Volkswagen CRAFTER CR35 LWB DIESEL FWD

Name: Volkswagen Crafter 2.0 TDI 140PS Commerce ETG Luton [Tail Lift]
Brand: Volkswagen Crafter
SKU: 61301
Availability: InStock

2.0 TDI 140PS Commerce ETG Luton [Tail Lift]

Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Fuel Type Diesel

Transmission Manual

Top Speed 84mph

Customise Deal

Lease Type

Contract Hire Finance Lease

Contract Length

Initial Rental

Annual Mileage

Maintenance

An excess mileage charge will apply if you exceed the contracted mileage. The exact charge will be confirmed on the official quotation prior to your acceptance to proceed.

Important Information

Excess mileage charges will apply if you go over the stated contract mileage.
Vehicle damage charges may occur if the vehicle is returned outside BVRLA's Fair Wear and Tear guidelines.
All rentals are subject to the necessary finance acceptance criteria.
Prices shown are indicative and subject to change.
No ownership option is available on this lease.
Manufacturer’s maintenance schedule must be observed and additional charges may apply for failure to maintain servicing and any non fair wear and tear damage to the vehicle.
Quoted leadtimes are estimates based on information from the manufacturer and are subject to change. We will keep you up to date during the course of your order.
If you are ordering a Used Vehicle you acknowledge that some minor wear and tear or cosmetic damage may be present on the vehicle, such as small chips, scuffs, or scratches.

Fetching your price

Fuel Type Diesel

Transmission Manual

Top Speed 84mph

Volkswagen Crafter Review

- Independent review from Car and Driving

Performance
7
Handling
7
Comfort
7
Space
8
Styling
6
Build
8
Value
6
Equipment
6
Economy
6
Depreciation
8
Insurance
6

There are many large vans that claim to be all things to all people but Volkswagen's much improved Crafter comes closer than most. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen has thoroughly upgraded its largest van, the Crafter, with smarter looks and a redesigned cabin. There's still no EV version though. But this improved take on the MK2 model is more digital and media savvy and has a wider range of driver assistance systems. And it's still as practical as ever. It remains the UK's fourth best selling large van - and in many ways the thinking business person's choice in this sector.

Background

A really large van is the kind of thing your business will need for its heaviest, most awkward loads. The kind of vehicle that, as a result, is likely to get the toughest day-to-day treatment. Such an LCV will also require quite a substantial initial outlay, money you'll want to preserve as far as possible in resale value when the time comes to sell. For all these reasons, when considering a van of this kind, it's tempting to stretch yourself a little and go with the quality option, even if it costs a little more. In this market, that tends to mean either a Mercedes Sprinter or this contender, Volkswagen's Crafter. Both are based upon the same underpinnings and roll down the same production lines at Daimler's Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde plants. The Crafter though, originally launched back in 2006, has always used its own engines, a policy that continued with the current second generation version, introduced in 2017. It sells in a wide variety of forms - panel van, drop side and chassis cab - and also forms the basis for the brand's largest camper van, the Grand California. With this MK2 Crafter, over 354,000 units were sold in the first five years of production. Volkswagen then, has every incentive to keep this big LCV up to date, but still can't offer the thing this model line really needs - a full EV version. Instead, what we've got with this mid-term update is additional safety, a redesigned cabin and extra media technology. Will it be enough? It'll be interesting to see.

