Volkswagen Caravelle 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.
Volkswagen Caravelle
Price TBC
People Mover
Diesel
4 cylinder inline turbocharged direct injection diesel with engine Start/Stop system
103kW
7.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Volkswagen Crafter
From $70,990
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
2530L
Volkswagen Caravelle: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, warranty and CO2 emissions.
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
The Volkswagen Caravelle features a 5-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments.
The Volkswagen Crafter counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Caravelle uses a 4 cylinder inline turbocharged direct injection diesel with engine Start/Stop system producing 103kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7 speed direct shift gearbox (dsg) with sport mode and tiptronic function 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 Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 103kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Caravelle measures 5,304mm long on a 3,400mm wheelbase, 682mm 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 2,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
13.2m to 14.0m
Based on 13.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 14.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,195/year for the Volkswagen Caravelle and $2,423/year for the Volkswagen Crafter. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Caravelle.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Caravelle if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Volkswagen Caravelle and Volkswagen Crafter trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen Caravelle will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Caravelle and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Volkswagen Crafter is the cheapest at $70,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Caravelle uses the least fuel at 7.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Volkswagen Caravelle and Volkswagen Crafter carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Caravelle has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
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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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