2024 Volkswagen Multivan Review

You can think of it as the spiritual successor to the iconic Kombi van which, in 2024, is offered in a wide range of short and long-wheelbase variants and a choice of diesel powertrains.

While its versatility is undisputed, the Multivan T6.1 range will be replaced by the T7 range in 2025, which begs the question of whether you’re better off pouncing now or waiting for its replacement.

Let’s take a look at the Volkswagen Multivan range to see how it stacks up as a more premium take on a practical, family-friendly people mover.

Volkswagen Multivan Competition

How Much Does the VW Multivan Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Volkswagen Multivan range kick off from $72,290 for the entry-level Multivan TDI340 Comfortline Premium SWB, while the Multivan TDI340 Comfortline Premium LWB is priced at $75,290.

Stepping up to the Volkswagen Multivan TDI450 Highline SWB brings the price to $95,690, while the Multivan TDI450 Comfortline Exec LWB and the Multivan TDI450 Highline are priced at $98,690.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save thousands on your next car with the help of our team of car-buying specialists.

Volkswagen Multivan TDI340 Comfortline Premium SWB Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Volkswagen Multivan Have?

Volkswagen’s Multivan Comfortline Premium range comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys and picks up halogen headlights, power-sliding doors, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapping steering wheel and carpeted floors, LED interior lighting, three-zone air conditioning, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and body-coloured bumpers.

Stepping up to the Multivan Comfortline Exec range adds 18-inch alloys, LED head & tail lights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, fog lights, two-tone microfleece seat upholstery, park assist and an upgraded infotainment display and sound system.

Volkswagen’s range-topping Multivan Highline picks up Nappa leather upholstery, park assist, a powered boot lift, rear privacy glass, body-coloured mirrors, as well as chrome finishes for the tailgate, air intakes and indicators and a multi-function table.

Volkswagen Multivan Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Volkswagen offers the Multivan range with two infotainment displays.

The entry-level Multivan Premium variants are packaged with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, equipped with satellite navigation, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, two USB-C ports and paired with a six-speaker sound system.

Buyers stepping up to the Multivan Highline and Comfortline Exec benefit from a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system that can display navigation information on the driver’s digital instrument cluster, paired with the same six-speaker sound system.

Does the Volkswagen Multivan Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Both of Volkswagen’s infotainment displays offer wireless smartphone mirroring for iOS and Android devices.

This means that the Comfortline Premium’s 8.0-inch display and the larger 9.2-inch infotainment system fitted to the Comfortline Exec and Highline offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Is the Volkswagen Multivan Comfortable to Drive?

The biggest compliment you can give the Multivan range is that it feels far more refined behind the wheel than your typical people-mover.

In spite of its massive footprint, especially in long-wheelbase variants, Volkswagen has done a great job in keeping the Multivan smooth and well-mannered behind the wheel and making it approachable for a wide range of buyers.

In terms of engines, buyers have two options.

More affordable TDI340 members of the Multivan range pick up a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 110kW of power and 340Nm of torque.

Spending a little extra lands you with a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that kicks out 146kW of power and 450Nm of torque, providing more acceleration off the line and while overtaking.

Both engines are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers snappy shifts, with the majority of the range powering the front wheels, while the option of a 4Motion all-wheel drive system for more expensive variants in the range.

The base engine certainly gets the job done in most situations, though buyers will love the added torque from the more powerful TDI450 engine option.

Whichever engine you opt for, the Multivan is a strong contender on the road while remaining impressively smooth and user-friendly around town.

The steering rack is lightweight and easy to throw around while you’re parking, though you’ll need to keep an eye on its size in tight quarters, particularly in long-wheelbase variants.

Visibility is also excellent thanks to the tall driving position and large windows.

In terms of the ride quality, the Multivan range struggles to hide its working-class underpinnings, though the positive trade-off here is a firm hold on the road and not much in the way of body roll through the corners.

The suspension hardware can eat up smaller bumps without much of an issue, though things are quite firm when tackling larger bumps on the road.

At speed, the Multivan’s steering remains light but offers enough tangible feedback to give you an idea of what the front wheels are up to, which is particularly nice on a country road.

Hit the highway and the Multivan is an extremely strong contender in the people-mover segment.

Things are smooth and refined on a long stretch of road, with the Multivan chewing up kilometres with confidence, offering a great mix of refinement both around town and while taking on a long holiday road trip.

Is the Volkswagen Multivan Fuel Efficient?

The Volkswagen Multivan is impressive on the fuel-efficiency front, particularly in base form.

