VW's biggest and most sophisticated MPV - the new Volkswagen Multivan. Can the T7 VW tow? Need a Multivan towbar?

VW's biggest and most sophisticated MPV - the new Volkswagen Multivan. Can the T7 VW tow? Need a Multivan towbar?

The Multivan boasts some significant upgrades over the previous Caravelle, which should attract fans, not least its attractive modern styling.

VW has built the Multivan on its MQB platform, meaning that it shares tech and convenience offered in more mainstream models.

It's now more of a hugely practical seven-seater with car-like characteristics rather than a van. VW moving the Multivan it onto a proper car platform has greatly improved comfort and available technologies.

The new Multivan can be configured with individual seats that slide, recline and swivel, along with separate climate control zones – and even Amazon Alexa voice assistance.

The Multivan is essentially an MPV, obviously, a very big one. Its size and the all-important interior space put it more in line with van-based competitors' MPVs.  

It is very well-proportioned, designers ensured it is able to access low-roofed parking garages, the overall height of the Multivan is 43mm lower than the old Caravelle. It’s also wider to the tune of 37mm, and the wheelbase is a whopping 124mm longer than before.  Length-wise, you’ve two choices. The standard L1 and the longer L2, which has the same wheelbase but tacks on 200mm to the rear overhang, to eke out more rear-seat room and a bigger boot. Both versions have sliding doors on both sides and a top-hinged tailgate to the rear.

The T7 Multivan is aimed at those transporting up to seven people, so it’ll need to impress passengers just as much as the driver. That’s where the new car’s party-piece rear seating comes into play. A rail system means the middle and back rows of seats can slide forwards and back or be turned 180 degrees independently of each other. To make the seat removal process easier, the seats are 25% lighter than the old Caravelle’s and on higher-spec models the rail system is electrified, allowing for all seven seats to be heated. You can also spec the Multivan with just six seats and of course, you can remove the rear and middle seats if you’d like to use the Multivan as a van.

There’s more good news for passengers as the central table can slide the length of the cabin, giving front, middle or rear passengers cup holders and a handy height-adjustable fold-out table.

On all models, the infotainment system is the same as you’d find on the new VW Golf, the 10-inch screen is crisp and the responsiveness of the touchscreen is among the best out there. With this central screen interface coupled with Volkswagen’s 10.25-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ and head-up display, the Multivan does feel like a quality item from the driver’s seat. It’s also easy to switch between hybrid and EV-only modes with a dedicated button below the central screen. 

From launch, all powertrains have a petrol engine - a 134bhp 1.5-litre TSI kicks off the range, then a 201bhp 2.0-litre TSI and finally a plug-in hybrid with a 1.4-litre TSI paired with a 10kWh electric motor for a total of 215bhp. 

VW expects the plug-in eHybrid to be a big customer draw for the new Multivan.  Should fuel economy be a top priority, the eHybrid looks like a no-brainer. If you want to squeeze out the Multivan’s maximum fuel efficiency, then you’ll have to accept a 204-minute charging time from 0-100% using a 3.6kW charger.

As for boot space, there’s 469 litres in the base version, with up to 3,672 litres if remove the seats and treat it like a van. Go for the longer L2 and that’s a 763-litre boot with over 4,000 litres in Space Shuttle mode.

Out back the upward swinging tailgate is optionally motorised, but keep in mind bike racks have to be towbar, not door-mounted!  Need a towbar to carry your bikes with the new Multivan? We have a full range now available - compatible with all "ball mounted" bike carriers.

The Multivan is manoeuvrable in town thanks to a tight turning circle, that light steering and excellent visibility. The positioning of the pedals and steering wheel does give it a slight SUV-feel and the seats themselves are just the right mix of supportive and comfortable. Road noise is well suppressed, although due to the boxy design, wind noise does become noticeable at motorway speeds. 

Most of the surfaces you'll touch, including the steering wheel and dashboard, have a quality feel but it's easy to find some hard plastics if you're sat in the back or go hunting in the lower reaches of the interior. A panoramic sunroof is offered for the first time, and an integrated eSIM means there's a permanent connection for online services and connecting to the Multivan remotely via a smartphone app.

Every version of the Multivan is well-equipped, with the entry-level trim getting 16-inch alloy wheels and electrically latching dual sliding doors. Opt for the next trim, and 17-inch alloys are added along with upgraded Matrix LED headlights. This model also gets fully electric side doors, sat-nav, a powered tailgate and a park assist system that automatically controls the steering as you park. The Energetic Launch Edition and you get 18-inch alloys, a Harmon Kardon premium stereo system, tinted rear windows and a panoramic sunroof.

All the usual reverse parking/blind-spot monitoring/forward brake-assisting/lane-keep guidance guardian angels from the existing range of MQB-based cars is now included in the Multivan.

If you are considering one of Volkswagen’s greatest hits, the new Multivan T7 is now even better with the addition of car-like dynamics and features.

A full range of T7 Multivan towbars are now available.  Rated at 2000kgs.  Order your VW Multivan towbar today.