2019 Volkswagen Crafter: Review

Volkswagen Crafter 35 TDI410 (MWB)
Quick Spin

The second-generation Volkswagen Crafter is the first 'all Volkswagen' full-size van to debut since the tie-up with Mercedes-Benz came to an end. No longer based on the Sprinter, the new Crafter boasts a platform all its own, and offers a range of wheelbases and body sizes – as well as the option of an automatic transmission – to challenge the very best in its class.

Built in Poland, the Crafter is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine Volkswagen has tailored especially for commercial applications. Codenamed EA288Nutz, the four-cylinder unit receives twin-turbocharging locally to deliver 130kW at 3600rpm and 410Nm at 2000rpm when mated to the eight-speed auto.

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All Australian variants are currently front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. All-wheel drive 4MOTION and rear-wheel drive variants are available in other markets.

Notably, available safety technology including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, trailer-sway assist, cross-wind compensation, reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive LED headlights sweetens the deal.

Owing to the extensive catalogue of customisable options and accessories, the Crafter van range is difficult to accurately price. Beyond the retail price and on-road costs, plethora options and individual fit-outs can add tens of thousands of dollars to the deal, even before fuel, servicing and other running costs are factored in.

But in the case of the Crafter range before those many factors, the short answer is $48,490 at the entry end and $59,590 at the pointy end. As tested, our Volkswagen Crafter 35 TDI410 MWB retails from $55,490, adding metallic paint ($2290), tyre pressure monitoring ($590), heated outboard seats ($990), cargo area floor covering with lashing rings and longitudinal lashing rails ($1490), and full-height plywood trim in the cargo bay ($390) for an as-tested price of $61,240 (plus ORCs).

From January 1, 2019, warranty cover sees the Crafter backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre deal with 12 months of included roadside assistance (previously three years). Servicing intervals are pegged at 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first), Volkswagen Assured Servicing totalling $3602 for the duration of the warranty period.

Carrying a bulky load or an assortment of smaller items is a good reason for purchasing a van like the Volkswagen Crafter. The secure load area keeps cargo and driver safe – and separated – and protected from the elements, while the rails and tie-down points offered as part of the $1490 option package mentioned above is a terrific arrangement for securing odd-sized loads.

We appreciated the easy, key-operated independent locking arrangement of cabin and cargo area, the OH&S friendly grab rails, steps and hand-holds, and the logical layout of the switchgear and controls. It's also evident that much thought has been given to the stowage of tools and service books, which are accessible without the need for unloading the cargo bay.

The front-wheel drive character of Volkswagen's gutsy turbo-diesel engine is metered by sensible electronic driver aids, the Crafter reluctant to wheel-spin or torque steer and putting power to the pavement effectively. The transmission is a smooth and cooperative assistant at all speeds, the idle-stop system relatively unobtrusive (as far as idle-stop systems go).

If we did have one gripe of the Crafter (which wasn't experienced on test, only noted in the specifications), it's that the 2500kg braked tow rating is somewhat limited by a 150kg towball download figure. The 1385kg/9900-litre payload rating notwithstanding, Crafter's towing falls behind many of the dual-cab utes favoured by Australian tradies, most of which offer 3500kg braked towing.

The all-new Volkswagen Crafter is on sale now, and if past indications are anything to go by, it's a model that will theoretically be with us until at least 2030 (the previous generation having run from 2006-2017).

Before then, however, it's anticipated Volkswagen will debut an all-electric Crafter with up to 1709kg payload and 11.3 cubic metres of luggage space. The e-Crafter, as the concept model was known, is a battery-electric commercial vehicle whose 43kWh lithium-ion battery pack is said to deliver a range of up to 208km.

Able to be fully recharged in as little as 45 minutes, the e-Crafter is powered by a 100kW/290Nm electric driveline and offers a city-centric top speed of 80km/h.

Tool of trade and delivery drivers are the obvious target market for heavy commercial vans like the Volkswagen Crafter. But what's apparent to us with this new-generation model is how well it blends urban and regional duties.

Around town the Crafter is light of control and easy to place, the parking aids and camera making reversing a cinch, in spite of an expectedly large 13.6m turning circle. But on the highway it's an absolute pleasure, sitting confidently and with fuss-free stability across mismatched surfaces, and keeping pace effortlessly on steep climbs thanks to the engine's readily accessible low-end torque.

The driving position and general ergonomics are terrific, in spite of some minor concessions to the Crafter's left-hand drive origins (volume knob, gear shift indicator, etc.). Seating accommodation is generous for all three occupants, the level of oddment storage and overall refinement indicative of a thoroughly well considered, almost empathetic appreciation for those of whom the cabin doubles as an office – the only negative here a little road rumble over coarser surfaces.

The Crafter slots into the light-duty commercial category (3501-8000kg GVM) in Australia, which sees it vying against no fewer than 10 immediate large-van rivals, along with a number of light-duty trucks. Realistically, its closest competition comes from the likes of the Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, Iveco Daily, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Master, all of which trumped Volkswagen's large van's sales in 2018.

To January 1, Volkswagen sold just 505 examples of the Crafter to take 2.7 per cent of the market share. The Ford Transit managed 805 sales (4.2 per cent) while the Fiat Ducato sold 1175 units (6.2 per cent). The Renault Master was next with 1535 unit sales (8.1 per cent) behind the class-leading Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with 3230 new registrations (17.0 per cent).

Volkswagen says it will address that shortfall with its new-generation Crafter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles chairman Dr Erkhard Scholz saying customer feedback has improved the vehicle considerably.

"The development of the new Crafter was a unique opportunity to avoid all compromises while drawing upon our decades of experience in the market segment," said Scholz.

"The new Crafter represents a fusion of product focus and customer focus. In other words, we developed this vehicle from the customer's perspective."

After a week at the wheel of the new Volkswagen Crafter we think Dr Scholz might just be onto something. The refinement and civility of the second-generation Crafter takes a giant leap for van-kind. Spending hours at the wheel is no longer a chore, the comfort of the cabin matched equally by the Crafter's capacity, capability and on-road confidence.

How much does the 2019 Volkswagen Crafter 35 TDI410 (MWB) cost?
Price: $55,490 (plus on-road costs); $61,240 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/410Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.5L/100km (as tested)
CO2: N/A
Safety Rating: N/A