Volkswagen Transporter

Transporter: the van that thinks – and drives – like a car

Sharper looks and an upgrade to tech and safety have brought the VW Transporter back into vogue, says Andrew Walker

The Transporter van range received a major facelift in early 2020, with the Transporter ‘6.1’ featuring a sharper exterior, a car-like cabin, improvements to connectivity and better passenger safety.

There are now just three models; Startline, Highline, plus Sportline.

The Startline and Highline models are both available in T28, T30 and T32 versions, in both SWB or LWB. There’s also an entry level SWB only T26 Startline. All models are powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine, badged 90, 100 or 150 PS. If you choose a Highline version, there’s also the option of a 2.0-litre 199 PS TDI, version with a standard seven-speed DSG gearbox. And, if you live or work in a remote region, 4MOTION 4WD is also offered on certain 150 and 199 PS models.

High on the list of improvments were the safety features. You now find electromechanical power steering system, which has enabled VW to fit a number of new standard safety and assistance features, including driving steering recommendation and crosswind assist, as well as offering the options of park assist, lane assist, side protection, trailer assist, rear traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

Transporter 6.1 also offers an all-new infotainment system, with SatNav Discover Pro plus. App Connect also now comes as standard to allow screen mirroring of mobile phones and access to certain apps while on the move. Wireless App-Connect, which isn’t offered on many cars currently, is now available as an option for the first time.

To keep track of your vehicle, it’s mileage and your drivers, all T6.1 models also feature an integrated SIM card (eSIM), which opens up a new range of online-based functions and services via We Connect – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ connectivity solution – including eCall, breakdown call, vehicle health report and driving data plus parking position.

What hasn’t changed is the practicality of the van. The maximum cargo length has increased from 2,450mm to 2,800mm in SWB Transporters and from 2,900mm to 3,300mm in LWB Transporters.

On re-launch I was invited along to a range driving day, where we got to try out several of the most likely best-selling versions. As you walk up to the Transporter, there’s no mistaking it’s heritage. There’s a new front end and the grilles, which were previously separated, have been closed slightly to create one very large air intake, which makes the van look wider. There’s also a double chrome bar, which runs across the front of the van and fits neatly into the new LED daytime running lights and narrower headlights.The rear end also features a new design of LED taillights. Regardless of these changes, it still looks reassuringly like a Transporter, though.

The likely best seller is the T28 SWB Highline 2.0 TDI 110PS 5-speed manual, which costs from £29,350 ex vat, in Copper Bronze Metallic. This version comes with a top speed of 103mph, a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, CO2 emissions of 185-167g/km and a WLTP combined full consumption of 37.7 mpg

Climb aboard and you’ll find the nicest van interior in the class, with the most car-like van dashboard yet. Everything is easy to reach from the driver’s seat and we took the opportunity to connect our iPhone to Apple CarPlay, for hands-free motoring, which was seamless.

The seats are nicely supportive and it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. A test on some narrow country lanes revealed more car-like characteristics; it drives like an SUV. It’s supremely comfortable, soaking up the bumps in the road and handling the twisting road with aplomb. The rear load space contained 360kg of gravel on a pallet to give us an idea of how the Transporter works with a decent load in the back. It doesn’t hang around either, making light work of slow-moving traffic and never feeling underpowered. The five-speed manual gear change is smooth, aided by the light clutch and it felt stable and balanced on the road. Payload for this version is 886kg. On our circular test route we averaged 36.7 mpg.

CC&V VERDICT

A real step-up from the previous version and in any spec, will offer you, or your drivers, the most comfortable and best quality cabin to spend time in, of any medium panel van. A real winner.

CC&V RATING:

N N N N N