The 5 Best Kombi Vans 2023

Kombi vans, also known as crew vans, have been gaining immense popularity thanks to their versatility, style, and their perfect balance of crew/family-friendly seating and load space.

In 2023, there’s no shortage of fantastic Kombi van options on the market, with top automotive brands competing to provide the best blend of comfort, convenience, and performance to businesses and families.

In this blog post, we’re excited to present the 5 best Kombi vans of 2023, including the highly sought-after VW Transporter T6.1, which we proudly offer here at Platinum Wave Automotive.

But, why are these five-seater vans generating so much attention?

These vans have found homes on the driveways of both families and businesses.

Kombi vans allow for comfortable seating for up to five passengers, making them perfect for family outings, road trips, and day-to-day use. With roomy interiors, these vans provide tons of space for children, pets, and all the essential gear that comes with modern family life.

Additionally, businesses that require a vehicle capable of transporting both their team and their equipment are turning to Kombi vans too.

The generous cargo space allows for easy transportation of tools, equipment, materials, and products, while still offering the convenience of seating for five. This makes these vans an excellent commercial choice for a wide range of industries, from construction and landscaping to event planning, catering and media production.

Modern Kombi van conversions bring style and versatility, with sleek designs and a range of customisable options that make them as visually appealing as they are practical.

In this post, we will review the top five Kombi vans of 2023.

We’ll discuss their strengths and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision when choosing the perfect Kombi van for your family or business. With so many fantastic options available, there’s never been a better time to join the Kombi van revolution.

Read on to discover the best of the best Kombi vans in 2023!

VW Transporter T6.1 Kombi Van Conversion

The VW Transporter T6.1 is the latest version of the iconic Volkswagen kombi van, which has been a staple on the roads since the 1950s.

This highly anticipated update of the Transporter line brings modern technology, design, and performance enhancements, making it arguably the top choice.

With its perfect balance of style, comfort, and practicality, it’s no wonder the T6.1 has garnered rave reviews from drivers and industry experts. Let’s dive into the strengths and weaknesses of this exceptional Kombi van.

Strengths:

Build Quality and Reliability: VW is known for their superb build quality and reliability, and these are both ever-present in the T6.1 Kombi. The materials used in both the interior and exterior are durable, high-quality and reliable.
Performance and Handling: Equipped with a range of efficient and powerful engines, the T6.1 provides a smooth and responsive driving experience. Platinum Wave Kombi Conversions include the 7 Speed DSG Auto, 150+ BHP and parking sensors to ensure you are never left at the lights.
Interior Space and Comfort: The spacious cabin of the Transporter T6.1 offers plenty of headroom and legroom for passengers, making long trips more comfortable. Our VW Kombi conversions come with bucket seats in the front, full leather upholstery options and 3 luxury belted seats in the rear for maximum comfort.
Safety Features: These kombi conversions ensure the safety of the T6.1’s passengers by including a host of advanced safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, A, and B Pillars, plus plenty more built-in features.

Weaknesses:

Availability: VW T6.1 Kombi vans are becoming harder and harder to find, as VW have closed their order books for 2023 already. If you’re keen on getting one for your family or business, it’s never been harder! Contact us today to find out about our available stock.

Platinum Wave Rating 9.5/10

The VW Transporter T6.1 is an exceptional Kombi van that excels in many areas, making it a top choice for both families and businesses.

Its outstanding build quality, performance, and safety features make it a fantastic investment. Despite its availability problems, we firmly believe that the T6.1 is well worth the money, earning it an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10.

Ford Transit Custom

The Ford Transit Custom is another great contender in the Kombi van segment, known for its robust performance, impressive load-carrying capabilities, and practicality.

This versatile van caters to a wide range of needs. Let’s delve into the strengths and weaknesses of the Ford Transit Custom.

Strengths:

Load Capacity and Versatility: The Ford Transit Custom has a large load capacity, whether you’re transporting equipment, materials, or passengers.
Efficient Engines: Equipped with Ford’s EcoBlue diesel engines, the Transit Custom offers an efficient driving experience.
Driving Experience: The Transit Custom delivers a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks to its well-tuned suspension and handling. Drivers can expect responsive steering and minimal road noise.

Weaknesses:

Interior Quality: While the Transit Custom’s cabin is functional and comfortable, some of the materials used in the interior may not be as high-quality as those found in competitors like the VW Transporter T6.1.
Resale Value: The Ford Transit Custom may not hold its value as well as some of its rivals in the long term, which could be a consideration for buyers who plan to sell or trade in their van down the road.
Limited Base Model: The base model of the Ford Transit Custom comes with limited equipment compared to other competitors in this list. Buyers might need to opt for additional packages to access certain features, increasing the price of the van.

Platinum Wave Rating: 8/10

The Ford Transit Custom is a strong contender in the Kombi van market, offering impressive load capacity, and a smooth driving experience. While it may not have the same level of interior quality or resale value as the VW Transporter T6.1, it remains a solid choice.

With a Platinum Wave Rating of 8 out of 10, the Ford Transit Custom is a good option for families and businesses alike.

Renault Trafic

The Renault Trafic is a popular choice in the Kombi market, offering a comfortable ride, and several configurations.

