Volkswagen Multivan 1.4 be TSI e-Hybrid Life

After proving itself with cargo, a lengthy family outing tests our plug-in hybrid MPV's people-carrying mettle

- Jonty Renk

Mileage 9394 List price £50,959
Target Price £49,456 Price as tested £53,341
Test economy 44.9mpg

I'VE PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED that the Volkswagen Multivan is an amazing load-lugger (whether that load is bags of camera kit or a giant dog). But with a long journey to the Lake District on the agenda and six family members catching a lift, I recently gave its people-carrying ability a thorough test.

The first part of the journey simply involved getting out of town, where my car's plug-in hybrid system allowed it to run smoothly on electric power. And even when I put my foot down a bit and the petrol engine kicked in, it did so in a way that was commendably slick.