Transit vs Traffic vs Transporter? The Best Combi Van 

The VW may have better residuals but the bills you will pay will be much higher. I have a Vivaro and that is slightly better than the Trafic. My 08 Vivaro is the best van I have ever driven, reliable and cheap to maintain., post 07s have a timing chain, which is a no brainer. Thanks for you honesty.

Selling my fords the wet belt problems are a joke

Give the transit a wide berth unless you like down time and visiting repair centres WHEN IF you can get a slot Utter junk and the warranty is not worth the paper it’s written on

I have had a few Trafic's 2.0TD Sport 115 2008 and 2012 models no problems with 2008 but 2012 had clutch cylinder fail halfway through deliveries, AA recovered repaired under warranty then windscreen wipers wouldn't turn off , 3 day repair for ECU that controls them , all within 12 months or 12,000 miles, did about 40mpg each then ran faultlessly, I had a new Transit Custom Limited 2020 with new 2.0td engine 185 auto DCIV 40mpg , loved it overall but niggles were radio was rubbish sound for music, very good connectivity and linguatronic phone was great and clear, gearbox was awful for auto as cannot accelerate gently without it kicking down and wanting to race along unless you activated eco button then was nice changes but no torque from engine, I sold it before the engine went as this engine is very unreliable in that the wet timing belt fails clogging oil ways and destroying full engine , waiting time for repairs 2 to 3 months , there are recalls before this happens and don't know current waiting time for modified timing belts, older 2.2 engine much better reliability. just bought another Trafic 1.6 twin turbo 145 crew, reports of 47 to 50 mpg, we shall see! , PS great review thanks.

Ford designed to rust and components fail after 7 years of avarage use.

At work we never get transporters in for repair but loads of traffic/vivaro and shed loads of transits, Transporters for the win 100% 🇬🇧👍

That’s how you make a comparison video- brilliant

Having driven all three of those Vans I feel that everything you mentioned is pretty accurate. I have a trafic and a transporter currently. Had the transit for a couple of weeks after somebody drove into the back of my trafic. The box under the rear seats in the trafic is removable and the tabs that are used to pull up the front passenger seat will eventually detach themselves.

The new Traffics have a two liter engine.

Great video. the VW is alot skinnier, I've seen camper converter companies choose the Trafic for that very reason, much wider. Thanks for the video, very useful. At the end it would be cool to see a final summary of why the Trafic is the winner. I don't get why the VW has such a following, it's nothing like the classic 60s model and half the van size the Trafic is for the price.

The transporter is a hideous monstrosity due to the german lack of imagination. The square shape pattern is all over it, which is boring. If that thing breaks down it will cost you an arm and two legs.

Had a T2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the latter being 204BHP , 4 wheel drive DSG. Absolutely love them. Apart from the T2, which just didn’t like starting in the wet, had no reliability or quality problems worth mentioning. Yes they are expensive, and VW knows how to charge for extras, but they hold their price and that tells you something about the quality I think.

If you want a people carrier that can be used for those occasional DIY materials runs to B&Q for a sheet of plasterboard or MDF, the fixed bulkhead and fixed seat Kombi is useless. The ability to remove the rear seats and get sheets of 8x4 flat in the back makes the VW the winner every time. Want to use it for a weekend away with a bed in the back? VW wins again. It's all about multi-functionality with a vehicle that has to be able to do everything and is often the only vehicle the family has access to. Fixed bulkheads and rear seats take so much usefulness away.

I want one of these in the U.S., we are missing on some good versatile vans.

If you look away, you would think that Carl Froch was giving this review! 😂👍🏼

The transit in this video isn’t a factory DCiV...they come with proper window trim on the back doors with factory fitted windows and dual sliding rear doors, with a door bin each side and a cup holder on the door each side too. The one in the video is obviously an after market conversion so not really an accurate example for comparison sake.

