How does Van Leasing Work?
Leasing a new van is easier than you think.
It all starts with a van lease agreement. That's made between you and a vehicle finance company, typically lasting for a minimum of one year. You'll pay an initial rental fee at the start of the contract, followed by fixed monthly payments which never change. Then at the end of the lease you'll return the van to the vehicle finance provider. Check out our Van Leasing Explained guide to find out more.
Simples!
What's not so simple is deciding which van to choose. So, with this guide, we'll give you a rundown of some of the best van leasing deals floating around at this very moment. We compare lease deals from van manufacturers across the whole market, so when you see one that says it's a good deal, it really is! Of course, you can always browse for yourself across the best van leasing deals right here.
Why Should I Lease a Van?
If you're part of a business looking for a brand new van to use for work-related purposes, perhaps the better question to ask is: why wouldn't you?
Leasing is the way to go if you need additional vehicles at short notice with minimal purchase cost. You won't go through the hassle of selling the vehicle once you're finished with it, and there's also a number of additional services offering you protection against van damage and van depreciation, not to mention the freedom for to customise the agreement if needed.
Another great thing about van lease agreements is that you are not 'locked in' to anything for long lengths of time, offering you greater flexibility and peace of mind. And because van leases normally work out cheaper than finance or buying outright, chances are that you could be able to drive a newer, higher spec van than you might otherwise have been able to afford. Which is always a good thing!
Let's take a look at some of the best van lease deals on offer right now.
Vamos!
Citroën Relay 35 Heavy L4
2.2 BlueHDi H2 Van 140ps Enterprise
Type: Large Panel Van
The Citroën Relay is an otherwise practical van which just lacks that extra bit of refinement. The cab space is very roomy indeed, but despite also boasting an impressive payload and decent fuel economy, the Relay is outmatched by similar-classed rivals like the Volkswagen Crafter and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
For one thing, the Relay scores less points in terms of driver comfort, throwing up a rather tiring drive in motorway conditions due to the slightly imprecise steering. But for an older model dating all the way back to 2006, those drawbacks can be easily forgiven as the Citroën Relay can still more than get the job done.
Ford Transit Custom 320 L2
2.0 EcoBlue 130ps Low Roof D/Cab Limited Van Auto
Type: Crew Van
If you're looking for a reliable and hard-working van that's suited to everyday business use, you can't go far wrong with the Ford Transit Custom – a balance between the smaller Transit Connect and the larger Transit. New Ford van models like the Transit Custom boast state-of-the-art technology including safety features, Park-out Assist Technology and customisable sitting options.
Thanks to the intelligent security system, if you're a delivery driver you'll be able to open one door without unlocking the others. Always a handy bonus. Plus, the spacious interior and easy to access load door makes transporting your goods and products that little bit easier. This all combines to make the Ford Transit Custom a worthy competitor to close rivals like the Mercedes-Benz Vito and the Volkswagen Transporter.
Peugeot Boxer 335 L3
2.2 BlueHDi H2 Professional Van 140ps
Type: Large Panel Van
Similar to the Citroën Relay, the Peugeot Boxer offers you a comfortable cabin and a fully adjustable driver's seat. That's not to mention the armrest and lumbar adjustment function, contributing to the overall comfort. Then there's the interior storage compartments which add up to a total of 73 litres – more than enough for your everyday needs.
But the best thing about the Boxer is how it's incredibly easy to load and unload. The rear doors open at suitable angles, and as the load sill sits rather low, you're given more load space for loading bigger and heavier objects. That combined with the Boxer's safety features makes it an ideal companion for your working needs.
Renault Trafic SWB
SL28 Blue dCi 130 Business+ Van
Type: Medium Panel Van
Named Medium Van of the Year 2020 at the annual Fleet World awards ceremony, the Renault Trafic is in high demand as one of the UK's most popular medium-sized panel vans. Combining comfort with robustness and endurance, its tough exterior makes it well-suited to navigating urban areas. If you're a professional, you'll definitely appreciate the flexible cab design.
It's also very spacey at the back, offering plenty of load space in what is a generously-sized rear bay. The Renault Trafic also comes complete with ABS + EDS brakes, a service indicator and more. Fortunately, all Trafic models run on lower emissions and improved fuel consumption, meaning less service and maintenance costs for you. Throw in the added equipment and that makes the Renault Trafic a highly sought-after medium-sized van.
Toyota Hilux
Invincible X D/Cab Pick Up 2.8 D-4D Auto
Type: Pickup
A delightful-looking pickup that's both tough and versatile. After all, this is the vehicle that the Top Gear team once threw from the top of a tower block and still managed to drive home at the end of it. Yet gone are the days when a pickup's sole purpose was to conquer the inhospitable. Yes, the Hilux is tough and durable, but with its greater emphasis on roads, it's also pleasant to drive – increasingly important in a world where pickups are becoming just as sought-after as sports cars.
