Volkswagen Multivan

Volkswagen Multivan at a glance

The T6.1 Multivan is a monocoque van with a transverse front engine, front-wheel drive as standard and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. It was built in Hanover, Germany, and Poznań, Poland. More Volkswagen models are listed in our Volkswagen catalogue, and the smaller people carrier is covered in our Volkswagen Sharan section.

The T6.1 facelift (2019)

Exterior

The T6 had been in production since 2015, and buyers' expectations had moved on, so Volkswagen updated the Multivan, followed by the Transporter and Caravelle. The front gained modern LED headlights, a wider grille set in the middle of the bonnet line with extra chrome on expensive versions, a longer bonnet and a revised bumper with new fog lamps and a thin strip across its width. The side keeps the familiar proportions, crisp wheel arches, a straight window line and large doors, with chrome "Multivan" badges on the front wings - or optional "Bulli" badges as a nod to the van's history. Wheels are 18-inch alloys as standard, with 19-inch wheels optional, and ground clearance is 178 mm. At the rear are new tail lights with distinctive graphics (LED on higher trims) and a large tailgate window; the tailgate lock was redesigned to make opening easier.

Interior

The T6.1 has a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, new door panels and better upholstery. The Highline version has a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit instrument display with two layouts - classic round dials with a configurable display, or a fully digital view - while base versions keep analogue dials with a central multifunction display. The front seats are comfortable and adjustable, and the steering column adjusts in four directions. A small gear lever sits high on the dashboard. A phone tray between the front seats offers wireless charging, and there is a through-space under the passenger seat for long items such as skis.

The dashboard was redesigned in the style of Volkswagen's passenger cars. Higher trims have a 9.2-inch Discover Pro screen (MIB3) angled towards the driver, with smartphone integration, a SIM card slot and voice control; others have an 8.0-inch Discover Media system or a basic 6.5-inch Composition Colour unit. A 230 W socket and a lockable box are optional. The passenger area keeps the Multivan's versatile layout with a table, storage niches and boxes, plus new cupholders by the front pillars. A three-seat rear bench that folds into a bed returned to the options list, and the MultiFlexBoard in the luggage area extends the sleeping surface.

Engines and transmissions (T6.1)

Published figures give combined consumption of about 6.4 l/100 km and, for the 110 kW (150 PS) version, 0–100 km/h in 13.5 seconds and a top speed of 179 km/h. 4Motion all-wheel drive uses a Haldex multi-plate clutch and improves confidence on rough roads.

The ABT e-Transporter 6.1, an electric version developed with ABT and launched in 2020, uses an 83 kW electric motor and a 37.3 kWh battery (33.6 kWh usable), with a WLTP range of 132 km.

Chassis (T6.1)

The T6.1 keeps the Transporter platform with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear. Sports (lowered), standard and heavy-duty (rough-road) suspension settings are offered, along with DCC adaptive dampers. Hydraulic power steering was replaced by electric assistance, which made new driver-assistance functions possible. All four brakes are discs (ventilated at the front) with ABS and EBD.

Safety and equipment (T6.1)

Systems include ESC, Crosswind Assist, Front Assist with city emergency braking, DCC adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control, Park Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, side-distance monitoring, automatic high beam, sun blinds, tyre-pressure monitoring, trailer stabilisation, navigation and airbags. The Multivan was offered as Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Base versions have heated power mirrors, one sliding door, a height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, heated front seats with lumbar support, a heated windscreen and washer jets, remote central locking, ESC, hill-start assist and tyre-pressure monitoring. Highline adds chrome mouldings, tinted LED tail lights, the digital cockpit, front and rear parking sensors, a colour touchscreen, acoustic glazing, blind-spot monitoring, Rear Traffic Alert and alloy wheels. Options include LED lighting, rain and light sensors, an electric sunroof, leather, curtain airbags, dynamic cornering fog lamps, a rear camera and an auxiliary heater.

The Multivan T7 (2021 onwards)

The seventh-generation Multivan was unveiled in June 2021 and is built in Hanover on Volkswagen's MQB Evo platform, sharing its technology with the brand's passenger cars rather than the Transporter. It is 4,973 mm long (5,173 mm in the long version), with a 3,124 mm wheelbase, seats seven in three rows and offers 469 litres of luggage space with all seats in place. Engines include a 1.5 TSI with 100 kW (136 PS), a 2.0 TSI with 150 kW (204 PS) and a 2.0 TDI, plus the eHybrid plug-in hybrid with 160 kW (218 PS), a 13 kWh battery and 46–50 km of WLTP electric range. A 4Motion eHybrid with about 180 kW (245 PS) and 95 km of electric range was announced in November 2024. Euro NCAP awarded the T7 five stars in 2022.

Key specifications

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners praise the Multivan's stylish, modern exterior, good headlights, modest fuel consumption, remarkably versatile interior, good visibility, build quality, comfortable seats, comfortable suspension, easy servicing, electronic driver aids and safety. The downsides are a high price, expensive parts and sound insulation that could be better. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Peugeot Traveller, Citroën SpaceTourer, Ford Tourneo Custom, Opel Zafira Life and Toyota Proace Verso.