Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle review – a nine-seat MPV with masses of room

Verdict – is the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle a good car?

If you look inside a Kia EV9 or Land Rover Discovery and wonder why it’s so cramped, you should head to your local Volkswagen dealership to poke around the latest Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle. Especially in long wheelbase guise, it’s simply enormous inside with plentiful legroom in every row and a boot larger than a family estate car. There’s also loads of choice between electric, diesel or plug-in hybrid propulsion, and we have a feeling the smooth, quiet e-Shuttle will really impress private buyers. It’s so easy to drive and should be easy on the wallet, too. Downsides are its sheer size – you won’t want to park it in tight spaces too often, and it’s also going to be quite pricey in top specifications.

Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle models, specs and alternatives

Thanks to a collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen that’s already given us the Ford Ranger-based Volkswagen Amarok pickup and the Volkswagen Caddy-based Ford Tourneo Courier, the third installment is an all-new Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle with lots of Ford Tourneo Custom in its DNA. 

It replaces the outgoing Volkswagen Transporter T6.1, and sits above the Volkswagen Caddy, Multivan and all-electric ID. Buzz in VW’s people-moving arsenal. And if you’re wondering why Volkswagen even needs a Transporter Shuttle when it has the Multivan, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Multivan is based on the same building blocks that give us the Golf, while the Shuttle is based on a panel van. In other words, it’s significantly larger, both inside and out with a length of up to 5,450mm (for the long wheelbase version) that makes it a whopping 48cm longer.

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Before you leave thinking it must be like driving a blue whale when on the move, nothing could be further from the truth. Somehow Volkswagen has given it a turning circle only a metre wider than the Golf’s, and the Transporter Shuttle feels smooth, responsive and comfortable. Thanks to a high seating position and lots of windows, you also get a great view out that makes it easier to position and manoeuvre.

Space is the name of the game here, of course, with eight seats as standard or nine seats if you opt for a bench front passenger seat. Even with all those seats in place, there’s still a boot that dwarfs that of most SUVs, and the cabin has lots of practical storage spaces, chargers, cupholders and even full-on plug sockets that can charge laptops, camping gadgets or power tools.

Buyers are spoilt for choice between the various forms of propulsion for the big MPV. There are three diesels, three electric options and early 2026 will see the arrival of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Power levels offer everything from being able to potter around town to powering up steep hills with a full complement of passengers and luggage, and manual or automatic gearboxes are available, along with 4Motion four-wheel drive for the 148bhp diesel engine.

The Transporter Shuttle is also one of the first Volkswagen models to come with its new ‘5+ Promise’ for commercial vehicles, that includes a five-year/124,000-mile warranty, five years of servicing, three MoTs and five years’ of roadside assistance, beating most rivals that only offer three years of cover as standard.  

Volkswagen wants the Transporter Shuttle to appeal to as many potential customers as possible, so it’s thrown everything including the kitchen sink at its engine lineup. There are no less than three diesels, three electric options and the arrival of a plug-in hybrid is due in early 2026 for the first time ever in the Transporter Shuttle’s history.

Which one a private buyer – or more likely a private hire driver or taxi fleet operator – will decide upon depends on how they plan to use the Shuttle and what sorts of routes it will take most frequently. For driving in urban areas, anywhere with a ULEZ zone, or for tackling short and predictable routes, the electric e-Shuttle will be the cheapest to run. With a 64kWh battery and range of around 200 miles it should cover off a day of driving fairly easily, and if not it can charge at up to 125kW for a 0-80% top-up in 39 minutes. It can also take AC charging at a maximum of 11kW. 

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The diesel engines should return between 35-40mpg in real-world driving, but the major advantage is the ability to drive long distances without stopping, and refuel virtually anywhere in a matter of minutes. This will make it ideal for firms that need to convey passengers long distances, where stopping to rapid-charge would be impractical and likely cost more too. 

When the PHEV arrives it’s meant to sit in the middle, with the benefit of electric running for just over 30 miles in cities and towns, along with the ability to cover lots of miles without any pre-planning. 

Following the April 2025 VED changes, there won’t be a major price advantage to picking the e-Shuttle when it comes to road tax, but Benefit-in-Kind will still be much cheaper. 

How efficient is the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle in the real world?

When we tested the Volkswagen Transporter e-Shuttle along a fairly hilly route in Greece with a chilly temperature of 10 degrees, it managed a fairly impressive 3.5 miles/kWh. It’s worth noting, however, that this was with just the driver and a few bags aboard – nowhere near the MPV’s eight-person capacity.

How much will the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle cost in tax?

Once the new rules kick in from April 2025, every version of the Transporter Shuttle will cost the same £195 in VED (road tax) from the second year onwards. We also expect every version to cost more than £40,000, so they’ll also incur the luxury car surcharge from years two to six.

What will the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle cost to insure?

Insurance groups haven’t been confirmed yet, but should stick fairly close to those of the outgoing Transporter T6.1.

