2024 Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 Review 

With a large, practical platform, the Transporter doesn’t shy away from a challenge on the worksite, while a choice of short- and long-wheelbase options, including a five-seater Crewvan, there’s a tonne of variety on offer. 

Volkswagen has plans to introduce a brand-new Transporter range in 2025, with the launch headlined by a range of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, updated technology and added cargo capacity from a larger platform borrowed from the almighty Ford Transit Custom. 

This begs the question of whether you’re better off waiting for the all-new Transporter, which arrives in early 2025, or getting your hands on the remaining examples of the Transporter 6.1 range before it says goodbye to Australia. 

Let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Volkswagen Transporter range to find out. 

Volkswagen Transporter Competition

How Much Does the Volkswagen Transporter Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Volkswagen Transporter range kick off from $45,890 for the entry-level Transporter TDI250 SWB Manual, rising to $48,890 for the TDI340 SWB Manual and $51,890 for the TDI340 LWB Manual. 

The Transporter TDI340 SWB Automatic is priced at $52,690, while the TDI340 SWB 4MOTION Automatic and LWB Automatic are each priced at $54,890. 

Stepping up to the Transporter LWB 4MOTION Automatic brings the price to $57,890, while the TDI450 SWB Automatic is priced at $58,490. 

The Transporter TDI340 SWB Automatic Crewvan is priced at $58,990, the TDI450 4MOTION Automatic is priced at $61,490, while the TDI450 LWB Automatic is priced at $61,490. 

Opting for the TDI340 LWB Automatic Crewvan brings the price to $61,990, while the TDI340 SWB 4MOTION Automatic is priced at $61,990 and the TDI350 LWB Automatic Cab Chassis is priced at $63,090. 

The Transporter TDI450 LWB 4MOTION Automatic is priced at $64,490 and the TDI340 LWB 4MOTION Automatic wears a $64,990 price tag. 

Volkswagen’s Transporter TDI450 LWB Dual Cab Chassis is priced at $65,090 while the range-topping TDI450 LWB 4MOTION Dual Cab Chassis is priced at $66,090. 

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

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Volkswagen Transporter TDI450 SWB (3.2t) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volkswagen Transporter car page.

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What Features & Specs Does the Volkswagen Transporter Have?

The Volkswagen Transporter comes riding on a set of 16-inch steel wheels, and receives automatic halogen headlights with LED daytime running lamps, LED tail lights, cruise control with speed limiter, electric folding side mirrors, air conditioning, LED interior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth upholstery and automatic wipers. 

There’s also a rear-view monitor with rear parking sensors and a hefty list of active safety gear to keep you, your family and your cargo safe on the road. 

Volkswagen Connectivity & Infotainment Features

All members of the Transporter range are packaged with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which Volkswagen calls its ‘Composition Colour’ unit, which is paired with a four-speaker sound system. 

The company also offers an optional extra package that adds a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen display with DAB+ digital radio. 

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

The Volkswagen Transporter range offers smartphone mirroring for both iOS and Android users, but you’ll need to BYO a USB-C cable. 

That’s because the Transporter’s infotainment system requires you to connect your phone physically, in the absence of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

Is the Volkswagen Transporter Comfortable to Drive?

The biggest compliment you can give the Volkswagen Transporter range is that it feels like you’re behind the wheel of a large, high-riding car rather than a work-focussed van package. 

While there are still some signs you’re driving a work-focussed cargo van, namely the firmer ride when unloaded, the Transporter is a masterclass in user-friendly versatility with great table manners. 

Volkswagen offers the Transporter range with a choice of three 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines with different power and torque outputs. 

At the base of the range, the TDI250 kicks out a very modest 81kW of power and 250Nm of torque, while upgrading to the TDI340 increases power to 110kW and torque figures up to 340Nm. 

At the top of the engine range, the Transporter TDI450 range produces a very healthy 146kW of power and 450Nm of torque, proving by far the best option for lugging around heavy cargo. 

In terms of transmissions, there’s a small number of manual options at the base of the Transporter range, with most variants picking up a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

On the road, the Transporter is impressively refined for such a workhorse, making a jaunt around town easy with a lightweight steering rack and a tall, commanding driving position for great forward visibility. 

The transmission offers snappy shifts as you pick up the pace, while the attention to isolating engine drones and road noise through the load bay has certainly paid off. 

