Read CAR's comprehensive expert review of the VW Multivan - a purpose-built MPV with seven seats and petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power
Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR. Road tester, organiser, reporter and professional enthusiast, putting the driver firstHead of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR. Road tester, organiser, reporter and professional enthusiast, putting the driver firstDespite appearances, the name, and being manufactured by VW Commercial Vehicles, the Volkswagen Multivan is not based on a van at all.
Diesel is certainly the least cool fuel but it’s also probably still the best fit for this kind of vehicle, delivering 266lb ft as well as 148bhp in addition to eco-friendly twin-dosing tech and the potential for more than 40mpg. Which you’ll struggle to see in any of the other engines. The 1.4-litre eHybrid will do 0-62mph in 11.6sec, which for context is 2.2sec slower than the 2.0-litre petrol, handicapped by a kerbweight penalty of around 100kg. It’s not especially pleasant to listen to when straining, either, but the 31-mile claimed electric range does at least allow for some zero emissions school runs and so forth.
The improvements continue as you set off. There are fewer rattles and shimmies, bumps are absorbed rather than summited, and the steering is much more direct, if not exactly overburdened with feedback. Fortunately, this added sharpness is accompanied far more decisive turn-in and much greater resistance to understeer – you can actually drive the Multivan with some enthusiasm, in situations where the Caravelle might require careful management. Relatively speaking.
That leaves the eHybrid as the best all-round option if you don’t want a diesel. This cruises comfortably, has a decent kick from the e-motor assistance at speed, and does the really rather pleasant EV thing without issue. A fine way for lots of people to cover lots of miles.This is evolution, not revolution – and there may even be a couple of backward-seeming steps if you’re a Caravelle owner.
It’s also still something of a scramble to get into the back row. Volkswagen says there’s been no reduction in headroom versus the old Caravelle, even though the Multivan’s roofline is 43mm lower. But it feels less spacious inside, perhaps because of the skinnier windows. A massive 1.8m2 panoramic roof can compensate for this.
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