As we mentioned at the start of this review, the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle is based on the Ford Transit Custom this time around; a van with a long-standing reputation for being the class-leader from behind the wheel. The same qualities shine through, because gone are the days when a van-based MPV feels like a Sherman tank to steer across a winding road or navigate through a busy city centre.

The driving position doesn’t feel too dramatically different from an SUV, and there’s remarkably little slop in the steering – turn it a few degrees, and the Transporter Shuttle obediently changes direction without fuss. Get too enthusiastic into a sharp corner and the VW will turn keenly – certainly far more so than paying passengers would appreciate – before the car’s electronic systems gently reign things back in.

Perhaps even more impressive though, is the level of refinement on offer. That’s especially the case in the e-Shuttle, because the quiet electric motor lets you appreciate how little other noise there is. Hop into the diesel and the 2.0-litre TDI feels pretty gruff in comparison, and you can feel slight vibrations through the steering wheel, but it settles down nicely as you cruise along.

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Diesel models

There’s a range of power outputs on offer, all using the same 2.0-litre TDI diesel in different states of tune. The entry and middle outputs come with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the latter can be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic and even 4Motion four-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the top 168bhp diesel gets the automatic as standard but sticks with two-wheel drive.

We drove the 168bhp automatic diesel in a Transporter, which is virtually identical to the Shuttle but without the rear seats and windows. It’s eager to get the van off the line, thanks to plentiful low-down grunt, and then serves up steady acceleration with almost seamless changes between gears. The gearbox was a bit less happy along a mountain road, though, sometimes hunting for the right gear if you tackled a set of bends. That’s not exactly this car’s intended use, though, and driving around in town and in the suburbs, it made light work of most situations.

While we haven’t driven them yet, based on how the most punchy diesel felt, we’d recommend avoiding the entry-level 109bhp diesel unless it’s only for short urban trips, because with a 0-62mph time of around 17 seconds it’s likely to feel pretty sluggish. The 148bhp version should be a better compromise, and on paper it’s not much slower than the range-topper.

Electric models 

Our main test drive was in the Transporter e-Shuttle, and we were impressed with how well electric power suited the big MPV. Volkswagen has done a great job of making it feel really smooth away from the lights, with linear acceleration that should help keep passengers relaxed and comfortable. While it’s unlikely lots of buyers will go for it, the top 282bhp version can hit 62mph from rest in 7.4 seconds, making it quicker than any other Volkswagen MPV except for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX. In reality, it doesn’t feel sporty, but it’s nice to know there’s plenty of punch for those times there are nine adults and their luggage onboard, and possibly even a heavy trailer being towed behind.

Sitting beneath this version there’s an electric motor with 134bhp or 215bhp, and while we haven’t driven them yet, we’d imagine the 134bhp motor will be fine for urban driving, while the 215bhp example is likely to be the sweet spot in the range that can handle everything from city centres to motorway driving.

Plug-in hybrid models

For the first time ever in a Volkswagen Transporter-based model, a PHEV is also on its way, and should be here in early 2026. It’s based around a 2.5-litre petrol engine, electric motor and battery pack for a combined power output of 225bhp that’s sent to the front wheels.

Van-based MPVs used to have a reputation for being very utilitarian, with basic dashboards, scratchy plastics and poorly trimmed interiors reminiscent of a school minibus. Things have changed significantly in recent times, and models like the Transporter Shuttle have become more upmarket and sophisticated, helping them appeal to buyers looking for practical executive shuttles.

The Transporter Shuttle’s dashboard looks sophisticated thanks to its all-digital layout, materials look attractive, and the rear compartment is neatly trimmed with carpet, splashes of metal trim, ambient lighting and car-like leatherette and fabric rear seats in the Style trim we tested.

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Is the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle infotainment and sat-nav system easy to use?

Volkswagen’s biggest MPV gets a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13-inch touchscreen, so there’s plenty of screen real estate. The driver’s display is clear and logically laid out, with plenty of information and an easy to understand trip computer. There’s also a fuel-gauge style readout for the battery, but we’d prefer a simple percentage reading that’s easier to see precisely at a glance without having to guesstimate. 

We were using the in-built navigation to follow a set route, and found it tricky to work out how to make changes until we found a small button that unfurls the rest of the navigation settings. While this is one small example, it rings true that quite a few features aren’t all that obvious until you stumble across them, and we suspect most owners would simply use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay instead of learning how it all works.

That being said, there’s a comprehensive number of features included, with a real push towards connected services and you’ll also be able to download over-the-air updates. We’re less positive about the shift to touchscreen-based climate controls, which are quite fiddly and more frustrating to use than the simple control dials in the outgoing Transporter.

Trim levels are simply called Shuttle, Life and Style, with air-conditioning and 10 speakers as standard, instead of the four speakers of the panel van. Life adds 16-inch alloy wheels and extra charging ports, along with niceties like body-coloured bumpers. Style adds chrome exterior trim for a more upmarket look, along with 17-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, LED rear lights, privacy glass, three-zone climate control and half-leatherette seats.

