Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter overview
The Volkswagen Transporter is the German company’s medium-sized van, and it’s a machine that can trace its roots almost all the way back to the company’s founding. The current model is the T6, or Type 6, and rolling the numbers back to the Type 2 takes you to the second model that VW ever produced, the Beetle-based van otherwise known as the Bus or Kombi.
However, while its ancestry is easy to trace, the current van is one of the most modern and up-to-date models that you can buy. The latest version is known as the T6.1, because it was facelifted in 2019 with a slightly updated look and more car-like tech on board. This included the addition of electric power steering, so now the Transporter can be had with the kind of safety tech that’s familiar from VW’s passenger cars.
The Transporter is a more upmarket choice in the medium-sized van class, and isn’t available in as many variants as some of its rivals. In Ireland there are standard and long-wheelbase panel vans, with a high-roof offered on the latter as a costed option. Other territories have five-seat Kombi variants and even chassis cab conversions, but the only alternatives to the panel van offered here are the multi-seat Shuttle and the California, VW’s excellent (but pricey) off-the-shelf camper van.
Back to the panel vans, and both models come with a single sliding side door, with twin barn doors at the back, although VW offers a top-hinged tailgate as a no-cost option. The barn doors can open to 90- and 180 degrees for ease of access, while the rear opening is almost as wide as the van’s internal width, so it’s easy to load. There’s a full steel bulkhead between the cargo area and passenger compartment, and the cab features a three-seat layout with a twin passenger seat.
Power comes from a 2.0 TDI diesel that has been developed specifically for Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles. It comes with stop-start and in four power outputs - 90hp, 110hp, 150hp and 204hp. The lower powered engines are joined by a five-speed manual gearbox, and the higher output diesels come with the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. All vans are front-wheel drive as standard, while VW’s 4Motion four-wheel drive is available with the higher-output engines.
Some markets offer the VW e-Transporter, which is something of an interim offering from VW for buyers wanting an electric van. It’s a conversion by German EV specialist Abt, and sees the Transporter fitted with the running gear from the VW e-Golf. However, it’s not a great electric van, with a short range of around 90 miles. If you’re looking for an electric VW van, then perhaps wait for the ID.Buzz Cargo, which uses the same running gear as the ID.3 electric hatchback and is scheduled to arrive in 2022.
Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter range
VW keeps the Transporter range simple, with three logically named trims to choose from - Startline, Trendline and Highline. Kicking off with Startline, this is the entry point to the range, but standard kit is still pretty good for a medium-sized panel van. You get familiar black plastic bumpers, while the 16-inch steel wheels have plastic trims, there are electrically heated and adjustable wing mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, remote central locking, air conditioning, a touchscreen radio with smartphone connectivity, a USB-C socket and Bluetooth, plus driver and passenger airbags and electronic stability control with brake assist and hill start assist.
The Trendline still has wheel trims but adds body-coloured bumpers and more desirable equipment such as a trip computer, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. It also comes with the Comfort Pack, which includes extra sound deadening, a 12V socket in the cab, extra grab handles and mirrors on the sun visors.
As you might expect, Highline is positively opulent, and is pitched at the self-employed that would like a van with a bit more luxury. There are alloy wheels as standard, auto lights and wipers, a heated windscreen, multifunction leather-trimmed steering wheel, LED headlights with a distinctive running light signature, front and rear parking sensors and an upgraded stereo.
VW also offers a wide range of options. There are a broad range of body colours and alloy wheels ranging from 16-18 inches in size, you can add windows to the cargo area doors and the bulkhead, improved infotainment with navigation and connected services, Park Assist, Lane Assist, adaptive cruise control and even under-body protection if you’re planning on heading off-road.
Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter interior
Cab space is reasonable in the Transporter. It’s not quite as roomy as some rivals, but it’s not the smallest medium-sized van on offer, either. One aspect of the Transporter that’s better than most rivals is the perceived build quality. VW uses materials here that are similar to its passenger cars, with high-quality plastics, more use of fabrics and switchgear that feels robust. Touchscreen infotainment is standard across the range, which adds another level of appeal. If you’re feeling flush, then you can add hi-tech kit such as the VW digital dashboard, which replaces the standard analogue dials with a high-resolution colour screen that can show a wide variety of information.
