Volkswagen’s van mit Windows, the ‘car’ formerly known as the Caravelle, will henceforth be referred to as Multivan. That is a separate choice, because the main thing you need to know about this one fromso this van, is that it is not a van at all.
Rather than sharing its bodywork with Volkswagen’s Transporter van family (which just stays the same), the new Multivan sits on the same MQB platform as the Golf, Tiguan and, er, the latest VW Caddy van. So.
Because the Multivan is now a car that identifies as a van, Volkswagen can offer a wider range of engines and technologies – and better handling. For example, the people zeuler is available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time, which is not only good news for consumption, but also for the price.
The new Volkswagen Multivan is lower, for parking garages
For an angular and box-like design, the proportions are just right, and the two tone lacquer combinations are delicious ice cream cart. Thanks to the expressed wish of Caravelle owners to sometimes drive into a low parking garage, the height of the Volkswagen Multivan is 43 millimeters lower than that of its predecessor. Despite this fact, the headroom in the interior has remained the same due to the relocation of the ventilation openings in the roof.
It is also 37 millimeters wider and the wheelbase is no less than 124 millimeters longer. Flat sides and split A-pillars provide excellent visibility and the exposed bonnet helps you position its front end. In the city it is very handy, no more difficult to drive than a Polo.
There is a long and a longer Volkswagen Multivan
As for the length, you have two choices: the standard L1 (orange-grey in the photos) and the longer L2 (red-black in the photos), which is on the same wheelbase but has an extra 200 millimeters of rear overhang, for more space for rear passengers and luggage. Both versions have sliding doors on both sides and a top-hinged tailgate.
The eHybrid borrows the PHEV powertrain from the Golf and Passat, with 10 usable kWh of battery and a stated electric range of 50 kilometers to a speed of 110 km/h. The transition between electrics and petrol is smooth, but the brake pedal is frequently fidgeting while the car tries to juggle regeneration and the disc brakes.
You always drive away electrically
The plug-in van is always standard in the E position when you start it, to help reduce your average consumption. But if you want to save your battery charge for later while the buzzing petrol engine takes you over the highway, you will have to set it yourself via the touch screen.
VW thinks that borrowing the infotainment from the Golf, complete with voice recognition and gesture controls, is tantamount to some luxury upgrade. It’s not – it’s slow and frustrating. The audio volume controls are still unlit in the dark and the interface itself is in dire need of one of those over the air updates that should make bad operating systems short-lived inconveniences, rather than a lingering reason not to buy a Volkswagen.
Handy storage compartments
In other places, the dashboard is less minimalistic and therefore much better. There’s a wireless charging tray that grips your smartphone well, in an opening where it’s out of sight – so you’re not tempted. Flip-out cup holders are located in easy-to-reach areas. There are double-layer storage compartments in both front doors, and two glove compartments.
The finish is noticeably better than normal passenger vans, and the discernible quality is further enhanced by things like metal door handles and the supple leather steering wheel (which thankfully hasn’t adopted the Golf GTI’s awful touch buttons).
Is there enough storage space in the Volkswagen Multivan T7? You would think so, but in the versions we tested, the box on top of the dashboard was exchanged for a huge speaker. We prefer to have more space for our snacks.
Charging points in the Volkswagen Multivan
Each row of seats will get a pair of USB ports, but since they’re USB-C, you’ll need to carry adapters to charge most current devices. All chairs can be laid flat, folded or taken out and mounted the other way around, so that your children can look at each other when they are arguing. They are 25 percent lighter than before, but still no featherweights. In practice you will put them in a certain arrangement once and then just take less luggage with you.
Smart: the rails of the seats in the Volkswagen Multivan are supplied with electricity and all seats can be heated thanks to contacts on the underside. Unlike the front seat passengers, the passengers in the second and third rows get a real button for this. Such a luxury.
The longer Volkswagen Multivan has room for seven
An upgrade to the longer Volkswagen Multivan L2 can be useful if you regularly take seven people with you. Especially since there is then enough legroom to put them opposite each other, as if they were Dragons’ Den be a guest. The tailgate can also be ordered electrically, but you will have to mount bicycle carriers on the towbar, not on the flap itself. The tow bar is optional. Put bicycles on it and you can no longer open the tailgate. Due to this stupidity, the Multivan has already lost three buyers on the TG editors alone.
Controls of all kinds require little effort, especially the steering, and the chassis absorbs the most annoying bumps – at least if you go for the (yes, again optional) adaptive DCC suspension. Wheels up to 19 inches are available, but we would stick to 16 or 17 inches for maximum comfort. There’s a reason school buses aren’t equipped with splitters and spoilers; Joost may know why VW has mounted a Sport mode and paddle shifters. This car makes you behave like the driver you would like to be: polite, attentive, easy going.
Specifications Volkswagen Multivan Energetic L1 eHybrid (2022)
engine
1,395 cc
four-cylinder turbo hybrid
218 hp @ 5,000 rpm
400 Nm @ 1,550 rpm
Drive
front wheels
6v automatic
Performance
0-100 km/h in 11.6 s
top 192 km/h
Consumption (average)
1.8 l/100 km
41 g/km CO2
Dimensions
4,973 x 1,941 x 1,907mm (lxwxh)
3,124mm (wheelbase)
2,258 kg
tank capacity nb
max. 3,672 l (luggage)
Prices
€ 59,785 (NL)
€66,306 (B)
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