1993 VW Eurovan | Retro Review

5-speed Eurovan! yes, please!

[@davidaubin3902]

2:59 John: IF YOU EXPECTED TO SEE THE ENGINE BACK HERE, TRY THE OTHER END! LOL

[@lpiosd]

Like you gf

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@lpiosd VW Eurovan is great and comfortable van

[@traviss6564]

I love these. The styling was so good then that it still looks relevant today, some 27 years later.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. I was disappointed when Volkswagen discontinued the Eurovan when they did.

[@GarthGoldberg]

I'm still driving my '02. Improved in every significant way from the '92. Twice the power, ABS and stability control standard, bigger brakes (4-wheel discs) and bigger tires. VW is still selling the Transporter in Europe. They're now up to the T6 (Eurovan is the T4) and a T7 is coming out next year. VW doesn't sell it here because of the "Chicken Tax".

[@fernandorocha8459]

@@jasoncarpp7742 is true. Eurovan is great and cofortable van. Here in Brazil is sold with VW Caravelle, imported of Germany

[@fernandorocha8459]

Vw Eurovan is great van

[@loisireland3744]

I have a 92 Eurovan - made especially for Canada - I love it ! It's my regular drive but I also drove it around the continent for a year.Travelled from Vancouver Island to Colorado, Chicago,Ottawa, Cape Cod,Key West, across the south to L.A. and back up the west coast - best year of my life !

[@asdfghjqwertyu1858]

Love the Retro Reviews in 60 fps.

[@Foxontherun2]

its interlaced not 60fps

[@RickJohnson]

Well, 60 fields per second, 30 frames per second.

[@user-ui5bx4pf9v]

60 fupuz

[@CTS-V]

Man I've never in my life desired a van till I saw this retro review!

[@kdzr0017]

In Europe (especially eastern) those are considered to be extremely reliable, and cheap to own. You may ask how is this possible? Well, the truth is that about99% percent of them were sold with turbo diesels across the pond. Those were really great power trains, and thus there are may which have gone over a million miles and further.

[@skylinefever]

In addition, most of the vans sold in Europe had a manual transmission. Most of these vans sold in the USA had an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission was often unreliable and cost a fortune to rebuild. That transmission shared many parts with ones found in lighter vehicles. The Chrysler Town and Country van also had automatic transmission problems, but they were much less expensive to rebuild.

[@Hipas_Account]

i live in Finland, and have had not 1, not 2, but 3 neighbors (in different locations) who had atleast 3 or 4 of these at the same time, something about having one, just isnt enough.

[@karlzwaschka4905]

@@Hipas_Account Even here in the USA having just one is not enough. I would like at least one more. We thoroughly enjoy our 2001 with 2.8 VR6 but I would like to do a TDI swap and a 3.6 DSG swap. Need 2 more T4s

[@buggs9950]

@@karlzwaschka4905 Do you get the 2.5tdi 5 pot (AJT etc.) over there? If not then the 1.9tdi (AHU, 1Z etc.) fits with the 2.5 petrol manual 'box.

[@aworminmybook8234]

i live in the u.s and have a 1993 mv weekender with 278k miles, engine was rebuilt at about 180k but it still has the original 5 speed stick.i've only owned it for 2 years and most of the repairs i've done are deferred maintenance. i don't find the 2.5 liter to be under-powered but i don't live in the rockies. the torque is great and it will cruise all day at 70 mph with the ac on at 3500 rpm. the biggest problem is the cheap plastics on the interior are old and sticky in the summer. i've been trying to refurbish it with 303 protectant but it's a losing battle. also, the ride is harsh but that is probably because my suspension needs some work. i bought it for weekend camping and it definitely fulfills that mission wonderfully.

[@RoadCone411]

Despite it obviously being a bit slow, this van was so much more desirable than the Routan that VW gave us a decade ago. The Eurovan has aged well, hard to believe this vehicle was introduced 25 years ago!

