Test: Universal Multivan T7 offers the comfort of a passenger car, but it is not cheap – True

Photo: Pravda, Martin Domček Volkswagen Multivan T7 Style LR 2.0 TSI (2022) The two-tone version of the Multivan really speaks for itself. We publish the test of the expected new Multivan T7 at a special time. A few days ago, the production of another iconic model of the Volkswagen brand – the Sharan – was definitively terminated at the concern’s Portuguese plant. It was on the market for almost three decades and over 1.1 million units were sold during that time. Sharan and Multivan It started to be produced in 1995 and the second generation did not arrive until 15 years later, i.e. in 2010. After another five years, it underwent modernization, with the fact that its life cycle was originally supposed to end definitively in 2019. However, due to high interest, that did not happen and it was produced for the next three years. It is definitively ending now – in October 2022. Few of its direct competitors could boast of the possibility to install three full-size child seats next to each other in the second row, and there were also more than thirty storage boxes and compartments in the interior. Sure enough, there was its corporate twin, the SEAT Alhambra. However, it also suffered the same fate this year and its production was discontinued. It is probably appropriate to ask why we talk so extensively about the Sharan in the test of the new Multivan. The reason is simple – since the Sharan has no direct successor, the new Multivan will become it. Photo: Pravda, Martin Domček Volkswagen Multivan T7 Style LR 2.0 TSI (2022) Leaning towards “persons” can also be seen on the front fascia and the shape of the IQ.Lights matrix lights. At Volkswagen, they don’t like to hear such conclusions, because it would actually mean a certain degradation of the Multivan, which after all stood above the Sharan, from the point of view of the market position. And the predecessor of the current version showed it not only in appearance, but also in fact it was built on a different platform. Since the Sharan does not have a direct successor, the “short” Multivan will indeed become it. This car is sold in two lengths. The shorter one measures 4,973 mm and the longer one exactly 200 mm more. The whole difference is due to the rear overhang. The wheelbase, which defines the interior space, is the same and relatively generous for both – 3,124 mm. Platform change The truth is that the “short” Multivan is 12 centimeters longer than the Sharan, but also that for the first time it does not stand on the T utility platform, but on the MQB passenger car platform. That is, on the same basis on which, for example, the Golf is built. And not everyone is happy about it. At first glance, you can also see that the new Multivan is lower than its predecessor (version T6.1) and quite significantly – by 70 mm. Nevertheless, the interior height of both versions is identical, and the new T7 model also has a longer wheelbase by 120 mm and is wider by 40 mm. So the interior space is at least as generous as in the T6.1 version. In terms of specific numbers, this means that the Multivan offers a volume from 470 (respectively 763) liters of luggage space in the 7-seater vehicle configuration (basic vs. long version) to 4,053 liters in the long version in the case of a two-seater arrangement with a panoramic roof. And here we allow ourselves the first subjective digression. Coincidentally, shortly before the test of this car, we also had the opportunity to try the Multivan T6.1 version, but with a two-liter diesel and 4×4 drive. (If you want or need a four-wheeler, you should orient yourself to this variant, the T7 is not yet offered with a 4×4 drive in our country). If you are interested, here is the link to the test: Read more Test: Volkswagen Multivan T6.1 – there probably isn’t a more universal passenger van So we had something to compare when driving the latest generation. This time with the tested car, we covered 1,300 kilometers in a week, of which approximately 600 kilometers were on highways, and the rest was equally divided between the districts and the city. We drove in 2-seater, 5-seater and even 7-seater configurations. Truly universal In terms of variability, practicality and the size of the interior space, there is no difference between the two versions that would irritate us in any way. In addition, the Multivan was even more comfortable in its latest incarnation, in terms of driving comfort it is really at the level of a well-tuned passenger car. Of course, the “lion’s share” also had the extra-cost adaptive chassis, you’ll pay a little over 1,500 euros for it, and we really recommend it as an extra element. Photo: Martin Domček, Pravda Volkswagen Multivan T7 Style LR 2.0 TSI (2022) In terms of perceived quality, the car is finished first-class. We also praise the easy handling of the seats and the table in the rail system. The seats are quite heavy (even though they have reduced their weight by a quarter), but they are easy to remove and put on without any problems. We emphasize this because in the summer we also got our hands on a direct competitor of this car, the Mercedes Marco Polo in the Horizon edition. It uses the same rail system, but the handling of the seats was disastrous. They were complicated to install, all you had to do was move the securing bar in the rails and you had to move it into place with a screwdriver. In Multivan, we chose different seats quite often, but this problem did not arise even once. The table is in the form of a pull-out/sliding console, from which its two halves fold out after being pulled out, it works very well, but again it is