The 2026 Volkswagen Transporter has arrived, blending traditional commercial van with a comfortable passenger car feel. Tech laden and loaded with safety gear, it serves its purpose as a daily workspace well.
Sharing much of its platform with the Ford Transit Custom, it’s a little pricey at just over $64,000 drive away. You do get a premium van for that kind of spend though. Tested here in short-wheelbase front-wheel drive trim, it sports sleek LED headlights and DRLs.
The combination looks modern, and the powered and heated side mirrors add a touch of class. The rear treatment includes LED multi-level lights, and you’ll also find fold down roof racks, rated for a respectable 170kg.
The sliding side door is large enough for easy access, while the rear door can be configured as a lift up tailgate or barn doors during the purchasing process. Additional options include a right hand sliding door with electric latching and opening, a timber floor, and windows.
In the cabin area, it’s immediately apparent Volkswagen has set it up for long days on the road. The supportive seats are genuinely impressive, and feature both a leg‑support extension and heating.
The driver’s pew grabs 8-way seat adjustment and a fold-down armrest. A centre table is a clever addition and adds convenience. Gear selection is handled by an easy‑to‑use lever mounted to the right with Park activated via a neat push button at the end.
The leather steering wheel feels smooth and premium in your hands, with tilt and height adjustment to get things just right. Its multi‑function buttons are crisp and clear, giving you effortless control of cruise settings, audio and other tasks.
Storage is another Transporter strength. There’s a large shelf above the dash with power outlets and cup holders, plus generous door pockets and bottle holders. Even the dash hides a fold‑down drink holder, giving you almost too many options.
A wireless phone storage compartment is a modern thoughtful touch and the keyless start button rounds out the cabin’s tech‑forward feel. One of the things that is missing though is a handle to assist access.
In the centre of the dash is a 13-inch colour touchscreen boasting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s connected to a four speaker sound system that’s better than we expected. There’s a couple of USB ports and a 12V outlet.
The cargo area has capacity of 6.8m3 with a load length of 3,050mm (including the 400mm load-through hatch. Payload is 1062kg and braked towing capacity is 2800kg. Tie down points are conveniently located throughout and LED lights make the cargo area bright and useful.
Driving the Transporter is surprisingly easy. There’s a bevy of safety tech, and none of it is overly annoying. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel produces 125kW and 390Nm via an 8-speed auto. Drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport.
The latter accelerates smoothly and energetically. The electromechanical steering is direct and never feels sloppy either. Real world fuel economy of 8.1-litres/100km compared favourably with the claimed 7.9-litres/100km.
The VW Transporter has a 70-litre fuel tank, combined with a 20-litre AdBlue tank. It’s available in Clear White, Stone Grey, Dark Indigo Blue, Light Grey, Warm Green Mid Blue, Graphite Dust, Midnight Black and Intensive Red.
More expensive than many of its rivals, including Ford’s Transit Custom, it does offer a more premium cabin that most others. It’s backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 1-year of roadside assist, capped price servicing and a range of care plans.
You can find out more on the Volkswagen Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Volkswagen Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
