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Volkswagen's Multivan aims to redefine what you can expect a really large People Carrier to be. At its original launch, this seven-seat Caravelle replacement shed its predecessor's commercial vehicle roots and was the only model in the segment not to be based on a van. Yet it managed to be supremely spacious and flexible for families. And this light update might just be enough to encourage those larger families to take a fresh look at Multivan motoring.
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Background
Traditionally, really big People Carriers almost always had to be based on mid-sized vans. But in late 2021 we got one, Volkswagen's Multivan, that wasn't. Yes, even though it was called a 'Multivan'.
Volkswagen actually has three models filling this space in the market. Apart from this one, an MPV version of the Transporter T7 van is available, the Transporter Shuttle, for those wanting a basic old school minibus. Those of a more futuristic mind set meanwhile, can ask their dealer about the all-electric I.D Buzz, which is also roughly the same size.
But we're here to talk about the Multivan, which was the replacement for the long-running Caravelle, the change of name designating both the reinvention of this model and the fact that it no longer shared its engineering with the Transporter van. Instead, this seven-seat model got the extended version of Volkswagen's familiar MQB platform, as used by larger group SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Kodiaq. In Spring 2026, the Multivan got a mild package of updates, creating the model we're going to look at here.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 50683 | 67999 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 202 | 63 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 118 | 124 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 11.6 | 8.9 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 91 | 91 |
| Combined Mpg | 43.5 | 104.8 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4973 | 4973 |
| Width (mm) | 1941 | 1941 |
| Height (mm) | 1907 | 1907 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 3672 | 4005 |
| Braked Towing (kg) | 1600 | 2000 |
| Power (ps) | 150 | 245 |
Driving experience
Some of Volkswagen's most popular engines feature here. Most Multivan customers choose the 2.0-litre 150PS 2.0-litre diesel. But if you can stretch to it, a good alternative is the 245PS eHybrid 4Motion AWD plug-in petrol model, which has a battery range of up to 91 miles from its 19.7kWh battery - enough for many school runs and shopping trips. An extra 100kg of weight means this PHEV variant isn't especially quick, but can be driven electrically at up to 80mph. The conventional petrol alternative is the 204PS 2.0-litre TSI version, but that isn't going to be cheap to run. Especially if you take advantage of the 2,000kg towing capacity (also common to the diesel), which falls to 1,600kg with the eHybrid.
Around town and on narrow country roads, the Multivan feels the prodigious size that it is, but as advertised, it's much more car-like than the old Caravelle. Potholes and speed humps no longer send tremors through the body structure because that chassis is now so much stiffer. Plus the suspension set-up's been optimised and is available with extra cost Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping if you want it. Roll through the bends has been reduced by about 25% and the steering is far more direct, though doesn't have much feedback. Should you be running late for the school run, you can actually even drive with a bit of enthusiasm and you sit a little further back than in the old Caravelle, in a driving position that's less upright.
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Design and build
The most obvious change to this updated Multivan is at the front end, where there are restyled headlamps featuring a revised LED light signature. There's also a freshly introduced gap between the bumper and the radiator grille which is supposed to emphasise the vehicle's width. Restyled 17 and 18-inch wheels complete the changes.
Unlike its predecessor the Caravelle, the Multivan has always sat on a car-derived rather than a van-sourced platform. That actually made this Multivan wider and longer. To be specific, it's 1,941mm wide and 1,903mm tall and, in standard-shape SWB form, 4,973mm long. There's an even bigger extended wheelbase LWB version that's 5,173mm long. Style-wise, the Multivan looks, well, much less like a converted van. Plus you can have the split two-tone paint finishes that typified so many previous Caravelles.
But what Volkswagen thinks will really sell larger families this model is its flexible interior with its modular seating system. All the seats are individual chairs which sit on three rails running the length of the cabin. The seats are relatively light, making them easy to remove and reposition, though owners of the old Caravelle might be disappointed to find that the middle seats don't swivel on their bases, so if you want to turn them to face those at the very rear, you'll have to unclip them, lift and turn them round.
