2022 Volkswagen Caravelle, Multivan, California Beach price and specs

The 2022 Volkswagen T6.1-generation passenger vans, which include the Caravelle, Multivan and California Beach, have all received a price rise varying between $4100 to $4300 depending on trim level.

There have been no spec changes to compensate for this price rise and there are no longer any option packages available.

A Volkswagen Australia spokesperson confirmed the price increase is due to “inflationary pressures”. They also confirmed that no order placed before January 1, 2022 is affected by the prise rise.

The Multivan is available in both short- and long-wheelbase body styles and comes with seven seats, whereas the Caravelle only comes in long-wheelbase form with nine seats.

The California Beach is a camper van offering that brings a pop-top roof and is available in either a five- or seven-seat configuration.

In June 2021, Volkswagen revealed the new T7-generation Multivan people mover that rides on the MQB architecture underpinning the vast majority of the German automaker’s passenger car range.

This new T7 Multivan is the first generation to not be directly related to the Transporter commercial van.

At the time of its reveal, Volkswagen Australia said it was interested but that the T6.1 “still has a lot of life yet”. It also said Volkswagen Commercial sales were booming, with buyers keen to hit the road instead of taking international holidays.

In 2021 Volkswagen sold a total of 94 Caravelle models and 936 Multivan models.

These Volkswagen people movers were outsold by the Kia Carnival (5862 sales), Honda Odyssey (1143 sales) and the LDV G10 people mover (1064 sales).

Volkswagen sold a total of 158 California Beach models in 2021, more than the conceptually similar Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo (46).

Pricing

Caravelle

• Trendline LWB TDI340: $63,090 (+$4100)

Multivan

• Comfortline SWB TDI340: $63,090
• Comfortline Premium SWB TDI340: $66,090 (+$4100)
• Comfortline Premium SWB TDI340 4Motion: $69,090 (+$4100)
• Comfortline Premium LWB TDI340: $69,090 (+$4100)
• Comfortline Premium LWB TDI340 4Motion: $72,090 (+$4100)
• Highline SWB TDI450: $89,290 (+$4300)
• Highline SWB TDI450 4Motion: $92,290 (+$4300)
• Comfortline Executive LWB TDI450: $92,290 (+$4300)

California Beach

• SWB TDI340: $87,290 (+$4300)
• SWB TDI340 4Motion: $91,290 (+$4300)
• SWB TDI450 4Motion: $97,290 (+$4300)

Engines

All T6.1-generation passenger vans are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-dieselengine.

Available across all three models, the TDI340 engine tune develops 110kW of power and 340Nm of torque.

Available only in the Multivan and California Beach, the more-powerful TDI450 engine tune develops 146kW and 450Nm.

All models use a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, with most models sending power to the front wheels only but 4Motion models sending power to all four wheels through an all-wheel drive system.

Fuel Economy

Claimed combined fuel economy figures for the 2022 Volkswagen Caravelle, Multivan and California Beach are as follows:

• 2022 Volkswagen Caravelle Trendline LWB TDI340: 6.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline SWB TDI340: 6.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Premium SWB TDI340: 6.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Premium SWB TDI340 4Motion: 7.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Premium LWB TDI340: 6.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Premium LWB TDI340 4Motion: 7.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Highline SWB TDI450: 7.1L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Highline SWB TDI450 4Motion: 7.9L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Executive LWB TDI450: 7.0L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen California Beach TDI340: 6.6L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen California Beach TDI340 4Motion: 7.5L/100km
• 2022 Volkswagen California Beach TDI450 4Motion: 7.8L/100km

All T6.1-generation passenger vans come with BlueMotion start/stop technology, have a 80L diesel fuel tank and require AdBlue.

Dimensions

SWB models measure in at 4904mm long, 1990mm tall and 1904mm wide, with a 3000mm wheelbase.

This height figure doesn’t take the 1050mm tall optional electric pop-top to the height figure of the California Beach into account. Volkswagen says there’s up to 2300mm of standing height inside depending on configuration, too.

The load compartment for SWB Multivan and California Beach models measures 2532mm long and 1220mm wide.

LWB models measure in at 5304mm long, 1990mm tall and 1904mm wide, with a 3400mm wheelbase.

