VS
At a Glance
Power
125 kW
120 kW
Torque
390 Nm
380 Nm
Fuel
8.0 l/100km
6.9 l/100km
Towing
2500 Kg
—
Engine
1996 cc
1950 cc
Choosing between the Ford Transit Custom and the Mercedes-Benz Vito is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Ford Transit Custom delivers 125 kW while the Mercedes-Benz Vito produces 120 kW. On fuel, the Transit Custom returns 8.0 l/100km while the Vito uses 6.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R949 000 for the Transit Custom and R1 195 810 for the Vito. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
125 kW
120 kW
Torque
390 Nm
380 Nm
Top Speed
180 Km/h
195 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1996 cc
1950 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
9
Drive Wheels
front
rear
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.0 l/100km
6.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
70 l
CO2 Emissions
209 g/km
178 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5050 mm
5140 mm
Width
2148-2275 mm
1928-2244 mm
Height
1990 mm
1910 mm
Wheelbase
3100 mm
3200 mm
Kerb Weight
1971 Kg
1900 Kg
Doors
6 incl. 2 sliding side + 2 rear swing
5
Seats
2
8
Load Volume
5200 l
990-1220-4630 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2500 Kg
—
Load Capacity
1023 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
2 (opt 3 / opt 5)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
Optional
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
Optional
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
Optional
Sunroof
—
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
Optional
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
4
2
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
Optional
Optional
Service Plan Years
6
opt 2 to 5
Service Plan Distance
90000
opt 100000 to 150000
Service Intervals
15000
service interval indicator / 25000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Ford Transit Custom
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Transit Custom
Fuel Economy
Vito
Value
Transit Custom
Practicality
Transit Custom
Pros & Cons
Ford Transit Custom
More powerful engine (125 kW)
Lower starting price (R949 000)
Higher fuel consumption (8.0 l/100km)
Mercedes-Benz Vito
Better fuel economy (6.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (120 kW vs 125 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Transit Custom or Vito?
The Transit Custom uses 8.0 l/100km and the Vito uses 6.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Vito is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Transit Custom or Vito?
The Transit Custom produces 125 kW and 390 Nm of torque while the Vito delivers 120 kW and 380 Nm of torque. The Transit Custom is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Transit Custom and Vito?
The Transit Custom starts from R949 000 and the Vito from R1 195 810. The Transit Custom is cheaper by R246 810 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Transit Custom or Vito?
The Transit Custom has a braked towing capacity of 2500 Kg and the Vito can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Transit Custom or the Vito?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.