Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 review

As you’d expect in a van, the Volkswagen Transporter T6.1’s interior plastics are hard, rugged and well screwed together. There are hints of luxury, though, such as its smooth-to-the-touch, leather-wrapped steering wheel and, overall, it feels classier than the Ford Transit Custom.

There’s plenty of driver’s seat adjustment – all models come with variable height adjustment and lumbar support – so you shouldn’t have any trouble with backache after a few hours at the wheel. The steering wheel is also fully adjustable for reach and height, which means there’s every opportunity to get things just so.

The standard infotainment screen is 6.5in and has some physical shortcut buttons around the outside to help you navigate through the menus. The software is slick and easy to fathom and comes with USB-C sockets, Bluetooth and a DAB radio, plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which lets you hook up your phone easily and use your selected apps from the touchscreen.

You can upgrade to an 8.0in screen, but the shortcut buttons become touch-sensitive buttons that are harder to find without diverting your gaze from the road. Otherwise, it’s one of the best infotainment systems in the van market, with clear graphics and built-in sat-nav. Seeing out is easy, because the high-set seating position and slim(ish) windscreen pillars give you a good view ahead and to the sides. You can’t see much out the back when reversing, even with a rear window fitted, but the large door mirrors help you out.