Business and pleasure? Top 5 sports vans

Looking for a van which can make the working week (and beyond) a little more interesting? Here are our top 5 sports van picks.

Think van, and you probably think of terms like ‘functionality’, ‘utility’, ‘practicality’… but why stop there? What if we told you there is a growing range of vans taking to UK roads that draw inspiration from motorsport, adding words like ‘performance’, ‘style’, and ‘fun’ to that vocabulary.

And to prove it, here are our top five sports vans, because who says you need to choose between business and pleasure? 

5. Vauxhall Vivaro GS

It was gone, but now it’s back. The recently returned Vivaro GS trim brings a sporty makeover to Vauxhall’s popular van which we think looks great (we’ll never say no to a spoiler), but unfortunately, the changes are only skin deep. 

So, there are no performance upgrades here, but, on the flip side, that does mean this is the reliable workhorse we know and love. As a result, alongside the strikingly angular body kit, Y-spoked 18-inch alloy wheels, and hand-crafted eco-leather seats, you’ll still have the ability to haul up to 6.6 m³ of cargo.

Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine can be tuned for either 145 hp or a (slightly) more potent 178 hp, both paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. And — as another bonus of not straying far from the commercial version — there is a Vivaro Electric GS with a utilitarian 134 hp motor, and up to 209 miles of range.

4. Peugeot Expert Sport

And next up, the Vivaro GS’s French cousin, the Peugeot Expert Sport. As this is based on the same Stellantis mid-sized van framework, you can effectively copy and paste the engine figures and commercial capabilities from the previous entry — right down to the availability of an electric E-Expert Sport option. 

So, what lands this the number 4 spot over its relative? The only real difference: its livery. Whether you opt for panel or crew van format, the Expert Sport comes with an eye-catching Kryptonite paint job, which takes inspiration from the brand’s electrified 9X8 Hypercar, no less. 

And while you may not find yourself tackling the 24 Hours of Le Mans in it, the Expert Sport’s vibrant grille highlights, high-contrast go-faster stripes, and motorsport-style badging, all add a little je ne sais quoi to give the sporty Peugeot an edge.

3. Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

And now, a bit of a classic in the sport van segment. The Transporter Sportline name has been passed through the van’s generations, synonymous with sharp design and high-tech features, with the T6.1 the latest to be bestowed with the performance-focused title. 

Volkswagen make no compromises on power here. All T6.1 Sportline models come equipped with the range-topping 2.0-litre TDI engine, producing 201 hp. This power is sent through a 7-speed gearbox, translating into quick acceleration, hitting 62 mph in just 8.9 seconds before pushing on to a top speed of 126 mph.

So yes, it’s sporty, and with its sleek livery, front and rear spoilers, and suspension which has been lowered by 30 mm, it looks the part too. But, built on the robust Transporter platform — available with a short or long wheelbase, and panel or kombi van configurations — it is still a serious workhorse. This means there is a 1,170 kg payload and up to a 6.7 m³ cargo capacity, so it can still get the job done.

And if a model on the market since 2021 seems a little old, you may just need to sit tight…

2. Toyota Hilux GR Sport

Ok, so it’s technically not a van… but it’s a commercial vehicle, and we like it, so it makes the list. Inspired by the success of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Hilux at the Dakar Rally, the Toyota Hilux GR Sport is the ‘ultimate street truck’ for those who need rugged, uncompromising capability.

The GR Sport is powered by a hefty 2.8-litre engine, delivering 198 hp and a grunty 500 Nm of torque, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. And of course, this performance is bolstered by a dedicated, rally-inspired suspension, including new monotube shock absorbers and stiffened front coil springs — earning it that GR badge.

But when it’s time to get to work, the Hilux GR Sport excels in raw utility too. It maintains its class-leading pickup capabilities, able to handle a hefty 1-tonne payload and boasting a massive 3.5-tonne towing capacity. 

1. Ford Transit Custom MS-RT

Our number one performance van, racing to the peak of the segment: the Ford Transit Custom MS-RT. Yes, we’d have loved to opt for the SuperVan, but 2000 hp and next-to-no cargo space doesn’t really help during the average work shift. However, we reckon the Transit Custom MS-RT — developed in collaboration with the M-Sport rally team — finds the perfect blend of sports capability and commercial utility.

The flagship E-Transit Custom MS-RT is available with a 281 hp electric powertrain, making it the most power production spec Transit Custom ever made. If you’re feeling a bit more sensible, there is also a 228 hp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, and a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel offered at 168 hp or 148 hp.

Crucially, the MS-RT manages to achieve this blistering performance without compromising its primary function, packing in a maximum payload of up to 1,124 kg and up to 6.8 m³ of load space. This combination of best-in-class power and significant capacity cements the MS-RT’s position as our true champion of the sporting commercial vehicle world. Oh, and it looks the part too — we’ll still never say no to a van with a spoiler…

So there you have it, our top 5 sports vans which can spice up the working week, and still tempt you to get behind the wheel at the weekend. But which is your favourite?

Hero image credit:  Ford