[@Porsche996driver]

I had 3 of these Eurovans, all used, a 93 Westfalia, 03 Westfalia, and 02 MV (non-poptop). The 93 with inline 5 was slow but so functional. The VR6 completely changes things. John didn’t show here that these included snap-on curtains that went all the way around the rear windows. That table is an excellent desk or for eating. Also the side windows slide open, some include screens for camping to keep bugs out! Definitely not a cheesy minivan, these things are still like Swiss Army knives - especially as a pop top Westfalia! You can easily sleep 4 people, 2 down and 2 up. If we could only get the newer ones here!!

[@gunnlover]

Americans passed on these for more conventional minivans from the big 3. The eurovan never caught on like they did

[@Porsche996driver]

This Bud’s for you! Oh - this Bus is for you! That interior shot of the table and light and the rear compartments show the excellent design I had 3 of these

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

That van looks like it just rolled out of the factory today 2019! The look of many of today's vans.✌😎👍

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

The eurovan was so cool. Too bad it was so underpowered when it first came out. I know the vr6 came several years later and it fixed that issue. These things are so expensive on the used car market now.

[@djkenny1202]

VW vans are over valued. Always needing repairs. Expensive to maintain. Love/Hare relationship. Love this interior, Dyd I really spend $3000 this year in repairs? Don’t. Unless you are rich and don’t mind headaches.

[@ndg9367]

Shattered Dreams , I prefer a Eurovan over any mini van. Yes the early models were underpowered and even the early vr6 were too! Plus you had to put high test gas in the early vr6. But the 01 to 03 was quick for a 4000 lbs van and they do everything better than an older toyota van. More room, better safety, towing, cargo handling and options.

[@djkenny1202]

The transmissions often failed in thsVR6 and was like $5000 to repair.

[@ndg9367]

djkenny, yes that is true but all vans from 2000 to 2007 had transmission issues including Honda and Toyota. Vw transmission are so expensive because of the more heavy duty than most vans. My torque converter went out on my 03 Eurovan MV so the whole transmission needed replace but I had a awesome warranty so instead of $6800 it was $100.

[@djkenny1202]

Toyota was solid, Honda had a few years of both gens that had weaknesses. But Europeans had electrical issues as well as a multitude of sensors and other niggles that could make someone lose their mind. I am a vW fan. But I finally realized in my 40's it is time to move on and bought a pre own Toyota. So nice to not worry at all. @@ndg9367

[@MarkMeadows90]

3:30 Big ol van chirps the tires going into second. Impressive lol!

[@DrewLSsix]

Not really, it’s not remotely fast.

[@Johnny-zt1mh]

I got that exact car but with 4WD and it’s funny feeling the back wheels kicking in when accelerating like they did 😂

[@carzestindia626]

Thanks Motorweek & John Davis ❤️

[@lifeonbicycles]

I have always seen a dark red Eurovan rolling around my town every once in a while, and I have seen it consistently for the past 10 years (distinguishable by a bumper sticker). I have never seen another one on the road besides that one.

[@pontiacmaniac7772]

Seeing old import vans driving is awesome. I take a picture every time I can.

[@landyachtfan79]

The replacement for the Vanagon, both in VW's lineup & in our driveway!!!!!!!! Could you post the '01 GLS you tested, since that is VERY similar to our '01 MV?!!!!

[@alexfisher7947]

love that the tires chirp in both first and second das auto

[@smata-mz7wi]

2:16 R.E.M - Drive. Cool sound in a cool van

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

Rode the White early 90s euro van with automatic and 5 cylinder long time ago when it was barely a couple years old. Roomy inside but not quick. It’s a micro rv on wheels.

[@MountainSalsa]

This was pleasant to watch in 60fps. Thank you.

[@fredmoller1675]

I would take one in a heartbeat if I could, they were the only VW vehicle that I would touch, except their 4x4 pick-up, the rest not at all.

[@GyroPyro121212]

Chirps into 3rd then goes 19.6 😂. This thing needed some better tires. Still would’ve been slow though.