Driving Experience

There are no mechanical changes as part of this update. We hadn't expected that for the combustion range but we had expected that Volkswagen might try and introduce the kind of full-EV drivetrain that just about every other contender in this segment now offers. Wolfsburg's been developing an EV Crafter for years, but there's no sign of it being production-ready just yet. Once you settle into driving a large van like this, it's a very commanding experience. You sit high up in quite a car-like position thanks to the upright steering wheel, enjoying a supportive seat that can be equipped with an armrest to prop a weary elbow on over longer trips. On the move, this MK2 Crafter has always felt a little more car-like thanks to its electromechanical steering system and its optional front wheel drive configuration - both things you couldn't have in the pre-2017-era MK1 model. Rear wheel drive and 4MOTION 4WD are still offered too and your selection of drive layout could well impact your choice between the various versions of the 2.0 TDI diesel engine on offer. There are three, with 140, 163 or 177PS outputs available mated to either 6-speed manual or 8-speed DSG auto transmission. Let's get to the drivetrain detail. The volume CR30 model is available exclusively with front-wheel drive, a 140PS 2.0-litre TDI engine and six-speed manual gearbox. The CR35 version adds the option of a 177PS 2.0-litre TDI unit with either front-wheel drive or auto-only 4MOTION four-wheel drive. The CR35 Crafter can also be ordered with 163PS 2.0-litre TDI rear-wheel driven power, which is the exclusive engine and drivetrain layout of the heaviest 5-tonne CR50 version. This TDI powerplant has always been quite a refined thing and to some extent, that's still the case, providing you don't stress the thing too much. In everyday use, the engine goes about its business with little more than a muted hum. Progress to the upper reaches of the rev range though and this diesel sounds far less comfortable. Indeed at higher motorway speeds, engine noise is more noticeable than intrusions from tyres or the wind. Ride quality remains unbettered in the class, making this an excellent long-journeying companion.

Design and Build

Not much has changed about the look of this updated SZ-series second generation Crafter. Not much needed to - which is more than could be said of some of this model's predecessors. Big Volkswagen LCVs of old really were very ugly indeed - we're thinking of the original LT of 1975, the LT2 of 1996 and the original 2F-series Crafter model of 2006. Fortunately, when this SZ-series model arrived in 2017, it was a lot easier on the eye, with wide horizontal front end lines and a raked back windscreen. There are three body lengths, this 5,986mm medium wheelbase version, the 6,836mm-long long wheelbase variant and the lengthiest 7,391mm long wheelbase Maxi derivative. There are 16-inch or, as in this case, or 17-inch wheels. The height of the bluff rear end depends on your choice of roof levels - low, High (which is what we have here) or Super-High. Climb up behind the wheel and you're faced with what Volkswagen calls an 'intuitive state-of-the-art cockpit landscape', fitted to what still remains the highest quality cabin in the segment. Inevitably, that means a screenfest, with digital instruments for the first time, controlled via buttons on the new multifunction steering wheel. Using these, you can change the screen format - from dials to info boxes - and also select full-screen mapping if navigation's been specified. The 10-inch centre monitor's also new - with a homescreen that can display either with customisable 'widget' boxes or with rows of little icons. On-board Wi-Fi, online voice control and various VW Car-Net online functions can be optionally added. A Crafter regular might also recognise the restyled gear selector and the addition of an electronic handbrake. More powerful USB-C sockets now proliferate - there are two low down to the left of the gear stick and one on the dash top. And as you'd expect in this class, the backrest of the middle seat folds down to create a work surface, with cup holders, pen trays and a securing strap for paperwork. You'll have to do without that of course if you swap the two-person bench out for a single seat. The driver's seat is multi-adjustable and with plusher trim, comes with an armrest; we'd want to upgrade to the more supportive ergoComfort chair which can even be massaged. Once you're comfortable, there's plenty of space for all your odds and ends, with storage spaces aplenty.

Market and Model

On to the rather spooky question of which Crafter. At the time of our test in early 2025, ex-VAT prices were in the £38,000 to £57,000 bracket and there's the usual wide range of body formats, including tippers and dropsides - and the brand's Grand California camper van (which we've tested separately). It's the panel vans we'll be focusing on here. The range isn't too difficult to get your head around;.there are three gross weights - CR30, the CR35 and CR50. And you can have your Crafter in the medium wheelbase length, in lengthier long wheelbase form or in lengthiest long wheelbase Maxi guise. There are two trim levels, 'Commerce' and 'Commerce Plus', and if you opt for the latter, you'll be offered the option of the lengthiest 'long wheelbase Maxi' bodystyle. A low roof body height's available on request, but most will choose the High roof height. There's also a 'Super-High' roof height available. All the engines on offer are all variants of the same 2.0 TDI diesel unit. In front-driven form, this comes with either 140PS or with 177PS. If you'd prefer your Crafter to be rear-driven, there's also a 163PS model. All those options are offered with a choice of either manual or DSG auto transmission. With the 177PS unit, there's also the option of a 4MOTION 4WD variant, which can only be had with the 8-speed auto transmission. 'Commerce'-spec includes a 'Composition Colour' DAB+ radio with a 10.4-inch touch-screen, App Connect 'phone-mirroring, a 'Digital cockpit' instrument screen, central locking, a side sliding door on the passenger's side, front and rear parking sensors and a Driver Alert System. In addition, 'Commerce Plus' trim adds an anti-theft alarm system, Climatic manual air conditioning, a 'Comfort' single driver's seat including 2-way lumbar support and an armrest, cruise control with a speed limiter, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and rear wing doors with 270-degree hinges. A highlight of this improved Crafter is its range of new standard and optional driver assist systems. Included on models are Front Assist (Autonomous Emergency Braking including Cyclist and Pedestrian Monitoring), Lane Assist (a lane keeping system), Dynamic Road Sign Display, a speed limiter and acoustic Park Distance Control for the rear area. The brand's 'Travel Assist' semi-autonomous driving system will be available as an option for the Crafter for the first time, as will Emergency Assist, which will bring the van to a controlled halt if you're taken ill at the wheel.

