Ford Transit vs Renault Trafic
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Ford Transit starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the Renault Trafic opens at $56,990. That makes the Renault Trafic the more affordable entry point by $13,000.
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 $62,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Trafic by roughly $2,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Renault Trafic gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments.
The Ford Transit stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Renault Trafic. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit uses a Diesel producing 121kW and 390Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
The Renault Trafic responds with a Diesel making 125kW and 380Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The Renault Trafic has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 121kW. In the real-world sprint, the Renault Trafic is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit measures 5,981mm long on a 3,750mm wheelbase, 982mm longer than the Renault Trafic 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 Renault Trafic, giving the Ford Transit a 3800L advantage. The Ford Transit seats 3 vs 2.
For towing, the Ford Transit leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.4m diameter
Large
Based on 12.4m 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.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.9 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
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: careful, tight swing
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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Ford Transit and $1,767/year for the Renault Trafic. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Renault Trafic.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Ford Transit) vs $1,767 (Renault Trafic). The Renault Trafic saves you roughly $570 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Transit) vs 5 years (Renault Trafic). 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 Renault Trafic if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Renault Trafic takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Renault Trafic will save you roughly $570 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Transit and Renault Trafic?
The Renault Trafic is the cheapest at $56,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Ford Transit by $13,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Trafic uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Ford Transit and Renault Trafic carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Ford Transit has the largest boot at 9000L.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Transit has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Renault Trafic makes the most power at 125kW. The Renault Trafic is quickest to 100km/h in 11.2s.
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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
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