Name: Volkswagen Multivan (2022 - ) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Multivan
Rating: 65.0

Summary

The Volkswagen Multivan is an upmarket seven-seat people carrier which arrived in the UK in early 2022 to replace the ageing Volkswagen Caravelle.

Despite the name ‘Multivan’ and the fact that previous generations of Multivan have been based on the Volkswagen Transporter van, the latest Multivan is actually built on the same passenger car platform that underpins the current Volkswagen Golf and many other vehicles in the larger VW/Audi/Skoda/SEAT family.

So, although it looks very similar to the latest Volkswagen Transporter and is designed to rival other van-based people carriers like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, the Multivan has inherited driving dyamics that are much more car-like, along with the company’s latest plug-in hybrid technology.

“Everything from the way it looks to the way it drives represents a well-conceived upgrade over almost all other vehicles of this type”, Parkers explains, while praising the people carrier for its surprising driver appeal and its flexible and spacious interior.

The most prominent criticism of the Multivan relates to its infotainment, as it uses the same system as the electric ID. range that Business Car calls “confusing” and Top Gear says is “awful”. Auto Trader also gave the Multivan a poor review based on a host of reliability issues with the test car provided.

The price tag is a sticking point for a few reviewers too – with Multivan pricing starting above £50,000, Carbuyer recommends waiting a few years for the Multivan to appear on the used market, or to take a look at the slightly more expensive and distinctive ID. Buzz people carrier.

As of September 2025, the Volkswagen Multivan holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 65%. Its best mark is a B grade for its safety rating, while its media review scores and CO₂ emissions are average. However, its running costs are high and Volkswagen’s new car warranty offering is poor.

More Volkswagen ratings, reviews, news and features

Multivan highlights

Flexible seven-seater
Spacious and tech-laden cabin
Diverse engine range includes PHEV
Low running costs
Great to drive by people carrier standards

Multivan lowlights

Expensive, base price and up
Light steering
Overshadowed by electric ID. Buzz
No rear air-con on entry-level model
Confusing infotainment

Key specifications

Body style: Van-based people carrier
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £43,258 on-road

Launched: Spring 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“Previous Caravelle models have handled well despite their size and weight, and the Volkswagen Multivan continues that tradition. It is a satisfying vehicle to drive and good all-round visibility makes it easy to place on the road. Drivers will be able to take advantage of more than 20 driver assist systems.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

0Read full review

The Car Expert

John Kendall

“The Volkswagen Multivan is the pinnacle of the MPV concept. Not because it’s a new model in a dying sector, but because it reinvents the formula by mixing van-like dimensions with car-like handling and quality. This eHybrid is best when fully charged – a pure petrol or diesel will make more sense if you regularly do longer journeys.”

