The Ford Transit and Transit Custom share a badge, but they’re built for different jobs. Here’s how they compare, and how to pick the right one.
The Transit Custom is the mid-size van, with load volumes typically between 6.0m³ and 8.3m³ depending on wheelbase and roof height. The full-size Transit is a different class entirely, offering 9.5m³ up to around 15.1m³ – enough for pallets, bulky kit or multiple crews’ worth of equipment.
The Transit Custom carries up to around 1.45 tonnes depending on spec. Step up to the full-size Transit and payload climbs to as much as 2.3 tonnes or more on heavier-duty derivatives – a big advantage if you’re regularly loading close to the limit.
The Transit Custom is the cheaper van to buy and run, with list prices typically starting a few thousand pounds below the equivalent Transit. Its smaller footprint also means better fuel economy and easier city driving. The full-size Transit costs more to buy and fuel, but that extra cost buys genuinely more capacity.
If you need a manoeuvrable, cost-effective van for multi-drop, trade or courier work.
If you regularly carry pallets, heavy equipment, or need maximum load volume and payload.
Not quite – the Transit Custom is closer in size to vans like the Renault Trafic and VW Transporter, while the Transit is a genuinely larger commercial vehicle.
The Transit Custom typically sits in a lower insurance group than the full-size Transit, thanks to its smaller size and lower value.
Yes – both are available as crew vans, and the Transit can also be specced as a tipper, chassis cab or Luton conversion.
Tell us what you carry and we’ll help you choose between a Transit Custom and a full-size Transit – or something else entirely.
