Volkswagen Caravelle T7: Long-distance diesel vessel

For a family trip with VW, there's the ID.Buzz or the electric e-Caravelle. There's the Multivan in combustion or hybrid versions. But there's also the Caravelle in diesel. This rather utilitarian vehicle could, however, attract large families who love freedom at all costs.

Among the different variants of the Volkswagen Caravelle, the Style trim level is the one with IQ.Light LED headlights with Matrix function, giving it a smoother and more classic appearance. The other versions have a different, more rigorous look, similar to their van buddy: the Transporter. So it is with, as Volkswagen says, "presence" that we will travel the Belgian roads at the wheel of this large vehicle in search of customers frustrated at no longer finding an MPV in its lineage.

Crude Oil

Under the Caravelle's nose, there's a 170 hp 2.0 TDI with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A block grafted onto a Ford Transit chassis, which is also of Ford origin. Instead of TDI, read EcoBlue and you'll know its birth name. Because, unlike the Multivan, the Caravelle isn't based on VW architecture, nor does it have a TDI or DSG. Its origins dictate a utility-style setup. Moreover, this design also affects the interior furnishings. It's made of very hard plastic. But not ugly! And above all, there are storage spaces everywhere.

At the wheel, I was sitting quite high. A comfortable driving position that left no room for sporty dynamics. Moreover, the 170 hp diesel limits its ambitions with a 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds, in the best of situations. Its torque of 390 Nm, however, saves the day when restarting. I hardly experienced any frustration in this regard on the motorway.

When leaving the (almost) straight lines, concentration is required to get the van on the right trajectory. So we'll play it safe. On the different types of asphalt, Caravelle almost always manages honestly thanks to its well-calibrated suspension. And this without having had the opportunity to use it with more than 4 people on board. On streets and tight bends, you'll have to apply the driving course recommendations to turn your arms without getting them tangled.

Eight is enough!

Even with four people on board, you feel lonely. Even the short Caravelle is large. It can accommodate eight people (including the driver). And everyone gets a proper seat. There's truly room for everyone; it's mind-blowing. However, the center seats in the two rear rows don't have Isofix mountings for child seats... Furthermore, these seats and the third-row bench seat don't slide. It's possible to remove them to transform the Caravelle into a Transporter for hauling 4,343 liters of junk. But—in Popeye's words—eat some spinach before embarking on this tedious operation. Fortunately, they fold down for exceptional hauls.

Let's be honest, the trunk, although spacious, isn't very pleasant. Shopping tends to get tossed around due to the lack of hooks. As a bonus, opening the tailgate requires a huge amount of space behind the vehicle. Luckily, we had two electric sliding doors in the back. There's also no partition under the bench seat to separate the "trunk" from the rest of the cabin. Oh, there you go, I knew it, potatoes gathered in the countryside are now dancing the pogo stick between the back seats.

Despite the spartan appearance of this MPV substitute, rear passengers can enjoy tri-zone climate control. A control panel is also accessible for them on the ceiling. They can also connect their devices to USB-C ports, for example, located in the pillars. There are 13 USB ports in total, including those in the front. There are also two 12V outlets.

In short, there won't be any problems connecting smartphones and other accessories. Especially since there's no navigation system as standard. But there is smartphone pairing to enjoy mobility, communication, and entertainment apps. And even if you prefer the radio, there are 10 speakers to surround this enormous space with music. A minimum to drown out some metallic noises or the symphony of the accelerating diesel.

Long Range

The standard cruise control is not active. This means the VW Caravelle won't automatically slow down in traffic. You must therefore remain vigilant on the highway. The ergonomics vary between touchscreen controls, physical steering wheel controls, and a few buttons to access menus on the screen, particularly those for driver assistance and driving modes. A button also allows you to turn on the heating to defrost the vehicle. Otherwise, you'll often have to use the 13-inch central interface. The onboard impression is that of a frugal vehicle, comfortable and pleasant enough to eat up the miles. It's no-frills and efficient.

At night, the Volkswagen Caravelle Style shines brightly with its IQ.Light lighting system. The coach and his team will be delighted to be able to count on a well-lit road for their return home after the match. And they'll even be able to come back from far away. With 70 liters of diesel in the tank, the Caravelle can cruise for over 800 km. When empty, my average consumption was 8 l/100 km. This is the same average recorded in the on-board computer, taking into account the journeys of other drivers.

Obviously, in the city, this increases dramatically. The VW is heavy (a little over 2 tons) and bulky. You'll also have to find a space to accommodate its 5.05 m length and 2.06 m width. And some underground parking lots will be off-limits to it with its 1.99 m height. Once the location is detected, the camera and sensors are there to adjust the cube into a parking space with sufficient ease.

Price of this version

Since the Caravelle is a utility vehicle, and a German vehicle, the list of options is as long as a Winston Churchill speech. Therefore, we'll focus on the Style variant, the most suitable trim level for families or entrepreneurs looking to comfortably transport their staff or clients. It's also available with 110 hp and 150 hp diesel engines, with the option of a manual transmission, all-wheel drive, or a 40 cm longer wheelbase. For us, it was the short body, front-wheel drive with 170 hp and an 8-speed automatic transmission on 17-inch wheels.

In Belgium (October 2025), the 170 hp VW Caravelle Style 2.0 TDI is available from €55,828. With the metallic blue, the tow bar, and the optional heated windshield, it comes to €57,882. Yes, but without VAT, since this is a vehicle from the professional product range. A private individual will have to add 21% to arrive at a final price of €70,037 for the Belgian market! In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this model will cost €59,993 including taxes...

In France, this family-friendly thermal utility vehicle is being offered to the collective imagination. For now, only the e-Caravelle versions, with much less autonomy than the Diesel with its approximately 300 km WLTP, are in the French VW catalog. The Swiss do not have this problem. To find this model tested, you will have to pay 67,605 CHF for the same configuration.

(Olivier Duquesne – Source : Volkswagen / D’Ieteren – Photos : © Olivier Duquesne)