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Photo of a Volkswagen Multivan

Volkswagen Multivan

Frankfurt, 1985: the first Multivan turned its rear bench into a bed and brought a table.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 38 sources

At a glance

0150300
69–242 hpPower
01020
8.4–18.1 s0–100 km/h
0100200
157–200 km/hTop speed
0250500
170–450 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,941–2,268 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.458121314

Layout
T3 rear engine; T4 front/FWD; T7 front/FWD or AWD812
Gearbox
T4: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto; T7: 6-speed hybrid or 7-speed DSG813
Built at
Hanover plant, Germany (T7)8
Units built
T3 Multivan: 45,000, including 2,500 Last Limited Edition2

The story

Volkswagen and Westfalia developed the T3 Multivan to bridge the Caravelle and Joker camper. Designed for daily use, it could become a minimalist camper with a rear bench that formed a bed and a fold-out table.12

1985: Frankfurt debut: a bed and a table19851990: T4 moves the engine to the front19902003: T5 arrives with movable furniture20032009: Seven-speed DSG meets 4MOTION20092015: T6 offers adaptive damping20152019: Diesel-only T6.1 gets electric steering20192021: T7 becomes a standalone MQB passenger model20212025: eHybrid 4MOTION: 95 km on electricity20252026: Trend trim and new Generation edition2026 Transporter (T1): 1950–1975T1Transporter (T2): 1967–2013T2Multivan (T3): 1985–1992T3Multivan (T4): 1990–2003T4Multivan (T5): 2003–2015T5Multivan (T7): 2021–presentT7 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1234581526
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1950–1975Transporter (T1)
1967–2013Transporter (T2)
1985–1992Multivan (T3)
1990–2003Multivan (T4)
2003–2015Multivan (T5)
2021–presentMultivan (T7)
1985Frankfurt debut: a bed and a table
1990T4 moves the engine to the front
2003T5 arrives with movable furniture
2009Seven-speed DSG meets 4MOTION
2015T6 offers adaptive damping
2019Diesel-only T6.1 gets electric steering
2021T7 becomes a standalone MQB passenger model
2025eHybrid 4MOTION: 95 km on electricity
2026Trend trim and new Generation edition
  1. 1985

    Frankfurt debut: a bed and a table

    Unveiled at the IAA in September, the T3 Multivan paired a rear bench that became a bed with a fold-out table.1

  2. 1990

    T4 moves the engine to the front

    The T4 traded its rear engine and rear-wheel drive for a front engine and front-wheel drive, freeing space at the back.3

  3. 2003

    T5 arrives with movable furniture

    T5 production began in April. The Multivan's floor rails let seats slide and secure accessories such as tables and refrigerators.4

  4. 2009

    Seven-speed DSG meets 4MOTION

    Facelifted T5 buyers could combine seven-speed DSG, 4MOTION and a 180-hp, 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel.45

  5. 2015

    T6 offers adaptive damping

    The T6 offered DCC adaptive damping, 2.0-liter gasoline and diesel engines, five- or six-speed manuals, seven-speed DSG and optional 4MOTION.36

  6. 2019

    Diesel-only T6.1 gets electric steering

    At launch, the T6.1 was diesel-only, with 108, 148 or 196 hp. Electric power steering enabled more driver assistance functions.67

  7. 2021

    T7 becomes a standalone MQB passenger model

    Five individual rear seats replace the bench. Two body lengths, 4,973 and 5,173 mm, offer up to 3,672 and 4,053 liters with panoramic glass.89

  8. 2025

    eHybrid 4MOTION: 95 km on electricity

    With a 19.7-kWh battery, the 242-hp eHybrid 4MOTION gains all-wheel drive, 50-kW DC charging and up to 95 km of electric range.810

  9. 2026

    Trend trim and new Generation edition

    In Germany, the update brings a 12.9-inch screen, Trend below Life and Style, and a new Generation special edition.11

Every generation

  • Transporter
    T11950–1975
  • Transporter
    T21967–2013
  • Multivan
    T31985–1992
  • Multivan
    T41990–2003
  • Multivan
    T52003–2015
  • Multivan
    T72021–present

Power over the years

From 91 hp to 242 hp in 33 years.

