford Transit 350: The Practical Choice
Ford Transit 350 is one of the most practical vans for road trips, bringing in more versatility for long-trip adventures. The Transit 350 is the larger version of the Transit line-up, offering more interior space compared to its other smaller sisters.
The van comes with various engine options depending on the specific trim level and model year. The powerful 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine is common among higher trim levels and is known for giving extra performance. There’s also the 3.2L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel I5 option for robust torque and better fuel efficiency. It’s an ideal choice if planning longer road trips while carrying heavy luggage.
In terms of capacity and size, the Transit 350 has a high-roof design with an extended length to provide more space for luggage and passengers. The interior dimensions are generous, making it an ideal camper van for road trips. You’ll get multiple seating arrangements that can accommodate 12 to 15 passengers. With its high payload, the van can carry substantial cargo and equipment while also towing trailers.
In terms of technology, convenience, and safety, Ford Transit 350 equally does not disappoint. It’s fitted with AM/FM stereo and aux audio input for entertainment. The air conditioning, vinyl seats, overhead airbags, and side airbags improve safety and convenience to make your road trip comfy.
With the sliding side door, it’s easier to load and unload the van, while providing more versatility at a campsite. If you are after versatility on your road trips, you can never go wrong with Ford Transit 350.
3. Vauxhall Vivaro: The Budget-Friendly Pick
Are you looking for conversion vans for road trips that offer versatility, and practicality without being overly too expensive? Vauxhall Vivaro offers an irresistible attraction with high affordability without compromising on quality. This van offers a spacious interior for family trips of 6-8 people with multiple seating options for a comfortable passenger experience.
Vauxhall Vivaro comes with a 1.6-litre engine, which might seem somewhat lacking for a panel van, but it can perform to satisfaction for road trips. The CDTi 90 with 89hp is entry-level and can perform lighter duties around urban areas. The CDTi 115 engine option with 113hp is much better for longer road trips.
The van offers different length options with interior dimensions of 2162mm for L1, 2512mm for L2, and 2863mm for L3. The 1628mm interior width combined with the length, offers sufficient space to store plenty of luggage for long road trip adventures.
Safety-wise, the Vauxhall Vivaro come equipped with an ESP control and traction control. It also has a load adaptive control and roll-over mitigation mechanism. The interior has pretty solid for a panel van but also features excellent design touches. It’s equipped with a standard air conditioner and a somewhat cheaper DAB radio but with better infotainment options.
Generally, the Vauxhall Vivaro is the best van for road trips if you are operating on a budget and need a van that can meet your road trip needs.
4. Renault Trafic LL30: The Versatile Van
Are you looking for an adaptable and versatile van that can meet the requirements of different types of road trip adventures? The Renault Trafic LL30 is among the most reliable vans for road trips, offering a choice of different engine capacities to achieve a perfect blend of efficiency and power.
The van runs on a 2.0-litre dCi diesel engine that delivers between 120 and 170hp, giving a more improved driving experience than Vauxhall Vivaro. Despite this, the van still complies with the Euro 6d-temp standards, making it an ideal choice if you want an eco-friendly van option.
When it comes to size and capacity, the Renault Trafic LL30 is 5480cm long and 2283cm wide with a passenger capacity of nine. The interior space is also generous enough to accommodate an 84-litre luggage volume for a medium-sized family. It comes with a 1012 maximum payload and can tow up to 750kg of unbraked trailers.
As a medium-sized family camper van for road trips, the Renault Trafic LL30 has a comfy cabin with a user-friendly appeal. It features a modern Bluetooth DAB radio, ESC stability control and an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The van also has manual air conditioning, reverse parking sensors, and Renault Mobile Office comprising a fold-down table with space for storing a laptop.
Loading the van is also more convenient, thanks to the 255-degree wide opening twin doors at the rear side. These features, combined with a sleek interior and driver comfort, the Renault Trafic LL30 make a good van for off-road trips around urban cities.
5. IVECO Daily Electric: The Eco-Conscious Choice
For any adventure-seeker with an eco-conscious mind looking for an eco-friendly road trip van, the IVECO Daily Electric is an excellent choice. This fully electric van is an electric version of the renowned IVECO Daily van, built with a focus on efficiency and eco-friendliness.
IVECO has improved this electric van and renamed it IVECO eDaily, offering a shorter charging time and up to 400km coverage on a full charge. Even though the IVECO Daily Electric offers numerous advantages, it’s worth noting certain considerations before using it for longer road trips.
The van is powered by 3 powerful battery packs capable of achieving 111kWh to power the electric motor. On a full charge, the van can do up to 280km, making it ideal for use within urban areas. So, before choosing this van for your road trips, make sure your itinerary has charging stations.
With its fast-charging mode, you can quickly reach full capacity within 2 hours. What’s more, the battery’s performance is optimized for any type of weather, meaning that you can keep driving even when it gets very hot or cold. The van uses a new battery technology which significantly reduces the overall battery weight, therefore giving the van an additional 100kg payload.
IVECO Daily Electric’s cabin has a more modern appeal featuring a sleek slightly squared steering wheel with a half digital, half analogue instrument panel. The wheel has a couple of buttons that control the small screen’s functions. Other functions are controllable using the 7.0-inch infotainment screen.
The screen offers a navigation system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. There’s also an elegant DAB radio on the dashboard. In terms of storage and capacity, IVECO Daily Electric is generously spacious. It can accommodate 22 passengers with numerous seating arrangements. With a 4.6 tonnes payload, you can also fit up to 20m3 of cargo.
Summary
Choosing the best van for road trips can significantly improve your adventure experience. Whether you are after affordability, luxury, practicality, or reliability, you will always find a van that meets your requirements. When choosing your ideal van for road trips, consider the capacity, fuel efficiency, handling, and comfort, among other factors.
The Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit 350, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic LL30, and IVECO Daily Electric are all worthy options to consider. While making a choice, evaluate your requirements, test drive the various models available, and most importantly seek advice from experts. Doing all these while also considering your budget can get you the best camper vans for road trips to make your road adventures livelier.