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Volkswagen Crafter

HARD CRAFT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

There are many large vans that claim to be all things to all people but Volkswagen's much improved Crafter comes closer than most, as Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 74

Volkswagen has thoroughly upgraded its largest van, the Crafter, with smarter looks and a redesigned cabin. There's still no EV version though. But this improved take on the MK2 model is more digital and media savvy and has a wider range of driver assistance systems. And it's still as practical as ever. It remains the UK's fourth best selling large van - and in many ways the thinking business person's choice in this sector.

Backgroundword count: 261

A really large van is the kind of thing your business will need for its heaviest, most awkward loads. The kind of vehicle that, as a result, is likely to get the toughest day-to-day treatment. Such an LCV will also require quite a substantial initial outlay, money you'll want to preserve as far as possible in resale value when the time comes to sell. For all these reasons, when considering a van of this kind, it's tempting to stretch yourself a little and go with the quality option, even if it costs a little more. In this market, that tends to mean either a Mercedes Sprinter or this contender, Volkswagen's Crafter. Both are based upon the same underpinnings and roll down the same production lines at Daimler's Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde plants. The Crafter though, originally launched back in 2006, has always used its own engines, a policy that continued with the current second generation version, introduced in 2017. It sells in a wide variety of forms - panel van, drop side and chassis cab - and also forms the basis for the brand's largest camper van, the Grand California. With this MK2 Crafter, over 354,000 units were sold in the first five years of production. Volkswagen then, has every incentive to keep this big LCV up to date, but still can't offer the thing this model line really needs - a full EV version. Instead, what we've got with this mid-term update is additional safety, a redesigned cabin and extra media technology. Will it be enough? It'll be interesting to see.

Driving Experienceword count: 246

Once you settle into driving a large van like this, it's a very commanding experience. You sit high up in quite a car-like position thanks to the upright steering wheel, enjoying a supportive seat that's equipped with an armrest to prop a weary elbow on over longer trips. On the move, this MK2 Crafter has always felt a little more car-like thanks to its electromechanical steering system and its optional front wheel drive configuration - both things you couldn't have in the pre-2017-era MK1 model. Rear wheel drive and 4MOTION 4WD are still offered too and your selection of drive layout could well impact your choice between the various versions of the 2.0 TDI diesel engine on offer. There are three, with 140, 163 or 177PS outputs available. So what's it like to use? Well, given this TDI powerplant's Audi provenance, you might expect it to be quite a refined thing and to some extent, that's the case, providing you don't stress the thing too much. In everyday use, the engine goes about its business with little more than a muted hum. Progress to the upper reaches of the rev range though and this diesel sounds far less comfortable. Indeed at higher motorway speeds, engine noise is more noticeable than intrusions from tyres or the wind. Volkswagen continues to offer the option of 8-speed automatic transmission if you want it. This still no sign of a full-EV version, though Volkswagen has been developing one for years.

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Pictures (high res disabled)

Statistics (subset of data only)

Min

Max

Load Volume (l):

10

18

Scoring (subset of scores)

Category: Vans

Performance
70%
Handling
70%
Comfort
70%
Space
80%
Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

This is an excerpt from our full review.
To access the full content library please contact us on 0330 0020 227 or click here

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