Volkswagen Caravelle (03 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on 30 May 2006

Last Updated: 19 January 2012

The Caravelle has built up a good reputation as a well built and classy people carrier - although it's usually associated with private hire firm and hotels rather than family transport. But with acres of passenger room and almost endless on board stowage, it's the perfect car for long distance family transport with seven comfortable seats as standard. The interior is also very flexible with runners in the floor allowing the seats - and the standard fold-out table - to be positioned anywhere. There are criticisms though, not least the firm and bouncy ride, while the dashboard is starting to look distinctly old fashioned.

3.5 out of 5

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3.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£34,605 - £47,860

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Used price range:

£7,915 - £36,410

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Comfortable and spacious interior, well equipped, high quality, strong TDI engines, sliding rear side doors

Firm ride, expensive for a van-based people carrier, dated dashboard design

Driving & Performance

Performance

3.5 out of 5
"There's a decent choice of engines in the Caravelle range starting with the 1.9 TDI with 102bhp."
Handling

2.5 out of 5
"From behind the wheel, the Caravelle feels safe and composed in everyday driving and despite the..."

Comfort

Comfort

4 out of 5
"Comfort for the rear passengers depends on how the rear is laid out, as all the seats are removable,..."
Practicality

4.5 out of 5
"The interior is very flexible thanks to floor-mounted slide rails on which all the interior..."
Equipment

3.5 out of 5
"The entry-level model is the SE which comes with seven seats, ESP stability control, ABS, remote..."
Behind the wheel

2.5 out of 5
"The Caravelle struggles to hide its commercial vehicle origins in the front where the dash design..."

Costs

Running costs

3 out of 5
"Fuel economy in the diesels is acceptable for such a large vehicle and the 2.5 TDI models are..."
Green credentials

2 out of 5
"The Caravelle is a polluting model, not helped by its less than aerodynamic shape and heavy kerb..."

Safety & Reliability

Safety

3.5 out of 5
"The Caravelle was awarded four stars out of a possible five in official Euro NCAP crash tests and..."
Reliability

4 out of 5
"Proven Volkswagen mechanicals and electrics should be reliable for many years. The warranty is three..."

Buying & Selling

Buying new

2.5 out of 5
"Unlike the previous Caravelle, this model is part of Volkswagen's passenger car range, rather than..."
Buying used

3 out of 5
"The Caravelle isn't a common site on the used market and they hold their value fairly well. Avoid..."
Selling

3 out of 5
"The Caravelle isn't the most obvious of choices for family buyers used to standard people carriers..."