If you thought a Kia EV9 or even a Volkswagen Multivan offered incredible interior space, think again. They look positively tight on the inside next to the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle, particularly if you upgrade to the long wheelbase version that’s a whopping 5,450mm in length – almost 43cm longer than the Kia.

That’s the version we tried, with two front seats, followed by two rows of three for eight seats in total. You can also specify three seats in the front for a total of nine seats if you don’t mind sacrificing a small amount of comfort to carry an extra passenger up front. Forget any issues with the third row being only for kids here – a 5ft 10 adult can sit in the rearmost row with enough space ahead of their knees for a small rucksack. The middle row is even roomier, and access to the back is via the large sliding doors and a tip-and-fold mechanism for the two outer chairs.

There’s almost so many cup-holders and cubbies you’ll need to have a good memory to remember where you put things. On the passenger side there are deep door bins, door pockets and a twin-opening glovebox, while the driver also gets a dash-top storage bin with its own charging ports. The centre console also has cupholders and a storage space for smartphones. Charging ports are numerous – especially in higher trims – and even include a 230-volt plug mounted in the base of the driver’s seat for charging bigger items like a laptop.

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Does the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle have a big boot?

Even with all nine seats in use, boot space is also enormous. That’s once you lift up the giant tailgate, which is so big you could easily use the boot as a mobile viewing platform or picnic area in a rain shower and never get wet. This does also mean you’ll need quite a bit of room behind the Shuttle to open the boot and close it again. 

After taking in the size of the boot, you’ll also spot how impressively low the loading lip is positioned. It’s an important feature when you spend most days loading heavy 25kg suitcases into the boot, making it a far easier task. In the short wheelbase there’s 696 litres of boot space up to the rear headrests, while in the long wheelbase this almost doubles to 1,211 litres.

This is a somewhat tricky area to judge, because while the Transporter Shuttle is based on the Ford Tourneo Custom, it’s built on its own dedicated line and Volkswagen said it has its own quality checks. Still, neither VW or Ford performed very well in our latest Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, sitting 29th and 30th respectively out of 32 manufacturers. Volkswagen had a slightly higher share of owners with a fault in the first year at 23.4%, versus 20.8% for Ford.

How safe is the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle?

While the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle hasn’t yet been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, the closely-related Ford Tourneo Custom was given a three-star rating in 2024, which is upgraded to four stars when a safety pack is fitted.

Unlike the Transporter panel van that it’s based on, the Shuttle gets side and curtain airbags to help better protect its rear passengers. There’s also autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, lane assist and an eCall system that can alert the emergency services following an accident.

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Should you buy a Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle ?

Volkswagen readily admits that while the Volkswagen Multivan and ID. Buzz are aimed primarily at private buyers, its Transporter Shuttle is expected to sell mostly to private hire firms and fleet operators. Still, that’s not to say that if your family finds even a big three-row SUV lacks space, you wouldn’t be blown away by the space offered in this van-based MPV.

The flexibility they can offer is impressive too, because it’s possible to remove seats for a truly van-like amount of loading space. Sliding doors and a high roofline also make it really easy to get in and out, even in fairly tight spaces – although as we mentioned in the practicality section, the rear tailgate does need quite a bit of space to swing open.

With an impressive line-up of electric motors available, the Transporter Shuttle could also appeal to private buyers who don’t like the thought of running a reasonably thirsty diesel engine. Simply charge up at home or at a public charger, and the VW is smooth, quiet and cheap to run. 

What is the best Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle for low running costs?

Unless you drive serious enough long-distance miles for the diesel to make sense, the e-Shuttle is likely to be cheaper to run. This argument only really falls down if you need to charge publicly most of the time, which can end up costing you more than diesel on a per mile basis.

What  is the best Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle for families?

We reckon families would be best off with the Transporter e-Shuttle short wheelbase with 215bhp in the top Style trim. This offers the nicest interior with loads of charging ports to keep mobile devices topped up.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle range?

While you can’t go far wrong with our pick for families, if you want the ultimate Transporter Shuttle, the long wheelbase version offers even more space in the rear seats and a gargantuan boot.

Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle alternatives

While you might think the Transporter Shuttle is a niche model, there are actually quite a few rivals on the market. Some, like the Mercedes, are more luxurious and pricey, while others offer more mainstream pricing but with a slightly more basic interior design.

• Citroen e-SpaceTourer
• Ford Tourneo Custom
• Peugeot e-Traveler
• Mercedes EQV

How we tested the Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle

We drove the Transporter Shuttle on the coastal, mountain and urban roads around Athens, Greece in February 2025. It was chilly but sunny and dry, with temperatures of around seven degrees. The roads were comparable to those in the UK, with plenty of potholes, scarred surfaces and camber changes.