For times when you need to transport more people around on jobs, a van with three seats is the ideal solution.
Even if you're not using all of the seats all of the time, having them there can just make for an all-round more comfortable journey, while many can be transformed into versatile 'mobile offices' or have the flexibility to increase the cargo load too.
Not all small vans come with three seats though, so if that's important to you, check in advance and understand which models will meet your requirements.
Here, we take a look at the best small vans with three seats on sale right now.
Citroen Berlingo 3 Seats
One of the most popular small vans on the market, the Citroen Berlingo is also one of only handful to feature three seats as standard.
Better still, the Berlingo – like its Stellantis sibling alternatives from Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall – emphasises its versatility by offering a three individual chair arrangement, rather than a two-seater bench alongside the drivers’ seat.
It means the outer seat can be folded to a allow a bulkhead hatch, providing an extension to the cargo bay to transport especially long items fully within the hold more easily. Moreover, the middle seat can be folded separately to be used as a pivoting table complete with cup holders and under seat storage.
You can also find these features on the Doblo, Partner and Combo too, so if you’re having trouble deciding between them, it’s worth pointing out the Berlingo is offered with Citroen’s acclaimed Advanced Comfort Seats seat upholstery, constructed using memory foam, for a more premium interior feel.
The Fiat Doblo can be specified with two or three seats on both the short and long wheelbase versions of the van.
Available with the choice of two trim levels, opt for the Fiat Doblo Primo and you’ll get the same three-seater set up as similarly designed versions from Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall.
That means you’ll find a double passenger bench seat with centre multi-purpose seat which combines a shelf, a seat, an armrest and storage compartment.
Choose the Fiat Doblo Primo and you’ll also get a full bulkhead with load-through hatch and foldable outer seat.
The Nissan Townstar might be one of the newer additions to the small-van class, but the Japanese manufacturer shows its experience by catering to a diverse commercial and fleet audience.
It means the Townstar does indeed come with a double front-seat bench arrangement alongside the driver seat but goes the extra mile by making it a modest £240 option that can be applied to any trim level.
This applies to both the Acenta and Tekna trim levels, as well as both the diesel engine and electric powertrain options.
Opt for the Peugeot Partner Professional Plus and you will benefit from a dual front passenger fixed bench seat capable of various acrobatics in the interests of greater versatility.
This includes the Flex Cargo pack, which allows for a fold-flat centre seat backrest with table, plus a two-way foldable outer seat that allows for a hatch in the bulkhead to transport longer items.
While the Renault Kangoo comes with just two seats as standard, opt for the higher Extra (Advance+) trim level and it adds a bench seat to carry three passengers.
In doing so, the Kangoo Extra is described as a ‘mobile office’ with a central folding backrest and up to 60 litres of storage cubby space dotted around the cabin.
The Vauxhall Combo matches its Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot siblings by offering a specific trim level aimed at those looking to carry three passengers without trading up to a larger van.
The Combo PrimePlus is equipped with FlexCargo, which includes dual front passenger bench seat with load-through bulkhead for enhanced practicality when carrying longer items
At Vansdirect we fully appreciate why the number of seats may be especially important to some customers. We offer a range of three-seater vans which are smaller models among our extensive line-up of vehicles, including the ones mentioned above.