New Volkswagen Multivan here early next year

VOLKSWAGEN’S next generation Multivan large people mover is slated for arrival Down Under early in 2025 with what the German importer says is a new level of drivability, versatility and technology – including a high level of specification as standard.

The first bus off the rank will be the Multivan Life expected to be priced above the current kick off at a smidge under $70,000 excluding on-road costs.

The current range runs up to a smidge under $100k + ORC so once again, expect the range topper to cost more.

Balanced against this is a big uptick in technology and features in the new, generation seven model with goodies like tri-zone climate control, dual power sliding side doors, a power tailgate, LED lights and of course, the new styling inside and out.

Leveraging other people mover activity within the group, VW says the all-new Multivan Life perfectly complements the more compact Caddy Maxi Life and the fully electric ID. Buzz seven seaters.

Built on VW’s MQB passenger car platform shared with Golf and Tiguan instead of the previous model’s commercial vehicle chassis, the new Multivan is said to deliver a new benchmark in people mover drivability including the comfort of a 17-inch wheel and tyre package.

That statement will likely be contested by Kia which sells the new VW’s main competitor, the market leading Kia Carnival that includes an economical hybrid variant in the line-up.

The Multivan Life model runs a version of Volkswagen’s venerable 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 110kW and 360Nm output and returns a claimed 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) fuel consumption leading to a possible 1200km range from its 80-litre tank.

Inside is a totally new cabin said to elevate the level of interior quality and technology while offering innovative storage solutions and flexibility with a choice of front-middle-rear rows folding to a multitude of configurations.

Key to this is a new modular, multifunction seat system with reduced individual seat weight by 25 per cent with extensive possible configurations.

The seating design includes power adjustable lumbar support for the front seats, folding tables on the front seat backrests, removable and repositionable second row armrests, a trio of individually movable third row seats, drawers under the outer seats in the passenger compartment – plus a load compartment partition and waste bins.

Other kit includes keyless entry and ignition, surround lighting for the tailgate, 30 colour interior ambient lighting including second row footwall lamps, a Digital Cockpit and 10.0-inch centre touchscreen that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight speakers and six USB-C ports including four for rear passengers all as standard equipment.

Safety features entail extensive ADAS technologies and the usual array of dual front, centre front, front side and curtain airbags extending to all three rows of seats.

The model also gains a feature called semi-autonomous Travel Assist as part of the ADAS package.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of product and marketing Michelle Rowney said the new Multivan will appeal to families who value high efficiency and technology, and advanced people mover engineering.

“The all-new Multivan takes the people mover away from being commercial van based and rides on a platform renowned as being a benchmark for steering, ride and handling,” she said.

“Including a long-range diesel fuel tank, it is this new standard of drivability that meets increased seven-seat functionality and the highest level of interior and safety technology in the next-generation Volkswagen Multivan.

“We will directly target flagship versions of the top selling seven seaters in the Australian market with this highly specified, engineering high watermark.”

The Multivan range will be expanded in Q3 2025 with an even more highly specified Style variant featuring a second powertrain option.