VW Transporter T6 - Roadtest & Review | Vanarama.com

Following the launch of the T6.1 VW Transporter, we decided to review the previous model... the VW Transporter T6 T28 Panel van Startline LWB EU6 102 PS 2.0 TDI BMT 5sp Manual. The basic end of the Transporter range is still considered by thousands of users to be one of the most user-friendly vans to drive, and it didn't disappoint! We want our channel to be the most comprehensive place on YouTube for van reviews, so it's here for completionists.

When you think about VW vans, I’d be surprised if one of the first things that popped into your head WASN’T the camper vans. But those that know, they know that all of those couldn’t exist without an excellent platform to build them on… so say hello to the VW Transporter T6 medium panel van.
Volkswagen calls this version of the Transporter “the latest edition of an icon”. & that’s one of the best ways to describe this excellent medium van, because it is an icon – as iconic as the VW brand itself. With icon status comes an instantly recognisable front end. The Transporter has killer looks – very professional with an edge of SUV styling you’d expect would be more at home on a pickup truck.
The grille is wide & sweeping with a big VW badge sat dead centre on top of this silver line that draws your eyes out to the sides & onto the new-look headlights. Framing the front end at the bottom is this big black plastic panel that runs under the registration plate to the other side. On the top, the bonnet panel has these sharp lines either side that pull your eyes up to the windscreen. Under the hood is a powerful 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine – I’ll talk about that more a bit later when we get it on the road. Follow me round the side – check out the 16-inch steel wheels – very tough, & notice how the panelling has been designed with all these lines that follow the shape of the body all the way around to the back end.

There are a range of doors available for the back end, ranging from standard twin panel doors, panel doors with glass inlays & the iconic hatch.
• 1.4m high
• 1.9m long

The shorter models are 50mm longer than a SWB Ford Transit Custom, while the longest versions are 50mm shorter than a LWB Transit Custom – so it works out in the wash between those two vans. Across the range, payloads vary from well under a tonne at 745kg to well over a tonne at 1221kg. So, there’s the practical end of the vehicle.
The VW Transporter is an icon. Comfortable, clean, practical, easy to drive/use/pack. In the medium van sector, it carries a certain mystique because of its premium feel even at the lower trim levels. Think about it, you’ve got the Ford Transit Custom hoovering up sales left right & centre, you’ve got PSA Group accounting for a third of the core market & then you’ve got the Transporter – a medium van built on a platform that’s as at home on the site packed with tools & materials as it is on the beach with a rock n roll bed.

It’s a van that I’ve made no secret of calling my personal favourite & hopefully you now understand why I feel that way! What do you think?

[thevdubber]

I popped in to your Birmingham branch yesterday to enquire about one of these, I must say the staff are very helpful and friendly and talked me through the finance options available, unfortunately there wasn’t any transporters at this branch to have a look at but said they can easily get one down. I think I will be going for it. I know the startline is the basic model but it ticks all the boxes for me! Good review 👍

[socopoc]

I just bought a T6 Kombi 2016 plate, gotta say its the best vehicle i've ever owned i love it. Your not alone mate :)

[ebebimik]

I used to have a t5 and its top speed exceeded 120mph easy i mean it took while but it stayed there easily even uphill.. it even had those heavy seats in the back. This was in germany so no speed limit

[glenmulvey]

Owned a 2018 T6 highline for 3 years. Really don’t see why people rave about them?...
They hold their value well, but the transit custom is better in every way.
Friend of mine had his catch fire on a clients driveway, vw didn’t want to know...😡
Will be selling mine as soon as the warranty runs out.

[safc]

I purchased a vw lwb t6 highline dsg, nothing but trouble dpf, light always on, sounded like a tractor, always pulling to the left, sold it for a new shape sprinter, merc is a amazing van.

[bmwdaywhatyouwant]

Gorgeous van! Pretty legendary since they were popular among the hippies in the 70s!

But all good things come to an end. The VW by all means is a tasty as chocolate fondue, but it's expensive compared to rivals, options can be pricey, and reliability has been a mix.

I would buy a Renault Trafic or MAYBE a PSA van that rivals this segment. I want to avoid the herd of sheep that choose the VW. 😂😂😂

[adamsher]

I like VW in general but, as a van driver I would never have one for the pure reason that when I'm on the road all the 'Private Ambulances' seem to be the VW Transporter... And that puts me off ever having one!!

[danielchurchill]

Love my highline transporter I got from Vanarama in January!

[montystelevision]

If you leave via Vanarama is there an option to own the van at the end of the term?

[Nelson]

Nice van shame about reliability just waiting for the check light to ping on ! Maybe it's just our location with dpf issue's.

[bennyozz]

Can you please do a kombi high line thinking of getting one be nice to see what you offer in a video like this

[Liamofloin]

Well VW are wrong "Latest version of an icon". Its not the latest, considering you did this review May 2020. Why do you review an older version?
Do VW fit the plywood panelling in the loading bay in the UK?
That's a T6, finished production in 2019. It's now 2020.

[richardzedman]

Its a pity they are not reliable other wise i would consider one But theres no way i could risk owning one again

[deanmacartney]

You said same about transit custom being favourite some review 🤔

[patrickwoods]

Can you review the latest vito soon please

[swampgrampus]

We had a 2011 T6 Multivan with the DSG auto. It only had the single turbo, so the turbo-lag at round-abouts and give-way signs was noticeable. I would only get the twin-turbo for this reason if l was buying another one. And the all new model T7 is about to be released.

[brithozierhozier]

What do you mean the wing mirrors don't fold ?

[melvyncrimlis]

I couldn't see the "wing mirrors" (i.e. mirrors mounted on the van's front wings) you referred to, could you perhaps be referring to the "door mirrors" (i.e. mirrors mounted on the van doors)?

[paulkippax]

Good review.. Please can you review the T6.1 and how it compares. Thanks.

[pierreolsson]

What engine would you say is the Best engine for this panel van?