Which van has the best MPG?
The short answer: for traditional gasoline and hybrid vans, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid currently offers the best miles-per-gallon among minivans, while electric vans lead in MPGe (with the Ford E-Transit typically at the top of the pack). Real-world fuel economy varies by drivetrain, payload, wheelbase, and driving conditions, so the best choice depends on your needs—passenger space, cargo capacity, or zero-emission operation.
Beyond the headline numbers, this article lays out the current MPG/MPGe landscape across common van categories in 2025 model years, highlighting how each option performs in typical packaging and usage. Figures come from EPA ratings for standard configurations and reflect typical highway and city conditions; actual results can vary with load, terrain, and driving style.
Gasoline and Hybrid Minivans
The following minivans are commonly chosen for family duty and light commercial use, with their EPA fuel-economy estimates described in general terms for representative configurations.
- Toyota Sienna Hybrid — Roughly 36 mpg combined in the EPA cycle, making it the most fuel-efficient mainstream minivan among hybrid options.
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid — About 30 mpg combined, with a plug-in capability that offers substantial efficiency in electric mode.
- Kia Carnival (gasoline) — Typically in the mid-20s mpg combined, depending on drivetrain and trim.
- Honda Odyssey — Generally in the mid-20s mpg combined, with real-world numbers often falling in the high 20s depending on conditions.
These numbers illustrate a clear hierarchy: hybrid powertrains deliver the strongest efficiency, while gasoline-only models lag behind in the same class.
Compact and Full-Size Cargo Vans
For fleets and DIYers who prioritize cargo space while trying to minimize fuel use, the choice often hinges on engine type, wheelbase, and load. Here are typical efficiency ranges for common cargo-van options.
- Compact vans (examples include Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City) — Generally in the mid-20s mpg combined for gasoline powertrains, with diesel variants sometimes offering slightly better highway economy.
- Full-size gasoline cargo vans (Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter with gasoline engines) — Commonly in the low to mid-teens to low 20s mpg combined, highly dependent on engine choice, payload, and wheelbase.
- Diesel variants (where available) — Can edge higher on the highway, but the real-world advantage depends on tonnage and usage; diesel imports are variable by market and model.
Note that cargo vans emphasize payload and regulatory efficiency more than passenger comfort, so mpg figures can be heavily influenced by how much gear is carried and how far the van travels on highways versus urban routes.
Electric Vans and MPGe
As fleets move toward zero-emission operation, electric vans use MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) rather than gallons per mile. The top performers in this category deliver substantially higher efficiency on a per-mile basis than internal-combustion vans, especially in urban driving and frequent stop-and-go scenarios.
- Ford E-Transit — Among the best-in-class MPGe ratings for electric cargo vans, with typical configurations landing in the mid-60s MPGe range (numbers vary by wheelbase and battery option).
- Mercedes-Benz eSprinter — Available in markets where offered, with MPGe figures in a similar tier to the Ford E-Transit for comparable configurations.
Electric vans’ real-world efficiency depends on temperature, charging strategy, payload, and driving patterns. While MPGe provides a useful comparison to ICE vans, total cost of ownership also hinges on charging infrastructure, vehicle depreciation, and maintenance needs.
How to read these figures and choose wisely
When evaluating MPG for vans, consider the following:
- Purpose and payload: Heavier loads reduce mpg more noticeably in full-size vans, so a lighter-duty spec may deliver better efficiency for your needs.
- Fuel type vs. operation: Hybrid minivans offer excellent efficiency for passenger transport, while electric vans excel in urban duty cycles and zero-emission operation.
- Total cost of ownership: Purchase price, fuel/charging cost, maintenance, and resale value all influence the true cost-per-mile beyond EPA numbers.
In practice, the best MPG choice depends on how you use the van. For a family-oriented minivan with high efficiency, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid remains a standout. For fleets seeking zero-emission operation, the Ford E-Transit currently leads MPGe figures among widely available electric vans, while gas-powered cargo vans will show more modest gains in efficiency, particularly at higher payloads.
Summary
- Best MPG among traditional minivans: Toyota Sienna Hybrid, with roughly 36 mpg combined.
- Best MPGe among current electric vans: Ford E-Transit, in the mid-60s MPGe range depending on configuration.
- Efficient cargo-van options typically come from compact models (Transit Connect, ProMaster City) with fuel economy in the mid-20s mpg combined, while full-size gasoline/diesel vans generally fall into the low- to mid-teens mpg range.
- Real-world results vary by payload, terrain, climate, and driving style; electric vans offer the highest MPGe but require charging infrastructure and upfront investment considerations.
What van gets the highest MPG?
Vans with Best Gas Mileage
- 2026 Toyota Sienna.
- 2025 Toyota Sienna. Woodland Edition AWD 7-Passenger.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 33 mpg.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Hybrid EX.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Hybrid EX.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Hybrid EX.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Hybrid SX.
- 2026 Kia Carnival. Hybrid SX.
Which van is the cheapest to run?
Best Small Van MPG
- 3: Ford Transit Custom Leader 110PS – 40.35 MPG.
- 2: Renault Trafic SH30 150 Advance – 40.9 MPG.
- 1: Vauxhall Vivaro Prime 120PS – 41.75 MPG.
- 3: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 215 L1H1 Pure – 32.8 MPG.
- 2: Fiat Ducato 35 120 MH2 – 34.4 MPG.
- 1: Ford Transit 105PS – 42.5 MPG.
What has the best MPG per mile in a cargo van?
Full-Size & Medium Contenders: Ford Transit, Mercedes Metris, Sprinter
| Van Model | Fuel Efficiency (MPG Combined) |
|---|---|
| Ford Transit (Diesel) | Up to 22 MPG |
| Mercedes Metris | 19–22 MPG |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | Up to 21 MPG (Diesel) |
Which car gets 70 MPG?
Several hybrid and diesel cars can achieve around 70 mpg, though it's often an official rating and can vary in real-world driving. Examples include the Vauxhall Corsa with a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, which can get up to 70.6 mpg, and various hybrid models, including some versions of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and Toyota Prius, which can reach this level under ideal conditions.
Examples of cars with around 70 mpg
- Vauxhall Corsa (1.5-litre turbo diesel): Can achieve up to 70.6 mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient diesel cars available.
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: Early models were advertised with a claimed 70 mpg combined fuel economy.
- Toyota Prius: Various models can get close to 70 mpg, especially older non-plug-in hybrids which are cheaper on the used market. Plug-in hybrid versions can also run on electric power for short distances.
- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid: Can achieve around 59 mpg combined.
Important considerations
- Official vs. real-world MPG: The 70 mpg figure is often an official rating that is achieved under specific testing conditions, and your real-world mileage may be lower or higher depending on your driving habits, the vehicle's condition, and road conditions.
- Hybrid vs. diesel: Both hybrid and diesel cars can achieve high MPG, but hybrids have the added benefit of electric-only driving for short distances, while some diesels can have higher upfront costs but offer impressive fuel economy on long-distance journeys.
- Age and model: Some of the models with the highest MPG ratings are older, so be sure to research specific model years when shopping.
- Type of driving: While hybrids and diesels can be very efficient, their fuel economy can vary significantly depending on whether you are driving in the city or on the highway.