I've had a number of vans over the years, including a Vito and a crew cab Transporter with captains chairs. The only one I would buy with my own money would be a decent spec Transit Custom, definitely want the extra dead locks though

Great review Well I own a 2009 T5 so I would naturally be bias to the VW ? I was given a new 67 plate T6 for my work van and in all honesty it was a huge disappointment, no mudguards, no steering wheel controls, no heated seats and extremely poor lighting from the headlights which is well documented on the forums. But after 4 months I developed a left knee issue because the bulkhead restricted the seat going back fully so I was put into a 66 plate transit custom and such a huge improvement in every way. But now I have the new 20 plate transit custom and what an amazing van in every aspect far superior to any commercial vehicle I have driven over the last 25yrs. BUT a transit still isn't a VW is it LOL

Transporter is the only winner, however if you get a lemon then you are at the mercy of their incredibly poor dealership network.

T6 heavy steering , heavy suspension, rough dsg....Transit drives like a car

And one more thing. This is NOT a family vehicle. What kids with iPads??? This is workers vehicle. Go buy a Multivan if you need it for transporting family.

Own a vauxhall vivaro 6 seater crew cab 2016, horrible van had nothing but trouble with it from new, 3 gear box repairs, 2 turbo replacements lots and lots of other problems side doors creek like they loose, seats are uncomfortable to drive long distance, front space is cramped with 3 people just a terrible faulty van, most garages refuse to work on them, i would never own vauxhall again their customer service is vile under warranty avoid at all costs

Ive a 5 yr old trafic 120 Its a great vehicle Loads of room biggest volume Quiet Economical 50 mpg +

Totally the correct answer

Can you do comparison of latest versions, I sat in transporter Highline just before Christmas and loved it

Hate driving french vans, the renaults are the least worst but still no scratch to a transit, not driven a nazi van but heard they are better than the fords

Now that the Chrysler Town & Country mini van is no longer being made, the next best replacement is actually the 2023 Hyundai Staria Premium.

Thank you for this review and comparison, I really found it informative and it has opened my (VW shaded) eyes to the alternatives out there. I might just be a convert to the Renault...

Recently bought the onyx edition fiat Talento 6 seater lwb in black, which is similar to the Traffic but has a 170 bhp engine, shiny chrome side bars and black alloy wheels, got it for £25k brand new including vat, very pleased with it, put a slightly shortened small double metal frame platform bed from wayfair in the back with the middle legs shortened, to fit over the wheel box and a swivel double passenger seat plate along with magnet attached led lights in the back as well as suction on window blinds and we now use it as a slightly modified van for camping and picnic day trips without losing it's functionality as a van for everything else without the need to remove the bulkhead but we did remove the bulkhead window and put a rubber seal around the opening to finish it off as well as a curtain.

Fords diesel engines known for poor quality and high fuel consumption. No thanks.

The Transit Custom is the nicest overall package however the newer 2.0 EcoBlue engines are total rubbish! A rubber belt running in oil was never going to work, Ford have proven it. I know a few guys with high mileage Trafic’s/ Vivaro’s 1.6 dCi who all seem happy and would buy another one. The older versions with the 1.9 and 2.0 dCi weren’t bad vans at all. And to be fair, they’re every bit as good to drive as a Custom. Transporter is very much about the image, hence why it retains its value so well. The reliability of them isn’t great though, again from speaking to people I know who own/ have owned one, they seem to swear at them instead of by them. Trafic for me 🇫🇷

Futuristic interior? No, thanks. The problem is, that all futuristic interiors gets out of date too quickly. And the they are more boring that those first ones. And comparing 2014 model of transporter with 2017 model of traffic is idiotic. Compare same year make.

All are junk. Nothing compares to toyota.

fantastic review thanks, living in france coming from Lancashire great to hear a northern very honest voice. thanks for this review very informative very honest, good job

Excellent, I've had a T5 for several years and now looking forward to getting back in a van. Looking at the Renault in its 9 seat minibus form and really liked your comparison as it's the ages of vehicle I'm considering. I also liked you based it on price rather than choosing all them the same age. With van prices at the moment being crazy - sold my T5 7 years ago and couldn't buy the same van today for the same money!

