Toyota Tarago vs Volkswagen Crafter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Toyota Tarago
Price TBC
People Mover
Petrol
—
202kW
10.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Volkswagen Crafter
From $70,990
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
2530L
Toyota Tarago: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Toyota Tarago stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Crafter. The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota Tarago gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Crafter offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Tarago lines up producing 202kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter driving the front wheels.
The Toyota Tarago has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 130kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Tarago measures 4,795mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 1191mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 5,986mm (3,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Volkswagen Crafter leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 900kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
14.0m diameter
Large
Based on 14.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 12.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,936/year for the Toyota Tarago and $2,423/year for the Volkswagen Crafter. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Crafter.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Toyota Tarago) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter). The Volkswagen Crafter has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Tarago if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Crafter takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Volkswagen Crafter will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. The Volkswagen Crafter adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota Tarago and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Volkswagen Crafter is the cheapest at $70,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Crafter uses the least fuel at 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Toyota Tarago holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volkswagen Crafter, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the longest warranty at 5 years / 0k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Tarago makes the most power at 202kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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