His journey to find a "cheap" new van led him past the high-end Sprinters and straight to the workhorses:
While Leo wanted a solo rig, his sister found her own deal in the 2026 Kia Carnival . At $36,990 , it was the most affordable new minivan on the market, offering a "crossover" look without the premium SUV price. cheap new vans to buy
Leo had spent years dreaming of the open road, but his "someday" always seemed to carry a six-figure price tag. That changed when he stopped looking at luxury camper builds and started looking at the blank canvases of the 2026 market. His journey to find a "cheap" new van
He first scouted the 2026 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van , a classic with a starting MSRP around $44,595 . It wasn't flashy, but its durable V6 and high tow rating meant it could handle anything he threw at it. That changed when he stopped looking at luxury
Next, he considered the 2026 Ford Transit 150 , starting at $48,400 . It felt modern with a standard 12-inch display and 5G connectivity—perfect for a digital nomad.