What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

3rd Report

I have already marvelled at the Multivan’s versatility in terms of being able to carry seven, or in my case, six people in considerable comfort, as well as having the capacity to be transformed into an executive meeting space replete with full-height, multifunction table that also provides storage compartments and cup holders, but what is it like when it comes to the more prosaic task of lugging loads?

I recently put it to the test during a mission carting a variety of garden waste and household goods to a south east London recycling centre.

Many such local authority centres, which cater for private households rather than commercial businesses, do not allow access to vans but shape shifting is one of the Multivan’s chief selling points and, although it is sold through Volkswagen’s van network, it can also be classified as a people-carrying MPV.

Before loading up the Multivan, I first had to create its cargo space, which can be accessed via the rear tailgate without having to unlock the cabin or sliding side doors. The second and third row of seats sit on rails to enable them to be moved back and forward and the central console (table) sits on a track in the centre, which allows it to be moved from between the rear seats to the cabin. You can remove the console and all the seats if necessary.

Looking at the assortment of stuff I had to get in, my first step was to collapse the table top, lower the central console and slide it forward to between the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

Next, I elected to take out the rear two seats. This is accomplished by pulling the red strap at the bottom of the seat back and lifting the seat out of the tracks. Although Volkswagen insists the individual rear seats weigh less than they did in the Caravelle, they still make quite a heavy burden for one person to shift, so it’s advisable to be parked close to where you’re going to stow them before removing them from the vehicle.

Wary of jolting my back, I decided it wasn’t necessary to remove the second row of seats, so lowered the seat backs by tugging the black strap and slid them forward to nestle behind the front two seats. I then covered up the folded seats as well as the floor of the interior with dust sheets to protect the carpet lining.

Preparations complete, I loaded up and found that, with a loading length of 2,625mm, the Multivan Long was well able to accommodate an old dining table top as well as providing ample space for table legs, camping mattresses and several bags of chopped-down bamboo.

Without a bulkhead to protect the cabin it is, of course, essential to make sure that nothing will come loose in transit and to take extra care while driving. The excellent Auto Hold system, which prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards without the
driver having to keep pressing the foot brake or apply the parking brake, helps in this regard.

Report card: Load carrying = 3/5 

The Multivan is a useful cargo carrier but better suited to luxury passenger transport.

Volkswagen Multivan Style Long 2.0-litre TSI 204hp 7spd DSG