Model reviewed: Multivan eHybrid

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Dean Gibson

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Style
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Multivan TSI fills a brief for buyers that don’t want a dirty diesel or a plug-in model, but it’s not as good as either of these versions. There’s no arguing with its cabin versatility, but the PHEV is a better option in town, while the diesel is the one to go for if you’re planning longer trips.” (Dean Gibson)
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 4 / 10
“Volkswagen hopes Multivan’s blend of MPV practicality and lifestyle cool will win families over from SUVs but reliability concerns spoil the party.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Sister van, the all-electric ID.Buzz will get all the attention of course, because of its modern retro looks, but if EV power doesn’t work, the Multivan still looks sharp, is impressively practical and surprisingly good to drive and in hybrid form, should prove cheap to run – although it’s not cheap to buy.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you like big bus and you cannot lie, the Volkswagen Multivan is the place to start if you’re shopping for a new model. The interior flexibility surpasses everything else in the sector – though the Mercedes V-Class remains a strong challenger if you’re looking for maximum lux.”
Author: CJ Hubbard
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Multivan represents a successful update of VW’s popular posh MPV but it’s expensive.”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Multivan is the peak of family or business travel practicality, offering a range of layouts and options to customise a big seven-seat people carrier.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Multivan eHybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid’s most obvious rival is the Ford Tourneo Custom PHEV, offering a slightly less upmarket finish and image than the Multivan, but seating for up to eight. Hybrid seven-seater SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX L and Kia Sorento PHEV may also be a consideration, although none will match the sheer versatility and carrying capacity of the Multivan.” (Stephen Errity)
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: Multivan eHybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“This looks like a great effort from Volkswagen. The old Caravelle had an upmarket feel this is a step up from that. It’s a shame that the hybrid system isn’t more electric-focused given the space available, but this is a welcome addition and great for bigger families.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Whether you’re looking for the ultimate family transport, need to transport Lord Sugar to the golf club or just want a car that doubles up as a work van, the Volkswagen Multivan is one of the most versatile people carriers on sale today.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It feels civilised on the open road, although that light steering means it never feels as confident or assured as SUV alternatives like the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Multivan’s blocky shape means there’s quite a lot of wind noise at higher speeds, although no more so than van-based alternatives.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“If you’re looking for the most practical way to transport up to seven people, then yes, the Multivan is worth close consideration. Everything from the way it looks to the way it drives represents a well-conceived upgrade over almost all other vehicles of this type.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Life Standard
Score: 8 / 10
“On versatility and space, the Volkswagen Multivan trounces any large SUV that costs a similar amount and it has the edge over van-based rivals in driveability and desirability. And there’s something disarming about its honesty, too. In a world of jumped-up hatchbacks posing as SUVs, and SUVs trying to be MPVs, the Multivan does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a proper van, and proud of it. And so will its owners be.” (Alex Robbins)
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Proves the folly of SUVs. This is more spacious, more comfortable and easier to drive than any pretentious 4×4. Useful hybrid option. Interior spoiled by VW’s awful infotainment.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 87%

Tested by safety body Euro NCAP in early 2022, the plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) version of the Volkswagen Multivan was awarded one of the most impressive five-star safety ratings a people carrier has received to date. This rating standard for the entire range of Multivan powertrain options.

The Multivan achieved high adult protection and child protection scores in the event of a crash, and its impressive safety assistance technology score displays that the people carrier is adept at avoiding potential road accidents in the first place.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of September 2025, the Volkswagen Multivan has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	32 mpg	D
Diesel models	43 mpg	C
Plug-in hybrid models	157 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	202 g/km	D
Diesel models	171 g/km	D
Plug-in hybrid models	42 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	30 miles	E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	33	D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£180	B
Year 2	£502	B
Year 3	£816	B
Year 4	£1,066	B
Year 5	£1,437	C
Overall	£4,001	B

The Volkswagen Multivan is an expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models but good for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 155 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is also poor when compared to other plug-in hybrids, though this is to be expected considering its large size. The car’s service and maintenance costs should be affordable, and insurance costs are around the market average.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of September 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen Multivan to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively from workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Multivan, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Volkswagen Multivan

Overall ratingD31%
Petrol or diesel modelsE17%
Electric or hybrid modelsC56%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Volkswagen’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered by any car manufacturer in the UK. The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. Unfortunately, in this sector none of the major alternatives offer anything much better.

In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Multivan plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Volkswagen Multivan

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Volkswagen Multivan from an official Volkswagen dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Volkswagen Multivan from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Volkswagen Multivan from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Volkswagen Multivan

As of September 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Volkswagen Multivan. However, recall information is updated very regularly, so this may have changed.

If you own a Volkswagen Multivan or are looking to buy one, you can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Volkswagen dealer.

Everything you need to know about UK vehicle recalls

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Multivan has received

2025

Caravan and Motorhome Club Awards – Best Large Family Towcar

2022

Parkers New Car Awards – Best Seven-Seater
Red Dot Design Awards – Best of the Best Award
Tow Car Awards – Most Practical Tow Car

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Multivan, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The large van-based people carrier market has fluctuated in recent years. The Stellantis models (Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroën, plus Toyota) are no longer available with petrol or diesel power, and can only be had as electric models.

Most of the current models, and pretty much all of the new entries, are EV-only. Only Ford and Mercedes-Benz have fossil-fuel-powered alternatives.