The Transporter’s cargo area is fairly conventional. Access is fine via the sliding side door (you can add a second sliding door as an option), and the rear doors open very wide. Switching to a top-hinged tailgate is a no-cost option, although the large door is quite heavy and can be tricky to close against the strong gas struts that hold it open. You can add electric opening and closing to mitigate this.
There’s no through-loading bulkhead option, but you can delete the steel partition completely as a no-cost option. However, we wouldn’t recommend this, because while every version of the Transporter comes with an engine immobiliser, it makes the van’s cargo area less secure. Also available is window glass for the doors. Again, while this will improve visibility, it will compromise security. Other cargo upgrades include electrically sliding side doors, a rubber floor coating, 250-degree hinges for the long-bodied van and assorted tow bar preparations.
Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter driving experience
The lower-powered TDI 90hp and 110hp diesels deliver pretty healthy torque figures of 220Nm and 250Nm respectively, and they do so from low revs, so they feel relatively punchy around town. They run out of steam at higher speeds, and this isn’t helped by the five-speed gearbox, although it does have a slick and accurate shift that makes it easy to extract the best from both engines.
The 150hp TDI diesel has more than enough power for most needs, and doesn’t suffer too much of a penalty when it comes to fuel economy. It comes with a slick six-speed gearbox, but it’s also available with VW’s seven-speed DSG twin-clutch auto. However, this auto isn’t the most alert gearbox around. Put your foot down from a standstill and there’s plenty of slip from the transmission as the van builds speed, rather than accelerates. It’s also rather hesitant when you switch from braking to acceleration - such as when approaching a roundabout - which takes some getting used to. It’s much better when at a cruise, where it seeks the highest gear possible to help save fuel, while its kickdown shifts are slow, but relatively smooth.
The 204hp TDI diesel is a real powerhouse that turns the Transporter into a bit of a hot rod. It only comes in the Highline long-wheelbase van and with the DSG gearbox, which blunts its performance a little, but it has masses of mid-range torque, so it barely breaks a sweat, even with a maximum payload on board. Beware that as well as being expensive to buy, running costs are a little on the steep side for this version.
The overall driving experience is good, but the Transporter doesn’t like to be hustled. There’s plenty of body lean in corners, while the steering is light and lacks feedback. While some medium-sized vans have double wing mirrors with a wide-angle section, the VW has standard glass. VW does offer some tech to help, though, with front and rear parking sensors, self-parking and a side-assist system, which alerts you to obstacles in your immediate blind spot when manoeuvring.
Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter alternatives
The Ford Transit Custom is a strong rival for the Transporter in the medium-sized van class, and can match it for tech while offering a bit more cargo space. There are a wide range of engines and trims, too, from totally basic, to stylish and powerful, while pricing is more competitive than for the VW.
The Mercedes Vito is a long-standing rival for the Transporter, but it doesn’t have the latest tech on board. It too comes in two lengths, and there is a long list of options available, while the Vito is also available with rear-wheel drive. Like the VW, it’s a pricier option in the class.
Elsewhere, the Renault Trafic offers a big, cube-shaped cargo area and some handy kit upgrades, but it’s not as upmarket as the VW – it does start at a lower price, though. The Trafic shares its body with two other vans, the Nissan NV300 and Fiat Talento, which offer the same abilities, although the Talento comes with Fiat engines, and will soon be off sale as part of the reshuffle of brands within the recently formed Stellantis group.
Stellantis is home to Opel, Citroen and Peugeot, and Fiat will soon have a new van that shares a body with the Vivaro, Dispatch and Expert from those three companies. These vans, along with the Toyota Proace, all feel more car-like to drive than the other vans mentioned here, but the pay-off is that they’re a bit smaller than their rivals, so the cabin is tighter for three and cargo volumes are smaller.
Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter summary
The Transporter feels like a quality product, and the most recent update means it’s more like VW’s passenger cars in the cab. All the engines deliver decent performance and economy, while the cargo area is a good shape with decent access. We’d avoid the auto box if you can, but otherwise the Transporter is a decent piece of kit. It’s a relatively pricey medium-sized van – especially if you go wild with options – but in this instance you really do get what you pay for.
