VW Multivan review: what the car critics say
Not much bigger than a normal car, it’s easy to park and a cinch to drive

With interest in vans rocketing, they are increasingly being designed for families (a market already well established in the US) said The Sunday Times. VW claims its Multivan has all the capabilities of a full-size van with the comfort and handling of a car. It has a cavernous interior, yet it’s built on the same chassis as the Golf. Its footprint is not a lot bigger than a normal car, it’s easy to park and a cinch to drive.
The Multivan is available as a traditional 2.0TDI diesel capable of 0-62mph in 11.6secs, but there’s also a 1.5 or 2.0 TSI petrol and a 1.4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, What Car? said. The eHybrid has an official electric-only range of just over 30 miles, but its tiny 45-litre petrol tank limits range on long trips. VW has ditched manual transmission, and most models have a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
It’s has a better finish inside than most vans, but the digital cockpit has a frustrating and unintuitive ten-inch touchscreen, said Top Gear. The gear selector is dash-mounted, freeing up cabin space, but if you’re regularly seating seven, it’s worth upgrading to the 200mm longer L2. The heated seats recline and fold and can be rearranged or removed entirely to increase boot space from 469 litres to 3,672 litres.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
UK price from £43,258; volkswagen-vans.co.uk
In pictures: VW Multivan
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Resistance: Is it finally taking off?
Feature Mass protests erupted across all 50 states during the 'Hands Off!' demonstrations against the Trump administration
By The Week US
-
Loomer: Feeding Trump's paranoia
Feature Trump fires National Security Council officials after the conspiracy theorist attended a meeting in the Oval Office
By The Week US
-
Inflation: How tariffs could push up prices
Feature Trump's new tariffs could cost families an extra $3,800 a year
By The Week US
-
The Canadian: taking a sleeper train across Canada
The Week Recommends Unique and unforgettable way to see this 'vast and varied' landscape
By The Week UK
-
Adjapsandali: Georgian-style ratatouille recipe
The Week Recommends Twist on the authentic recipe offers bursts of garlic and spices
By The Week UK
-
Mr Burton: an 'affecting' but flawed biopic
Talking Point Toby Jones is pitch-perfect as Richard Burton's mentor – but 'cautious' film 'never really comes to life'
By The Week UK
-
6 display-ready homes for art collectors
Feature Featuring hand-painted floors in Louisiana and 13-foot beamed ceilings in New York City
By The Week US
-
Your Friends and Neighbours: Jon Hamm stars in 'frothily fun' black comedy
The Week Recommends Crime caper about a hedge fund manager who resorts to burgling his 'obnoxious' neighbours after losing his job
By The Week UK
-
Last Swim: a 'lush, beguiling' coming-of-age adventure
The Week Recommends Exam results day drama follows a group of school leavers, one of whom has a devastating secret
By The Week UK
-
The Sleep Room: a 'gripping exposé' of a 'troubled' psychiatrist
The Week Recommends Jon Stock's absorbing book about William Sargant's sinister practices makes for a 'chilling' read
By The Week UK
-
Music review: Japanese Breakfast, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, and Steve Reich
Feature "For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)," "I Said I Love You First," "Collected Works"
By The Week US