Volkswagen Caravelle review

Even the smallest Caravelle is larger than some London bedsits, so it’s no surprise to find out that it isn’t cheap, but the reality is quite eye-watering. Add a few options, even to a ‘base’ short wheelbase SE model, and you’ll be looking at a pretty steep price tag. 

In fact, big MPV rivals such as the Citroën Spacetourer, Peugeot Traveller and Toyota Proace Verso are significantly cheaper; you can get the biggest and most luxurious version of those rivals for around the same money as an entry-level Caravelle with the least powerful diesel engine.

If we were to spec our ideal Caravelle, we’d try and keep the price as low as possible. Fortunately, the entry-level SE gets a decent amount of kit as standard: air-con, sliding and removable rear seats, lumbar support for the driver and front passenger, two 12V and two USB (type C) sockets on the dashboard, and a leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel. To this we’d advise adding the 8.0in Discover Media infotainment system, parking sensors front and rear with park assist, and power sliding doors. 

Upgrade to Executive trim and you get LED headlights, VW’s brilliant Digital Cockpit display, heated front seats, bigger wheels, three-zone climate control, powered side doors, a powered tailgate and the 8.0in Discover Media infotainment system. However, it is significantly more expensive than SE trim. 

In terms of running costs, there’s not a lot to separate the 148bhp and 196bhp 2.0-litre diesel engines. They both fall into the same company car tax band and both return roughly the same fuel economy figures – you can expect to see around 32mpg in mixed use.  

Crash testing experts Euro NCAP have yet to test the Caravelle, but it gives you a fair bit of standard safety kit. That includes adaptive cruise control, crosswind assist, automatic emergency braking (AEB) along with the usual selection of airbags and electronic driving assistants.

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