an additional charge and costs almost 770 euros. Volkswagen pays really well for the additional equipment with the Multivan. The price is one of the few reservations about this car. Just for clarity – while the basic price of the tested version was 59,520 euros (including VAT), with additional equipment it increased to 81,348 euros. And what did we pay almost 22,000 euros for as extras? Just a few examples: head-up display 1,392 euros, Harman Kardon audio (14 speakers, power 840 W) 1,424 euros, driver and passenger seat in “ArtVelour” design 1,800 euros, independent heating 1,656 euros, heated seats 816 euros , adaptive cruise control 624 euros, electrically operated tailgate 852 euros, a package of advanced assistance systems 1,356 euros and we could go on like this for a relatively long time. Like in a “person” The truth is that behind the wheel you will feel almost like in a “person “. The horizontal dashboard with wood paneling integrates Volkswagen’s latest infotainment. It combines a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit display and a 10-inch screen for other functions. Since the Multivan does not have a center console, the electric parking brake and buttons for controlling the automatic transmission are also integrated here With the manual Multivan, it no longer counts. For the first time, a head-up display appears in the models of the Volkswagen commercial division. Infotainment Discover Media and Discover Pro brings the possibility remote software update, remote control of some functions via smartphone such as unlocking or air conditioning and use of advanced navigation. And how do you drive a two-liter gasoline engine? As we already wrote above, thanks to the adaptive chassis, the driving comfort of the Multivan is truly unrivaled in its category, and the car is relatively well soundproofed. In terms of performance, the 150 kW two-liter is a reasonable choice, and the flexibility of the unit is also sufficient. After all, acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds is not a bad value at all for such a large and heavy car. The car reacts very well to the gas pedal, engages well even from low revs, and we also have to praise the DSG gearbox, which tries to shift fairly smoothly for its conditions and doesn’t even try to under-rev the engine too much. Photo: Martin Domček, Pravda Volkswagen Multivan T7 Style LR 2.0 TSI (2022) The interior space is huge. It’s great that after removing the seats in the 2nd and 3rd row, you get a completely flat floor. But the truth is that it will be quite reflected in consumption. After the above-mentioned 1,300 kilometers, when we did not trouble the car too much and tried to comply with the permitted speed limits, we ended up with an average of 9.3 liters, which was a little more than we expected. The behavior of the car can also be influenced by the choice of driving mode, but not to an extreme degree. Conclusion From our point of view, the new Multivan is an extremely successful car. Even though it is no longer built on a “van” platform, it still retains a huge interior space (it can really be driven comfortably in the third row even on a long trip), top variability and offers premium processing and the comfort of a well-tuned passenger car. Basically, the prices are set reasonably, but the additional equipment is quite expensive, so the price of the car can really “fly” up to the premium category. The tested two-liter is good, but if it were up to us, we would probably rather choose a diesel two-liter with a power of 110 kW for the Multivan, which in terms of equipment is more or less at the same price level as the tested gasoline unit, or is slightly cheaper. Technical data, dimensions and prices Dimensions, volumes, weights Volkswagen Multivan T7 Style LR 2.0 TSI Length (mm) 5,173 Width (mm) 1,941 (without mirrors) Height (mm) 1,957 Wheelbase (mm) 3,124 Space for passenger/luggage space, area (m2) – Volume of pal. tanks (l) 60 Actual weight* 2,242 *_includes the weight of the vehicle with the tanks filled to at least 90% of their volume (fuel, water, etc.), the driver (75 kg) and any additional equipment Technical data Engine 2.0 TSI, gasoline Number cylinders/valves 4/16 Displacement (ccm) 1,984 Max. power (kW/hp at rpm) 150/204 at 5,000 – 6,500 Max. twist. torque (Nm at rev. per min.) 320 at 1,600 – 4,300 Gearbox automatic 7 st., DSG 0 – 100 km/h (s) 9.4 Max. speed (km/h) 200 Comb. consumption per 100 km WLTP (l) 7.7 Comb. consumption per 100 km, test (l) 9.3 Prices (including VAT) Basic price VW Multivan (1.5 TSI 7-DSG, 100 kW, short, 5 seats) 40,908 euros Basic price VW Multivan (2.0 l TSI 7-DSG , 150 kW, 7 seats, long) 59,520 euros Price of tested car with additional equipment) 81,341 euros New Multivan with financing through VOKLSWAGEN FINANCIAL SERVICES Experience more driving comfort, more premium character, more connectivity, more design and more multifunctionality with favorable financing without fees, with a low installment and down payment from 10% to 40%. Model VW Multivan T7 Style 2.0TSI Vehicle price €81,348 Financing type VW NEXT (3 financing termination options) Down payment: 30% (€24,404) Loan amount: €56,944 Processing fee: 0% Repayment period: 60 months Last increased installment: €43,717 Branded VW insurance in installments (Allianz-SP as): PZP, HP, GAP, windshield insurance, replacement vehicle Amount of monthly installment: €755 including insurance * *Calculation applies to a legal entity. The amount of the installment may change depending on the current interest rate. More information about financing options for vehicles You can find VW on the website of the group’s leasing company www.vwfs.sk or at authorized dealers. VW.