Volkswagen Crafter 2016 Review

Volkswagen Crafter 35 TDI340
2016 Large Van Comparison Test

Volkswagen's Crafter shares its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, with both models produced in Daimler factories in Europe. However, the Crafter is powered by VW's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine – in this instance in the mid-spec twin-turbo TDI340 rating with 105kW and 340Nm – with the drive sent to the rear wheels via the sole transmission choice of a six-speed manual. The Crafter range is priced from $41,990 to $63,150 with the vehicle reviewed here priced at $48,200 (plus on-road costs).

If you're going to sell a capable LCV, you might as well begin with a proven platform. Volkswagen has done just that with its Crafter, which shares its chassis and body with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter but has a different drivetrain and styling.

There's been plenty of activity in Australia's large van market recently but the Crafter has remained relatively unchanged, the model carrying on in its current guise for four years now. That's not necessarily a bad thing – it's a proven product with a solid track record.

Our test vehicle is the Crafter 35 TDI340, indicating its 3550kg GVM and mid-spec (but twin-turbo) engine. Volkswagen offers its rear-drive Crafter with its own 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in three power ratings. As such, the TDI340 has a more modest output compared to its rivals here (excluding Iveco's Daily), with 105kW/340Nm.

The cab is, well, just like a Sprinter's – but there are differences. For a start, our test vehicle was fitted with a bulkhead and a twin passenger seat unit. The bulkhead has a full-width window, giving excellent rear vision through the rear barn doors, while the passenger seating provides a cavernous storage area and there's a small fold-out tray with cup holders in the centre seat back.

The centre dash-top tray is open (it has a lid in the Sprinter) and our Crafter had a more basic head unit with no TFT display. It still has Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, though. The instrumentation has a slightly altered format – the analogue speedo and tacho have swapped places – while the central digital display sticks to the basics.

The standard driver's seat is similarly Spartan, firm-ish but supportive enough, while the simple steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach but has no integrated controls. There's the same dedicated Sprinter-style wand for the cruise control and speed limiter. The quality construction prevails, while many Crafter features can be upgraded at extra cost – like the seating, steering wheel, and head unit.

There are no grab handles to aid cab access although like in any of these large vans, climbing in is helped by the large footsteps and wide door apertures.

On the road the Crafter displays a Sprinter-like degree of poise and confidence through the bends. At this power rating it doesn't have the same zest as the Sprinter, nor the Master or Transit for that matter, but there's still pleasing acceleration from a standing start and a fairly strong top-end; it simply gets on the with job, empty or not, while displaying only minimal roll around corners.

The Crafter's performance run was hampered by a sudden downpour, so given its modest output and the wet tarmac, the figures it achieved are really fairly healthy.

The manual transmission is stiff and a bit notchy, though – it can't match the Transit or the Master for refinement – and we noted some vibration transmitted though the clutch pedal, though the standard hill hold feature is appreciated.

Vision is generally good but the Crafter's mirrors are the smallest of the bunch. Our test vehicle had neither the optional parking sensors nor reversing camera, so the clear rear view through the bulkhead was a plus.

At 13.6m the Crafter's turning circle is one of the largest on test, while its steering box is actually quite short, with only 3.25 turns from lock to lock.

The test vehicle came with a bare steel load bay with 10 tie-down anchor points and an internal volume of 9.0 cubic metres. The 620mm load floor height was at the upper end here – only the Daily and Transit were higher – while the Crafter falls mid pack for ceiling height (1660mm) and for the width between its wheelarches (1340mm).

The Crafter shares the Sprinter's modest 2000kg towing limit – the lowest of the bunch in this company.

There was no rear load bay step either (it's an option) but, like the Daily and Sprinter, there was a step in the front bumper – a help for cleaning the windscreen.

At the end of our time in the Crafter we'd achieved an average fuel economy of 9.5L/100km – that places it mid-pack – which equates to a safe range of around 750km from the 75-litre tank.

The two standard airbags can be complemented by optional side and head/thorax airbags to give a total of six. The stability control adapts to the Crafter's load and features, among the usual safety systems, an electronic differential lock for better traction when moving off in slippery going. Foglights, auto lights and rain-sensing wipers are options.

Underway the Crafter's bulkhead dampens internal noise to an acceptable level; there's a bit of transmission whine but it's nothing untoward by commercial vehicle standards.

Volkswagen comes out well in the aftersales support stakes, being the only manufacturer here to offer a three-year but unlimited kilometre warranty – its rivals' warranties are pegged at either 100,000km or 200,000km. Service intervals fall every year or 30,000km, while the model comes with three years of roadside assistance.

The Crafter might only sell in small volumes in Australia but it's still a worthy offering in its own right. It's priced attractively compared to its Sprinter twin and can be optioned up with the best of them.

The manual transmission lacks the refinement of the newer offering here, however, and the lack of an automatic will dissuade some, but the Crafter is solid proposition nonetheless.

Related reading:
>> Large Van 2016 Comparison: Introduction
>> Ford Transit (from $47,680 plus ORCs)
>> Fiat Ducato (from $44,000 plus ORCs)
>> Iveco Daily (from $49,501 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (from $44,490 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Master (from $40,990 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Crafter (from $41,990 plus ORCs)
>> Large Van Comparison - The Verdict

2016 Volkswagen Crafter 35 TDI340 pricing and specifications:
Price: $48,200 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 105kW/340Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drive: Rear
GVM: 3550kg
Wheelbase: 3665mm
Payload: 1468-1486kg
Load space: 9.0 cubic metres
Towing (braked): 2000kg
Fuel: 9.5L/100km (as tested)