Not only that, the Hilux offers immense practicality too. It's a commercial vehicle for a reason, after all, and the rear bay is wide enough to accommodate even the widest of Euro pallets. Of course, you can opt to get a Hilux as a lifestyle choice as well. Something which can't be said about a lot of other vans.
Toyota Proace City L1
1.5D 100 Design Van 6 Speed
Type: City Van
Closely related to the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo, the Toyota Proace City is almost car-like to handle and cleverly designed for urban, city driving. But don't let that fool you into thinking there's no space at the back, as this city-slicker can still fit in two standard-sized Euro pallets with ease.
There's nothing too fancy in terms of gadgets, but the Proace City does come well-equipped with all your modern perks like air-conditioning, automatic headlights and hill-start assist, not to mention Bluetooth and an 8 inch touchscreen.
Toyota Proace Long
2.0D 140 Icon Freezer Van Premium
Type: Fridge Van
Your needs will have to be specialised enough to warrant getting a brand new fridge van, but being a mid-range panel van, the Toyota Proace Long is a van that's both efficient and tough enough to withstand the treatment that comes with everyday working use. The practicalities are worth it, especially if you make use of the 'Smart Cargo' system with its variable front seat layout and configurable bulkhead.
Aside from the not-so-sharp steering and no options when it comes to roof height, there aren't many drawbacks here. The Proace Long is comfortable, practical and efficient, complete with a unique Toyota feel. That's despite the Proace models coming about as a result of a partnership with Peugeot and Citroën.
Toyota Proace Medium
2.0D 140 Icon Van Premium
Type: Medium Panel Van
Similar to the Peugeot Expert and the Citroën Dispatch, the Proace Medium is essentially the same van. Toyota's version though does feature a unique face, impressive fuel economy and high payload ratings for the medium van sector. You'll find it more than ideal for navigating around town and those tight urban areas.
The cabin is robust, but a little on the small side. However, you do get a flip-up passenger seat and a removable bulkhead panel to help fit in those extra-long loads. The dashboard features clear instrumentation and analogue dials with ergonomic switchgear. Meanwhile, you'll notice that the driving position can feel rather car-like, offering great visibility and a short-throw gear lever that's positioned in close proximity to the steering wheel.
Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter LWB
83kW 37.3kWh Van Auto
Type: Electric Van
If you’re looking for a great value mid-sized panel van that’s comfortable enough to drive each day, the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter could be your ideal leasing choice. Volkswagen's only commercial electric vehicle in the UK, the Transporter packs good old German efficiency and build quality with top-notch safety features and a cutting-edge interior. You'll barely notice the sound of the engine when travelling, with just a faint hum from the electric motor.
On the downside, the e-Transporter doesn't carry as much payload (a tonne maximum) as its diesel counterpart, the regular Volkswagen Transporter. However, electric vans are often designed to cater for last-mile delivery services where cargo volume can be more important than maximum weight. A second shortcoming is that the e-Transporter covers just 82 miles on a single charge – a figure that's topped by rival electric vans like the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter L2, which we've already talked about.
FAQS
How Long Can I Lease a Van For?
Lease agreements typically last two, three or even four years. However, there's a variety of lease options available to you, so it's possible to lease a van for much shorter periods than the norm. It's even possible to land a leasing deal lasting anywhere in the region of one to six months.
Can I Buy a Lease Van at the End of the Agreement?
Short answer, no. But you could choose to keep leasing the vehicle for longer.
Can I Lease a Van Privately?
Yes. Although more common, van leasing isn't only an option for businesses, as it is also possible to lease a van for personal use. This can sometimes be more accommodating than owning the van outright. The biggest difference between personal and business leasing is that you'll only be able to reclaim 50% of VAT.
Can I Lease a Hybrid or Electric Van?
Yes! As hybrid and electric vehicles continue to gain traction, so too will hybrid and electric van leasing deals. Hybrid vans in particular are just as practical as regular-powered vans, so that means less time hanging around petrol stations and more time out on the roads. The main plus is you'll be helping the environment, which is never a bad thing.
Does Van Leasing Include Insurance?
Unfortunately, standard van lease deals usually don't come with insurance. When leasing a van, you're still responsible for insuring it and are therefore the person or business responsible for paying the cover. However look out for the insurance included tag from some of our lease providers if your looking for a lease deal with insurance.
Any Disadvantages of Leasing a Van?
It really depends what your priorities are and whether ownership is important to you. Buying does offer you more freedom, but leasing can work out less expensive as the cost is evenly distributed over the fixed term of a contract.
However, lease deals can sometimes be more stringent, and it really does mean sticking to the contract terms. For example, you'll be required to pay an excess mileage charge if you exceed the agreed upon annual mileage allowance. It's also a requirement to pay for any damage to the van at the contract's end, apart from the 'fair wear and tear' that all vans inevitably suffer. You'll also be forced to pay a termination fee if you choose to settle the contract early.