Volkswagen Multivan Review 2024

We reckon the Volkswagen Multivan will appeal to quite a wide audience. You might be a rapidly growing family that needs something more versatile than a Nissan Qashqai, a tradesperson who needs to carry passengers at the weekend, or just a mountain bike enthusiast who doesn't want the faff of a roof rack. Its improved road manners (compared to the Volkswagen Caravelle) means it's easier than ever to recommend.

The plug-in hybrid makes a lot of sense on paper, but a lot of buyers will find it's not worth the additional outlay. It's thirsty when not fully charged, while the weight of the batteries means it's not as comfortable to drive as other models.

Therefore, we'd recommend the Volkswagen Multivan with the 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine. It's got enough power for motorway driving, although you'll have to be prepared for fairly high fuel bills. The 2.0-litre TDI is likely to be a good alternative if you cover a lot of motorway miles – or, if you want electric family transport, the Volkswagen ID Buzz.

While the Volkswagen Multivan might be based on a car platform, it rivals a wide range of van-based people carriers. These include the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Citroen SpaceTourer, Vauxhall Vivaro Life, Peugeot Traveller, Toyota Proace Verso and Ford Tourneo Custom. You may also wish to consider slightly smaller (but still very practical) people carriers like the SEAT Alhambra, Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy.

How happy you'll be with the quality and finish of the Volkswagen Multivan's cabin depends largely on your expectations. It certainly looks generally very smart and we're sure it won't prove too fragile for family life. You can sense the 'however' coming.

There are a few quite harsh plastics that wouldn't look out of place in a van but, if you're considering the Multivan as an alternative to a posh SUV, they appear a little less acceptable. The sliding centre console slash pull-out table is a case in point - it's got more than a touch of Fisherprice 'my first kitchen' about it.

The technology on offer in the Volkswagen Multivan is now just as impressive as you'll find in the latest VW passenger cars. Exactly what you'll get as standard on UK Multivan models is yet to be confirmed, but expect to see a 10-inch media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while navigation could be an optional extra (likely standard on higher-spec models).

A 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit display replaces conventional dials, while a head-up display is also available, providing information like current speed conveniently within the driver's eye line. Further tech highlights include wireless smartphone charging and an optional Harmon Kardon premium sound system, with no fewer than 14 loudspeakers dotted around the cabin.

As with other recent Volkswagen models, we're not entirely convinced by the touch-operated media system. It lumps everything into the infotainment system and tries to be too clever for its own good, making simple tasks like turning on the heated seats more complicated than it needs to be. The sliding touch-sensitive controls for the temperature are annoying, too.

As you'd expect for something as big and boxy as the Volkswagen Multivan, it's massively practical. Whether the family's outgrown your Touareg or you're looking for the ultimate versatile Uber car, the Volkswagen Multivan is one step down from a minibus when it comes to interior space.

There's enough room for up to seven seats, with those in the rear given the ability to be moved about to cater to your needs. The rear seats can't be swivelled about like in the old Caravelle, but that means they're 25% lighter – making it easier to lift them out and spin them around or leave them in the garage if they're surplus to requirements.

The seats slot into electrified grooves in the floor (that means they can be heated, if you splash the cash on the options list). There's also a trick multi-function table which also slides into the tracks. This can be used as a centre console for those in the front, or a fold-out table complete with cup holders and storage bins for those in the back.

There are two different lengths of Multivan on offer. The standard car has a very useable 469-litre boot space behind the third row of seats, extending to up to 1844 litres behind the second row. Remove the rear seats entirely and it can swallow a van-like 3672 litres of luggage. Buy one with the panoramic sunroof and extra room in the roof means it can carry 3710 litres.

If you want a bit more space for carrying luggage, the long version of the Multivan adds an extra 20cm of rear overhang while keeping the same wheelbase (that's the distance between the front and rear wheels). As a result, it can accommodate 763 litres behind the rear-most seats or 1844 litres up to the second row (1850 litres with the panoramic roof). Remove all the rear seats and the longest Volkswagen Multivan can take 4005 litres of luggage, or 4053 litres with the pan roof.

