Is this van the ideal family car?

Volkswagen’s latest people mover aims to shift away from the traditional van formula, but does it succeed? Ted Welford puts the Multivan to the test.

When it comes to settling on a family car, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of believing a crossover is a be-all and end-all. Sure, models like the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga serve a purpose, but what they don’t tend to offer is a huge amount of space. This is where van-based people carriers step in, and one of the most dominant players is Volkswagen with its Transporter van and subsequent passenger versions. It’s been a hit with buyers for years, but – and especially as more conventional MPVS have pretty much vanished – VW is looking to reinvent it with the all-new Multivan.

WHAT’S NEW?

While it still has ‘van’ in its name, and looks a lot like one too, what this VW actually isn’t is a van. That’s right, the Multivan is actually a completely separate offering to the Transporter, and essentially replaces the plush Caravelle. Now based on the MQB platform that underpins cars like Volkswagen’s own Tiguan, it aims to make the Multivan more ‘car-like’ than ever, while also making way for a range of safety, tech and powertrain advancements – not least the option of a plug-in hybrid, which is the first to be offered under the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles umbrella.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? VW makes a big deal about the Multivan’s car-like behaviour on the road, and it’s largely true. Though the Caravelle was already one of the betterdriving models in this class, the Multivan is a big step up. It’s the refinement that’s especially impressive, as it shrugs off the van-like roots and is even impressively quiet at motorway speeds. Another thing that strikes you about the Multivan is its impressive manoeuvrability. The number of windows make it feel like a greenhouse, while a surprisingly tight turning circle means it’s easy to park too. It’s also slightly lower than the Caravelle, meaning it’s more likely to fit in tight parking garages.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

A Multivan needs to deliver on space and versatility and, oh boy, does it succeed. There are cubby holes absolutely everywhere to store odds and ends, while the sheer size of it allows for acres of room. You can have it with six or seven seats, with the rear seats all being placed on rails, allowing them to be slid easily, or individually removed in a matter of seconds. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of having to remove the full rear bench of a Caravelle, you’ll realise how big a step up this is. There are also sliding doors as standard (they’re electric on higher-spec cars), while you can run the centre console from the front to the back on the same rails, which is a really nifty touch.

THE VERDICT

VW labels the Multivan as the ‘perfect car for families’ and it’s hard to disagree. Though the Transporter was – and remains

– a practical tool, this new car is on another level. There really isn’t another car (or van – whatever you want to call it) that offers this level of versatility on sale today. Add in the fact that the Multivan remains desirable to look at and modern inside, and there’s a huge amount going for it. Though we’ll reserve full judgement until pricing has been detailed – and the Multivan likely won’t be cheap – if you crave the ultimate in family transport, they won’t get much better than this.