VW Multivan review: what the car critics say

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.

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UK price from £43,258; volkswagen-vans.co.uk

In pictures: VW Multivan