Volkswagen Crafter Review

In years to come, this generation of Volkswagen Crafter will be a bit of a rarity as it was developed solely by Volkswagen. The previous model was built by Mercedes-Benz, alongside the Sprinter, while, since the launch of this version, Volkswagen has signed a partnership with Ford to create commercial vehicles in the future.

Because of the solely Volkswagen basis for the Crafter that was launched in 2017, the engines and gearboxes are all familiar to anyone that is a student of the brand’s other models. There are four versions of a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that also features in vehicles such as the Transporter. It comes with a choice of four different power outputs with 102PS, 122PS, 140PS and 177PS.

In addition to these four engines, there are a dizzying array of different options available on the Volkswagen Crafter. You can choose between front-, rear- or four-wheel-drive versions, manual or automatic gearbox and between three different heights and three lengths. If you can’t find what you need among that lot then an electric version and a crew cab are on the way, to join the numerous conversions on offer.

It’s a very practical van, too, with an impressive load-carrying capacity with the ability to carry up to six Euro pallets and a payload of up to 1,456kg on the 3.5-tonne version. The heavier 5.0-tonne model can carry up to 2,516kg. The load volume goes up to 18.4 cubic metres, too.

There are just the two trims available for the Volkswagen Crafter – Startline and Trendline – but they can be upgraded and personalised in a wide variety of ways thanks to an options list that runs to multiple pages on the official brochure. You still get a decent amount of kit on the Startline, so an options list raid isn’t necessarily a requirement. 

You get a single side sliding rear door, a full-height steel bulkhead, Bluetooth and USB connections, hill-hold control, crosswind assist, a driver alert system and city emergency braking as standard. Trendline adds an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control with a speed limiter, a multi-function steering wheel and a wooden load floor cover.

The Volkswagen Crafter’s cabin is a wonderful place, with comfort and quality both available in abundance. However, the driving experience is the real high point. It is surprisingly easy to drive for such a big van, with the steering and visibility making it much more accessible than its size suggests. Technology such as a parking assist system and a rear cross-traffic alert will help reduce the anxiety points for many unfamiliar with driving a van further.

The comfort and technology in the Volkswagen Crafter means that it is a very strong contender in a class that got some very impressive vans on offer in the form of the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The Volkswagen Crafter is a worthy rival to both these, and is an excellent large panel van.

The engine range is wide and varied in the Volkswagen Crafter but the pick of the bunch for its all-round ability and strength is the 140PS version. It feels less strained than some of the lesser versions and feels well up to the task of hauling a heavy load and towing a trailer.

In terms of the trim, the Volkswagen Crafter shines when it is fitted with some of the excellent technology that it has at its disposal. To really appreciate this van for what it can do, it is better with a few more items fitted to it. The higher Trendline version brings these, and adds a few more things like an upgraded driver’s seat, the eight-inch screen with App Connect and wider opening doors.

The current Volkswagen Crafter range runs from £46,891 including VAT to £67,957 including VAT in panel-van form.

At the lower end of the range, that gets you into a Commerce medium-wheelbase high-roof model with the 140PS front-wheel-drive diesel and six-speed manual gearbox. At the top end, the Volkswagen Crafter moves into longer, taller and more heavy-duty configurations with stronger engines and pricier driveline setups.

This is not a cheap van, but the Volkswagen Crafter is pitched at buyers who value the polished driving experience and the broad factory range as much as the basic load figures.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the Volkswagen’s nemesis, with a similar array of technology and equipment available to it. If you want the most modern vans on the market then your shortlist should include these two for sure.

The Ford Transit should certainly be on that list, too, with the most recent update bringing it close to these two in terms of tech and ability.

If you want out-and-out value then the older models in the class will offer more along these lines – the likes of the Renault Master, the Vauxhall Movano and Fiat Ducato are not as modern but will do a good job of hauling loads of stuff for not much cash.

Finally, the MAN TGE is the Volkswagen Crafter with a different badge. MAN is a truck manufacturer first and foremost, though, so you can get a different and perhaps more out-of-hours service offering from it.

All Volkswagen Crafters get a front bench with space for two. Because of the width of the Crafter it is possible to fit three in relatively comfortably, although there is always going to be a bit of shoulder bumping for the two passengers. The middle one does get a decent amount of legroom, considering that they are tucked up against the dash, because the gear lever is close enough to the steering wheel.

If you are certain you’ll not be needing the double seat you can downgrade it to a basic single passenger seat or a comfort single passenger seat. Considering both reduce the price of the Volkswagen Crafter it’s hard to work out why you would not go for the comfort version.

You can upgrade the passenger seat, too, with the suspension and massage function available on the top-spec model as a cost option.

The space in the back of the Volkswagen Crafter is easily accessed thanks to the large and light sliding side door with an opening of 1,311mm and the twin rear doors that open out 180 degrees as standard to provide a gap that’s 1,552mm wide (you can up the door opening to 270 degrees, but only as a cost option.)

