2025 Volkswagen Transporter: a sneak peek

The wait is over. The first official images of the new Volkswagen Transporter have arrived, alongside some fresh details about the popular van’s 2025 return — but it’s not without a little controversy.

The grand reveal

After months of prototype livery teasers, the curtain has finally been pulled back to give us a proper look at the new Volkswagen Transporter, the seventh generation of the ‘Bulli’ medium-sized van.

Boasting ‘more space, more payload, more towing capacity, more efficiency, and even more perfection’, this might be the most hype surrounding a Transporter since Jason Statham gave up his high-octane getaway driving gig. However, like the movies, VW’s latest rendition hasn’t received a universally positive reception.

Rather than being built from scratch, the new Transporter uses a Ford Transit Custom base. Now, as the UK’s best-selling van, you couldn’t really ask for a better platform, but this has inevitably opened the door to questions around the Transporter merely being a rebadged Ford — only exacerbated by the use of Ford engines. A model with such a rich iconic history being incorporated into VW’s alliance with the blue oval was always going to be polarising, no matter the quality of the foundation.

The silhouette does mirror that of the Ford, but the sharp Transit styling has been traded in for soft edges, and a smiling front grille. Leaning on its storied DNA, elements of previous Transporters shine through in the underlined headlights, and the ‘Bulli line’ crease along the side which harks back to the two-toned haulers of yesteryear.

The new images showcase the latest PanAmericana model, and the cult-favourite variant’s metallic green paintjob is sure to turn heads, playing with the light to create a pleasing shadowy effect. The robust off-road wheel arches and bumper also provide a distinctive look, even if we don’t expect this appear on the standard variants.

Collaborative power

However the tech alliance is received, it has allowed the new Transporter to offer turbodiesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and all-electric power options — the first VW van to do so.

The ever-popular diesel variants will be available with 108, 148, and 168 hp engines, and the electric variants will offer 134, 215, and 282 hp motors, using a 64 kwh net capacity battery. There will also be a last-mile delivery focused electric van with ‘reduced power and a smaller battery’ to tackle urban environments. Last up, the PHEV variant will aim to offer the best of both worlds, using a 228 hp powertrain.

So far, front, rear, and all-wheel drive options have been sprinkled across the different powertrain variants, with more combinations in the pipeline. No matter how many of them are delivering the power, it looks like Volkswagen have opted to wrap all four wheels in Continental tyres, and we’d suggest the Van Contact 200 here as a reliable all-rounder.

For those who don’t fancy rowing through gears, all electric and PHEV models will be equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is also an option for selected diesel variants.

Doing what it says on the tin

Transporters are really designed for one thing: transporting, and the 2025 edition offers even more hauling potential. 146 mm longer and 128 mm wider than the outgoing T6.1 model, the new Transporter will sit at 5,050 by 2,032 mm (with an additional 400 mm available on the long wheelbase edition).

This will allow an increased load space of 5.8m³ on standard Transporters, while long wheelbase high-roof versions will offer an impressive 9.0m³. Maximum payload will also be increased to 1.33 tonnes, and if that’s still not enough space to squeeze all your cargo in, towing capabilities will be up to 2.8 tonnes.

Making the most of these carrying capabilities, there will be panel, double cab, Kombi, and dropside van variants. Plus, a people-carrying Caravelle model which brings the maximum seating number up from six to nine. There are currently no plans for an in-house California Transporter camper, so if the van life beckons, you’ll have to wait for campervan converters to apply their talents, or dust off that old DIY toolkit.

Bang for your buck 

UK prices have not yet been revealed, but based on the prestige associated with the model, we’re expecting to pay a premium rate. 

In the price bracket Transporters tend to fall into, it’s safe to expect more than just a durable, utilitarian workhorse these days. Luckily, the interior previews look to have ticked some high-quality boxes, presenting a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 13-inch infotainment display fitted with DAB+, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will be complimented by some tactile buttons and a ‘classic rotary knob’ for volume adjustment — sometimes you just can’t beat the classics.

Beyond the cockpit, LED headlights and taillights will be included as standard equipment, along with keyless start, rain sensors, lane assist, auto-emergency braking, and dynamic road sign display. Already offering a car-like feature list, we expect the advanced trim levels to add further luxury.

So, the cat is out of the bag, and we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more details as the 2025 release approaches. But what are your first impressions of the new Volkswagen Transporter?  

Hero image credit: VW