The VW Crafter is an outstanding van in the large-van class. Winner of the 2022 “Best to Drive” category in the What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards, it’s available in a huge range of different configurations and with plenty of options to get you exactly what you need.
Engines, Drive Systems, and Transmissions
You really will be spoiled for choice with the VW Crafter. It’s available in FWD (front-wheel drive), RWD (rear-wheel drive), and Volkswagen’s excellent AWD (all-wheel drive) 4Motion system. While not every configuration is possible with every customisation aspect, you also have four engines from which to choose, all based on the 2.0-litre TDI diesel: 120hp, 122hp, 140hp, and 177hp. Each comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, but there’s also the option of an 8-speed automatic gearbox on the 140hp and 177hp models. Fuel tank capacity is a decent 75 litres, and the AdBlue tank — very important for reducing dangerous nitrogen oxide particular emissions — takes 18 litres. (And don’t worry: that will last you a lot of miles, and it’s easy to refill it yourself!)
Wheelbases and the Roof
The options extend into the wheelbase lengths and roof heights. The Crafter comes in Medium, Long, and Maxi wheelbases, and in a choice of a Low, High, or Super-high roof depending on your chosen wheelbase length. To give you an idea of some dimensions (this is a big van, after all):
Vehicle Height
Low roof: 2355mm
High roof: 2590mm
Super-high roof: 2798mm
Interior Height
Low roof: 1726mm
High roof: 1961mm
Super-high roof: 2196mm
Vehicle Length
Medium wheelbase: 5986mm
Long wheelbase: 6836mm
Maxi wheelbase: 7391mm
Interior Length
Medium wheelbase: 3450mm
Long wheelbase: 4300mm
Maxi wheelbase: 4855mm
The Crafters have a cargo-area width of 1832mm with either 1030mm or 1380mm between the wheel arches.
More Important Numbers (like the Payload!)
With a van this big, you need to know what you can actually carry and how much space you get. Load volumes range from 9.3m3 at the low end to an excellent 18.4m3 at the high end. In terms of payload and GVW, the GVW ranges from 3000kg (3.0 tonnes) to 5000kg (5.0 tonnes), and payloads go from 761kg to an enormous 2472kg. (Bear in mind that if you add a tail lift, this will reduce your payload some.)
Trim Levels
It’s not all about the technical specs; you need to be comfortable in your van too. The Volkswagen Crafter has a driver’s and one or two passenger’s seats in the front row. The cab is separated from the loading area by a steel bulkhead, so you can rest assured that your cargo will remain safely in the back where it should be. The cargo compartment benefits from up to 14 load-lashings rings as well as the option of lashing rails. The Crafter comes in two trim levels, Startline and Trendline, and is also available with a Business Pack upgrade which includes front and rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, an anti-theft alarm, etc. But you may find that the trims give you what you need
Startline
Startline is the basic trim, and its features include:
- Radio (Composition Audio) with 5” display, Bluetooth, and connection for USB/iPod
- Servotronic (electromechanical) steering
- Rubber floor covering
- Steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach
- Double rear doors opening to 180° (270° as optional, or as standard on LWB Maxi)
- Crosswind assist
- Passenger’s side manual sliding door
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
- Engine immobiliser
- Halogen head lights with daytime-running-light function
- Parking brake with hill-hold control
- Load-adjusting ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme)
- Full-size spare wheel
Trendline
Trendline is the more comprehensive trim level, and that includes (in addition to Startline):
- Composition Colour 6.5” touchscreen DAB+ radio with Bluetooth and connection for USB/iPod
- App-Connect
- Cruise control
- Driver’s seat with armrest and lumbar support (2-way)
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Heated door mirrors (electrically adjustable)
- Storage compartment (overhead) and reading light
- 8mm-thick wooden cargo-area floor cover
- Double rear doors opening to 270°
An upgrade to a Discover Media satnav system with 8” colour touchscreen, DAB+, free map updates, and 32gb of storage is optional on all models.
And at Swiss HQ, we can upgrade your vehicle to include a wealth of extra features which might make your life easier, from a reversing camera to storage systems, custom leather to soundproofing.
The Van For You
The VW Crafter is a great vehicle. It’s outstanding as it is, or you can arrange a conversion to refrigerated van, welfare vehicle, emergency services van, etc. The Crafter is also available as a Chassis Cab, so if it’s a Luton, tipper, or dropside you need, VW has you covered there too.
And if the Crafter doesn’t seem quite right for you, you could consider other large vans like the big Ford Transit van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, or Vauxhall Movano, or even a slightly smaller model like the VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom, or Renault Trafic. If you’re not sure (or even if you are!) give a call at Swiss to discuss all of the choices and options. We can also tell you about our great deals on a VW Crafter lease or VW Crafter finance, with finance lease, lease purchase, contract hire, and hire purchase available. And of course, we also do cash sales. Let us help you get on the road in your perfect van today.