Volkswagen Multivan 2021 review: Comfortline Premium TDI340 SWB

If you really want something that reminds you of an old school van, you’ll want to check out the Multivan. It stays true to its Kombi roots with the very rectangular shape and high wheelarches. 

And this colour! It’s like the Mystery Machine! It’s called 'Bayleaf', in case you’re into it. 

The Multivan reminds you of an old school van.

While the Kia Carnival has inched a lot closer to an SUV, on the exterior and interior, the Multivan is sticking it out with particular features that definitely make it feel like a van. 

Where this is most apparent is the lack of centre console. There’s a large open space between the passenger and driver’s seat which makes it feel less premium for me, especially when compared to the Carnival which is much more 'car-like.' 

There are a high gloss and brushed metallic accents peppered throughout the cabin.

If we put that aside, the rest of the features are good on their own. There are fabric seats in this base model, they’re comfortable and smooth. 

The steering wheel is big but still has a slight flattish bottom which does make it feel good. There are a high gloss and brushed metallic accents peppered here and there, so it does feel well designed.

The most useful bit about the Multivan is the customisable interior seats. The second row 'lounge chairs' can swivel to face the back. 

They can move forward and back, and the third row can also move forward and back so you can give more space to the third row or the boot, depending on where you need it. 

And I know I just told you I didn’t like the look of the empty space between driver and passenger seat, but it is useful. As my daughter said when she walked from the back row to the front row, “Look mummy! It’s got a hallway!” 

Volkswagen's done away with the bench seat on both rows.

Yes, small people can wander around upright in the Multivan (when it's stationary, of course) and they love it. 

VW has made clever use of the dash for storage as there is no centre console. You’ll find a cupholder on the passenger side, up on top of the dash, one in the middle and one for the driver on the right. 

There is also generous storage in the front doors with a bottle holder, and a shelf in each door that’s quite handy for keys and a phone. 

VW has made clever use of the dash for storage as there is no centre console.

The passenger gets two shallow shelves in front on the dash and the driver gets two shallow trays on top of the dash. 

Strangely, there are no cupholders in the back seats at all, and no storage in the doors.

The side doors are power operated, which my kids love, and means you don’t have to do a big swing to shut them as in ye olden days. 

The tailgate though, is heavy in this base model which does not have a power operated tailgate. You’ll also have to leave room behind the car so you can open it, no parking against walls if you want to get the groceries in. 

Space is huge in the front. It does feel like you’re driving around in a small room on wheels.

Volkswagen's done away with the bench seat on both rows, and installed two 'lounge seats' for the middle row. It makes it feel very spacious and quite luxurious in the centre row. 

The boot space is customisable, so it can be smaller when the third row is pushed all the way to the back, and larger when the third row is more forward. 

There’s a lot of space so play with it as you see fit. It will fit loads - double prams (yes plural depending on how you use the space), suitcases and more. 

There’s also a long-wheelbase version which makes it even roomier inside for people and things.

Driving in the Multivan feels like a bouncy, fun old time! It has a loud 2.0-litre diesel engine which makes it feel a bit like a commercial vehicle, but it gets up hills fine and was great to drive around on my week doing the school run and going to after school activities. 

While it’s not what I would call smooth, it does feel much more nimble than you’d expect because it has a short nose. 

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 103kW/340Nm.

Because you’re seated right at the front of the vehicle, when you turn, it turns immediately from where you are. That actually makes it easier to drive than you think it’s going to be. 

It’s a FWD and there’s an AWD option for an extra $3000 if that’s what you’re after. 

Our test car was finished in 'Bayleaf' green.

I would prefer the AWD version. I drove the Multivan on a very rainy week, and on hills from a stationary position, the wheels spun on take-off. 

The steering is easy which also makes parking relatively good. It’s a wide, long car which you need to account for, but it has a decent reverse parking camera to help out. 

The Volkswagen Comfortline Premium costs $61,990, before on road costs. 

The official combined cycle fuel figure is 6.6L/100km and I averaged 7.2L/100km driving mainly around suburbia this week. 

It’s covered by Volkswagen’s five year/unlimited km warranty, with one year of 24-hour roadside assistance included.

Servicing is recommended every 12 month/15,000km (whichever comes first), and VW offers a range of maintenance options including a three- or five-year 'Car Plan', with up-front payment landing a saving compared to pay-as-you-go 'Assured Service Pricing.'

Three years is set at $1450, and five years at $2300, the latter including the first service for free.

'ServiceXpress' is another option offering, "selected services in 60 minutes" at participating dealers.