Practicalities and Costs

So, how practical will this Crafter prove to be in everyday use? Well, the twin rear doors can be swung out in the usual way - out to as much as 270-degrees if you get this plusher trim level or pay the extra to get this feature. There's a reasonably low loading height which can be as little as 570mm and once you get your goods inside, the space available will of course depend upon your choice of wheelbase length. There are two options (3.64 and 4.49-metres) and three overall body lengths (the medium version, long and long wheelbase Maxi). As usual with LCVs, your total loading volume will be determined by your chosen combination of wheelbase length, front or rear wheel drive configuration and roof height. There are three roof heights, starting with the 2.35m 'Low roof' version, which slots in below the 2.59m 'High roof' variant - the one most will want - and the 2.79m Super-High 'Long Maxi high roof' option for those who really want to super-size things. All of that means that the 'Medium' wheelbase model can be specified in load volumes that vary between 9.3m3 and 10.7m3. A 'Long' model can be specified in load volumes that vary between 13.6m3 and 16.1m3. And a 'Long Maxi' derivative can be specified in load volumes that vary between 16.1m3 and 18.4m3. We ought to give you some load space length, width and height dimensions too. The rear doors open to a width aperture of 1,552mm. And inside, there's 3,450mm of loading length in the 'Medium' wheelbase model, which would rise to 4,300mm if you selected a 'Long' wheelbase variant - and 4,855mm if you went for the 'Long Maxi' derivative. The load area width is 1,832mm, narrowing to 1,380mm between the wheel arches on models with single rear wheels - that's decently wide by class standards. Where twin rear wheels need to be fitted, Volkswagen has redesigned things this time round so that the width between these arches isn't so greatly affected; you're looking at 1,030mm in that case. What about load area height? Well, with the High roof almost everyone will want, it's 1,961mm, with 100mm less if you choose rear wheel drive. That rises to 2,196mm with the Super-High body shape. These stats are difficult to beat in the class. There's only one sliding side door and it offers an aperture 1,311mm wide and between 1,587mm and 1,822mm high, depending on your roof choice. As at the back, there's a big yellow grab handle to aid access inside, where in this Medium-length model there are up to eight tie-down points. Important options include super-bright LED cargo area lights and the protective ply-lining kit that can be applied to the interior sides and floor. There's the usual full-steel bulkhead, but unfortunately, no option for a cargo hatch built into it that would allow you to push longer items into the cab; rivals with that feature continue to score over this Crafter. As usual with any LCV, the payload you can carry depends on the drive configuration and Gross Vehicle Weight of the variant you choose. The front-driven set-up that most customers will probably go for is available for Crafter variants of 3.0, 3.5 and 5.0-tonnes in Gross Vehicle Weight (the CR30, the CR35 and the top CR50). The CR35 raises the rather feeble 729kg payload of the CR30 to between 1,139 and 2,410kg. This can give you a potential payload capacity anywhere between 735kgs and 1,301kgs. Running costs of course will depend on the engine and Gross Vehicle Weight you select but whichever Crafter you choose, you'll find the 2.0 TDI diesel engine to be extremely frugal, whether you choose it in 140, 163 or 177PS guise. As a guide, you can expect to average somewhere between 27 and 33mpg in this vehicle on the combined cycle, depending upon the variant you're in. And between 256 and 313g/km of CO2. As usual with this TDI unit, the AdBlue additive is necessary to meet Eur6 emissions regulations; you'll get about 5,000 miles from each AdBlue tank. Service intervals have been extended from 25,000 to 30,000 miles as part of this update. An oil service is ideally needed every 12,000 miles. And there's a three year warranty - with no mileage limit.

