New 2022 Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid MPV: details, specs and prices

Volkswagen has announced full pricing and specifications for the plug-in hybrid version of its new Multivan minibus, which replaces the Caravelle in the brand’s line-up. The electrified MPV is offered in standard and long-wheelbase form, with a choice of three trim levels: Life, Energetic and Style.

Prices start from £48,012 for the entry-level Life trim. For that, you get a 10.25-inch ‘digital cockpit’ driver’s display and 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, plus LED headlights, sliding rear doors on both sides, 17-inch alloy wheels and safety systems including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, a reversing camera and parking sensors at the front and rear. The long-wheelbase Multivan eHybrid in the same trim level starts from £49,362.

Energetic trim adds a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system designed for this model, along with an upgraded digital driver’s display and infotainment setup, keyless entry and start, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and 30-colour ambient lighting. There are also 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate and electric sliding doors. Only the plug-in hybrid Multivan is available in Energetic trim, and prices start from £58,692 and £60,042 respectively for the standard and long-wheelbase models.

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Style trim gets the previously mentioned Harmon Kardon sound system, plus heated front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals and enhanced noise insulation, plus extra safety systems such as parking assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts and VW’s 'Travel Assist', which allows for semi-autonomous driving. Prices for the standard-wheelbase Multivan eHybrid in Style trim start from £58,212, while the long-wheelbase model in the same spec costs from £59,562.

Regardless of trim level, the Multivan eHybrid has a total power output of 215bhp, from the combination of a 148bhp engine with a 112bhp electric motor, drawing power from a 13kWh battery. There's an electric mode for zero-emissions driving, although Volkswagen has stated this is intended only for short urban trips, implying the pure-electric range will be quite short or the top speed too low for extra-urban or motorway use.

Unlike the Caravelle it replaces, the Multivan is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which also underpins the latest Golf. The regular Multivan is 1,941mm wide, 4,973mm long, has a 3,124mm wheelbase and is 1,903mm tall. The stretched version, meanwhile, is 5,173mm long. 

With all three rows of seats in the place, there's 469 litres of storage space, which can be expanded to 1,844 litres if you remove the third row and increased again to 3,672 litres with just the front two seats in place. The longer version of the Multivan with a panoramic glass roof tops out at 4,053 litres of storage. Not only are the individual rear five seats removable, but the middle two can also be rotated 180 degrees for a conference-style layout. There’s also a multifunction table on tracks that can be moved to any row of seats in the cabin. 

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You also have the option to upgrade the standard LED headlights to the interactive 'IQ.LIGHT' Matrix LED headlights found on higher-spec versions of the electric ID.3 hatchback and ID.4 SUV. This system offers a permanent full beam that doesn’t dazzle oncoming drivers and features ‘dynamic cornering’ to better illuminate twisty roads at night. Other options available for the Multivan include Dynamic Chassis Control and lowered suspension.

The Mutlivan’s interior has been redesigned and now includes a 10.25-inch ‘digital cockpit’ driver’s display and 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen. As with many of Volkswagen’s latest models, touch-sensitive panels rather than physical buttons are used to control the air-conditioning, volume and seat-heating settings.

The ‘Travel Assist’ system that’s standard on the Style trim combines predictive adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance for semi-autonomous driving, making longer journeys safer and easier. A 360-degree camera is also available, designed to make parking and manoeuvring easier. Other safety features like city emergency braking and dynamic road-sign display come as standard.

The Multivan also gives us our first glimpse at what the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter van will look like. This is expected to be available with the same eHybrid plug-in hybrid powertrain as the minibus. A fully electric version of either model is unlikely, however; instead, Volkswagen is developing an all-new electric van and minibus using the MEB platform that underpins its ID electric passenger cars. It’ll be called the ID.Buzz, and it’s set to be unveiled on 9 March 2022.