The load compartment for LWB Multivan and Caravelle models measures 2932mm long and 1220mm wide.

Gross vehicle weight (GVM) for the entire T6.1 passenger van range is 3080kg and braked towing capacity is 2500kg.

Servicing and Warranty

The 2022 Volkswagen Caravelle, Multivan and California Beach are all backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with one year of roadside assist.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

Volkswagen Australia offers a five-year Care Plan which covers scheduled servicing for said period, and is significantly cheaper than paying as you go.

Until June 30, 2022, the service package costs $1400 for Caravelle, Multivan and California Beach front-wheel drive models, and $1600 for Multivan and California Beach 4Motion models.

Safety

The entire T6.1 passenger van range hasn’t been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, however they feature the following safety equipment:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Cross wind assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors

Standard Equipment

The Caravelle Trendline receives the following standard features:

• Nine seats (2+2+2+3)
• 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• USB/AUX/SD connectivity
• Bluetooth
• Two USB-C ports
• Four-speaker sound system
• 16-inch ‘Clayton’ alloy wheels
• Automatic ‘H7’ halogen headlights with daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electric heated/folding mirrors
• Power-latching sliding rear left and right doors
• Carpeted floor
• LED interior lighting
• ‘Quadratic’ cloth upholstery in Titanium Black
• Three-zone climate control
• Sun blinds in passenger compartment
• Heat-insulating windows
• Driver fatigue detection
• Front and rear parking sensors

Some notable optional extras on the Caravelle include the following:

• Programmable parking heater and second battery ($3930)
• LED headlights and daytime running lights, with LED combination tail lights ($2030)
• Powered tailgate ($930)
• Power-sliding left and right side doors ($1620)

The Multivan Comfortline gets:

• Seven seats (2+2+3)
• Swivelling second row seats
• Electric sliding left and right rear doors
• Power-latching tailgate
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Six-speaker sound system

The Multivan Comfortline Premium adds:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• ‘Circuit’ cloth upholstery in Titanium Black
• 17-inch ‘Devonport’ alloy wheels
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The California Beach gets:

• Five or seven seats
• 17-inch ‘Aracaju’ alloy wheels
• Touchscreen camper control unit
• Swivelling front seats
• Manually-elevating roof with two side windows and front opening window
• Awning
• Bed extension
• Camping table
• Camping chairs
• Second battery
• Programable parking heater
• Privacy glass

Some notable optional extras on the California Beach include the following:

• Electric pop-up roof ($3030)
• Mechanical rear differential lock – 4Motion models only ($1460)
• LED headlights and daytime running lights, with LED combination tail lights ($2030)
• Power-sliding left and right side doors ($1620)
• Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection ($2030)
• Aluminium underbody cladding for engine and transmission ($1920)

The Multivan Comfortline Executive receives:

• 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 18-inch ‘Springfield’ alloy wheels
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Fog lights
• ‘Digital Cockpit’ 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• ‘ArtVelours’ microfleece upholstery in two-tone Palladium/Titanium Black
• Multi-function table

The Multivan Highline gets:

• ‘Nappa’ leather upholstery in Titanium Black

Some notable optional extras on the Multivan range include the following:

• Bed extension ($1130)
• Programmable parking heater and second battery ($3930)
• Mechanical rear differential lock – 4Motion models only ($1460)
• Adaptive chassis control with driving profile selection ($2030)

Colours

The Volkswagen T6.1 passenger range is available in the following exterior paint colours:

• Ascot Grey
• Candy White
• Cherry Red
• Pure Grey
• Bay Leaf Green Metallic
• Copper Bronze Metallic
• Fortana Red Metallic
• Indium Grey Metallic
• Mojave Beige Metallic
• Ravenna Blue Metallic
• Reflex Silver Metallic
• Starlight Blue Metallic
• Deep Black Pearlescent

Metallic and pearlescent paint costs an additional $1760.

The 2022 Volkswagen California Beach is available with the following two-tone exterior paint colours for an additional $4030:

• Mojave Beige Metallic/Deep Black Pearlescent
• Candy White/Ascot Grey
• Candy White/Bay Leaf Green Metallic
• Candy White/Copper Bronze Metallic

MORE: Everything Volkswagen Multivan