Ford Transit 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 24 Jun 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.
Volkswagen Crafter: we're still completing price, width, height, kerb weight and 0-100km/h, plus 4 others.
A blank cell below means 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.
$69,990RRP
- 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.
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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
- REC-006648 · published 1 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, Advanced Driver Assistance System may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006498 · published 10 Dec 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the main body wiring harness may chafe against the transmission housing and become damaged.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006358 · published 16 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, the rear-view camera may not display the rear-view image whilst reversing as intended.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- 6 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 features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-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 making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four 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, 855mm 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 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
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 / 999,999km (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 prioritise performance, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Ford Transit: Top CarSorted Score, 62 vs 54
The Ford Transit comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (62 vs 54), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Ford Transit ahead by 32), practicality (Ford Transit ahead by 25), performance (Volkswagen Crafter ahead by 14). 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 Ford Transit is the cheapest at $69,990 before on-road costs.
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, so there is no crash result to compare. 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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