0100200300 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1992 · 91 hp · T3 LLE water-cooled flat-four1996 · 101 hp · T4 2.5 TDI2000 · 201 hp · T4 2.8 VR6 24-valve2003 · 232 hp · T5 3.2 VR62010 · 180 hp · T5 2.0 twin-turbo TDI2019 · 196 hp · T6.1 top diesel at launch2021 · 134 hp · T7 1.5 TSI2021 · 201 hp · T7 2.0 TSI2021 · 215 hp · T7 1.4 eHybrid2022 · 148 hp · T7 2.0 TDI joins the range2025 · 242 hp · eHybrid 4MOTION 242 hp eHybrid 4MOTION 91 hp T3 LLE water-cooled flat-four
34578910111215
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199291T3 LLE water-cooled flat-four
1996101T4 2.5 TDI
2000201T4 2.8 VR6 24-valve
2003232T5 3.2 VR6
2010180T5 2.0 twin-turbo TDI
2019196T6.1 top diesel at launch
2021134T7 1.5 TSI
2021201T7 2.0 TSI
2021215T7 1.4 eHybrid
2022148T7 2.0 TDI joins the range
2025242eHybrid 4MOTION

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • T5 Startline, Comfortline and Highline

    Standard

    T5 Startline, Comfortline and Highline

  • Special

    T3 Magnum, Blue Star and White Star

  • T5 Panamericana

    Special

    T5 Panamericana

  • T5 Business

    Special

    T5 Business

  • T6 Generation Six / 70 Jahre Bulli

    Special

    T6 Generation Six / 70 Jahre Bulli

  • Special

    T7 Generation

    2026

  • Special

    T5 Edition 25 (Australia)

    2011

    177 hp

  • Limited

    T7 Edition (Australia)

    2026

    148 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • T3: steep windshield and a short rear overhang.1
  • T6: straight-edged nose with a deep front apron; two-tone paint was offered.3
  • Launch-era T7: slim grille, LED headlights and horizontal rear lamps.9
  • T7 plug-in hybrid: charge port on the right front fender.824

Year by year

  1. 1996 (T4)

    The longer, rounded Happy Face nose gains bulky bumpers; its headlight tops slope inward rather than staying rectangular.131525

  2. 2000 model year (T4)

    Split rear doors become available; earlier Multivans were offered only with a single lift-up tailgate.18

  3. 2009 (T5)

    Revised nose, plus available bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.416

  4. 2015 (T6)

    New front ahead of the windshield, revised rear lamps and tailgate, plus a completely redesigned dashboard.6

  5. 2019 (T6.1)

    Deeper front grille and a new dashboard; fully digital instruments become an option.6

  6. 2026 (T7)

    DRLs move above larger headlights; higher trims gain a lit connecting strip. Inside: a 12.9-inch screen and column shifter.811

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Multivan
    Multivan
    Photo of a Transporter Kombi / Caravelle (T5)
    Transporter Kombi / Caravelle (T5)

    Transporter Kombi / Caravelle (T5)

    T5: look for the Multivan's sliding-seat rails; Transporter Kombi lacks standard rails. In the UK, Multivan is called Caravelle.416

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Multivan
    Multivan
    Photo of a California (T5)
    California (T5)

    California (T5)

    Pop-up roof and camping fittings distinguish the camper; Comfortline adds a kitchen with sink, refrigerator and stove.16

