Volkswagen Crafter Van Review

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Our Review of the Volkswagen Crafter

Volkswagens always make good vans, some of the best available on the market to be exact, and the Volkswagen Crafter Cr35 is no exception to the rule. It is a workhorse van and to that end the designers have given the Volkswagen Crafter a workhorse design.

Storage options in the cab are particularly impressive on the Volkswagen Crafter and this typifies the workhorse ethic in built to the design. As well as the usual door pockets and drink holders, there is a clipboard in the middle of the dash which is there simply to hold the reams of paperwork a driver carries on a day to day basis. To that end the build of the cab is sturdy and tough, and there is a nice logic to the layout.

On the surface the 109bhp seems to be a tad on the weak side to move a capacity 1235kg payload up and down the country, the 280Nm of torque however soon gets the van up to speed and it is at home moving a load briskly along the motorway or from standing still.

Loading features a length of 4300, a width of 1780 narrowing to 1350 at the wheel arches, and a height of 1940. Easily enough space to accommodate large loads or a fair number of Euro pallets, and still have room to carry extra equipment such as tools or more materials as needed. A passenger sliding door assists the rear doors to gain entry to the loading area of the van. The Volkswagen Crafter has several well located lashing points to secure loads that are liable to fly around in the back.

Technologically speaking it is difficult to see what is missing on this van. The Volkswagen Crafter features ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, and a highly advanced ESP electronic stability control system which all combine to give the driver good control over the vehicle. The driver also benefits from an airbag and adjustable seating.

To drive the Volkswagen Crafter simply does not have an imperfection. No creaks, no roars, and everything feels solid. The steering is a good balance of lightness and weight and though it is a long wheel based vehicle, it can get around city streets as well as traverse the country's motorway network with relative ease.

If a workhorse type van is needed carrying relatively large loads, it is difficult to see beyond the Volkswagen Crafter.