The What Van? Road Test: Volkswagen Transporter (2021)

Date: Friday, August 26, 2022

Rear 3:4

Operating

Happily, our Sportline came with a conventional ignition system rather than a keyless set-up. We still have concerns about the latter approach from the security viewpoint.

Service intervals are set at two years/25,000 miles and Sportline is covered by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty, with roadside assistance provided for its entire duration. Further reassurance is provided by a 12-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty plus a three-year paint warranty.

No spare wheel, alas. You’ll have to do the best you can with an inflator/sealer.

You pay extra for metallic paint, which is somewhat surprising. Given the Sportline’s steep price tag we reckon the least VW can do is offer it as a no-cost option.

In our case it added £675 to the price but at least the front and rear bumpers and door handles get the same finish as the rest of the body.

Volkswagen Transporter T32 Sportline SWB 2.0 BiTDI 204hp 7spd DSG

Price (ex. VAT) £46,815

Price range (ex. VAT) £46,815–£51,530

Gross payload 1,165kg

Load length 2,572mm

Load width (min/max) 1,244mm/1,700mm

Load bay height 1,410mm

Load volume 5.8m³

Loading height 538mm

Rear door aperture 1,473mm x 1,299mm

Side door aperture 1,017mm x 1,282mm

Gross vehicle weight 3,200kg

Braked trailer towing weight 2,500kg

Residual value 26.39%*

Cost per mile 84.78p

Engine size/power 1,968cc/204hp @4,000rpm

Torque 450Nm @1,400–2,250rpm

Gearbox 7-spd DSG

Fuel economy 37.5mpg (combined WLTP)

Fuel tank 70L

CO2 208g/km (WLTP)

Warranty 3yrs/100,000mls

Service intervals 2yrs/25,000mls

Insurance group 40E

Price as tested £47,490

* after 48 months/20,000mls p.a – source – KWIKcarcost

Options

Metallic paint £675

Rivals

Ford Transit Custom

Price (ex. VAT) £28,145–£57,955

Load volume 6.0–8.3m³

Gross payload 686–1459kg

Engines 105hp, 130hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel

Verdict: The Transit Custom continues to cut a swathe through the light commercial market. Its ride handling and overall performance easily match and often exceed the bulk of its competitors, used prices are robust, and it seems there are Ford dealers everywhere. An electric version will be launched in 2023 and next year’s Custom will also be the template for the next VW Transporter thanks to VW and Ford’s joint-venture agreement. In the meantime check out the plug-in hybrid variant and the MS-RT.

Renault Trafic

Price (ex VAT) £27,450–£39,650

Load volume 5.8–8.9m³

Gross payload 935–1,251kg

Engines 110hp, 130hp, 150hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel

Verdict: Plenty of positives and the dual-clutch automated transmission is impressive – we prefer it to the manual – but it is not quite a Transporter beater. It’s not far behind though, and it is also sold in rebadged guise by Nissan. Renault Trucks dealers have started selling it too this year, and are the only ones to offer it as a chassis platform alongside the van. The truck builder has come up with some special editions too, and truck dealers can service your van late at night. An electric Trafic should be here next year.

Vauxhall Vivaro

Price (ex VAT) £28,753–£43,381

Load volume 5.3–6.1m³

Gross payload 975-1,458kg

Engines 100hp, 120hp 1.5 diesel, 145hp 2.0 diesel, 100kW electric motor

Verdict: Vauxhall’s electric Vivaro is a success, though the diesel models should not be ignored given that they offer adequate fuel economy. Vivaro is also marketed by Citroen as the Dispatch, Peugeot as the Expert and Fiat Professional as the Scudo; as all four brands are owned by Stellantis. The same model is also sold by Toyota as the Proace thanks to a joint venture with Stellantis; so cast your eye over the accompanying packages from each brand before you decide.

The Final Verdict

Design 9/10 – High style and practicality make the Sportline stand out in the high street

Cabin 7/10 – Pleasant and stylish environment, but not wide enough to seat three in comfort

Ride 8/10 – Copes well with Britain’s woefully-uneven highway surfaces

Refinement 7/10 – High build quality and in-cab noise not an issue, though brakes may need adjustment

Load area 8/10 – Does what it says on the tin, with front-wheel-drive delivering a low loading height

Handling/performance 9/10 – Both are a great standard, with effective response whenever you put your foot down

Engine/transmission 10/10 – An astonishingly-good combination. The DSG box cannot be faulted

Standard equipment 8/10 – Plenty of in-cab benefits and VW’s on-board safety systems must be applauded

Operating costs 7/10 – Thorough warranty and dealer network is known for effective aftersale support

What Van? subjective rating 9/10 – Not cheap, agreed, but it’s a fabulous package that is highly unlikely to disappoint

Overall Rating = 82/100

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