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $11.0K–$27.5K13

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 2010201520202025 Value today: $11,000–$27,500 2010 · $40,509 · Germany base2010 · $70,000 · Germany 180-hp 4MOTION DSG, tested2012 · $45,462 · Germany Startline; EUR x~1.292015 · $57,036 · Germany T6 2.0 TDI; EUR x~1.112017 · $45,655 · Swiss 70 Jahre Bulli; CHF x~1.022019 · $34,720 · Germany T6.1 Family net; EUR x~1.122019 · $56,470 · Germany T6.1 Cruise net; EUR x~1.122021 · $64,192 · NL eHybrid incl. VAT/BPM; EUR x~1.182022 · $56,108 · UK 1.5 TSI Life; GBP x~1.302026 · $51,994 · Australia Edition; AUD x~0.65 2024 · $29,250 · 1990 Vanagon Westfalia Multivan, 54k km, BaT2024 · $8,100 · 1993 EuroVan MV 5-speed, 82k miles shown, BaT2026 · $10,750 · 2000 EuroVan MV, 75k miles, BaT2026 · $16,500 · 1991 T3 Blue Star, 196k km; EUR x~1.10, BaT2026 · $8,500 · 2003 EuroVan MV, 200k miles, BaT $29.3K BaT, 2024
578916172123283435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2010Price when new$40,509Germany base
2010Price when new$70,000Germany 180-hp 4MOTION DSG, tested
2012Price when new$45,462Germany Startline; EUR x~1.29
2015Price when new$57,036Germany T6 2.0 TDI; EUR x~1.11
2017Price when new$45,655Swiss 70 Jahre Bulli; CHF x~1.02
2019Price when new$34,720Germany T6.1 Family net; EUR x~1.12
2019Price when new$56,470Germany T6.1 Cruise net; EUR x~1.12
2021Price when new$64,192NL eHybrid incl. VAT/BPM; EUR x~1.18
2022Price when new$56,108UK 1.5 TSI Life; GBP x~1.30
2026Price when new$51,994Australia Edition; AUD x~0.65
2024Auction sale$29,2501990 Vanagon Westfalia Multivan, 54k km, BaT
2024Auction sale$8,1001993 EuroVan MV 5-speed, 82k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,7502000 EuroVan MV, 75k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,5001991 T3 Blue Star, 196k km; EUR x~1.10, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,5002003 EuroVan MV, 200k miles, BaT
2026Value today$11,000–$27,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “310.7 km/h at Nardò”
    • “A T7 delivering dinner on Liefern ab!”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Multivan - From standard van to talented all-rounder - FleetPoint fleetpoint.org
  2. 35 lat Multivana T3, samochodu łączącego cechy minivana, kampera i auta codziennego użytku - informacje prasowe | Volkswagen vw-press.pl
  3. 75 Jahre Bulli: Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge feiert den Geburtstag seiner Ikone. | Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge Medienportal vwnf.media-corner.ch
  4. Volkswagen Transporter (T5) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. 2010 Volkswagen T5 Multivan caranddriver.com
  6. Volkswagen Transporter (T6) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. VW Multivan T6.1: Preise und Sondermodell | firmenauto firmenauto.de
  8. Volkswagen Multivan (T7) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. 2022 Volkswagen T7 Multivan adds diesel power to its range | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  10. La mobilité électrique au quotidien : nouvelle motorisation hybride rechargeable avec transmission intégrale pour le Multivan et le California   - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  11. Обновените Multivan и California - старт на поръчките в Германия на следващото еволюционно стъпало в развитието на бестселърите vw-lekotovarni.bg
  12. VW T3 Multivan LLE Oettinger WBX 6: Gebrauchtwagen - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  13. VW T4 Multivan: Gebrauchtwagen-Test - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  14. VW Multivan Generation Six 2017 review | CarsGuide carsguide.com.au
  15. Volkswagen Transporter (T4) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. VW T5 Multivan: Kaufberatung - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  17. Nieuwe Multivan: veelzijdig, flexibel ruimtewonder nu te bestellen nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  18. Auswahlberatung VW T4: Der Multivan - gaskutsche.de gaskutsche.de
  19. Volkswagen Multivan Panamericana, también para el mercado español motorpasion.com
  20. VW Multivan Business - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  21. Sondermodell Multivan „70 Jahre Bulli“ und „Bulli Summer Festival“ | Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge Medienportal vwnf.media-corner.ch
  22. Volkswagen Oz unleashes special edition Multivan | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  23. 2026 Volkswagen Multivan Edition review: Quick drive | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  24. Le nouveau Multivan – lancement du best-seller avec pour la première fois une motorisation hybride rechargeable - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  25. Ausstattungsnummer – T4-Wiki t4-wiki.de
  26. Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. Najszybszy van świata! – TH Multivan TH2 RS (2009) autokult.pl
  28. Bus-Duell: Mercedes V-Klasse gegen VW T6 Multivan - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  29. VW Multivan gebraucht kaufen: Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  30. Le compte à rebours a commencé avant la première mondiale : Volkswagen Véhicules Utilitaires dévoile des esquisses du nouveau Multivan - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  31. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  32. Mälzer und Henssler liefern ab! – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  33. VW T6 Multivan DSG 4Motion: Gebrauchtwagen-Test - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  34. No Reserve: 2000 Volkswagen EuroVan MV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,750 on January 30, 2026 (Lot #228,285) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1991 Volkswagen T3 Multivan Blue Star Hannover Edition 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,000 on May 2, 2026 (Lot #240,635) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 2003 Volkswagen EuroVan MV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,500 on July 10, 2026 (Lot #251,729) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia Multivan 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,250 on September 12, 2024 (Lot #162,456) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: 1993 Volkswagen EuroVan MV 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on May 6, 2024 (Lot #145,774) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • fleetpoint.org
  • vw-press.pl
  • vwnf.media-corner.ch
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • firmenauto.de
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • media.volkswagen.fr
  • vw-lekotovarni.bg
  • autobild.de
  • carsguide.com.au
  • nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  • gaskutsche.de
  • motorpasion.com

Photo credits

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