Vehicle classes
Which van class fits your job?
From compact vans to 7.5-tonne trucks: compare the main classes by load volume, payload and use case. Values are planning ranges; the actual rental vehicle is always decisive.
Four selection classes
From compact transport to a large household move
For selection, we combine the previous technical intermediate stages into four clear classes. Individual vehicles within a class can still differ significantly.
AI-generated illustrationCompact
Compact van
3–6 m³load volumeindividual items, boxes and small transport jobs
Class details
AI-generated illustrationFlexible
Sprinter / Crafter
6–14 m³load volumesmall to medium moves and longer furniture
Understand this class
AI-generated illustrationMore space
Box van
approx. 18–21 m³load volumelarger flats, bulky furniture and stackable cargo
Box van details
AI-generated illustrationLarge
7.5-tonne truck
23–36 m³load volumelarge household moves and heavier cargo
7.5-tonne truck detailsDirect comparison
All four classes at a glance
| Class | Load volume | Typical payload | Licence | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact van | 3–6 m³ | approx. 500–700 kg | Category B | individual items, boxes and small transport jobs |
| Large panel van | 6–14 m³ | approx. 700–1,400 kg | Category B up to 3.5 t | small to medium moves and longer furniture |
| Box van | approx. 18–21 m³ | approx. 650–1,000 kg | Category B if GVW ≤ 3.5 t | larger flats, bulky furniture and stackable cargo |
| 7.5-tonne truck | 23–36 m³ | approx. 2,000–3,000 kg | appropriate truck licence | large household moves and heavier cargo |
Ranges are planning values. For box vans, current 3.5-tonne rental-class examples from SIXT and Europcar are around 18–21 m³ and approx. 650–1,000 kg payload; actual vehicles can differ. View methodology.
Quick decision helper
Which class should you check first?
Use the selection as a starting point. For booking, check your actual cargo plus the load volume, dimensions, payload and licence requirements of the concrete vehicle.
Starting point
Large panel van
6–14 m³ load volumeFor a small to medium move, this class is a sensible starting point. Use the size guide for a more precise estimate.
Compact
Compact van
individual items, boxes and small transport jobs.
- Load volume
- 3–6 m³
- Payload
- approx. 500–700 kg
- Licence
- Category B
Flexible
Sprinter / Crafter class
Large panel vans for small to medium moves and longer furniture. The model name alone does not define the size.
- Load volume
- 6–14 m³
- Payload
- approx. 700–1,400 kg
- Licence
- Category B up to 3.5 t
More space
Box van
larger flats, bulky furniture and stackable cargo.
- Load volume
- approx. 18–21 m³ · rental examples
- Payload
- approx. 650–1,000 kg · rental examples
- Licence
- Category B if GVW ≤ 3.5 t
Large
7.5-tonne truck
large household moves and heavier cargo.
- Load volume
- 23–36 m³
- Payload
- approx. 2,000–3,000 kg
- Licence
- appropriate truck licence
Not just cubic metres
Load volume is only one of three limits
Volume
How much total space is available?
Dimensions
The longest item, internal height and loading opening can become the bottleneck.
Payload
Heavy cargo can reach the permitted payload while space remains.