Volkswagen Carevelle, For Families With Many Children

The search for a vehicle for a family with more than three children is quite an odyssey, since those with seven seats almost completely lose the trunk, something absurd to make a trip with suitcases. From this void comes the Volkswagen Carevelle, a comfortable model like a saloon, but with which you don’t have to give up anything.

The only option in the world of cars with seven seats and a decent boot is the Ssangyong Rodius, but not everyone is convinced and its range is very limited.

But the Carevelle is not the only fish in the pond, and more and more commercial vehicles offer high-end family versions, including the Mercedes V-Class or the newcomer Peugeot Traveler.

Exterior design of the Volkswagen Carevelle

At first glance, it is quite difficult to differentiate it from the Multivan, and the biggest differences between the two are inside.

The front is in line with the brand, with a straight chrome grille and pilots reminiscent of other models from the German firm. The shape of the front is very unsportsmanlike, unlike the trend of its competitors, with more aggressive noses.

Laterally, there is no doubt that we are facing a van adapted to passengers:  its square shapes give it away and the considerable height makes it different from a minivan.

The rear is the most retro part of the Volkswagen Carevelle, with some small pilots and very simple shapes that make a nod to its origins.

Interior design and habitability

The dashboard of the Carevelle has an enviable quality for the rest of the competitors, with the exception of the V-Class. It has the typical Volkswagen sobriety, but with a perfect arrangement of all the controls and a first-class feel, although it does not have plastics. soft.

It can have up to 9 seats, in three or four rows of seats, but it cannot count on the rails that run along the floor of the Multivan, which allow the seats to be moved longitudinally very comfortably.

Although it does not have an interior as luxurious as the Multivan, this model also offers a very high level of comfort, with individual seats in the second row and a space that you will not find in any car.

Access to the interior is very comfortable thanks to the huge rear sliding doors, but to get to the third row of seats is a bit uncomfortable because the seats fold little. The trunk with three rows of seats is still huge, with enough capacity to accommodate the luggage of the whole family.

Dynamics and engines

Although it shares a chassis with the T5, the new model has updated the suspensions and safety systems, which is noticeable in progress.

On fast roads it is very stable and agile, withstands crosswinds very well for its dimensions and does not require any adaptation compared to a conventional car.

The sound of the engine reaches the passenger compartment more than desired, but it is not a serious problem. A V-Class is more soundproof, but improves the data of an Opel Vivaro.

On curvy roads its defends almost as well as a large minivan, with obvious but controllable roll. If we opt for the four-wheel drive version, it substantially improves traction, although it also slightly increases consumption.

Mechanically, it puts all its confidence in the 2.0 TDI, with powers of 84, 102, 150 or 204 hp. The Volkswagen Carevelle has a considerable load capacity, so, unless you hardly go out of town and surroundings, the two more powerful engines are more advisable.

Prices and conclusion

Part of 26 452 euros that is worth with the basic Trendline finish and the 84 hp engine  up to 50 116 euros that the brand requests for the 204 hp Caravelle Premium Largo 2.0 TDI 4MOTION.

They are prices more contained than those of the Multivan and the Mercedes V-Class, but a Citroën Jumpy Spacetourer is an average of 4,000 euros cheaper, although this difference is balanced by a much higher depreciation of the French model.