Volkswagen Caravelle (2004-) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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The Caravelle rides surprisingly well for a van-based design, with vibrations and noise successfully suppressed. It can pitch and wallow a bit if the driver gets over-enthusiastic, but on the whole, rear-seat passengers should be happy.

Air conditioning is standard on all but S models, plus extra heaters, and the seats are well-shaped and supportive. SE and Executive models have heated seats, and the latter top-spec versions add privacy glass, automatic air con, leather/alcantara upholstery, electric side sliding doors, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic dimming rear-view mirrors and heated screen washer jets.

The steering wheel is reach- and rake-adjustable, and you couldn't want for more fold-down trays, drinks holders, cupholders, boxes, bins, buckets, drawers, compartments and so on to keep the cabin tidy and stow stuff away. And if it all gets too much, swivel the middle seats, pull a lever, and there's the bed (a foam mattress to smooth over all the joins, seatbelt widgets and gaps is optional, but not strictly necessary if you're desperate for a kip). Fitted curtains and sunblinds are also optional, as part of the "sleep pack".

Can't fault the storage space - this thing is huge. Even with all seats occupied, there's still a respectable amount of luggage space, and with rear seats folded/unused, it turns back into a spacious van. All the folding/sliding/swivelling etc. of seats gives multiple possibilities for use of the cabin, including the "office" configuration, and you could probably hold a party in there. With the (optional) mattress over the bed and (optional) curtains pulled, of course...

A good-quality eight-speaker stereo is standard; SE models add a six-CD autochanger. A monochrome satellite navigation system with small screen is optional, using CD-ROM-based mapping, but not a colour-screen DVD system.