► CAR’s review of all-new VW Transporter
► Bigger, smarter, more practical than before
► Shares most parts with Ford Transit Custom
An all-new Volkswagen Transporter is a big deal – any all-new van is worth paying attention to given that commercial vehicles have longer lifecycles than their passenger-car cousins.
However, the VW Transporter van isn’t quite as brand new and original as that might suggest. This is the latest vehicle to emerge from the partnership between VW and Ford, so this Transporter is fundamentally the same vehicle as the UK’s favourite van, the Ford Transit Custom.
This means that the two vehicles share pretty much everything in common, but VW has clear licence to draw a line between itself and Ford’s offering. Some of these differences are visual, some specification based and some related to the aftercare you get.
At a glance
Pros: Brilliant to drive, generously equipped, a classy and clever cabin, fantastic warranty and servicing offer
Cons: Fewer versions than rivals, missing some clever innovations, lacking in some old-school VW magic
What’s new?
Everything is new about the new 2025 Volkswagen Transporter. Well, new to VW anyway. The 2025 model is completely different to the old T6.1 and takes the brand in a new direction. From a cold business perspective, you can see why Wolfsburg has done this. By sharing the development and production costs, it can slash its bills and bring a van to market for much less.
By collaborating with its biggest competitor, in the UK at least, it’s also nullifying the threat from the van’s closest rival. The Transit Custom has always been a class leader, and the latest one stormed onto the market collecting awards and accolades for fun. It’s a fair expectation that the new VW Transporter will be a barnstormer too.
The engines and gearboxes are all new to the VW, but not actually new. The hardware comes from Ford, which was mostly carried over from the previous Transit Custom.
It’s probably fairer to run through what is different rather than listing all the shared features, though. As well as the obvious front-end looks – the nose is fractionally shorter as well as being totally redesigned – there are tweaks to the side and back, with the rear lights evoking the latest VW Amarok to make the connection to VW’s other commercial vehicles.
There are minor differences too – both wheelarches are lined, which offers a little more protection and noise insulation.
Inside, you can basically draw a horizontal line along the middle of the dashboard – everything above it is bespoke to the Transporter. This includes relocated cupholders, a glovebox with a lid on every version (the entry-level Ford’s storage spot is exposed) and one of VW’s own steering wheels. This means you don’t get the clever, but slightly gimmicky, wheel that you can flip up and use as a table as you can in the Transit Custom.
Thankfully, both the wheel and the infotainment screen have physical buttons – VW realising that touchscreen controls aren’t that easy to use with working gloves on. Said screen is powered by Ford’s operating system but has been reskinned so it looks like one of VW’s. The whole screen has been slightly reshaped, too, with the screen pointing fractionally more in the driver’s direction.
Overall the differences are relatively minor, but enough to make it feel like they haven’t just prised the Ford badge off the wheel and replaced it with a VW one.
What are the specs?
Speed isn’t really the thing VW Transporter buyers will come clamouring to learn about, so let’s head straight to the economy. Truth be told, this is one area where you would hope that a brand-new vehicle would do a little better. Sure, we’re at the stage where manufacturers aren’t bothering to develop new diesel engines, so these are ones that have been around a bit. Any gains come from aerodynamic efficiencies and tweaks to the units, so the best economy a version can promise is 40.9mpg.
Naturally the 4Motion four-wheel-drive models take a toll on consumption, with a high of 33.2mpg. Consider carefully whether you really do need that extra traction or if a different set of tyres might not do the job better.
How does it drive?
Van makers have all been aiming for that holy grail of making their vehicles feel more car-like to drive over recent years, and the Transporter takes a big stride in that direction. Of course, there is only so much they can do given this is still a big vehicle, even compared to the biggest of SUVs out there currently.
There are several elements that combine to make the Transporter feel that bit smaller and more accessible. The light steering, standard-fit rear parking sensors and huge windows and resultant great view all make it easy to park and pilot around town.
Said light steering means that it lacks a little of the fun that Transit Customs have had in the past, but this is the sort of thing that is very much a ‘nice to have’ rather than anything else. When it is a tool, it’s better to have a van that is accomplished and easy to drive than one that is entertaining on the run back to the depot.
The ride is a triumph, although I can only state this based on having driven it with an empty loading bay. Given that vans tend to settle down even more with a bit of a load in the back, it’s likely that carrying a bunch of tools will improve matters on that front rather than hinder.