First introduced in 1980, this versatile and dependable van has been a popular choice in the light commercial vehicle segment ever since.

The Trafic has since been upgraded and developed twice more into a second (2001) and third generation (2014).

Let’s explore the strengths and weaknesses of this versatile van.

Strengths:

Distinctive Design: The Renault Trafic stands out from the crowd with its distinctive exterior design. Its sleek lines are hit or miss, with some loving the style and others feeling quite the opposite.
Comfortable and Spacious Interior: The Trafic’s cabin is well-designed, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making long journeys more enjoyable.

Weaknesses:

Interior Material Quality: Some of the materials used in the Renault Trafic’s interior may not be as premium as those found in competitors like the VW Transporter T6.1 or the Ford Transit Custom, which affects cabin quality.
Resale Value: Similar to the Ford Transit Custom, the Renault Trafic may not hold its value as well as some of its competitors in the long term, which could be a consideration for potential buyers.
Distinctive Design: Some love it, others hate it. That’s why the distinctive design of the Trafic, finds itself in both the strengths and weaknesses column.

Platinum Wave Rating: 7/10

The Renault Traffic is a practical Kombi van with a competitive price point, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers.

While it may not offer the same level of interior quality or advanced technology features as some of its rivals, its fuel-efficient engines and comfortable cabin make it a solid option in the segment. With a Platinum Wave Rating of 7 out of 10, the Renault Trafic is a good option for kombi buyers.

Peugeot Expert

Image Source: Peugeot

The Peugeot Expert is a reliable Kombi van that offers environmentally friendly engines and practical features.

With its competitive pricing, the Expert is a good choice for families in need of a dependable van.

Launched in 1995, the Expert has experienced several generations and significant improvements. The first-generation Peugeot Expert was introduced as a joint venture between Peugeot, Citroën, and Fiat. This collaboration resulted in three nearly identical vehicles: the Peugeot Expert, the Citroën Jumpy (also known as Citroën Dispatch), and the Fiat Scudo.

Strengths:

Environmentally Friendly: The Peugeot Expert comes equipped with a range of BlueHDi diesel engines that deliver low CO2 emissions, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Compact Size: The Expert’s compact dimensions make it easier to manoeuvre in tight urban spaces and navigate narrow streets.
Competitive Pricing: The Expert is competitively priced within the Kombi van industry, providing a solid value proposition for buyers seeking a practical and reliable vehicle.

Weaknesses:

Interior Material Quality: As with the Renault Trafic, the Peugeot Expert’s interior materials may not be as premium as those found in some competitors.
Design: Although subjective, the Expert’s design might not be as appealing as some of the other vans on this list. This could be a consideration for those who want to look good, alongside practicality.

Platinum Wave Rating: 7/10

The Peugeot Expert is a practical Kombi van with efficient engines and competitive pricing. Although it may not offer the same level of interior quality or advanced features as some of its rivals, its compact dimensions and comfortable cabin make it a solid choice for families.

With a Platinum Wave Rating of 7 out of 10, the Peugeot Expert is a decent option for those seeking a cost-effective van.

Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab

The Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab can trace its roots back to 2001, when it was launched as a joint venture between Vauxhall and Renault. This collaboration resulted in the creation of the Vivaro, along with its sibling models, the Renault Trafic and the Nissan Primastar.

Over the years, the Vivaro has gone through several updates. The most recent third-generation Vivaro was launched in 2019, which saw the introduction of the Vivaro Double Cab.

As a popular choice in the UK market, the Vivaro Double Cab caters to both families and businesses seeking a practical van.

Vauxhall vans are known as Opel in Europe and abroad, meaning we could also list the Opel Vivaro kombi on this list.

Strengths:

Spacious and Flexible Interior: The Vivaro Double Cab offers ample space for passengers and cargo, with a well-designed cabin that can be easily adapted to suit various needs.
UK Manufacturing : As a UK and Europe-manufactured vehicle, the Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab offers short lead times for buyers and supports the local economy.

Weaknesses:

Limited Technological Features: While the Vivaro Double Cab includes technology features like Bluetooth connectivity and a touchscreen system, some of its models lack the more advanced options available in its rivals.
Power: Vauxhall have stopped offering their 150BHP model, so drivers wanting more power, will need to look at other vans, like the VW T6.1 Transporter.

Platinum Wave Rating: 6.5/10

The Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab is a practical Kombi van that offers a spacious interior.

With a Platinum Wave Rating of 6.5 out of 10, the Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab is an OK option for those seeking a versatile and dependable van built in the UK.

The Kombi van market in 2023 is brimming with excellent options.

Each of these vans offer a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, catering to various preferences and requirements.

The VW Transporter T6.1 stands out as the top choice with its outstanding build quality, performance, and features, earning a well-deserved Platinum Wave Rating of 9.5 out of 10.

However, other options such as the Ford Transit Custom, Renault Trafic, Peugeot Expert, and Vauxhall Vivaro Double Cab also provide strong alternatives, depending on your specific needs and budget.

When selecting the perfect Kombi van for your family or business, consider each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to your requirements. Do this and you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal van that meets your needs and keeps you moving in style, comfort, and practicality throughout 2023 and beyond.

Ready to find out more?