Vehicles remain one of the best ways a Grand Theft Auto Online player can flaunt their status in the game’s fictional criminal underworld, with vans serving as one of the few vehicle classes with a passenger capacity that transforms a usual drive-by into an all-out army. And while the game’s slate of sports cars become the vehicles of choice for up-and-coming criminal bosses, vans can become an enjoyable breath of fresh air for players who love touring San Andreas.
However, with the many vans available in GTA Online at the player’s perusal, some vans just set themselves apart from the rest in both visual design and performance. Moreover, players who want to collect vehicles may want to select some GTA Online vans that had some history with the franchise, especially those that appeared in earlier games.
8 Vapid Minivan Custom ($30,000)
Perhaps considered as the quintessential minivan of Grand Theft Auto gameplay, the Vapid Minivan Custom is as domestic as it gets for a civilian car. Introduced first in GTA 4, the Minivan appears much like the 2000s Dodge Caravan, with elements taken from Chrysler Voyager, the early 2000s Ford Windstar, and even the first-gen Hondy Odyssey minivans. This appearance remains relatively unchanged in its return to both GTA 5 and GTA Online, with visuals during driving being its biggest changes.
In terms of performance, the Vapid Minivan Custom isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, with lackluster top speeds making it unideal for pursuits. However, the unimposing vehicle makes it rather attractive for casual drivebys, boasting decent stability and cornering support ideal for getting to various locations quickly. Players looking for a vehicle to represent the starting days of their journey in crime might consider this as a starter.
7 Brute Boxville ($59,850)
Manifesting as the game’s version of a standard walk-in delivery van would be the Brute Boxville, usually seen throughout Grand Theft Auto Online gameplay as the go-to vehicle of choice for companies primarily engaging in courier services. Having appeared as early as Vice City, the Boxville makes a heavy resemblance to the 70s-90s GMC Step Van and this is an appearance it shares across its different iterations.
Its general classification as a large vehicle has the Boxville share much of its characteristics with them, meaning players need to contend with its rather poor handling and steering as well as the risk of tipping over when in rough terrain. However, players may appreciate the Boxville’s capabilities of quicker turns and better suspension, theoretically letting them enjoy higher speeds. Instead of racing or for pursuits, the Boxville is better suited for heavy-duty tasks such as derailing other cars due to its size and strength.
6 Bravado Bison ($30,000)
It’s not all the time that an everyday vehicle in Grand Theft Auto Online gameplay can perform decently in terms of both racing and combat, and this is what the Bravado Bison achieves. Gaining prominence as a double-cab pickup in GTA 5, the Bison has taken design influences from the GMC Sierra, the Dodge Ram, the Toyota Tundra, and even a Ford F-150. Unlike ot her pickup vans in GTA Online, the Bison is evidently sports-inspired, boasting bold but sleek design details that give it quite the boxy yet luxurious feel.
Performance-wise, the Bison can contend with most vans with its decent top speed, provided players are able to tolerate its rather slow acceleration. Its lack of stability becomes apparent despite being capable of handling off-road travel, which can make it a tough vehicle to bring in incursions unless players equip it with the right weapons to compensate.
5 Bravado Rumpo Custom ($130,000)
While the original Rumpo serves as the stereotypical “sketchy white van” across Grand Theft Auto Online vehicles, it’s the improved Bravado Rumpo Custom that perhaps takes the cake for the game’s best-performing van. Although it takes the same frontal face as the Rumpo, the Rumpo Custom has been modified extensively to look like an off-road van. In turn, it bears some resemblance to the Sportsmobile Classic 4x4.
In the game, the Rumpo Custom heavily outperforms its standard counterpart due to the addition of a higher suspension and off-road tires. This makes the Rumpo Custom more suitable for off-road terrain as well as bullet-resistant glass for the extra protection in gunfire. The performance of this van is highly noticeable when making sudden brakes and sharp turns, as the van becomes much easier to maneuver.
4 Vapid Speedo Custom (Free With Nightclub)
Players who plan on getting a van for their criminal outings in Grand Theft Auto Online gameplay should choose the Speedo Custom over its standard variant. Not only does the Speedo Custom come free with any Nightclub purchase, this is also the customizable version of the same vehicle. At its core, the Speedo Vehicle isn’t just upgradeable with armor plating, but also equippable with two front-facing machine guns, a remote minigun turret, or even a remote machine gun turret.
Interestingly enough, the Speedo Custom performs with slightly higher top acceleration and speed as well as better handling and braking compared to the original Speedo. However, players need to take special care of its difficulty in starting acceleration and its lighter weight hindering the car from pushing other vehicles more efficiently.
3 Declasse Apocalypse Brutus ($2,666,650)
Bearing the number of the devil (at least, in its pricetag) is the Declasse Apocalypse Brutus, crashing into Grand Theft Auto Online gameplay with a unique raised roof visual that treads the line between retro and future. The vehicle itself is modeled after the 1988 Chevrolet K-2500 Silverado, with a profile similar to the Bravado Rumpo Custom. Its quadrangular appearance gives it a hybrid ATV-esque look, making it stand out in both competitions and pursuits.
Its performance is relatively decent, especially for its vehicle class. Despite its low acceleration, it boasts decent off-road handling. It can also be equipped with a Ram Weapon, Proximity Mines, and Saw Blades. Its addition as part of the Arena War update makes the Apocalypse Brutus a must-have in terms of sheer potential for brutality.
2 Declasse Gang Burrito ($86,450)
Due to the prevalence of the criminal underworld in Grand Theft Auto stories, it makes sense for some vehicles to receive “gang” variants. And among the Declasse Burrito vans commonly used by services is the Gang Burrito, arguably the fastest van in GTA 5 that carries over a similar performance in GTA Online. Although the Gang Burrito has appeared as early as Vice City, it only gained prominence in the community after being predominantly used by The Lost Motorcycle Club in the franchise’s fifth installment.
Now boasting a sleeker appearance with its trademark bumper and roof lights, the Gang Burrito has had a rough ride in terms of its performance. While it performed poorly in The Lost and Damned, its original outing in Vice City also had the Gang Burrito as the game’s fastest van. It still holds the same title in GTA 5, but with a more realistic riding experience in terms of improved handling in place of middling steering.
1 Declasse Moonbeam Custom ($32,500)
Nothing beats a classic, and this is what the Declasse Moonbeam Custom represents among Grand Theft Auto Online vehicles. Available as a van as early as GTA 3 and GTA: Vice City Stories, the Moonbeam retains its resemblance to the 90s era Chevrolet Astro and Ford Econoline vans as noted by its more retro-esque visuals. It’s the Moonbeam Custom that is of particular note here, as the standard variant cannot be outfitted with accessories.
Unlike other vans and muscle cars, the Moonbeam Custom is easily outshined in terms of general performance. However, it does largely compensate with better stability, more responsive handling, and even top speeds. Players who can maneuver around the Moonbeam Custom’s general weakness overturns can still rely on this vehicle for getaways.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available on the PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S