You’ll notice I haven’t said much about the engine range, but that’s because they are perhaps the least remarkable element. They are tried-and-tested units, the mid-power 148bhp is likely to be the sweet spot based on experience in the Transit Custom and other vehicles, but the 108bhp entry-level will do a job if you are carrying lighter loads. The 168bhp top-spec model doesn’t feel blisteringly quick but offers a bit more shove.
What about the interior?
The cabin is an excellent space in the VW Transporter in many senses. There are some elements of the design that make it genuinely practical and comfortable in the way that its predecessor and plenty of other vans can’t match. Chief among these is the flat floor.
This allows three adults to fit across the cabin with the middle one not having to straddle a transmission tunnel. It also lets you slide from one side of the van to the other with ease.
The automatic versions have the gear selector on a stalk tucked up behind the steering wheel, which frees up more room for the middle-seat passenger’s knees. The only thing that really gets in the way is the flip-out cupholder.
There is a general car-like ambience, which is good in terms of the driving position – you get a good view out and you don’t feel like you are perched up high and driving a bus. The bulkhead means you can’t slide your seat miles back, but all but the tallest drivers will be able to get comfortable.
One downside is the headroom. The roof is a little on the low side, which makes it feel a little cosier, and there is no overhead storage.
Out back, this is a van revitalised. Plenty of the irritations of the old Transporter are no more. This van has a whopping 148mm more space between the wheelarches, which vastly increases the kind of things you can put in there. It’s 5% bigger overall, and now has a load-through hatch where it didn’t before. It’s a shame that VW won’t be offering the clever L-shaped bulkhead that allows for two seats and a narrow section of full-length loading bay.
There is a version for anyone wanting to carry loads of heavy stuff but beware which one you go for. There is more than 500kg difference between the top payload of 1280kg and the lowest one, which is just 767kg.
Van safety has been hauled kicking and screaming out of the dark ages. Up until only very recently, owners were fortunate if they had one solitary airbag, but now vans like the Transporter are actively chasing Euro NCAP’s top safety ratings.
The VW’s managed to get it, too, with the Transporter (or rather the Transit Custom, but the same applies) scoring the highest Platinum score. This is thanks to a load of kit such as driver and front passenger airbags, curtain airbags, front collision warning with braking, lane assist and emergency eCall system all coming as standard.
Despite that top score, not everything comes as standard with things like adaptive cruise control with a predicted speed limiter, cross traffic assist and lane assist with blind spot assist all only offered on the top trim.
Before you buy
Not to keep harping on about the Transit Custom, but you’d imagine the VW and Ford would be priced the same, but VW’s actually managed to get its van slightly cheaper than its rival. The entry-level model is about 4% less, and it still comes with pretty much the same kit. This could be because VW has priced to sell rather than dabbling with discounts, but the Transporter has historically always been fractionally under the Ford anyway.
Head higher up the range and comparisons are a bit trickier to make. VW has kept its range to just the three versions – Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro – to make things simpler, although a Sportline is in the offing. Sadly the PanAmericana, with its off-road styling and rugged kit, isn’t coming to the UK. The Ford, meanwhile, has six trims to choose from, so the two are not identical to one another.
The other trump card that the VW holds up its sleeve is its 5+ Promise which is reason enough to choose the Transporter above anything else on its own. This brings five years of warranty, five years’ servicing, the first MoTs and five years’ roadside assistance. All for free.
There is a reason I keep referring to the Ford Transit Custom – beyond the obvious – and that’s because these two are a country mile out ahead of the rest of the class. The alternatives are all rather aged now, with the Renault Trafic, Mercedes Vito and Stellantis quartet all showing their age a bit, particularly when sitting next to this pair.
Verdict
Viewed dispassionately this new Volkswagen Transporter is an absolute belter of a van. On paper it makes fantastic sense. Sure, it doesn’t have quite as many versions as the Ford, but if one of those that it does offer works for you then arguable it is the one to go for of the two, thanks in no small part to that longer warranty and servicing cover.
The issue is when you shush the head and listen to the heart. The Transporter has a long history of passionate fans, who love the heritage of the vehicle and its campervan origins. This doesn’t have that – a ‘Bulli line’ crease down the side of the van doesn’t cut it unfortunately. Would those VW fans be happy that they are buying a Ford with a different skin? Probably not. If you’re making a business decision though, then it’s a brilliant thing.
Specs are for a Volkswagen Transporter T32 150PS 2.0 TDI 8-speed automatic Commerce Pro SWB