Ford Transit vs Volkswagen Crafter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Ford Transit
From $69,990
Van
Diesel
Diesel
121kW
8.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
9000L
Volkswagen Crafter
From $69,100
Cab Chassis
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
—
ANCAP: no data
—
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Price Breakdown
The Ford Transit starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Crafter opens at $69,100. That makes the Volkswagen Crafter the more affordable entry point by $890.
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 $76,010 respectively.
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 Volkswagen Crafter gets a 6.5-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
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 Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter driving the front wheels.
The Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 121kW. 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, 865mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 6,846mm (4,490mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
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.
16.2m diameter
Large
Based on 16.2m 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 13.9 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Transit) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Crafter takes 2 of 3 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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 Volkswagen Crafter?
The Volkswagen Crafter is the cheapest at $69,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Ford Transit by $890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Transit uses the least fuel at 8.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Transit has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
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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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