Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Caravelle (2015-2022) review - Engines, performance and drive

The Caravelle is tuned for long distance comfort and it’s better on the motorway than it is through the corners

Engines, performance and drive rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Volkswagen Caravelle
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

If you’re worried about the VW Caravelle seating your most important clients atop a van chassis designed primarily to transport inanimate cargo, don’t be. Firstly, the Volkswagen Transporter is one of the smoothest riding vehicles in the mid-sized panel van class and secondly, VW engineers have comprehensively retuned the Caravelle’s suspension for the express purpose of keeping demanding occupants onside. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The ride is good even by passenger car standards with the cabin well isolated from bigger bumps and potholes. A downside of this softness is that occupants can experience a background wobble on some surfaces but despite this, the vehicle never feels floaty or disconnected from the road over undulations. Attempt to corner the Caravelle too briskly and you’ll be warned off by the pronounced body roll long before the CEO in the back seat tells you to calm down but the electronic power steering system is accurate enough and at low speeds the Caravelle is surprisingly maneuverable. Parking and reversing are aided by the high driving position giving great all-round visibility and the array of driver aids that we’ll touch on later.

Also in the interests of ensuring occupants arrive at their destination feeling refreshed, the Caravelle has far lower noise levels that the van it shares a platform with. There are thuds from the suspension on poor surfaces but at motorway cruising speeds the engine is almost inaudible and road noise is well muted. There’s quite a bit of wind noise around those generous door mirrors as speeds creep up and asking the gearbox to kick down for a burst of acceleration will bring a muffled roar from the engine bay. General refinement, though, is better than you would expect - if not on a par with the bast premium SUVs and saloons cars.

Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed 

It’s the VW Group’s ubiquitous 2.0-litre diesel engines all the way for the Caravelle. That means entry-level buyers get the TDI 150 with 148bhp and 340Nm of torque between 1,500 and 3,000rpm. It’s not what you would call quick, partly as a result of the basic car’s 2,330kg kerb weight, but the Caravelle doesn’t reward spirited driving anyway. The 0-62mph takes 13 seconds but there’s a 112mph top speed and the vehicle has no trouble dicing with motorway traffic. 

Opt for the BiTDI 199 twin-turbo engine and you get 196bhp plus 450Nm between 1,400 and 2,400rpm. The 0-62mph time is reduced to 10.1 seconds, or 10.3 seconds if you also choose 4Motion all-wheel drive, and the top speed rises to 124mph. With both engines, the DSG gearbox is smooth and shifts are almost unnoticeable if you fall into that easy-going driving style that suits the Caravelle best.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,116 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025