I’ve never had a reliable French van! Put hundreds of thousands of miles on transits without complaint. VW just an overpriced badge!! Plus transits just nicer to actually drive.

Trafic is best package overall, price is unbeatable !!!

Helpful video, thanks!

I spent a lot of cash on a brand new 2018 caravelle lwb. I got a really good deal on it but it was still a very expensive van. At 20k I had massive problems with the dsg which was fixed under warranty thank god. Now at 60k it’s gone again as have the electric doors, the aircon and heaters. Great vans apart from the massive repair hills and hellish waits to have vw have a look at them.

As far as I know the only van with a walk-thru and a tailgate is a transporter, both of those things are super handy for camping/living in one.

Excellent. Very professional and informative.

Transporter for me every time. Great video and a great comparison. Haven’t seen anything like this on RU-vid before and it’s brilliant for anyone looking to buy a vehicle of this type.

The more I look the more I realise it’s only the looks I want in the transporter. Trying to get one with what iv come to see as standard comforts is pretty much impossible. Still it’s the one I want even though I know it’s probably one of the worst overall packages on the market

I have used all three. In my opinion the transit custom is practically the best van, feels way better built than the other two in every department. But! I had trouble with the DPF in the ford, it had to be seen to by the main dealer which took around 3 months to get back. Also I hear they have trouble with the wet belt. It's a tough choice. VW priced far to high for what it is.

I would get the Transit Custom. They depriciate more than a Transporter but they don't depreciate that bad and they are cheaper than the VW in the first place. I would do a camper covert with the Transit Custom. That would definately bump up the value

The ford transit, theres more space in front seat. Pull the seat forward and pull the back section of front seat up and theres more space. And there's a opinion to have rearview camera on rearview mirror. I drove all 3 I prefer Transit due torque and car feel like driving and loads of storage. Yes it's frikken wide and bit difficult to park but i love my work van, 2022 Ford Transit Custom Base 2.2 6 speed. The options on it is, rubber flooring in the back, heated windscreen, rearview camera, air conditioning. Lovely van, i would to own one.

Money no object, id be taking the vw... the renault a mate has went like stink and handled like a mother fecker, but the interior was a55... my uncle has an 07 transit and the rust and rot is shocking, not a good panel that isnt rusting out, failed its mot, completely worthless.. ford metal it purposely awful..

What a mine of useful information !

thank you for your video it helped me a lot 😎🤔

That’s a big owl

I don't like the transit back space compared to it's prev models, but much better looking and that inverter makes all the difference.

Currently looking my self and my headeak is, the vw rust bad but hold there money, the renualt will probably have issues and the ford look smart in the msport model ????

I remember driving a rental Renault Traffic, it was horrendous in comparison to the Transporter and the Transit. Will never go near that van again!

God help you if you have three that need isofix 😂😂😂

The Ford Custom Tourneo is the passenger variant, as opposed to crew cab

New subtítulos spañol 👉✌👉ford trail 4×4-◾#8-pasajers vs.v$/Sprint Mercedes ↪🔎✌📹↩🙋

I’ve got a Transit Custom L2H2 and its handles like a car! It’s a really enjoyable drive.

You driving around Poole? 🤣

New videos 👉🔎subtítulos is spañol latino 🙋📹↩

Just finished a 25000km journey around outback Australia in a 2017 VW transporter. Thousands of kms of very rough, corrugated sandy and often rocky roads. We were usually the only 2WD vehicle in many destinations. We had zero problems. Not one. Very happy with VW, and will buy another one when the time comes.

The mirror will be useful for checking on the children

Nice video just wish you had the vito in it. Cheers 🍻

Nice and very detailed explanation of each van mate !!! Well done But what about reliability??? I think this is most important question for everyone who wants to get one of these vans in the future. In my opinion in the very first place best van is a most reliable van. And of course to answer this question you need to own each of them for years to give most accurate reliability opinion 👍

VW all day long. Transporter or caddy . I couldn’t cope with all the rattles in the trafic & transit after 6 months.