[@JwcubTHS]

I like the classic 710 cap on the engine! 😎

[@gelfling612]

I bought a 93 eurovan for $600 last June and I love it

[@sergiupuscasu2496]

They still use one of these at my school. It’s the oldest one, and it broke down one time last year. But it’s running again.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Anybody else notice the paint mismatch between the front passenger door and the sliding door behind it?

[@BReal-10EC]

I noticed that too, which is weird because the camera usually masks minor differences in paint color. Maybe that was damaged and fixed while they had it, which is why they did not mention.

[@RoadCone411]

This was like a press vehicle, so who knows what history it had. Most press vehicles are crushed when they are done making the rounds.

[@djkenny1202]

@@RoadCone411why Crushed?

[@RoadCone411]

@@djkenny1202The manufacturer can’t risk heavily used/abused vehicles going out for public sale

[@DreamHachi]

Damn, I never cared for these but I like these now.

[@Blackout_1692]

Always wanted one of these for some weird reason

[@nthgth]

I can't unsee the Scion xB front end

[@treyvincent6876]

He acts as though every car they review deserves an award 🥇

[@GarthGoldberg]

I owned a five-speed Eurovan. It was slow off the line, but once it got rolling it was okay. The shifter was good. It would cruise at 75 mph. Mileage was just okay at 20.

[@TBird100636]

Hey MotorWeek, would you have the full review for one of the original Chrysler LH cars? (1993-97 Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde/New Yorker/LHS, Eagle Vision) I'd love to see how those did in your testing back then.

[@MixerVM]

It's not great quality but there is this for the LHS: watch?v=c8BNH8nz8go

[@Kingsoupturbo]

Quite a bit faster than the Vanagons at least! I'd say the Euro 2.4 Diesel was better but it made a paltry 74hp/118tq, getting up to highway speed would have been concerning!

[@skylinefever]

Although the USA did not get the 2.4D, Canada did. I can't imagine how dreadful it must have been to drive. However it certainly would be an improvement over the T3. The few T3 diesel models sold in the USA and Canada got a 1.5D or 1.6D and no turbo option. Diesel vans never sold as well as gasoline engines, so the best thing about the Eurovan/T4 replacing the Vanagon/T3 was that the WBX engine was eliminated.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

@@skylinefever I didn't know we had them in Canada! I have a friend with a 85 Vanagon, he can barley make highway speed or get up moderate hills here in Calgary, perfect for european cities and Asia but a little tough in the areas with higher speed highways

[@ZIGZAG12345]

@@skylinefever Here in the UK, they sold this same VW T4 van with both the 2.4D and an even slower 1.9D 4-cyl! I think it had like 63bhp. My father had one. It would probably be "dangerously slow" these days!

[@skylinefever]

@@ZIGZAG12345 I sometimes joke that for every great car not sold in the USA, 10 are absolutely awful.

[@ZIGZAG12345]

@@skylinefever The crazy thing is this was an actual commercial VAN which had a payload of 800kg AND it was legal to pull a trailer with it too. I bet all that would have been interesting with 63 bhp and naff all torque (since it was a non-turbo diesel, which you're right were mostly pretty awful compared to the fast diesels that are everywhere now) on a hill junction! That clutch would take a PASTING!

[@jareknowak8712]

This was very popular van in Europe. The smallest engine was 1.9 naturally aspirated diesel with 60hp. There was also 1.8 petrol with less than 70hp. Not joking. Many cars had 4wd.

[@skylinefever]

I suspect that Europe got small engine versions because: 1. Fuel is more heavily taxed 2. Some countries tax vehicles on engine displacement. It is a major reason why many cars are different when sold in the USA versus what is sold outside the USA.

[@jareknowak8712]

@@skylinefever 100% true. Fuel is expensive, one litre petrol or diesel is 1.25$ - 1.50$. Bigger engines = bigger insurance. In my country, if You want to import car with above 2.0L engine - You need to pay 18% of value in tax. At least 90% of cars on streets are below 2.0, many of them 1.0-1.4L.

