Volkswagen Crafter

Like on the outside, the interior cabin of the Volkswagen Crafter too have a simple and frill-free design. However, the spacious cabin and presence of essential features make it feel practical, just like how a passenger van should be.

The four-spoke steering wheel with wide centre boss as well as instrument console behind it look very dated and old school, and so does the wide and slightly higher positioned centre console. However, a small touchscreen infotainment system acts as a grace saving measure, in the otherwise a very boring looking and basic interior cabin.

The Volkswagen Crafter, like a good passenger van, compromises the lack of novelty in the cabin design, with a practically engineered cabin. All the nine seats are positioned very ergonomically, with enough room to give a stress-free experience. In addition, it has got a good number of small and large storage spaces in all the four rows of its seating. The 35L variant sold here is the long-wheelbase version, which has acres of boot space as well to ferry ample amount of luggage with very ease.

Following the tradition of all the passenger vans to have a large, boxy and utilitarian design, the Volkswagen Crafter looks unmistakably a passenger van, with a conventional design. While it does have a practical side to it, Volkswagen could have made it a bit more appealing with modern elements.

The front portion of the Volkswagen Crafter is dominated by a large rectangular black grille with horizontal slats. Adjacent to the grille are positioned vertically stacked headlamps, which look a bit boxy but have a nice curve on the upper portion. The large windshield and sloping bonnet are a couple of elements of traditional van design.

On the sides, the Volkswagen Crafter has large side windows with sliding rear doors and bumped up roof, making it look even larger. However, the small 16-inch wheels do make it look a bit disproportionate. At the back, the Volkswagen Crafter has got split design for the rear door, with large segmented windshield.

Built on a ladder on frame chassis, the Volkswagen Crafter has a fairly simple suspension setup, which is on a softer side, thus imparting a plush and comfortable ride quality. It is here where the small 16-inch wheels play a major role in keeping the ride quality on a softer side. However, the boxy and large design and small wheels do translate a noticeable body roll inside the cabin at higher speeds.

The only powertrain option for the Volkswagen Crafter is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, which is coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine has the capacity to produce a maximum power output of 163 PS and a peak torque output of 400 Nm, and channels the power produced to rear wheels. The engine might not be the most refined unit out there, but has enough punch to not make it feel underpowered.

The safety equipment list of the Volkswagen Crafter is as basic as the vehicle’s other parameters. It only packs in the essentials like a driver airbag, ABS, electronic stability program, electronic differential lock, anti-slip regulation, hill hold control, and flat tire alert. 

For starters, the Volkswagen Crafter is not a new-age vehicle. It feels dated from all parameters, with very basic exterior design and interior cabin layout. Even the mechanicals don’t feel modern and technologically superior. However, for a passenger vehicle, it has got its basics right, with a very spacious cabin, supple ride quality and thoughtfully designed and placed storage compartments.