The smallest model will be able to take four Euro pallets, while the longest model will take six. You can’t have every combination of length and height – the short wheelbase only comes with the low and high roof with the latter the standard offering, while the long wheelbase and long wheelbase maxi come with the high roof with the super high roof as an optional extra, making six different sizes in total.

The longest and highest provides an internal length of 4,855mm and an interior height of 2,196mm and a total load volume of 18.4 cubic metres. Payloads go up to 1,415kg, on the medium wheelbase with the high roof, which is decent but not amazing. This can go up to 2,572kg if you go for the heavy-duty version, but you can’t drive that on a standard licence.

The Volkswagen Crafter range spans 5,986mm to 7,391mm in length and 2,355mm to 2,798mm in height, depending on body and roof choice. Width is 2,040mm excluding mirrors.

Those are substantial dimensions, but the Volkswagen Crafter carries them well. Good visibility, light steering and a very well-judged driving position make it feel less cumbersome than many rivals at first acquaintance.

The current Volkswagen Crafter range is built around Commerce and Commerce Plus trims. Volkswagen Crafter Commerce keeps things fairly straightforward, but the standard cab is not exactly basic. It includes a five-inch composition display, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a solid set of core safety systems.

Volkswagen Crafter Commerce Plus is the one most buyers will want. It upgrades the van to the more useful eight-inch infotainment system, adds App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control with speed limiter and the broader sense of polish that buyers in this class increasingly expect.

There are still lots of optional upgrades, including more advanced telematics and assistance systems, and that is where the Crafter can start to get expensive.

The Volkswagen Crafter’s material quality is strong by large-van standards. The plastics are hard-wearing rather than plush, but the design is clean, everything feels solidly assembled, and the seats are especially good.

That matters in a van likely to spend long days on the road. The Crafter’s cab doesn’t feel remotely flimsy or cheap, and higher-spec seat options such as ergoComfort and ergoActive reinforce the sense that Volkswagen took driver comfort seriously.

The current Volkswagen Crafter panel-van line-up is built around three versions of the 2.0-litre TDI diesel.

The 140PS front-wheel-drive engine is the key one for most buyers. It’s available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic, and it offers the strongest all-round case for general van duties.

Above that sits the 177PS engine, available in front-wheel-drive and 4MOTION forms. It’s the more muscular option for buyers who tow or regularly carry heavier loads, though it is also less efficient.

Rear-wheel-drive models use the 163PS version of the same engine. These are the vans to look at if you need the heavier-duty carrying ability that comes with the CR50 setups, but they are also noisier and less refined than the front-wheel-drive alternatives.

The Volkswagen Crafter does an excellent job of disguising its size. The steering is light at lower speeds, visibility is strong, and the whole van feels more approachable than many rivals from the first mile.

On faster roads, the Volkswagen Crafter settles into a very relaxed cruise. Ride comfort is good for such a large commercial vehicle, body control is tidy, and the cab remains calm and composed even over longer distances.

Front-wheel-drive versions are the most convincing all-rounders from behind the wheel. They are quieter, smoother and generally more refined than the rear-wheel-drive models. That is important because the rear-wheel-drive Crafter is noticeably noisier and sends more vibration into the cab, particularly under load or hard acceleration.

Even so, the Volkswagen Crafter remains one of the best large vans in the class to drive, especially if you choose a front-wheel-drive model with the 140PS engine.

The Volkswagen Crafter still has one of the more impressive safety specs in the class. Crosswind Assist, City Emergency Braking, Driver Alert System, Hill Start Assist and Road Sign Display are all standard, which gives even basic versions a reassuringly strong foundation.

Volkswagen also offers a wide list of additional driver-assistance systems, including Trailer Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist, Lane Assist and adaptive cruise control. The frustration is that plenty of the cleverest systems still sit on the options list rather than being included as standard.

Official fuel economy sits in the 20s or low 30s depending on engine, transmission and driveline. The best figures come from the 140PS front-wheel-drive versions, which can return up to 32.5mpg in official testing.

That does not look especially outstanding in a class where some rivals can post stronger paper numbers, but the Volkswagen Crafter should still return mid-30s in sensible real-world use if you choose carefully and do not over-specify the van for the job.

The latest Volkswagen Crafter comes with a five-year warranty capped at 124,000 miles, which is a reassuring amount of cover for something many owners will depend on day in, day out. If you are buying a Crafter for your own business or regular heavy-duty use, that extra warranty support adds welcome peace of mind.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also offers service plans, which can help make routine maintenance costs easier to manage.

Insurance groups span a fairly broad range, running from around group 34 to group 43 depending on engine, length, roof and trim.

That puts the Volkswagen Crafter broadly where you would expect for a large van with this much variety. The key point is to quote-check the exact version you want, because configuration makes a real difference here.

For Crafter panel-van models, the usual light-commercial vehicle VED rules apply. The current standard annual rate for light goods vehicles is £360, though the exact treatment can differ on heavier-duty variants, so it’s worth checking the specific version you are buying.