On a combined cycle, the lesser-powered TDI340 engine is rated at just 6.6L per 100km, which rises to 7.1L per 100km in the case of the TDI450 turbo-diesel engine.

These are particularly impressive fuel economy figures for a large, heavy people-mover package.

Around town, the TDI340 is rated at 7.2L per 100km while the TDI450 engine is 8.3L per 100km on the city cycle.

On the highway, the TDI340 engine consumes 6.3L/100km, with the TDI450 sipping 6.4L/100km on the open road.

Is the Volkswagen Multivan Practical and Spacious?

It absolutely is. Designed to carry on the Kombi’s tradition of accommodating people and all their belongings, the VW Multivan is extremely well-accomplished when put to the test.

Step inside the cabin and you’ll be pleased with the high-riding driving position that makes you feel like you’re driving a bus more than a people-mover, but provides top-notch visibility without impacting ergonomics.

Headroom in the front of the cabin is great, while Volkswagen’s seats in the front of the cabin are particularly welcoming on a long journey.

The layout of the dashboard, infotainment system and instrument cluster is familiar to VW’s road-going passenger vehicles, which adds a nice sense of familiarity to the Multivan’s cockpit.

The design is sleek and uncomplicated, with most of the displays and buttons angled slightly toward the driver as a nice, ergonomic touch.

Storage options in the front of the cabin include a decent-sized nook sitting beside the gear lever, a glovebox, an additional cavern at the top of the passenger’s side of the dashboard and two tiers of storage in the door sills.

Notably, Volkswagen has bundled in some added storage bins at the base of the seats which make a huge difference when it comes to swallowing up loose, bulkier items.

Move to the rear and a pair of powered, sliding doors provide easy access into an incredibly spacious, family-friendly second row that can comfortably accommodate seven people.

Flexibility is the key ingredient in the back of the Multivan, with VW’s clever designs allowing owners to configure their preferred seating arrangement.

Right out of the box, the Multivan is offered with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, with higher-spec variants picking up a multi-function table.

All the seating is positioned on rails, allowing you to change the seating arrangement around, while the captain’s chairs can swivel back and forth, allowing those to sit facing in both directions.

The third row receives a bench seat for three people which, combined with the Multivan’s generous cabin width, makes for a decent place for three kids to sit back on a long trip.

The Multivan’s seats are easily removed, allowing you to maximise every millimetre of space if you need to lug around large, bulky cargo or configure the Multivan as an ultra-spacious five-seater or more family-friendly seven-seater arrangement.

For the parents out there, there’s ISOFIX anchors on both the second and third-row seats, as well as top tether mounts on the seatbacks, meaning you can squeeze up to five child seats in the back of the Multivan.

In terms of cargo, the Multivan short-wheelbase range has 4.3 cubic meters of storage space on offer while long-wheelbase Multivan variants can accommodate up to 5 cubic meters.

Is the Volkswagen Multivan Safe?

Thanks to a recent update, the VW Multivan range packs a mean punch when it comes to safety equipment as standard.

Buyers pick up an autonomous emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

All Multivan variants also receive multi-collision braking, cross-wind assist, driver attention alerts, lane-keep assistance and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

The only piece of safety tech reserved for more premium members of the Multivan range is the company’s park assist system.

Does the Volkswagen Multivan Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

VW’s Multivan range wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2022 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 90%

• Child Occupant Protection: 89%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 69%

• Safety Assist: 79%

What Warranty Does the VW Multivan Come With?

Volkswagen offers the Multivan range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The company also throws in roadside assistance for the first 12 months of ownership, as well as prepaid service plans for up to five years with two complimentary services for good measure.

Volkswagen says that prices for a five-year care plan for the MY24 Multivan is priced at $2,500, including the two free services, representing savings between $1,269 - 1,324.

Service intervals for the VW Multivan range stand at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen Multivan Worth it?

While it’s not the cheapest people mover in the segment, the Volkswagen Multivan is arguably one of the most well-credentialled.

VW’s clever interior designs culminate in a wonderful seven-seater with a fully adjustable cabin that allows it to double as a cargo van when needed, while the sleek interior and a healthy amount of features will leave few buyers disappointed.

Combine that with VW’s slick engine and transmission combination, great fuel economy figures in the base model and its well-mannered nature on the road and the Multivan asserts itself as the benchmark in the people-mover segment.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price. 

Five Volkswagen Multivan Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Two turbo-diesel engines available 

3. 6.6 - 7.1L per 100km fuel economy figures

4. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

5. 4.3 - 5m3 storage volume (short vs long-wheelbase variants)