Volkswagen decided to enter the competition on the minivan market with a vehicle built on top of a trusted platform carried over from its hatchback sibling, the Golf.
In 2003, Renault, Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat, and Ford contested the top spot in the European minivan market. It wasn’t easy for Volkswagen to keep up with its main rivals in a segment where the price was critical, but the carmaker tried a different approach.

While other carmakers invested more time and money in the design department, Volkswagen went for the form-follow-function concept and built a vehicle with a rather dull design. Even though it didn’t have the same appeal as the others, it convinced its customers with its safety features, the five-star EuroNCAP results, and a trustworthy engine lineup. At the front, it installed a chromed trim on the lower side of the grille and a set of clear-lens headlights, which featured four individual lamps inside, including an option for Xenon.

The interior was very roomy and practical and, due to its large windows, offered a fish-tank experience for its seven occupants. It provided many storage areas on the door cards, ceiling, and center console. The last row of seats folded neatly into the trunk area, increasing the luggage compartment up to 695 liters (24.5 cu-ft), but with all seats up, that volume space tumbled to just 121 liters (4.3 cu-ft).

Under the hood, Volkswagen offered a choice of ten engines, both gasoline, and turbo-diesel. For fleets, the carmaker added a CNG version.