VW Multivan ‘Goodnight' tested

News.com.au

25-04-2025

With a VW badge on the steering wheel and a bed in the back, the new Volkswagen Multivan exudes serious Kombi vibes on our coastal cruise.
But unlike the air-cooled hippy favourite of last century, this VW bus not only makes short work of hills, it's going around corners as flat and stable as a family SUV, while using a lot less fuel.
Old VW Kombis prioritised style and charm, but the new seven-seat Multivan favours refinement, ride comfort, connectivity and safety.
These aspects aren't sexy.
Not like a split-screen camper and flowers in your hair.
But this 'T7' seventh-generation VW van is a thoroughly modern people mover with optional sleeping quarters, and makes three-row SUVs feel veritably cramped.
Thing is, it's not a van underneath, unlike MPV rivals like Ford's Tourneo.
Instead, the Multivan uses VW's ubiquitous MQB platform (which also underpins the Golf and Tiguan), so it drives and handles in a car-like way. Which is good.
This helps it target the king of people movers: Kia's Carnival, which is also more SUV than van. Of the 12,000 MPVs Aussies bought last year, over 10,000 were Carnivals.
Utter domination.
Can this Multivan compete?
Not on price.
As we pass picture-perfect rowing boats and floating cafes along Sydney's affluent Northern Beaches, it feels like just the well-heeled locals could afford these $75,990 VWs.
For now, only a turbo-diesel TDI360 Life grade is offered (a plug-in hybrid's likely later this year), but an extra $3000 buyes a 'LWB' that extends body and boot by 20cm
Diesel Kia Carnivals start from $25,000 cheaper (and offer eight rather than the VW's seven seats), while a flagship petrol hybrid Carnival GT-Line – with attractive 5.8L/100km economy – price matches the entry-level Multivan.
But the VW shows Kia some tricks. All the Multivan's second and third-row seats can be removed, leaving a cavernous 4053L (LWB) space. Only one Carnival seat is removable.
So Multivanners can moonlight as delivery drivers, or turn it into a camping car. For $4390, a Goodnight Package adds a foldable bed with mattress, magnetic window blinds, vented window grille and camp table with chairs.
But such options add up.
Choose the Goodnight pack, panoramic roof, heated seats, a Conference Package (the middle seats can be turned through 180-degrees), power leather upholstery, LED matrix headlamps and metallic paint, and the bill nudges $100,000.
Nice extras, but this bus is well stocked as standard.
Sliding side doors and tailgate are electric, there's 10-inch infotainment, digital driver display, tri-zone air conditioning, ambient lighting, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and safety includes desirables like rear traffic alert, blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control.
Plus, it's brilliantly spacious as a family hauler.
The layout is two individual middle seats with armrests, plus three chairs behind, all on runners and reclining.
Head room is vast and access to all seats easy.
Versatility-wise, you can lift out and store any seat without much sweat. Remove all on the right side, for instance, and in go surfboards or a kayak. With only four seats up, the family's bikes all fit.
From the pilot's seat the giant windscreen and windows offer great visibility, and you're comfy with padded armrests each side.
A $990 multifunction table's a worthwhile extra, which slides on runners through the vehicle's centre then pops up and out to give laptop/picnic space.
But these plastic tables, like the VW's seatback trays, feel a bit flimsy plastic for the dollars.
At least the drive is all class. The 110kW/360Nm diesel engine is whisper quiet and unstressed, and paddle shifters help wake up the occasionally lazy gearbox. Its 6.4L/100km economy's superb, although our test returned 8.6L.
Steering is light but direct, body roll's kept well in check and it sits confidently in corners and at highway speeds. It's easy to drive and doesn't feel at all like a big van, although the ride's firmer that ideal.
There's the familiar Volkswagen feel of solid engineering with a confident and fun drive, backed by a handsome exterior.
Make sure you pick a colourful one from the choice of 12 – orange or blue works best.
VERDICT
3.5 stars
SUV-like to drive, looks great and brilliant seating versatility. But it's pricey, and Kia's Carnival is seriously stiff competition.
2025 Volkswagen Multivan
PRICE From about $80,000 drive-away
ENGINE 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel (110kW/360Nm)
THIRST 6.4L/100km
SAFETY 7 airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, active lane assist, auto emergency braking, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, driver monitor, safe exit warning