Volkswagen Transporter vs LDV Deliver 9
What's the difference?

Volkswagen Transporter

$45,890 - $85,590

2026 price

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LDV Deliver 9

$13,999 - $39,980

2021 price

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Summary

2026 Volkswagen Transporter

2021 LDV Deliver 9

By Mark Oastler

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

—

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

—

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Zero tailpipe emissions
Extendable load floor length
Distinctive exterior/interior styling

Low price
Noise suppression
Ride quality laden/unladen

Dislikes

High purchase price
No spare tyre (only sealant/inflator kit)
Modest payload rating

No cargo barrier
No driver’s footrest
Three-year warranty

2026 Volkswagen Transporter Summary

The Volkswagen Transporter has a long bloodline which can be traced to 1950 when the first split-windscreen Type 2 (aka Kombi) van was launched sharing mechanical components with its equally iconic T1 ‘Beetle’ sedan sibling.

Since then, the Transporter has evolved through seven generations, with the latest being the result of a global alliance with Ford in which the automotive giants share vehicle underpinnings and other technologies. This is designed to streamline new model development and amortise costs, as demonstrated by VW’s current Amarok ute based on the Ford Ranger.

The latest Transporter shares a similar relationship with Ford’s mid-size Transit Custom range, including the full-electric e-Transporter variant based on the E-Transit Custom. We recently spent a working week aboard this electrified model to see how it measures up from a tradie’s perspective.

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2021 LDV Deliver 9 Summary

There are currently 14 rivals competing for customers in the Light Duty or LD (3501-8000kg GVM) segment of Australia’s heavy commercial vehicle market. Business buyers and fleet operators are thick on the ground here and competition for their business is fierce.

Chinese brand LDV, a division of the huge SAIC Motor conglomerate which is now the seventh largest automotive company in the world, recently joined this battle with its new Deliver 9 van range that’s priced to entice. We spent a week aboard one to see how LDV’s claim of superior value stacks up when there’s work to be done.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Volkswagen Transporter 2021 LDV Deliver 9

Verdict

Although closely related to Ford’s E-Transit Custom, the e-Transporter has carved its own niche in appealing to VW Transporter loyalists and businesses wanting to project a chic Euro image. For tradies and other service providers its driving range is best suited to metro duties, which if combined with the convenience of daily back-to-base charging could make it a practical solution for many working roles.

Verdict

It has its flaws, like any vehicle, but it’s not as far away from segment leaders in terms of refinement and performance that its bargain-basement pricing might suggest. Whichever way you look at it, this is a lot of van for not a lot of money.

Volkswagen Transporter vs LDV Deliver 9 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volkswagen Transporter vs LDV Deliver 9
What's the difference?