[@karelvvv]

And for some markets, using leaded gasoline, there was a 1.8L with Pierburg 2e2 carburettor.....

[@pbfloyd13]

_"109 bhp..."_ ugh.😕 _"4000 lbs"_ UGH.😒 _"5 Speed manual"_ ILL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE STOCK!!!😍

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

I have no idea Vee Dub sold the Eurovan/Caravelle in the US considering how rare it is. My cousin has this thing in facelifted version and it had few troubles due to overheating from its 2.5 diesel engine but it has large space to match my Merc V Class. My neighbor also has a more recent caravelle too.

[@skylinefever]

VW stopped selling vans in the USA when they built the T5 van.

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

@@skylinefever the closest thing is the routan which is a t&c with different nose n butt.

[@gunnlover]

The eurovan never really caught on here with the Chrysler and gm Ford minivans still intensely popular. Plus the eurovan was German and more pricey Americans stuck with vans from the big 3

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

@@gunnlover and especially odysseys and siennas (i personally owned a sienna during MS when i was in the US)

[@dzemjsudin4950]

it is amazing how this van can be seen in europe to this day.

[@johnnymason5628]

I'll take a Eurovan from 2001 and up! At least you get a 201 horsepower V-6 and dual airbags!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I remember when the VW Eurovan was introduced. I thought it was the kind of van that was modern on the one hand, with front engine, front wheel drive, but it looks European.

[@redheadwolfy]

109 hp seems to be nice and roomy I'm sure they'll change the evolution of the Volkswagen fan in the future

[@buggs9950]

5:30 "hip replacement" OK they're not _that_ dangerous...

[@AWDfreak]

When I saw these as a kid, it baffled me how quiet these were around the local Costco Wholesale store. Because it was named the EuroVan, I was curious if these were imported by rich individuals rather than sold here, but turns out they were sold here officially, based on this video existing.

[@skylinefever]

I once wondered if European got the Chrysler T&C van, and if they did, then was it called a Yank Van or something like that?

[@brendanharrell4249]

@MotorWeek and @Ben Davis. There are some videos from about 3 months to a year ago that are still marked private. Could you please change the settings. Thanks.

[@bendavis9733]

They were just reviews that had to be redone due to sponsor card changes. They were deleted but oddly remain as private.

[@brendanharrell4249]

@@bendavis9733 thank you. Sorry for the misunderstading, but you can only go off of what it tells you. Thanks!

[@janhalek6805]

we have turbo diesel that runs on old hydraulics oil :D

[@palebeachbum]

I bet that test driver was clenching his butt so tight during the slalom and emergency handling maneuvers.

[@JDMHaze]

palebeachbum lmaoo

[@ornumjc]

It looks like a stiff wind could tip it over.

[@steveespinola7652]

Call me WERID but I still like the VW Eurovan, I think it was a nice looking Van.

[@mof04]

Can you upload vw rabbit caddy pickup

[@josemontano7767]

I always wanted a Eurovan

[@AdamG1983]

When I was 10, I wanted this so bad

[@tedschmitt178]

“…more hair than money.” 😂😂😂

[@jeffreyrainey1015]

This Eurovan from 1993 weighed 4200 pounds. A modern day Dodge Challenger weighs 4500 pounds. Weigh in on that.

[@bingoberra18]

True but the challenger doesn´t have 109hp, what it does have is an airbag :P

[@emeyer6963]

Eurovan could of used both the Hemi and ABS and a few airbags too

[@COYGunners]

bingoberra18 and ABs

[@bingoberra18]

@@emeyer6963 Well anyway, in europe its not mainly used for families, its mainly a hauler or people transport. The comfort is crap :P

[@noahh914]

14 seconds 0-60 with only 109hp in a brick like this is not too bad actually.. I would have expected 16

[@leoliu041892]

I test drove a westfalia manual not too long ago, it was so slow, I kept driving in 1st and 2nd gear. It made me wonder if there is something wrong with the powertrain so I just left. Well, 109hp and 140ft of torque...

