The vehicle you choose for your long-distance outing with family or friends can make or break the road trip. To ensure everyone enjoys the trip like it’s supposed to be, it is essential to choose a vehicle that could withstand the external elements and offer the desired comfort. This makes vans the go-to choice for long-distance travel.
But when it comes to purchasing, leasing, or renting a van, the plethora of options makes the selection daunting. So, what’s the best van for traveling long distances? Here are our top recommendations-
7 Best Vans for Traveling Long Distances
1. Volkswagen Transporter Sportline
Volkswagen Transporter has achieved legendary status among van enthusiasts globally. The latest version of the van, Volkswagen Transporter Sportline is available in kombi and panel van variants to offer a dynamic blend of performance and practicality. A perfect example of beauty with brains, the van with its upgraded engine is super quiet and its roomy interiors offer enhanced comfort.
To take your long journeys to the next level, the van comes with heated, leather seats, a digital cockpit, a 5” display, cup holders, and more. As for safety, it comes with front assist, city emergency braking, side protection, crosswind assist, and adaptive cruise control. If it’s the absolute best that you’re looking for, VW Transporter Sportline lease can be an excellent option.
2. Mercedes Sprinter
Mercedes Sprinter has been around since 1995 and continues to be a popular choice among people who want a van for personal or professional reasons. Currently, Sprinter is available as a Passenger Van, Crew Van, Cargo Van, and Cab Chassis. The van is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and the latest 9G-TRONIC transmission for efficient, quieter, and quicker journeys.
As for the interiors, the van is available with a seating space of up to 15, making it a perfect choice for bigger families. Attention assist, blind spot assist mirror, active brake assist, MBUX touchscreen integration, and smartphone integration are some of the noteworthy features of this one of the most reliable vans for long trips.
3. Ford Transit
If a versatile van is what you need for your outdoor adventures, Ford Transit can also be a worthy consideration. The 2023 Transit passenger van is available in XL and XLT variants with a plethora of innovative features, including a Maxxair deluxe roof vent, higher ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and 4-way swivel seats.
For navigation and entertainment, the van features a large 12” touchscreen display with easy integration with Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SYNC 4. For improved safety, the vehicle is equipped with various Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, like auto high-beam headlamps, pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, and more.
4. Renault Trafic
Renault has continued to upgrade its popular light commercial van Trafic and the latest variant had brought along some impressive visual changes, more kits, and new trims. However, the French automaker is more or less retained the van’s fundamentals that are responsible for its vast following among van enthusiasts.
Powered by a mighty 2-liter turbodiesel engine, Renault Trafic is available in two roof heights, two lengths, and four trim levels. It comes in manual, automatic, and FWD drivetrains and safety features like an improved driver assistance system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, emergency braking, and lane departure warning. As Renault is currently not taking new bookings for Traffic, you can consider leasing the van from a trusted vehicle contractor.
5. Volkswagen Crafter
While Volkswagen Crafter was only introduced in 2006, it has quickly climbed the charts and retained its position as among the best vans for traveling long distances. Comfortable and practical, the van is available in medium, long, and X long wheelbases to perfectly fulfill your traveling needs.
Like Renault Trafic, Crafter is also equipped with a 2-liter turbodiesel engine but with additional RWD and AWD drivetrain options. The vehicle is equipped with a 6.5” touchscreen display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As for safety, it has a multi-collision brake, front and rear park distance control, crosswind assist, and city emergency braking with the front assist.
6. Citroen Berlingo
If you love the outdoors and searching for the best vans for long road trips, Citroen Berlingo is another great option. The van is available in Flair XTR and Feel trims in 7-seat XL and 5-seat M sizes. The XL variant has removable 3rd-row seats, offering enhanced flexibility between a bigger boot space and passenger comfort depending on your requirements.
Berlingo is available in 1.2-liter turbo petrol, 1.5-liter turbodiesel, and even in electric versions. The van features a 7” touchscreem with connect assist, connect navigation, and connect play. You also get as many as 16 driving assistance systems to make your long journeys safer, easier, and more comfortable.
7. Vauxhall Vivaro
The next best van for traveling long distances is Vauxhall Vivaro. The diesel variant of the mid-sized van is available in three options- Prime, Pro, and Prime Doublecab. The van is also available in electric variants in Panel Van Prime and Panel Van Pro options. Vauxhall has made significant changes to the van’s exteriors and it now has sports-style bumpers and rear roof spoilers, extended sill mouldings, and a sporty front low spoiler.
Vivaro features a 7” touchscreen display and comes with a host of exciting features, including rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, front fog lamps, a 6-way adjustable driver seat, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, a satellite navigation system, and more, depending on the variant you choose.
Finding the Best Van for Long Distance Traveling
If you’re struggling with selecting the best van for traveling long distances, the 7 options listed above are worth considering. Before making a selection, ensure you thoroughly understand your needs and expectations from the vehicle so that it offers the level of comfort and safety you’re looking for.
Leasing can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new van as it has considerably lower up-front costs and monthly payments. Moreover, it also eliminates the resale hassles associated with purchasing the vehicle. So, look for a reliable vehicle contractor and browse through their van collection to find a van that could be your long-distance traveling companion.