Volkswagen Multivan

The drive system here certainly isn't one you'd typically expect to find in a van (or of a VW MPV come to that) - a Plug-in Hybrid set-up offering 245PS from the combination of a 1.5 TSI petrol engine and an electric motor.

Nor is the silence of this big Volkswagen's progress when forward motion is being sourced purely from the 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery - which is said to be possible when fully charged for up to 91 miles.

When the transition to combustion power does come - more likely to be around the 25 mile mark - it's pleasantly seamless. Changing gear, as with all Multivans, is done via a dash-mounted auto selector so small you might miss it, though with this eHybrid model there are six ratios, rather than the usual seven.

The transmission shifts smoothly, but occasionally exhibits the usual DSG system hesitation at times when you really need it to be assertive - when trying to nip into a fleeting space on a roundabout for instance.

We're not quite sure why gearchange paddles are provided because typical customers are unlikely to ever be much interested in using them.

If you did and were quick with the changes, then 62mph would theoretically be 8.9s away from rest in this eHybrid variant on the way to 124mph, though you wouldn't willingly want to ever try and replicate those figures because straining the TSI engine in this manner really shows it at its worst. As with other Volkswagen Plug-in Hybrids that use the same engine set-up, various selectable settings govern the way that the eHybrid powertrain works.

The vehicle always starts off in fully-electrified 'E-Mode', before switching to a more normal 'Hybrid' mode that sees the electric motor and the combustion engine combining together.

You've also a 'Reserve Charge Level' option that will allow you to save a pre-determined level of battery charge until later in your trip.

There are no exterior clues to this particular Multivan's Plug-in status, so unless your neighbours happen to notice the badging or the extra flap for the charging point, they'll be none the wiser.

The most obvious change to this updated version of the Multivan is at the front end, where there are restyled headlamps featuring a revised LED light signature.

There's also a freshly introduced gap between the bumper and the radiator grille which is supposed to emphasise the vehicle's width.

Restyled 17 and 18-inch wheels complete the changes. Unlike its predecessor the Caravelle, the Multivan has always sat on a car-derived rather than a van-sourced platform.

That actually made this Multivan wider and longer.

To be specific, it's 1,941mm wide and 1,903mm tall and, in standard-shape SWB form, 4,973mm long.

There's an even bigger extended wheelbase LWB version that's 5,173mm long.

Style-wise, the Multivan looks, well, much less like a converted van.

Plus you can have the split two-tone paint finishes that typified so many previous Caravelles. But what Volkswagen thinks will really sell larger families this model is its flexible interior with its modular seating system.

All the seats are individual chairs which sit on three rails running the length of the cabin.

The seats are relatively light, making them easy to remove and reposition, though owners of the old Caravelle might be disappointed to find that the middle seats don't swivel on their bases, so if you want to turn them to face those at the very rear, you'll have to unclip them, lift and turn them round. Up front, because there's no conventional handbrake and gear lever, there's also no centre console, but if you miss that, the passenger cabin sliding table can be pushed right up to the front to function as one.

There's a smart multi-function steering wheel through which you view a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.

Infotainment is taken care of by a 10-inch centre screen. Impressively, luggage space isn't affected by the PHEV drivetrain.

With all the seats in place, boot capacity is 469-litres on the SWB model and 763-litres with the LWB version.

Maximum load space with all seats folded on models without a sunroof is rated at 3,672-litres for the SWB model and 4,005-litres for the LWB version.

As with the old Caravelle, you'll only be able to get a Multivan at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer.

Certain Volkswagen car dealerships can place the order for you though: to find your nearest one - or locate your nearest Volkswagen Vans stockist - you'll need to go to the Volkswagen-vans.co.uk website.

Customers have a choice of two trim levels - 'Life' and 'Style' - plus two vehicle lengths and three powertrains - the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel, plus two petrol powerplants, a 2.0 TSI 204PS powertrain and the 1.5 245PS eHybrid 4Motion PHEV we look at here. Prices start from around £55,000 for the eHybrid, about £4,000 more than the equivalent 2.0 TDI diesel variant.

Those are figures for the standard body length; it's £1,350 more if you want the 'Long' version.

Seven seats are standard, but there's the no-cost option of a '2-2-2' six-seater layout. Even on the entry-level 'Life model', the specification's pretty generous including 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers on the eHybrid), seven seats, two sliding doors, a 'Digital Cockpit' instrument display screen and a 10-inch centre infotainment monitor.

'Style models', which start at around £66,000 for the SWB eHybrid model, include the brand's piercing 'IQ.LIGHT' LED matrix headlights, plus customers also get the 'Discover Media' navigation system, Park Assist, electric sliding doors and a tailgate with an easy open feature, plus 17-inch alloy wheels. Safety-wise, 'Front Assist' autonomous braking and 'Lane Assist' feature, among many other standard items.

'Style'-spec also gets Volkswagen's 'Travel Assist' set-up, which facilitates Level 2 automated driving, the system capable of taking over the steering, braking and acceleration of your Multivan at speeds up to 130mph.

The driver activates the system by pressing a separate Travel Assist button on the multifunction steering wheel.

This Plug-in eHybrid petrol version theoretically offers up to 104.8mpg on the combined cycle - that reading based around use of the normal 'Hybrid' driving mode.

In reality, you're more likely to achieve returns comparable with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel variant - and even for that, you'll need to use the various provided drive modes proactively - and keep an eye on the various provided 'E-Displays'.

There's an 'Electric Range Monitor', plus an interactive 'Energy Flow' diagram (which shows at any time what's being powered by what).

Plus there's a 'Zero Emissions' screen which briefs you on the amount of fully-electrified mileage you've completed since the start of your journey. What about emissions with the eHybrid? Well they're rated at a tax-busting 63g/km of CO2, that figure based around the potential 91 mile driving range possible from the 19.7kWh battery when fully charged.

Make full use of that and it's quite likely that with a typical commute, a Multivan eHybrid owner would only need to actually visit a fuel station every month or two.

We should cover charging with this PHEV model too.

Assuming you install a 3.6kW wallbox charger in your garage, the eHybrid model's battery can be replenished from empty in three and a half hours.

From an ordinary household plug, the charging time figure rises to around 5 hours. Insurance-wise, this eHybrid PHEV is rated between groups 31E and 34E.

Residual values are predicted to be strong, with industry experts CAP predicting that this eHybrid variant will retain 63% of its original value after the standard three year / 36,000 mile ownership period.

We can't help thinking that this, rather than a trendier seven-seat Plug-in Hybrid large SUV, should be a well-heeled family's perfect all-round pick for everyday transport.

The 31 mile electrified range should keep you away from fuel stations most of the time if all you use your Multivan eHybrid for is commuting and the school run.

And there's massively more third row space (and more luggage room) than you'd get an equivalently-sized and priced Plug-in Hybrid large luxury SUV. So why will this model be such a rare sight outside the school gates? Possibly because of perceived image.

But probably because most people don't know about it.

Those that do maybe can't face the thought of a trip to a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealer to try one.

But we think it's worth the effort.

Maybe, just maybe, your best family travel stories could start right here.