2025 Volkswagen Multivan review

The 2025 Volkswagen Multivan has entered its seventh generation with a strong focus on driving dynamics, functional space and storage, and standard inclusions as the brand looks to reinvigorate the people-mover market.

Now riding on passenger vehicle underpinnings from the ‘MQB’ platform (shared with the Tiguan SUV and Golf hatchback), Volkswagen believes its new seven-seat Multivan shifts away from – and improves on – the driving experience typically associated with vans, all while offering a more spacious and practical alternative to traditional SUV and people mover rivals. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up.

How much does the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan cost?

A sole Life trim will be offered at launch, available in both short and long wheelbase options.

Pricing commences from $75,990 for the short wheelbase and climbs to $78,990 for long wheelbase variants. Prices are before on-roads.

These costs represent a considerable cost-of-entry hike over rivals such as the Hyundai Staria (from $49,500) and the Kia Carnival (from $50,300).

The 2025 Volkswagen Multivan is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with one year of complimentary roadside assistance. A five-year servicing package can be had for $2335, which includes two free services and a saving of $1248 according to Volkswagen.

A top-spec Style trim will join the line-up in mid-2026, bringing with it an uprated plug-in hybrid powertrain.

What is the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan like inside?

Passenger comfort and interior versatility is a cornerstone for the new Multivan, with modular rear seating now sitting on a new powered rail system. The result is five rear seats (and an optional ‘multifunction table’) that can be arranged into a plethora of different configurations or removed entirely.

The multifunction table can be slid between the first, second or third row of seats, providing additional cup holders, extra storage and fold-out tables, and is complemented by fold-down tables for the second row. While these – and a multitude of other stowage locations – provide good usability, they do feel a little flimsy, showing considerable play in the hinges even in our brand-new test vehicles.

Overall, though, the Multivan’s cabin earns its stripes as a family ferry. Outboard seats in all rows are heated thanks to the powered rail system, and leg room in all rows is more than adequate while still providing an enormous1844 litres of storage behind the second row and 479 behind the third.

Regardless of short or long wheelbase versions – which actually both have the same 3124mm wheelbase but measure 4973mm and 5173mm respectively thanks to differing rear overhangs – storage is excellent. With all seats removed, the short wheelbase variant measures 3672 litres of total cargo space, while the long wheelbase can take a whopping 4053 litres.

The move to shift-by-wire for the transmission has also allowed the shifter to be mounted high on the dash, creating even more space up front in what is a logically laid-out cabin.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come equipped on a 10-inch centre touchscreen and, thanks for Volkswagen’s receptiveness to prior criticism, some controls (including for the tri-zone climate control) have been returned to physical buttons, providing a good balance of on-screen and more tactile operation.

A 10.25-inch driver display, 30-colour ambient lighting system, and leather steering wheel give the Multivan a premium feel for drivers, while an eight-speaker sound system, two USB-C ports up front and four in the rear, and dual power sliding doors make for good passenger practicality and comfort.

The Multivan is given some extra flair outside thanks to 11 paint choices, with eight metallics and one pearlescent, costing $1890 each.

How safe is the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan?

With family-ferrying in mind, the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan scores well for safety, achieving a five-star ANCAP rating.

Volkswagen says that thanks to the use of the MQB platform, the new Multivan is able to benefit from the brand’s most current safety suite.

Its list of standard safety inclusions is comprehensive, notably including: rear-traffic alert, park assist, adaptive cruise with stop-go, speed limiter, a rear-view camera, auto high beam, driver fatigue monitoring, pre-crash protection, tyre pressure monitoring, active lane assist, exist assist and autonomous emergency braking.

What powers the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan?

A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder pulls Life variants of the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan via a seven-speed dual clutch auto driving the front wheels.

The engine outputs 110kW and 360Nm, with the brand claiming consumption of just 6.4L/100km.

What is the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan like to drive?

Volkswagen’s call to use the much more car-focused MQB platform in the Multivan truly pays dividends when you’re out on the road. Steering feel and driver feedback are impressive, providing for a confident driving experience in all conditions.

Glass sections within the split A-pillars provide superior cross-lane visibility, making the Multivan’s vast span feel more manageable and maneuverable while parking.

Save for a high driving position, the only real reminder you’re driving a van is a harsh ride over road imperfections at low speeds. We were, however, experiencing this unladen (in a vehicle engineered to handle well with multiple passengers and luggage) and the issue dissipated as speed built.

The 2.0-litre donk might seem underpowered on paper, but its 360Nm is readily accessible and delivered swiftly thanks to effective transmission mapping, making for a surprisingly peppy drive. Although we tested the Multivan unladen with only one passenger, its eagerness to build speed instilled confidence that it’d handle highway speeds while filled to the brim with cargo just fine.

On a test loop consisting of traffic-heavy urban areas and tight backroads, we saw consumption of 8.2L/100km according to the on-board trip computer. We think Volkswagen’s claim is achievable.

The Open Road’s take on the 2025 Volkswagon Multivan 

From its refined driving experience to its spacious, well laid-out cabin and generous standard inclusions, there isn’t a lot the new Volkswagen Multivan doesn’t do well.

It brings flair and character to a segment where many of its competitors are lacking, but its asking price may strike it off some buyers’ shortlists regardless of merits. In a market where the bottom line is such a large consideration, Volkswagen’s decision to offer just one variant and powertrain at a relatively high price (for now at least) might prove risky.

Time will tell how the market receives the updated icon, but if you’re looking for all the strengths of a van with almost none of the drawbacks in driving experience, it’ll be a hard one to look past.

Pros: generous standard spec; impressive handling and ride; ingenious cabin layout.

Cons: cost of entry; limited line-up (for now); less-than-premium feel to some interior bits.