It's called Trafic, not Traffic

Excellent review Thanks

Put a load in each van and see which is best

Форд костюм самый самый ! Супер !

And the wydder one in market ?

It would be the transit for me all day long, I'm one for value for money and the VW brings none of that for me other than being a VW fanboys dream vehicle... And those Trafics and Vivaros leave me wondering how long til that little (heavily turbocharged) 1.6 engine goes pop? 🤔 Ye fine the VW won't depreciate as fast because of the cult following, but wow they're way more expensive up front so where's the gain in that???

*Trafic* not Traffic

woa boa holder :D

Josh… big Josh. Just watched stumbled across your video as I was looking at reviews for the Traffic. Very helpful and detailed as always. Cheers buddy.

why you didn't include Expert/Jumpy ?

VW💪❤️

Surely he actually realised the transporter was a previous generation face lift '10 on T5.1 based on the T5 which came out in '03. He should have compared it with the T6 which came out in 2016

Going by what I see on the road, its the Transit. Not a fan of the Transporter, overpriced by a lot. My brother owns a top of range long wheelbase Transporter, he runs around in a Toyota hi-lux, says a lot that.

All the crap you talked about is not what people wanted to know it's about quality sturdy Ness flimsy bits differences seat quality what will wear and tear like a van with a 1.6 being suprised by the torque could be thinner steel and plastics See a well looked after 300.000 miler vw in a simular well looked after 300.000 Renault would be like driving a 1960s spring pram as to being in a go cart

You spelled it wrong its renualt trafic and not named traffic

Great comparison video. Torn between the transit and transporter. Not sure the extra price is justified in the VW, given the extra spec you get with the transit 👍🏻

You should of bought a transit !! 😉

The Abbreviation for FORD IS . For Ordering Rushing Driver nothing can beat a Transit van

What about a Citroen relay?

great video, would be interesting to see what you think of the newer 2 litre transit engine rather than the 2.2

The T5 will be worth more, but you paid more, so why is this an argument? Also, it will only be worth more, if it lives long enough. These VW engines are known to be hugely unreliable, the more horsepower, the worse it gets. Head gaskets, turbos, whole blocks being warped. And that are issues based in the very construction of the engines, so there simply is no fixing this, only managing. It's a nightmare really. There are whole companies who are specialized in fixing VW Bus engines. They really know their sh*te and even they say, that VW regularly drops the ball by simply making the engines not thermally stable, hence getting too hot and dying from as early as 60000km on. Plus they are terrible to work on and VW keeps the licences for spare parts and documentation for as long as possible, making it even more expensive to repair those transporters. Add to that the countless other quality issues, the high price and VWs terrible warranty and customer service and you really have to ask yourself: Why bother?

not watched the video yet and probably dont need to. ive driven vans for 30 years on and off, for various reasons and ive driven pretty much every (mainstream) van there is going. and i will say that when its my own money, its a Transit every time for me. the Renault/Vauxhall can be reasonable, as long as the electrics work fine. and thats as likely as an 80s Alfa Romeo electrics working or a 70s Fiat not rusting!, the VW, ive just never been able to get comfortably seated in, and it is, in my opinion, overrated (or overpriced, depending on which way you look at it) and the last transporter i drove was noisy (engine noise) as hell (and theyre all the same, from the outside). Even though the Custom is the 'ugly duckling' of the Transit family, its still better looking than most other vans on offer, drives better, and, in my opinion, is a better all round package. theres a reason the Transit outsells the next best selling van by 3 units to 1! you dont sell that many if theyre cr@p, consistently for 50 years (or so). a friend who owns a fleet of Merc vans (he is a bg fan of the Sprinters) even has a Transit on his fleet, which is the van he uses himself!