Ford Transit vs Mitsubishi Express
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.
Price Breakdown
The Ford Transit starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Express opens at $54,990. That makes the Mitsubishi Express the more affordable entry point by $15,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $76,989 and $60,489 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mitsubishi Express by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Ford Transit holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Mitsubishi Express. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Ford Transit and 55% for the Mitsubishi Express.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 1 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 2 in the Ford Transit and 4 in the Mitsubishi Express.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Mitsubishi Express gets a 8-inch display.
The Ford Transit stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Mitsubishi Express. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit uses a Diesel producing 96kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Express responds with a Diesel making 110kW and 340Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Mitsubishi Express has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 96kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit measures 5,531mm long on a 3,750mm wheelbase, 532mm longer than the Mitsubishi Express at 4,999mm (3,098mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Transit generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 9000L in the Ford Transit and 5200L in the Mitsubishi Express, giving the Ford Transit a 3800L advantage. The Ford Transit seats 3 vs 2.
For towing, the Ford Transit leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Ford Transit and $2,052/year for the Mitsubishi Express. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Express.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Ford Transit) vs $2,052 (Mitsubishi Express). The Mitsubishi Express saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Ford Transit) vs 5 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Express). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Express if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Ford Transit and Mitsubishi Express trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mitsubishi Express will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Ford Transit has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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