Summary

It seems as if the switch from diesel to EV powertrains will take a lot longer than the industry and European governments expected, especially in the segment for really large LCVs. Which is good news for the Crafter range, which remains solely built around diesel power. This improved model feels a lot more up-to-date inside, incorporating the technology that modern businesses now want. Otherwise though, its appeal remains much as before. Is there really a better quality large panel van out there than this? Assuming you prefer this Volkswagen's engine range and pricing structure to that of its Mercedes Sprinter stablemate, then you'd have to say not. Yes, the Crafter is priced at a premium compared to its various mainstream market rivals, but you can see and feel where the extra money goes. Forward-thinking businesses will accept this on the basis that residual values are very strong and the whole vehicle feels - and is - built to last, enabling companies to spread the up-front sticker price over a longer operating period. In ten years time, we'd wager that this vehicle will still be going strong at a point when most of its rivals are starting to fade. Enough said.

Read Full Review

Vehicle information and specification is supplied by an industry leading third party provider and is to be used for guidance only. We encourage you to check all equipment on the manufacturer's website before you place an order.

Standard Equipment

Technical Data

Options

Driver Convenience

Blind spot monitor
Bluetooth connectivity
Cross wind assist
Digital clock
Digital cockpit with active Info display
Dimmable instrument illumination
Distraction and fatigue detection with driver monitoring
Dynamic road sign display
Forward collision warning with warning and braking reaction to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
Front and rear parking sensors
Headlight range control
Instrument cluster
Intelligent voice assistant
Lane keep assist
Lights on warning buzzer
Lockable fuel cap
Rev counter
Service indicator
Start-stop system with regenerative braking
Tyre pressure warning light
Wireless charging on dashboard
Without blind spot monitor
Without moving off information system

Entertainment

7 USB in cab and 2 in passenger compartment
DAB digital radio
USB C socket at top of windscreen

Exterior Features

2 cab doors
Black unpainted plastic front bumper
Electric windows
Heat insulating windscreen
Indicators in front door mirrors
Integral step in front bumper
Low roof
Radiator grille
Roof lights on cab
Side marker lights
Standard bumper
Tail lift
Tinted laminated windscreen with top shade band

Interior Features

12V socket
2 sun visors folding and pivoted
Air recirculation system
Centre console storage tray
Document holder on centre console
Electromechanical Servotronic steering
Electronically controlled heating system
Fully adjustable suspension type driver seat
Grab handle on B pillar
Grab handles on roof frame
Height adjustable head restraints
Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
Illuminated glove compartment with lockable lid
Interior lighting module
Interior roof trim
Jack and tool kit
Rubber floor covering
Seat belt pretensioner
Storage compartments in doors and in step, right
Storage tray on dashboard

Passive Safety

3 point seat belts in front
Automatic hazard light with emergency braking
Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
Height adjustable seatbelts for outer cab seats
Seat belt reminder with electric contact in buckle
Without side airbag

Security

Central locking system with Keyless Go
Engine immobiliser

Technical

ABS
Automatic post collision braking system
EBA
EBD
EDL
Electronic handbrake swich on dashboard
ESP
Front disc brakes
HBA
Heavy duty front axle
Hill start assist
Parking brake - hill hold control
Reinforced suspension and shock absorbers, uprated heavy duty stabilisers
TCS
Without oncoming vehicle braking

Wheels

16" black steel wheels
Hub cap
Low rolling resistance tyres
Steel spare wheel with original equipment tyre