Up front, because there's no conventional handbrake and gear lever, there's also no centre console, but if you miss that, the passenger cabin sliding table can be pushed right up to the front to function as one. There's a smart multi-function steering wheel through which you view a 10.25-inch digital instrument display. Infotainment is taken care of by a 10-inch centre screen. With all the seats in place, boot capacity is 469-litres on the SWB model and 763-litres with the LWB version. Maximum load space with all seats folded on models without a sunroof is rated at 3,672-litres for the SWB model and 4,005-litres for the LWB version.
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Market and model
As with the old Caravelle, you'll only be able to get a Multivan at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer. Certain Volkswagen car dealerships can place the order for you though: to find your nearest one - or locate your nearest Volkswagen Vans stockist - you'll need to go to the Volkswagen-vans.co.uk website. Customers have a choice of two trim levels - 'Life' and 'Style' - plus two vehicle lengths and three powertrains - that 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel, plus two petrol powerplants, a 2.0 TSI 204PS powertrain and the 1.5 245PS eHybrid 4Motion PHEV.
Prices start from around £51,000 for the 2.0 TDI diesel variant you'll probably want. Think from around £55,000 for the eHybrid. Those are figures for the standard body length; it's £1,350 more if you want the 'Long' version. Seven seats are standard, but there's the no-cost option of a '2-2-2' six-seater layout.
Even on the entry-level 'Life model', the specification's pretty generous including 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers on the eHybrid), seven seats, two sliding doors, a 'Digital Cockpit' instrument display screen and a 10-inch centre infotainment monitor. 'Style models', which start at around £62,000 for the SWB 2.0 TDI model, include the brand's piercing 'IQ.LIGHT' LED matrix headlights, plus customers also get the 'Discover Media' navigation system, Park Assist, electric sliding doors and a tailgate with an easy open feature, plus 17-inch alloy wheels.
Safety-wise, 'Front Assist' autonomous braking and 'Lane Assist' feature, among many other standard items. 'Style'-spec also gets Volkswagen's 'Travel Assist' set-up, which facilitates Level 2 automated driving, the system capable of taking over the steering, braking and acceleration of your Multivan at speeds up to 130mph. The driver activates the system by pressing a separate Travel Assist button on the multifunction steering wheel.
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Cost of ownership
You won't be expecting an MPV of this size to be particularly cheap to run, but Volkswagen hopes to surprise you here. The base 2.0 TDI diesel unit manages up to 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 170g/km of CO2 which, in combination with the 58-litre fuel tank, facilitates a range of around 620 miles without refuelling. The 2.0 TSI petrol manages up to 31.7mpg and 202g/km. The Plug-in eHybrid petrol version's worth a look; it offers up to 104.8mpg on the combined cycle if you take account of the all-electric driving range - and a tax-busting 63g/km of CO2.
Finally, there's the warranty. Volkswagens of any kind are limited to three years of cover, but with a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle (which is what the Multivan is classed as), the mileage limit in this period is raised from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's also three years of pan-European Roadside Assistance also included with no mileage restriction. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and the Multivan is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion body warranty.
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Summary
This Volkswagen's name is perhaps unfortunate given the switch away from commercial roots, but this Multivan nevertheless continues to try and reset the segment standard for what a really large People Carrier can be. Expect ride and handling on a different level from this model's LCV-based rivals - and far more car-like cabin too.
You'd probably consider a rival Mercedes VLE in this sector if luxury was everything, but the Multivan could save you so much over one of those that you might be able to justify having it with the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain that no other MPV in this segment can offer. It'll all be a different world for customers who still haven't graduated on from the old Caravelle. This light update won't be enough to encourage you towards a Multivan if you didn't already want one, but if you did, it might just make this VW worth a good, strong look.
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