Dash And Carry: The Sportiest Vans You Can Buy in 2025
Think vans and you’d be forgiven for not immediately thinking of a sporty little number at the same time.
Indeed, the terms functional, practical and conventional are certainly more applicable when it comes to commercial vehicles, but why should the adjectives stop there?
It’s this humdrum image that some manufacturers are trying to change with an increasing number of models enjoying a sporty makeover to give them a bit of aesthetic edge and prove that even a workhorse can be dependable but still look good being so.
Peugeot Expert Sport
Peugeot has called upon its rich and successful history in motorsport to provide the inspiration for the newest addition to the burgeoning ‘sporty van’ segment, the Peugeot Expert Sport.
Based on the top-rung Asphalt trim, the Expert Sport is distinguished by a series of cosmetic touch-ups influenced by its Le Mans 24 Hours racer, the Peugeot 9X8. These include ‘Sport’ decals, grille accents, badging and roof spoiler dipped in Peugeot Sport’s signature ‘Kryptonite Green’ colourway.
In addition to the beefier bodywork on the outside, inside the Peugeot Expert Sport gains ‘Sport’ embossed faux leather seats with Kryptonite Green stitching, plus a host of otherwise optional extras as standard, such as dual-zone climate control, keyless go and a heated leather steering wheel.
On this occasion, the Expert Sport is more ‘show’ than ‘go’ with an unchanged line-up under the bonnet comprising the most powerful diesel option – the 178bhp 2.0-litre BlueHDi – and the 75kWh electric variant.
Ford Transit Custom Sport
The long, esteemed legacy of sporty Fords need no introduction, so it stands to reason that there is not one, but two racy versions of Europe’s best-selling panel van, the Ford Transit Custom.
Available in a choice of either a 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel – which can be selected as front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive – or in 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid guise, the Transit Custom Sport is identified by its distinctive black racing stripes and decals.
While more subtle than the MS RT, the Ford Transit Custom Sport certainly stands out among the commercial crowd with 17-inch alloy wheels unique to this trim, while it also has more street presence with its sport body kit and rear spoiler.
In addition to the external modifications, the Transit Custom Sport enjoys a heated drivers’ seat with six-way adjustment, dual zone electronic climate control and LED taillights, plus electric blue stitching on the seating.
Ford Transit Custom MS-RT
There really is nothing quite like the Ford Transit Custom MS-RT on the market right now. If the Transit Custom Sport is your toned, gym-fit van, the MS-RT is your nutritional shake swilling bodybuilder.
Designed to have maximum visual impact, the MS-RT gains muscular bodywork, including an extended benched roof spoiler, pronounced front and rear bumpers, lowered ground clearance and special 19-inch Anthracite alloy wheels that shroud brake callipers painted MS-RT blue.
It’s a look that can be appreciated across a range of engine choices too, including the 283bhp all-electric version with rear-wheel drive, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid.
And if that is not showy enough for you, the Transit Custom MS-RT can be selected in a wide array of eye-popping colours – such as Yellow Green, Turini Purple, Cadmium Yellow and Sunset Orange – too.
Vauxhall Vivaro GS
The Vauxhall Vivaro GS sees the UK’s brand’s venerable mid-size van get a sporty glow-up for the new year.
Making the most of its distinctive ‘Vizor’ makeover, the Vivaro GS gains unique body kit – including rear spoiler and reprofiled front bumper – plus special badging and its own design of 18-inch alloy wheels.
Under the bonnet, a choice of 2.0-litre turbodiesel – either 143bhp or 178bhp – is available, along with a 75kWh electric version capable of 209 miles of WLTP combined range.
Standard kit includes dual zone climate control, keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging, heated leather steering wheel and Multimedia Pro Navi infotainment system.
Renault Trafic Extra Sport
Though not quite as extrovert as others on the ranking, the Renault Trafic Extra Sport injects a touch of gallic je ne sais quoi to one of the sector’s more popular offerings.
Based on the Extra trim, the Extra Sport gains more striking 17-inch alloy wheels with black inserts, plus features climate control and 360-degree parking sensors.
Two engine options are available: 148bhp Blue dCi or 168bhp Blue dCi turbodiesels.
MAN TGE Individual Lion S
Sporty tweaks needn’t be restricted to just the mid-size segment, as demonstrated by the limited-edition MAN TGE Individual Lion S.
Taking the handsome but otherwise ordinary-looking MAN TGE LCV (large commercial vehicle) as its base, the Individual Lion S gains a host of exterior and interior modifications to give it a racier edge.
From the outset, the TGE stands out with its black aluminium rims and striking red painted brake callipers, stainless steel trim on the front bumper, red detailing on the grille and carbon-effect door mirrors, three-piece roof spoiler and loading edge protector.
Inside, the TGE Individual Lion S gains special red stitching on the upholstery and floor mats, while the seats are distinguished by a special mesh-design, complete with embroidered MAN lion emblem on the backrest.
