VS
At a Glance
Power
100 kW
140 kW
Torque
360 Nm
440 Nm
Fuel
8.2 l/100km
7.2 l/100km
Towing
2500 Kg
2000 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 100 kW while the Mercedes-Benz Vito produces 140 kW. On fuel, the Transit Custom returns 8.2 l/100km while the Vito uses 7.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R770 000 for the Transit Custom and R1 375 279 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
100 kW
140 kW
Torque
360 Nm
440 Nm
Top Speed
180 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
manual
automatic
Number of Gears
6
9
Drive Wheels
front
rear
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.2 l/100km
7.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
70 l
CO2 Emissions
214 g/km
186 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5450 mm
5140 mm
Width
2148-2275 mm
1928-2244 mm
Height
1961 mm
1910 mm
Wheelbase
3500 mm
3200 mm
Ground Clearance
150 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1864 Kg
2442 Kg
Doors
5 incl. 1 sliding left side + 2 rear swi
5
Seats
2
8
Load Volume
5800 l
990-1220-4630 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2500 Kg
2000 Kg
Load Capacity
1269 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
Optional
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
—
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
4
5
Warranty Distance
120000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
Optional
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
service interval indicator / 25000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mercedes-Benz Vito
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Vito
Fuel Economy
Vito
Value
Transit Custom
Practicality
Vito
Pros & Cons
Ford Transit Custom
Lower starting price (R770 000)
Higher towing capacity (2500 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (8.2 l/100km)
Less power than rival (100 kW vs 140 kW)
Mercedes-Benz Vito
More powerful engine (140 kW)
Better fuel economy (7.2 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Transit Custom or Vito?
The Transit Custom uses 8.2 l/100km and the Vito uses 7.2 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 100 kW and 360 Nm of torque while the Vito delivers 140 kW and 440 Nm of torque. The Vito is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Transit Custom and Vito?
The Transit Custom starts from R770 000 and the Vito from R1 375 279. The Transit Custom is cheaper by R605 279 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 2000 Kg. 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.