Volkswagen Multivan Life 2025 Review
The 2025 Volkswagen Multivan is one of four people carriers offered by the brand Down Under but it has typically proven the most popular, owing to its medium size and immense flexibility. Rubbing shoulders with the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria, the new T7 generation offers a classy and distinctly European take on the category, with a refined drive and supreme practicality. Two variants are currently available with more on the way, potentially with a more powerful engine. But the entry-level Multivan Life represents a decent starting point.
How much does the Volkswagen Multivan cost?
At the time of writing there are just two versions of the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan to choose from: the $75,990 Multivan Life SWB TDI360 and the $78,990 Life LWB TDI360.
Both of those prices exclude on-road costs (ORCs) and immediately price the Multivan out of competition with the best-selling Kia Carnival (priced from $50,300 plus ORCs), which dominates Australia’s people-mover segment, and the Hyundai Staria (priced from $49,500 plus ORCs).
However, the Life’s standard equipment list is far from lacking, especially for what will ultimately be the base model once more variants arrive here later in the year.
Headlining the spec sheet are tri-zone climate control, LED exterior lighting, 17-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, keyless entry and start, a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless smartphone projection, a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, dash-mounted toggle shifter, powered sliding side doors, an eight-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery and seven seats, five of which are sliding and removable.
Its seating arrangement and configurability is ultimately the Multivan’s biggest drawcard. Yes, this seven-seater is missing a seat compared to the Carnival and Staria, but the Multivan offers close to 20 different seating configurations – the second row can even be reinstalled facing backwards.
Powering both versions of the Multivan Life is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Producing up to 110kW and 360Nm, it drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while fuel economy is 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Active and passive safety highlights extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, multi-collision braking, pre-crash protection, a reversing camera, driver fatigue detection, emergency assist, exit assist, rear traffic alert and seven airbags.
There are also a mountain of lifestyle-enhancing optional extras and packs available to tailor the Multivan to your needs.
What’s good about the Volkswagen Multivan?
The other major drawcard of the new 2025 Volkswagen Multivan is the fact it rides on the same MQB Evo platform as the Mk8 Golf and latest-generation Tiguan SUV. Volkswagen says that means the people mover now delivers a more car-like driving experience, and it really does, save for the sit-up-and-beg van-like driving position.
Unladen, the new Multivan rides like a firmly sprung SUV around town; it’s by no means uncomfortable, but you can tell it was obviously designed to carry more weight than just the driver – something we didn’t do on the introductory media drive to and from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
It wasn’t until we got out of town and into the twisties, however, that the MQB underpinnings became more apparent, and the T7 Multivan’s Euro heritage shone through.
While dimensionally similar to a Kia Carnival, the new Multivan feels lighter and more poised through turns – it feels more planted and offers less body roll, even in long wheelbase form.
The steering is quicker and more accurate, too.
But these aren’t meant to be driver’s cars, they’re made for lugging the family around and, in VW’s eyes, living life to the fullest, hence the immense configurability and accommodation of the second and third rows.
Beyond its seven-seat capacity, there’s not much the Multivan can’t do in the realm of passenger-focused vans.
Back in the driver’s seat, visibility is good for the most part, and the mirrors are big and provide a great field of view. The digital cockpit is crisp and concise, and most of the steering wheel controls are easy to locate and use on the fly.
The adaptive cruise control works well, as does the lane keeping system (for the most part), while the turbo-diesel engine is a willing accomplice… once you’re rolling.
What’s not so good about the Volkswagen Multivan?
While the 2025 Volkswagen Multivan might corner better and be more versatile than the Carnival, it’s simply not as comfortable in town as the best-seller and nor is its turbo-diesel powertrain as lusty.
Small bumps and surface irregularities have a propensity to crash through and into the Multivan’s cabin. Admittedly, this is more heard than felt, but the sensation partially undermines the premium polish and image VW is going for with this latest model.
Our other main issue with the new Multivan is its powertrain; it’s perfectly serviceable for pottering around town, but it lacks that extra bit of punch you’d expect of a modern turbo-diesel/dual-clutch pairing.
We shouldn’t be totally surprised given the 2.0-litre’s modest outputs, but we get the impression it would struggle with any sort of meaningful load on board when it comes time to exploit a gap in the traffic or make a swift overtake.
The seven-speed dual-cutch automatic transmission does well for the most part but it can hesitate and pause for breath off the line. It’s noticeable when you’re looking to get out in front of the traffic, while the trait is exacerbated by a degree of turbo lag.
As per usual for VW these days, we’d love to see more climate controls made available on the dashboard – altering the fan speed and direction requires you to drill down to a sub-menu. And on an even more minor note, while we see the logic and cosmetic appeal, the split A-pillars don’t do much for visibility behind the wheel.
Should I buy a Volkswagen Multivan?
If you’re after a handsome, vibrant and infinitely practical people mover with a bit more pizazz than a Kia Carnival then yes, you should buy a 2025 VW Multivan Life… with a caveat.
If you have the budget, we’d be tempted to wait for the anticipated Style version due mid-year. It’s tipped to pair more equipment with a gutsier engine, and it’s the latter that draws our attention.
Meanwhile, if the Life suits your needs, we’d opt for the dearer long-wheelbase model, which maximises the platform’s load-lugging potential.
Multivans can be found in some of Australia’s trendiest suburbs, where many spend the entirety of their lives. So many prospective buyers likely won’t care about some missing pulling power or a noisy ride.
And in that case, with its blend of versatility, handsome looks, loud colour schemes, practical interior and Euro dynamics, the T7 Multivan adds up to a compelling proposition for those who can justify the spend.
2025 VW Multivan Life at a glance:
Price: $75,990 (plus on-road costs) SWB; $78,990 (plus on-road costs) LWB
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kWkW/360Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
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- MQB Evo underpinnings yield an SUV and car-like cornering experience
- Almost infinitely configurable and versatile second and third rows
- Modern, car-like interior matches the vibrant exterior
- Suspension and tyres are noisy over surface irregularities and sharper bumps
- Powertrain lacks meaningful punch, even when unladen
- Not all climate controls (fan speed and direction) are housed on the dash
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