2025 Volkswagen Caravelle | Honest Drive Review, Specs, Price

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Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicle arm has revealed a new Transporter. Dubbed the T7, it's largely based on the Ford Tourneo/Transit Custom. That's eveident from the rear end's shape, even though VW's made an effort to give the front end a unique look reminiscent of the T6.1 predecessor. VW will offer the Transporter in its home country with significantly more standard equipment than the outgoing T6.1. As a panel van, it starts from €36,780 ($39,681 at today’s exchange rate), and as a flatbed van with crew cab from €39,130 ($42,216).
The seventh-generation van now has push-button start next to the 12.0-inch digital instrument display and the 13.0-inch infotainment screen. The standard multifunction steering wheel comes with clearly arranged buttons. Drivers can change the infotainment volume via the steering wheel or a classic rotary knob. VW removed the handbrake lever, making it a switch on the dashboard.
Also new is the space-saving steering column selector lever for the automatic vans. It enables even better access to the load or passenger compartment. Large cup holders in the front center console (depending on equipment) and additional cup holders and practical storage compartments in the upper area of the dashboard make everyday work easier. It has a high and clearly arranged dashboard, a high seating position, and an ergonomically optimized arrangement of all controls of a typical van.
The new van is 198.82 inches long, 5.75 inches longer than the T6.1. Its wheelbase has grown by 3.82 inches to 122.10, but if you need more room, there's an optional 15.78-inches longer wheelbase version with an overall length of 214.57 inches. At 80.0 inches, the Transporter offers an exterior width 5.04 inches wider than its predecessors, excluding the mirrors. The maximum width between the wheel arches has been increased by 5.83 inches to 54.80 inches. According to VW, Euro pallets can now be stowed "with ease."
The load compartment length on the van floor with the standard wheelbase is 102.44 inches, an increase of 2.40 inches. With an extended wheelbase, the load compartment length increases to 118.19 inches. Thanks to the increase in length, width, and wheelbase, VW has been able to increase the load volume of the Transporter significantly. The largest stowage volume of the versions with the regular wheelbase is now 204.8 cubic feet.
In addition to the latest turbodiesel engines (TDI), both models will be available with plug-in hybrid drive and purely electric drive. Three power variants of the new TDI engines are available in the pre-sales phase, which has already started. They develop 109 hp, 148 hp, and 168 hp.
The newly developed 229-hp plug-in hybrid eHybrid drivetrain is also already available to order. VW will soon follow it with three electric drivetrains with outputs of 134 hp, 215 hp, and 281 hp respectively, each with a net battery capacity of 64 kilowatt hours.
There will also be an electric version with reduced power and a smaller battery for urban delivery traffic. The TDI and eHybrid models are front-wheel drive. 4Motion all-wheel drive is available for TDI versions with 148 hp or more. The purely electric models have rear-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive version is also planned for later. The 168-hp TDI is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the 148 hp motor has it available as an option. An automatic transmission is mandatory for the plug-in hybrid and electric models.
The Caravelle is the ideal choice for a large-capacity cab or shuttle. Even the basic version offers a removable three-seat bench in the third row as standard, providing nine seats. Compared to the Transporter versions, the Caravelle features upgraded seat fabrics, side and curtain airbags in the cab, and an audio system with ten loudspeakers.