Used Volkswagen Caravelle for sale: everything you need to know

If your main priority in a car is having as much space as possible, the Volkswagen Caravelle should be high up your shopping list. It’s cavernously spacious, with as much room for luggage as for people. That’s chiefly because it’s based on a van, but the Volkswagen Caravelle doesn’t feel like one to travel in. Thinking this might be the right car for you? You’re in the right place.

The Volkswagen Caravelle has a list of rivals, including the slightly more workman-like Ford Tourneo Custom, the posher but pricier Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the spacious Peugeot Traveller.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Volkswagen Caravelle, including a breakdown of the trim levels and engines that are available. Production of this generation of the Volkswagen Caravelle ended in summer 2022. While you’re here, why not take a look at a Volkswagen Caravelle for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer?   

Should you buy a Volkswagen Caravelle?

We can’t overstate just how much passenger space there is inside the Volkswagen Caravelle. All five back seats are big enough for a tall adult to sit comfortably for many hours. The front seats swivel around to face the back, and the rear seats can be positioned anywhere you want using the ‘tracking’ in the floor – or removed entirely. There’s also a table that you can locate wherever you need it. Access through the enormous sliding back doors is easy, although there’s a bit of a climb into the front seats.

How much boot space the Volkswagen Caravelle has depends on where you position the back seats. As a rule of thumb, though, the longer LWB model has a considerably bigger boot than the standard SWB, so it’s the better option if you need to carry tons of stuff. Having said that, the SWB’s boot can still swallow everything most families will need.

The sheer size of the Volkswagen Caravelle might be a little daunting when you first get behind the wheel, but it’s actually really easy to drive, especially with an automatic gearbox. It’s narrower than many SUVs, it fits under multi-storey car park height restrictions and you have a fantastic view outwards. Just bear in mind that it’s not the most nimble of cars and parking does take a bit of planning. It comes into its own on the open road, and especially on motorways. It feels solid as a rock, and is really rather relaxing to travel in. It’s no coincidence that many Volkswagen Caravelle owners rack up big mileages.  

Other plus points: running costs are similar to those of a large SUV, you get plenty of standard features and kids love travelling in a car that’s so spacious and has massive windows. 

There’s an argument to say the Volkswagen Caravelle is the ultimate family car. It’s so spacious and practical, and offers a real sense of adventure – opening up things you could do and new places you could go. It shows you don’t have to default to buying an SUV.

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What's the best used Volkswagen Caravelle to buy?

The Volkswagen Caravelle SE trim is the pick of the two versions, not least because it is the only one that is available with the choice of both short and long wheelbases. If you plan on being able to carry a full complement of passengers and their luggage then that is the one to go for.

The 150Ps turbodiesel engine is perfectly strong enough to cope with a full load and hilly routes so there isn’t a vast amount of reason to upgrade to the more potent 199PS version. 

The Volkswagen Caravelle Executive trim might add some nice toys, but the SE comes well enough equipped that you are unlikely to feel hard done by.

Used Volkswagen Caravelle fuel economy an performance

The Volkswagen Caravelle is available with two diesel engines: 150PS or 204PS. Outright performance doesn’t matter too much in a car like this, but there’s no denying that the sprightlier performance offered by the more powerful engine makes overtaking and motorway cruising much easier.

• Volkswagen Caravelle 2.0 TDI 150 – This model has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that develops 150PS. Accelerating from 0-62mph takes  13.0 seconds, and CO2 emissions are as low as 204g/km. A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox is fitted as standard.
• Volkswagen Caravelle 6.1 2.0 TDI 204 – This has essentially the same engine as the 150PS model, but with two turbochargers rather than one. That increases power to 204PS, so acceleration is usefully quicker, with 0-62mph taking 9.9 seconds. There’s not much penalty in terms of CO2 emissions either, at 206g/km. A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto transmission is standard, plus you have the choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion four-wheel drive.

What used Volkswagen Caravelle trim levels are available?

Here, we’re looking at the ‘6.1’ version of the Volkswagen Caravelle. It was launched in 2019 as the facelift of the ‘T6’ Caravelle, itself launched in 2015. There are two trim levels available on the 6.1, both of which are well-equipped with standard features.

• Volkswagen Caravelle SE – The entry-point SE model comes equipped with all the stuff you want and need as standard. That includes a touchscreen media system, air conditioning and adaptive cruise control. You also get the Volkswagen Caravelle’s signature swivelling front seats, plus the back seats and table can be endlessly reconfigured to suit any situation.
• Volkswagen Caravelle 6.1 Executive – The Executive gets loads of extra features, including sat-nav and smartphone connectivity for the media system, three-zone climate control, a rear-view camera and heated front seats. You can still move the seats to wherever you want them as well.

Used Volkswagen Caravelle dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen Caravelle’s exterior dimensions are:

• Length: 4904mm (SWB), 5304mm (LWB)
• Width: 1904mm
• Height: 1970mm (SWB), 1990mm (LWB)

The Volkswagen Caravelle’s boot dimensions are:

• Length (in 2-seat mode): 2532mm (SWB), 2932mm (LWB)
• Width: 1627mm (1220mm between rear wheelarches)
• Height: 1320mm

Used Volkswagen Caravelle road tax

All versions of the Volkswagen Caravelle 6.1 fall into the period where you pay a flat rate of road tax of £180 at the time of writing. However, because this VW cost more than £40,000 when new, you will also pay an additional surcharge of £390 on top of that £180 until the VW reaches its sixth birthday.

How much is it to insure a Volkswagen Caravelle?

Depending on the engine and spec chosen, the Volkswagen Caravelle is rated in insurance groups 24 to 33 (out of 50 groups in total). That puts it in the same ballpark as SUVs that cost a similar amount to buy.

Read our full Volkswagen Caravelle review