[@Trance88]

Wow. I'm surprised this van doesn't even have a driver's side airbag! I figured by 1993, that was becoming somewhat standard. I like the color of the test model! A sort of metallic light blue.

[@ndg9367]

Trance88, didn't need them. They were built like a tank.

[@mattdavis9601]

At least in the USA; airbags weren't required by law until 1997 for cars and '98 for trucks.

[@nwezetx1]

​@@ndg9367That's stupid.

[@djkenny1202]

Few cars in 93. Many just started getting a steering wheel one.

[@Microjoey02]

That's a 12 second car

[@skylinefever]

This van serves as the base for the Winnebago Rialta. I will some day restore a Winnebago Rialta. However, I am not going to restore a 5 cylinder version, I will probably restore a 12V or 24V VR6.

[@ndg9367]

jason9022, actually your wrong! They made a 5 cylinder Vw Rialta in 95 and 96. So you don't know your shit but you probably already knew that!

[@brantisonfire]

For those who prefer to project an image rather than desire performance and reliability.

[@Chr49]

The best wninge for This van was the 2.5l tdi with 5 cyl. Tdi with read label on the front. I guess i was't sold in the us. I had one as electrician van. It drove beutyful. Then I had a 1.9l diesel afterworth.

[@djkenny1202]

Some say they are very Reliable

[@rolo4733]

I just wish that Volkswagen brought the T6 here to the North American market...

[@MichaelMorrisseyNYC]

Me too. I saw one in Estonia when I was visiting and it was woooonderful.

[@marcfuhrman3282]

You don't see many vehicles with different sized mirrors driver to passenger side.

[@VictorMartinez-eu3zl]

I kinda want one of these now

[@audioisgood]

REM on the radio!

[@em-performance2016]

How come today's mini vans and SUV's don't have a quick folding 2 person bed rear seats?

[@BCJDM]

Didn't even know these were usdm cars, always thought they were imported from europe

[@skylinefever]

They were imported from Europe. Each one did get made in Germany. The biggest difference is that the USA sometimes got a different engine and transmission.

[@juicybullfrog]

Good job bring this retro review videos on youtube. This is gold.

[@sheamileto6473]

The on,y other van like this in 1993 was the Astro/Safari

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Question: How did the Volkswagen Bus become a Vanagon (van again) when it was already a van to begin with?

[@skylinefever]

Vanagon was derived from Van Wagon.

[@cja7964]

Wow it’s as slow as a... bus. 😉

[@djkenny1202]

Definitely not! These are like 30 seconds.

[@williieloman1549]

I want one!

[@chriscornelius2518]

It's pretty neat, but reliability was supposed to be pretty average in the reliability department, plus the switches and gadgets fall apart.

[@hnlpharmd]

Most German cars have poor reliability over the long term because their typical buyers don't keep them long enough for it to be an issue. If you buy or lease a new car every 2 years who cares if it breaks constantly after 3?

[@Sanpedranoazul]

30 years later and still looks the same 😝😝😂

[@skylinefever]

Porsche found ways to make the 911 look about the same as it did when it was first introduced.

[@tedschmitt178]

VW can call it whatever they want, but it’s STILL a minivan.

[@McRocket]

What the heck was it with VW and it's van engines? They always seemed to put the lowest hp motor they could possibly get away with in these things.

[@realazduffman]

How many are listed on Cars and Bids?

[@SpikeRazzor]

I had no clue it was front wheel drive.

[@nikolanikola8543]

Yeah and it was a great thing because there was so much space in the back. Because everything was in the front, there was no rear differential, so the floor could be really low!

[@ndg9367]

Spike Razzor, the European version had option of 4x4 or 4 motion and choice of a diesel engine too!

[@skylinefever]

@@nikolanikola8543 This is one reason why the Winnebago Rialta RV can be parked in places where most RVs can't be parked.

[@juliogonzo2718]

140 ft lbs. Nice! Same as my lug nuts

[@samd1405]

Volkswagen van manual shifts feel like you're digging a broom into a bag of garbage.

