Renault Trafic vs Ford Transit
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 Renault Trafic starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Ford Transit opens at $69,990. That makes the Renault Trafic the more affordable entry point by $10,000.
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 $65,989 and $76,989 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Trafic by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Ford Transit holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Renault Trafic.
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 4 in the Renault Trafic and 2 in the Ford Transit.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Trafic features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Ford Transit gets a 8-inch display.
The Ford Transit counters with Apple CarPlay that the Renault Trafic does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Renault Trafic uses a Diesel producing 110kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.2 seconds.
The Ford Transit responds with a Diesel making 96kW and 360Nm, paired to a manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12 seconds.
The Renault Trafic has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 96kW. 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 Renault Trafic measures 4,999mm long on a 3,098mm wheelbase, 532mm shorter than the Ford Transit at 5,531mm (3,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Transit generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 5200L in the Renault Trafic and 9000L in the Ford Transit, 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 $2,052/year for the Renault Trafic and $2,337/year for the Ford Transit. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Renault Trafic.
Estimated annual total: $2,052 (Renault Trafic) vs $2,337 (Ford Transit). The Renault Trafic saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 200,000km (Renault Trafic) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Ford Transit). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
Buy the Ford Transit if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Renault Trafic takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Renault Trafic 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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