Volkswagen Crafter

Volkswagen Crafter at a glance

The Crafter is a large diesel or electric van, available in several lengths, heights and weight classes up to 5.3 tonnes. More Volkswagen models are listed in our Volkswagen catalogue.

Volkswagen Crafter generations

First generation (2006–2016)

The first Crafter shared its body and chassis with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter but used Volkswagen engines. It was built by Mercedes-Benz at Ludwigsfelde and Düsseldorf, with wheelbases of 3,250, 3,665 and 4,325 mm, overall lengths from 5,245 to 6,930 mm and heights from 2,365 to 3,050 mm. Until 2011 it used a five-cylinder 2.5 TDI common-rail diesel with 65 to 120 kW (88 to 163 PS). An April 2011 facelift introduced four-cylinder 2.0 TDI engines with 80 or 100 kW (109 or 136 PS) and a twin-turbo 2.0 BiTDI with 120 kW (163 PS) and 400 Nm. Gearboxes were a six-speed manual and a six-speed automated Shiftmatic, and from March 2012 a 4MOTION all-wheel-drive option was available with the BiTDI engine.

Second generation (2016 onwards)

For the second generation Volkswagen built a new factory in Września, Poland, designed for up to 85,000 vans a year. The new Crafter was developed by Volkswagen itself and offers a choice of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The front-wheel-drive version has a lower load floor and therefore a larger cargo space.

Body versions and load space

The second-generation panel van comes in three lengths: 5,986 mm standard and 6,836 or 7,391 mm extended. It is offered in three heights of 2,355, 2,590 and 2,798 mm. Depending on length and height, the load compartment offers 9.9 to 18.3 m³ and takes four to six standard Euro pallets measuring 800 × 1,200 mm. They can be loaded through the rear doors or through the sliding side door, whose opening is 1,311 mm wide.

The Crafter is also available as a chassis cab with a single or double cab and a dropside body, whose load area measures 5.5 to 9.6 m² depending on length. Chassis cab and double cab versions carry payloads from 1,472 to 3,026 kg, with gross vehicle weights of 3.5 or 5.3 tonnes. The Grand California motorhome, first shown at the Düsseldorf caravan show in 2018, is built on the Crafter.

Engines and transmissions (second generation)

All diesels are 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI engines with common-rail injection, and they meet the Euro 6 standard. According to published figures, they use up to 8 l/100 km in town and 9–10 l/100 km in mixed driving under typical van loads. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and front-wheel-drive models can have an eight-speed automatic.

e-Crafter

The electric e-Crafter was unveiled alongside the new Crafter in September 2016. The 43 kWh battery and 208 km range announced in 2016 were cut for series production, which began in 2018. The production van has a 35.8 kWh battery and a range of 173 km in the NEDC cycle. The 100 kW (136 PS) motor produces 290 Nm, top speed is limited to 90 km/h and payload is 1.0–1.75 tonnes depending on version. With 11.3 m³ of load space, the van suits urban delivery work. The MAN eTGE is its twin.

Chassis and safety

The Crafter's suspension is tuned to give good handling at higher speeds while remaining compliant on rough roads. Electronic stability control with seven integrated sub-functions is standard, according to published figures.

Key specifications (second generation)

Strengths and weaknesses

The Crafter's strengths are its wide choice of lengths, heights and body types, a large and well-shaped load space, the choice of front-, rear- or all-wheel drive, efficient diesels, an eight-speed automatic and standard stability control. The e-Crafter's limited range and speed restrict it to urban use, and the largest versions need care in tight city streets. Its main rivals are the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Renault Master, Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper and Iveco Daily, and its twin, the MAN TGE.