The Volkswagen Multivan measures 1941mm wide, 4973mm long and up to 1903mm high. It’s that latter figure that’s perhaps the most significant – it’s marginally lower than the Volkswagen Caravelle, which might be just enough to help you squeeze into a multistorey car park.

It has a wheelbase of 3124mm, while there’s also a longer model available with an extra 20cm of rear overhang (taking the total length to 5173mm). Depending on which engine you choose, the Volkswagen Multivan has a towing capacity of up to 2000kg.

The big news, in engine terms, is the addition of the plug-in hybrid model. Badged the Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid, the PHEV variant uses a 1.4-litre petrol engine combined with a 13kWh battery and 85kW electric motor. Skip down to the efficiency section to find out how economical it is but, in terms of performance, it produces a combined 218PS. The potent power is offset to some degree by the Multivan's weight (in PHEV form, it weighs up to 2211kg) – still, it'll lumber to 62mph in 11.6 seconds.

The front-wheel-drive Multivan is also offered with two turbocharged petrol units: a 1.5 TSI with 136PS and a punchy 204PS 2.0-litre engine. Both are mainstays of the Volkswagen passenger car range and do a surprisingly good job of powering this car-based van-with-seats.

Indeed, from our early drive of the Volkswagen Multivan, the 2.0-litre petrol seems the most appealing. That might not be the case when we spend a bit longer with it (and have to refuel it), but its 9.4-second 0-62mph time means it feels surprisingly sprightly. It can certainly hold its own on the motorway.

Of course, in a big, heavy people carrier like this, many buyers want the torque and efficiency of a turbodiesel. That's provided in the form of a 2.0-litre TDI 150PS unit. We wouldn't be surprised to see that followed up by a punchier diesel, but maybe it's a sign of a change in focus that this isn't on the radar for the time being.

A six- or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox is standard on all Volkswagen Multivan models.

Refinement is generally very good, although the Volkswagen Multivan's blocky dimensions means there is a fair bit of wind noise at motorway speeds. The 1.5-litre petrol engine, meanwhile, sounds strained if you attempt to work it hard – while there's a noticeable thrum when the plug-in hybrid's petrol engine kicks in.

The Volkswagen Multivan is yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP, yet the move to a more car-like architecture means there are a whole host of safety systems available. Indeed, Volkswagen says the Multivan features more than 34 driver assist systems, including the Front Assist area monitoring system, which includes City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and the Lane Assist system.

Other new systems include Car2X – which lets you communicate with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger. Then there's side protection, cross wind assist, and turn-off assist, which warns of any oncoming traffic when turning across a carriageway. There's also an exit warning system, which warns of bicycles or vehicles approaching when opening a door.

The Volkswagen Multivan is still a very new model, so we’re yet to find out how reliable it’ll be in the long-term. Its predecessor, the Volkswagen Caravelle, proved to be a very dependable choice, though, and we doubt the Multivan will be any different. Its engines are used in a wide range of Volkswagen Group models, many of which rank highly in the annual HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index.

Insurance groups are yet to be confirmed but the Volkswagen Caravelle starts at group 26.

All new Volkswagen Multivan models will be above the £40,000 'premium car tax' threshold, meaning you'll pay £490/year for five years (from the second time the car's taxed) in VED. After this, it drops to £145 a year. If you buy a Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid, you'll be eligible for a £10 a year discount.

Specification on the entry-level Volkswagen Multivan Life includes 16-inch alloy wheels, seven seats, two sliding doors with power latching, a Digital Cockpit plus 10-inch infotainment system and front Assist and Lane Assist.
 

The Volkswagen Multivan Style introduces the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, the Discover Media navigation system, Park Assist, electric sliding doors and tailgate with easy open feature, and 17-inch alloys.

The Volkswagen Multivan Energetic is a special launch edition model available only with the plug-in hybrid motor.  Spec highlights include a Harmon Kardon sound system, privacy glass, 18-inch alloy wheels and a panoramic glass roof.