Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan is the brand’s family-oriented bus, and having just been to its Australian launch the people mover feels more high-end and somehow more practical than ever. But something has changed and it’s only now that it feels as though the final piece of the Multivan puzzle has been found and this van is complete.
Volkswagen’s entire vehicle range is mind-bogglingly big. From hatchbacks, wagons and SUVs to vans and buses, they all have two things in common - a high-quality feel and practicality. The Multivan has always adhered to this theme, as well.
Now, the new-generation Multivan has arrived and it’s clear Volkswagen has stuck to the same recipe of premium and practical, but there’s been a big change in the way it drives thanks to the decision to stop building the van on a truck-like platform and start building it on one used for cars.
The next-generation 2027 Volkswagen Amarok you won't get to drive! VW reveals plans to build all-new ute, but here's why it may never make it to Australia
'It's not just a product for us': Volkswagen shrugs off electric car sales plateau, saying the EV early adopter phase is over in Australia as ID.4 and ID.5 land to rival Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5
'Medium SUV has to be the focus': 2025 VW ID.4 and ID.5 to remain German brand's only electric cars for the time being despite ID.3, ID.7 and more being available overseas to battle MG4, BYD Seal and more
You can read more about this below or watch my reaction to piloting the Multivan in my video.
Keep reading for more on the new-gen Multivan.
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 7/10
7 / 10
Volkswagen has launched the new Multivan in one grade to begin with called Life and it comes exclusively with a diesel engine. A Style grade will come later in 2025 to sit above it with a higher price but more features and different powertrain - likely a petrol-electric hybrid.
For now, though, the Life is here and there are two versions - a long one and a short one. Volkswagen calls them short wheelbase and long wheelbase but the truth is their wheelbases (the distance between the front and rear wheels) are identical. It’s the back area of the car which differs in length and it’s only 20cm - the length of the boot, basically.
But let’s go with Volkswagen’s choice of words. The Life in short wheelbase form lists for $75,990 and the long wheelbase is $3000 more at $78,990, both before on-road costs.
Standard features on the Life include LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, power sliding rear doors and power tailgate, a 10-inch media screen and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, three-zone climate control, push-button start and eight-speaker audio plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seven seats are standard, too.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
9 / 10
As with all Volkswagens the redesign of the new-gen Multivan is more about refining than redefining. Just like the Golf hatch which has kept its look through eight generations the Multivan is recognisable and familiar but new and modern looking, too.
Smoother lines, a more heavily raked windscreen and a flatter bonnet make for a cuter snub nose. The new Multivan is less boxy than before even though it is still a box on wheels, just a sleeker, more adorable one.
As mentioned, the Multivan comes in two lengths: the short wheelbase, which is 4973mm from the front bumper to the rear bumper, and the long wheelbase which is 5173mm long. Height for both is 1900mm.
Inside, the cabin is modern with large screens for media and driver instruments with a minimalist design to the dash, while the lack of a centre console frees up space. The sense of roominess is enhanced by daylight flooding in through oversized windows which can be taken a step further when combined with the optional panoramic (split panel) glass roof.
There are nine body colours to pick from including 'Candy White', 'Pure Grey', 'Reflex Silver Metallic', 'Copper Bronze Metallic', 'Deep Black Pearlescent', 'Energetic Orange Metallic', 'Medium Blue Metallic', 'Mono Silver Metallic' and 'Starlight Blue Metallic'.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 10/10
10 / 10
Practicality is the Multivan's greatest strength. Seven seats come standard and the rear five can be configured into numerous variations. If you like you could have those rear seats facing each other or you can just have a second row with a large boot area or you could have two in the middle row and two in the third row or whatever other variation you can think up. Yes, you can remove all five rear seats and now that they're 25 per cent lighter it’s easier to do so.
People space is excellent and at 189cm tall I found it possible to not only sit comfortably in the second row behind my driving position, but also behind that in the third row with plenty of leg and headroom.
An optional multi-functional table is also available and this can slide on rails from the third row all the way up to between the driver and front passenger.
Second row cabin storage is outstanding. You’ll find drawers under the seats big enough for a pair of shoes, hidey holes and cupholders everywhere, seat-back tray tables and gigantic door pockets.
Up front is a double glove box, a dash-top storage bin, more cupholders as well as a multitude of pockets and small storage holes for bits and pieces.
For devices there’s a wireless phone charger and four USB ports.
You’ll also find three-zone climate control with air vents throughout the cabin and dark-tinted glass for the side windows.
Finally, the power sliding rear side doors are huge and allow easy entry and exit to and from both rear rows.
Being able to leave the driver or front passenger’s seat and walk through to the second row is also handy and fun. Not while driving, of course, although it’s tempting.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10
8 / 10
At the moment there’s just the one grade of Multivan, the Life, and it's powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel making 110kW and 360Nm. Transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic which sends drive to the front wheels.
Coming later in 2025 will be a petrol-electric variant but it will only be available in a more premium Style grade.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 7/10
7 / 10
Volkswagen says that after a combination of open and urban roads the Multivan Life should use 6.4L/100km. While on the launch the trip computer was recording an average of about 8.5L/100km, but we’ll assess fuel efficiency again when this VW comes into the CarsGuide road test garage.
In theory, if you do use 6.4L/100km, the Multivan's 80-litre tank should give you 1250km of range.
The score for efficiency looks quite low here and that's because without having driven the Style grade and the hybrid powertrain all we have to go by currently is the diesel.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 9/10
9 / 10
The missing piece of the Multivan puzzle for me has been the way it drives. Past versions have been less 'car-like' than rivals like the Kia Carnival. It felt like a commercial van to drive, because essentially it was. But that's been fixed.
One of the biggest changes to this new-generation Multivan is the platform on which it's built. Volkswagen has decided to swap the truck-like platform from the past for the 'MQB' platform which underpins vehicles such as the Golf and Tiguan.
Having spent a few hours driving this new generation Multivan around some great country roads during the launch I can testify that not only is the ride comfortable and composed but this van handles way better than you might imagine.
While the Multivan is in no way a sports car, good handling adds to the fun factor. It's easy to drive with light, accurate and direct steering, good acceleration and smooth gear changes from the transmission, great pedal feel under your feet and superb visibility from the high seating position and oversized windows all around.
That said, I enjoyed driving the previous generation Multivan. I loved its fun and easy piloting factor and the change in platform for this new-gen model makes the experience even more pleasurable.
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 9/10
9 / 10
Volkswagen's Multivan scored the maximum five-star ANCAP rating under 2022 criteria (tested by Euro NCAP). Safety tech includes AEB, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, front and rear parking sensors and emergency assistance.
Importantly, side curtain airbags extend to cover all three rows; there's also a centre airbag between the driver and front passenger.
A pleasant surprise was finding how non-intrusive a lot of the safety tech onboard the Multivan is. While there's steering assistance there are no annoying alarms and bells as you'll find in other vehicles. In trying to focus your attention on the road they only distract you further.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10
7 / 10
The Multivan is covered by Volkswagen’s five year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Servicing is recommended every 15,000km or annually and will cost you between about $600-800 a year.
Verdict
The Australian launch of the new generation Multivan was confined to the Life grade with the 2.0-litre diesel engine. Later in 2025 the Style grade will arrive bringing a hybrid powertrain and even more features. We’ll be able to test both more thoroughly once we have them in the CarsGuide garage.
From this first drive, however, it's clear that while slightly pricier than its Kia Carnival rival the new generation Multivan is more practical than ever, and now that it rides on a car platform, far better to drive.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.
Pricing Guides
.jpg)
