Ford Transit Custom vs Volkswagen Crafter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Vans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 15 Oct 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Ford Transit Custom: we're still completing height, 0-100km/h and ground clearance.
Volkswagen Crafter: we're still completing price, width, height, kerb weight and 0-100km/h, plus 4 others.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$56,890RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Ford Transit Custom & Volkswagen Crafter
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Ford Transit Custom
- REC-006724 · published 18 Sep 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, there may be insufficient clearance between a bulkhead mounting bolt and the fuel tank.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006661 · published 13 Jul 2026Due to a software issue, the door control units may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006660 · published 13 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, vehicles with 8F57 transmission may contain an Electronic One-Way Clutch Assembly built with an unseated snap ring.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- 11 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Crafter
- REC-001398 · published 18 Oct 2020Windows for a limited number of Crafter vehicles may have been incorrectly stored during production and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit Custom features a 13-inch touchscreen paired with a 12-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Ford Transit Custom stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Crafter. The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit Custom lines up producing 125kW and 390Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel making 103kW and 360Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving the front wheels.
The Ford Transit Custom has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 103kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit Custom measures 5,050mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 1786mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 6,836mm (4,490mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Ford Transit Custom leads with a 2,800kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.9m diameter
Good
Based on 10.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Transit Custom) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Crafter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit Custom if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Ford Transit Custom: Top CarSorted Score, 67 vs 54
The Ford Transit Custom comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (67 vs 54), taking 2 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Ford Transit Custom ahead by 34), value (Ford Transit Custom ahead by 14), safety (Ford Transit Custom ahead by 4). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Ford Transit Custom is the cheapest at $56,890 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Transit Custom uses the least fuel at 8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Crafter carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Transit Custom has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Transit Custom makes the most power at 125kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
