The What Van? Road Test: Volkswagen Transporter Kombi (2018)

Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | Author: Steve Banner

Trans Cab

Interior and equipment

Our Transporter’s cosmetic embellishments could not disguise the fact that its external and internal styling hovers somewhere between unadventurous and dull.

Yet the quality of the materials used in the cab and the general fit and finish are to a remarkably high standard.

A grab-handle on each of the A-pillars aids access to the front seats. Oddment stowage facilities include a shelf on top of the dash, a lockable glove box with two shelves above it, a small shelf and a cubbyhole just below the heating and ventilation controls, and a cubbyhole and a cup-holder at either extremity of the fascia.

Another cubbyhole sits above the windscreen, and the sunglasses holder just above the driver’s door is a neat touch.

To all that can be added two bins in each of the front doors. The lower of the pair comes with a moulding that can clasp a 1.5-litre bottle of water or the small, removable rubbish bin that is thoughtfully provided for the driver’s door.

Two 12V power points are on the dash. Driver and front passenger airbags are fitted as are adaptive cruise control, remote controls for the radio on the steering column, electric front windows and electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors. The windscreen is heated too.

Edition trim means the outside mirrors can be folded back electrically. The mirror casings are finished in high-gloss black as is the roof.

Aux-in and USB sockets are fitted and you can lock all the doors by pressing a button on the driver’s door.

The steering wheel is height-adjustable. So are the driver’s seat and single front passenger seat, both of which boast armrests on each side and lumbar adjustment.

Edition spec gets you a Discover Media satnav package complete with a 6.3in touchscreen.

A DAB+ radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an MP3-compatible CD player are included as is an SD card slot. Edition also brings App-Connect, which allows you to download various VW apps to your smartphone or tablet. Among other things they can provide information about your driving behaviour with an eye to cutting fuel usage and minimising the risk of accidents.

Optional Media Control lets you use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control for the infotainment system and listen to music from an external audio source connected via Bluetooth.

The aircon helped on blazing-hot summer days, but took a while to kick in, almost as though it was thinking about it. The front fog lights were not required during some endlessly bright evenings but could prove a boon in winter.

Edition models come with headlights and daytime running lights that use LEDs. Headlights are only effective if kept clean so a washing system is fitted and the van’s heated washing system has a fluid level indicator. Edition gets you LED rear lights as well.

Engage reverse and the highly effective rear-view camera shows you how near you are to potential obstacles, with the sensors triggering warning beeps as you get closer. Front sensors provide an equally effective alert if you get too near to the vehicle in front when squeezing into a tight parking slot.

The Transporter comes with the usual electronic safety features, some of which are mandatory, including ABS, ESP, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist and Traction Control System. Additional protection is afforded by Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Driver Alert System.

If the vehicle collides with something then the former applies the brakes to prevent a secondary impact. The latter wakes up the driver using visual and audible alerts should he or she start to nod off and let the Transporter drift out of lane, and suggests a break is taken.

The Traction Control System includes an electronic differential lock to aid smooth starts on slippery or loose surfaces. Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System was fitted to our demonstrator as an option. It warns the driver if it detects a hazard ahead and applies the brakes if necessary.

Optional Side Scan warns of another vehicle’s presence if you fail to see it in the blind spot when changing lane, which is more of an issue with a van than a Kombi given the latter’s side glazing.

The front suspension relies on coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers while an independent suspension with coil springs and load-sensitive shockers is installed at the back.

Our van sat on black 17in alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone Turanza ER300 235/55 R17 tyres. No spare wheel is provided – you get one of those pesky inflation kits instead.
Power-assisted steering delivers a 11.9m wall-to-wall turning circle.

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