Volkswagen Multivan | Review

2-3-2… 2-2-3… 2-2-1-2… or 2-2-1?

No, not some unusual formation options for the next England manager to consider; those combinations are just some of the myriad ways in which the Volkswagen Multivan's seven seats can be configured.

The front two are fixed, of course, but the other five slide independently on rails, providing the multiple options befitting of the vehicle's name. Not only does it allow unprecedented flexibility, it also means that all seven passengers can enjoy ample leg, arm and shoulder room.

All the other five seats can be completely removed, a straightforward process achieved by pulling the black tab to fold the seat in half and then the red tab to lift the chair from the rails. The seats are pretty heavy, mind.

The outer seats have armrests on both sides, but the inner arm can be intrusive when trying to position the middle seat to form a bench. Thankfully, they can also be removed with a simple press of a button. All outer seats can also be specced with seat warmers (£702 option).

Meanwhile, the centre console is also on rails, meaning it can either be positioned conventionally between the two front seats or slid back to sit between the middle seats.

Its real party piece, however, is revealed by pushing a button on the top which raises the height of the console. Pulling out two aircraft style stowage trays creates a handy table.

Swivelling the two outer seats in the middle row by 180 degrees enables a family to gather around the table for the ultimate in sociable picnicking.

It's perfect for those rainy summer days out.

The Multivan sits on the Transporter platform but has had extensive cosmetic surgery, resulting in a much more handsome vehicle. Prices start at £48,375, rising to more than £60,000 for a high-spec long-wheelbase variant.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a seven-speed DSG auto gearbox, which offers plenty of grunt (150PS) to shift more than two tonnes effortlessly across the country with ample acceleration out of corners or up hills despite having the added weight of five adults and a dog, plus luggage.

For a big vehicle, it is easy to navigate city streets and parking is straightforward with the aid of the standard-fit rear-view camera. Park assist is also standard fit for automated parallel and bay parking.

Equally impressive, given the weight, is its efficiency. Generally nudging 40mpg on daily trips along country roads, we achieved almost 44mpg on a six hour/250-mile journey from Northumberland to Peterborough via Scarborough.

That’s bang on the WLTP official figures - and, therefore, the CO2 emissions of 172g/km - and means more than 500 miles is possible between refuels.

The sliding side doors and tailgate can be opened via the key fob, by pressing the handle or with a well-placed foot waggle.

As is befitting of a vehicle whose primary job is to transport groups of people around, the Multivan has plenty of cubby holes and storage areas, including a tray which pulls out beneath the middle chairs and a hideaway storage space revealed by lifting the seat cushion itself.

Passengers desperate to stay connected to the outside world are catered for with two USB (type-C) ports in the front and four USB (type-C) ports dotted around the main compartment.

Luggage capacity is admittedly limited with all seats up, particularly if the centre seat is pushed rearwards to form a bench of three, but the parcel shelf can support extra bags to double the load height.

Removing those rear seats significantly boosts capacity from 469 litres to 1,850. Full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672 litres on the standard wheelbase, rising to a whopping 4,053 litres on the long wheelbase version.

The interior is well equipped with a voice-activated infotainment system on a 10-inch touchscreen, Digital Cockpit Pro, wireless phone charging and LED matrix lighting with dynamic light assist.

The extensive list of safety features includes: emergency assist, front assist with emergency braking, post-collision braking, driver alert, eCall and lane assist.

Materials are high quality yet also functional. Optional £2,088 Savona leather seat trim covers, reinforced carpet flooring covering and hard plastics greatly assist the clean-up operation when five sodden adults return to the car with a mud-caked dog.

Choices are limited when it comes to seven-seat MPVs, with most manufacturers preferring to focus on large SUVs instead, but the Volkswagen Multivan is well worth considering as a lifestyle option. It’s a go anywhere, do anything life companion.