[@MichaelMorrisseyNYC]

Lol I have one and this is accurate.

[@ארנבתפצ]

Like👍

[@landyachtfan79]

1:57..........One of these days, VW...........one of these days!!!!!!!! TO THE MOON!!!

[@Naveedsgarage]

Can anyone name the tune playing @2:17? Maybe R.E.M.?

[@tavshedfjols]

It's not an automatic?? Nice, the transmission won't fail at 30,000 miles.

[@djkenny1202]

If maintenance is done on time the Automatic will hold up. They just get Jerky.

[@johnnymason2460]

I'd rather have the 2002 version. At least that version had a VR6 with 201hp. I would never get one with the five cylinder engine. Ever!

[@Mr_57ChargerRT]

He lost me when he said no air bags!!

[@GanG914]

It was pretty common in early 90s European cars.

[@therealcarlmarti]

some GM cars and trucks didn't have airbags in '93, either.

[@Esdeath_0001]

my 94 lumina had no airbags

[@djkenny1202]

Few did.

[@donaldsalkovick396]

Is it necessary to touch or move every single button and lever on the vehicle ? Hilarious

[@vwsaiphone]

Donald Salkovick it’s 100% necessary you must show how it pushes or slides lol

[@Jay-Kay-Em]

Yes. Yes it is.

[@skylinefever]

If he had to push every button on certain 80s Cadillac models, the whole episode would be about pushing buttons. If he had to push all the buttons in a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville or fully equipped Gran Prix, the review would have to span multiple episodes.

[@thewiseguy3529]

Looks like a chevy astro van and a ford aerostar

[@ce9345]

It's too bad that it took vw till 1998 to put the vr6 engine in the eurovan. It should have had the vr6 engine from the beginning.

[@MixerVM]

2:05 Those climate controls look confusing as hell.

[@cromulentcommodore5896]

2:01 "it threatens spousal abuse"

[@OnTheReelFishing]

*Almost* chirps 3rd gear.

[@J.Nev.]

I See Where The 1st Gen Scion xB Got Its Looks From 😂

[@misled1982]

And the kids can throw up for free when you seat them backwards to the direction of the driver!

[@BIGGIEDEVIL]

Tiny tiny tires omg!

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

These were so pricey, anyone know if they were subject to the chicken tax?

[@traviscombs6947]

@jason9022 Ok Mr. Elitist, calm down. He simply was curious if there was additional taxation on these vehicles causing them to be so expensive. He *was* trying to get better educated by asking a question. There's zero reason for you to be a dick.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

@@traviscombs6947 thank you. I wasn't sure how it worked with vans that were sold in both passenger and work-duty configurations.

[@1985toyotacamry]

@@lukerinderknecht2982 I think unless they made in Canada México it's going to be expensive

[@aaronbays4]

Cargo vans are subject to chicken tax. Passenger vans no. I know Mercedes would mostly assemble the Sprinter van in Germany, ship it over here like 99% built and then send it to a factory in South Carolina to bolt a few parts on. Hence it was "built in the USA" and not subject to the chicken tax, which is something stupid like 20 or 30% of MSRP.

[@skylinefever]

@@aaronbays4 Ford did the same thing with some versions of the "Transit Connect." They built most of the van in Turkey, then they installed the interior in the USA.

[@Prod_by_DD]

And after this was the Routan in North America. A sad excuse for a VW, it's essentially a rebadged Grand Caravan.

[@bghoody5665]

Hip replacement ha ha.

[@gvi341984]

Do you guys need money for 4k extraction? 1080p doesn't have all the detail of the film...

[@chriswells4028]

It's made for cargo and humans not built for speed

[@argexpert]

Not das mini van. It's der mini van

[@therealjayseh]

What a hideous power train lol

[@jlcii]

Omg it's slow asf! It desperately needed the VR6 it ended up getting in 2001

[@skylinefever]

It got a VR6 in 1998, but it was an altered version of the 12V VR6 that only made 140 horsepower.