Emissions - ICE

HC

Not Available
Standard Emissions

EURO 6
WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb

254
WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH

263
WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL

252

Engine and Drive Train

Automatic Transmission

No
Bore

81
Catalytic Convertor

Yes
CC

1968
Cooling System

WATER
Cylinder Layout

IN-LINE
Cylinders

4
Engine Layout

NORTH SOUTH
Engine Make

Not Available
Fuel Delivery

COMMON RAIL
Fuel Type

DIESEL
Gears

6 SPEED
Manual Transmission

Yes
Number of Valves

16
Stroke

95.5
Valve gear

SOHC

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC

No
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb

9.7
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH

10
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL

9.6
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High

11.4
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High

8.4
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low

9.5
WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium

8.7
WLTP - MPG - Comb

29.1
WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH

28.2
WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL

29.4
WLTP - MPG - Extra High

24.8
WLTP - MPG - High

33.6
WLTP - MPG - Low

29.7
WLTP - MPG - Medium

32.5

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying

No
Alternator Amps

140
Did at least one aspect of this vehicles safety give cause for concern?

No
Badge Engine CC

2.0
Badge Power

140
Based On ID

Not Available
Battery AH

72
Battery Volts

12
Chassis Engine Number

Not Available
Clutch

SINGLE DRY PLATE
Coin Description

Not Available
Coin Gross Vehicle Weight Code

Not Available
Coin Power Output Code

Not Available
Coin Series

Not Available
Coin Wheelbase Description Code

Not Available
Coin Wheelbase Name Code

Not Available
Exhaust System

CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Front Brakes

VENTILATED DISCS
Front Suspension

LEAF SPRINGS
Generation Mark

2
Ghost model for valuation purposes

No
Hand Brake

REAR WHEELS
Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years

12
Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years

3
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Front/Side Impact - Discontinued February 09

Not Available
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

Not Available
NCAP Overall Rating - LCV

Not Available
NCAP Pedestrian - Discontinued February 09

Not Available
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %

Not Available
NCAP Safety Assist %

Not Available
Rear Brakes

DISCS
Rear Suspension

PARABOLIC LEAF SPRINGS
Relative Height

H1
Relative Length

L3
Running Cost League Headings

LARGE
Service Interval Frequency - Months

24
Service Interval Mileage

12000
Special Edition

No
Special Order

No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage

Unlimited
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years

2
Steering

PAS RACK AND PINION
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months

48
Timing Belt Interval Mileage

120000
Vehicle Homologation Class

N1
Vin/Frame No.

Not Available

Performance

BHP

140
Engine Power KW

103
Engine Power RPM

3000
Engine Torque LBS.FT

266
Engine Torque MKG

36.7
Engine Torque NM

360
Engine Torque RPM

1500
Top Speed

84

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle

WLTP
RDE Certification Level

RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?

No
Automatic Clutch

No
Plated 3rd Axle

Not Available
Plated 4th Axle

Not Available
Space Saver?

Yes
Tyre Make

Not Available
Tyre Size Front

205/75 R16
Tyre Size Rear

205/75 R16
Tyre Size Spare

FULL SIZE
Wheel Style

Not Available
Wheel Type

16" STEEL

Vehicle Dimensions

Front Overhang

1000
Height

2305
Height (including roof rails)

Not Available
Length

6846
Load Deck Height

Not Available
Load Length

4119
Load Space Width Between Wheel Arches

Not Available
Load Width

1951
Lower Rear Door Width

Not Available
Rear Door Height

Not Available
Rear Overhang

1514
Side Load Door Height

Not Available
Side Load Door Width

Not Available
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb

Not Available
Turning Circle - Wall to Wall

16.2
Upper Rear Door Width

Not Available
Wheelbase

4490
Width (excluding mirrors)

2033
Width (including mirrors)

2427

Weight and Capacities

Boot Capacity Saloons

Not Available
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)

75
Gross Train Weight

6000
Gross Vehicle Weight

3500
Load Space Volume

Not Available
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down)

Not Available
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up)

Not Available
Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Removed

Not Available
Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Up

Not Available
Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Down

Not Available
Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Removed

Not Available
Max. Roof Load

Not Available
Max. Towing Weight - Braked

3000
Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked

750
Minimum Kerbweight

2709
No. of Seats

3
Payload

791
Plated 2nd Axle

2100
Plated Front Axle

2100

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