On everything from a whip around town to a long-distance haul up the highway, the Transporter proves itself a great partner in crime, while the option of all-wheel drive ‘4MOTION’ variants gives it some added versatility for some weekend adventures. 

Is the Volkswagen Transporter Fuel Efficient?

For all its cargo-moving abilities, the Volkswagen Transporter range offers some pretty impressive fuel economy figures. 

On a combined cycle, the 2.0-litre TDI250 is rated at 6.9L per 100km, making it the most fuel-efficient member of the Transporter engine range. 

Upgrading to the TDI340 engine brings fuel economy figures up to 7.5L per 100km in FWD variants, while 4MOTION variants are rated at 8.3L/100km. 

Volkswagen’s most powerful engine for the Transporter range consumes between 7.3 - 8.4L per 100km for FWD and AWD variants, respectively. 

Is the Volkswagen Transporter Practical and Spacious?

In a nod to its refined on-road manners, Volkswagen has done a pretty great job in making the Transporter’s cabin a fairly sophisticated affair for a work-focussed platform. 

Up front, there’s tonnes of headroom and great forward visibility thanks to the tall roofline, while the adjustable driving position welcomes a variety of shapes and sizes. 

The cabin looks to mirror that of VW’s passenger car lineup, with a slick steering wheel and dashboard design that features more than a few clever storage options. 

The front passenger has a glovebox and two tiers of storage on the dashboard, as well as two levels of storage options inside the door sills and an additional pocket sitting beside the gear lever. 

Regular van variants pick up a two-seater bench seat beside the driver, with no issues sitting three abreast thanks to ample width in the front of the Transporter’s cabin. 

Ticking the box on VW’s Transporter Crewvan range opts for a more traditional seating arrangement up front, with a gap between the pilot and co-pilot, with a comfortable bench seat in the second row. 

The Transporter Dual Cab Chassis picks up the same arrangement, which proves itself very family-friendly thanks to a spacious layout with tonnes of light entering the cabin through the tall windows. 

How Much Cargo Can the VW Transporter Carry and Tow? 

Inside short-wheelbase Transporter variants, you’ll find a load length of 2,575mm, a width of 1,700mm - with 1,244mm between the wheel arches - and a load height of 1,410mm. 

Long-wheelbase Transporter vans increase these figures to 2,975mm of load length, 1,410mm of width - 1,244mm between the wheel arches - and a load height of 1,410mm. 

In terms of cargo volume, the Transporter range offers a load volume anywhere between 3,500L - 4,400L in the Crewvan variants, while the Transporter Van lineup offers storage of anywhere between 5,800L to a massive 9,300L, making it a well-accomplished workhorse. 

Payload figures for the Transporter range vary from 987kg in the TDI450 4MOTION LWB Van, increasing to a maximum of 1,220kg in the TDI340 Van Manual range. 

Braked towing capacity figures stand at 2,500kg across the range. 

• Transporter SWB Load Capacity: 5,800L

• Transporter LWB Load Capacity: 9,300L

• Transporter Payload: 987 - 1,220kg

• Transporter Braked Towing Capacity: 2,500kg 

Is the Volkswagen Transporter Safe?

The 6.1-generation Volkswagen Transporter has not been officially tested by ANCAP. 

Volkswagen equips all variants with autonomous emergency braking that works up to 30km/h, as well as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, multi-collision braking, crosswind assist, driver attention alerts and curtain airbags.

What Warranty Does the Volkswagen Transporter Come With?

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

The company also bundles in a 12-month roadside assistance membership with 24/7 assistance in the event of a breakdown. 

Volkswagen gives buyers the option of three- and five-year, pre-paid service packages, with service intervals standing at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first. 

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen Transporter Worth it?

While it’s set to be replaced shortly, the Transporter 6.1 range is a difficult package to fault for both working Australians and family buyers in the market for a trusty, capable chariot. 

With smooth on-road manners, impressive fuel efficiency and tonnes of versatility and choice within the range, there’s no shortage of options to fit your needs, all of which over-deliver on the practicality front. 

As a result, we’d highly encourage you to add the Volkswagen Transporter to your shortlist if you’re in the market for a cargo or family van before its replacement hits the market - with price increases to match. 

On that note, 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 Transporter Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Three turbo-diesel engines available paired with manual & dual-clutch transmissions

3. Front-wheel drive as standard, 4MOTION all-wheel drive available

4. 6.9 - 8.4L per 100km fuel economy figures

5. 5.8 - 9.3m3 cargo volume (short vs long-wheelbase variants)