A serious alternative to the VW Bulli - just a dream?

VW T6 - king of the minibuses?

The VW bus, affectionately known as the "Bulli", can look back on a history of over 70 years. There is hardly any other vehicle that has enjoyed such popularity over such a long period of time - right up to the present day. Six generations of Bullis have already rolled across the world's roads. The current VW Bus is called the T6.1 and is available in the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California variants. While the Transporter is popular in the trade sector, the Caravelle is suitable as an everyday vehicle. The Multivan offers more comfort and, with its rail system, also more variability, making it the perfect leisure vehicle. The camping version of the VW T6 is called the California. The successor model to the T6.1 is due to be launched in 2021: The VW T7. The equipment of the T6 is diverse and naturally includes modern assistance systems. All-wheel drive is also possible. For winter vacations, there is the option of auxiliary heating. The engines range from 84 to 204 hp. According to the list, the price for a T6.1 starts at 42,000 and ranges up to 82,000 euros.

For camping fans, there are numerous SCA roofs that are suitable for the VW T6 (and also for its predecessor, the T5): SCA 194 and the newer SCA 290 roof are particularly spacious, with the latter also offering a panoramic view of the countryside. The SCA 190, 195 and 196 roofs differ in their installation side and roof shell surface. The SCA 192, 193, 198 and 199 roofs are designed for the long wheelbase of the T5 and T6. Alternatively, a fixed high roof, namely the SCA 460, can also be mounted on the T5 or T6. The SCA 462 and 463 roofs, which vary in height by 17 cm, are available for the long wheelbase. Older VW buses such as the T4 can also be retrofitted with a pop-up roof: The SCA 112 has been developed for the short wheelbase and the SCA 114 for the long wheelbase. The wide range of pop-up and high roofs means that there is sure to be something to suit every taste - making traveling in a VW bus even more enjoyable.

The Bulli is not only a cult vehicle - it was also long considered to have no alternative. But what does it actually look like in practice? Several manufacturers now offer similar minibus concepts. And some of them are really promising.

Mercedes: V-Class and Vito - large saloon or robust minibus

What the Mercedes V-Class and Vito models have in common are the body panels and most of the drive technology. However, the two minibuses differ in terms of their equipment. While the Vito has a rather simple design and is therefore particularly attractive as a panel van for trade businesses, the V-Class scores with high-quality extras and can therefore confidently be considered a large saloon. Both models offer modern vehicle technology: LED headlights, assistance systems, seven-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive - everything is possible. While the interior design of the V-Class focuses on aluminum and polished wood, the cockpit and interior of the Vito appear simple and robust. The V-Class is powered by diesel engines with between 163 and 190 hp. A facelift has now even made a sporty 239 hp possible. The Vito is available in versions between 88 and 190 hp.

Both the Mercedes V-Class and the Vito can be equipped with a pop-top roof for camping: The spacious SCA 152 pop-top roof is very comfortable to sleep in: the bed is specially equipped with a slatted frame and disc springs. This plus is particularly well suited to the elegant V-Class - but the Vito can also be perfectly equipped for traveling. The V-Class can definitely be considered an alternative to the VW bus. In terms of comfort, technical equipment and safety, it is in no way inferior to the VW T6. For its part, the V-Class sets standards with its high-quality and versatile equipment. Fans of electric driving will have an alternative drive system in the form of the EQV model. At Volkswagen, a corresponding equivalent with the ID. Buzz is not due to hit the roads until 2022. In terms of price, however, the V-Class can also easily keep up with the T6: The cheapest model starts at around €38,000, but with all the extras you could want, the cost could well quickly rise towards the €100,000 mark. If you don't want to dig so deep into your pockets, the Vito offers a vehicle similar to the V-Class for between €26,000 and €60,000, although you will of course have to make compromises in terms of driving comfort, equipment and interior design.

Citroën Spacetourer | Peugeot Traveller | Opel Zafira Life | Toyota Proace Verso - Team of four with modern technology

Not one alternative, but four? The minibuses from the manufacturers Citroën, Peugeot and Opel (all part of the PSA Group) and Toyota are actually identical in construction and differ mainly in the brand-specific design of the front. The equipment also varies slightly. Extras include leather seats, xenon headlights, 3-zone automatic climate control and additional heating. The Opel Zafira Life even offers a panoramic roof. However, none of the models come close to the elegant look of the interior of the V-Class: Peugeot, for example, relies primarily on hard plastic for the interior. Technically, all four models are state-of-the-art. Diesel engines from Peugeot with 120 to 177 hp are installed. An AdBlue tank is integrated for exhaust gas purification. Electric versions with 136 hp are also available.

SCA offers the 262 pop-top roof as the perfect camping addition for all four minibuses. Similar to the pop-top roof for the Mercedes V-Class and the Vito, the SCA 262 model is very spacious thanks to its extra-high pop-up scissors on the inside and boasts comfortable extras for the reclining equipment. A panoramic version can also be selected here.

The team of four is definitely cheaper than the VW T6. You have to pay between 35,000 and 60,000 euros for one of the four models - the prices are similar for all of them. If you want to choose one of them, you should therefore take a close look at the respective equipment and tailor it to your own needs. In addition to the price, the modern technology also speaks in favor of the four-wheeler. They are therefore a viable alternative to a VW bus.

Renault Trafic Combi | Nissan NV300 | Fiat Talento - Handy minibus trio with low costs

Just as Citroën, Peugeot, Opel and Toyota offer identical minibuses, the Renault Trafic, the Nissan NV300 and the Fiat Talento are also closely related. The three models differ slightly in terms of appearance and equipment, while the diesel engines installed, ranging from 110 to 170 hp, are the same. One advantage of the three minibus variants is their low unladen weight (only around 1,800 kg, whereas the VW T6 and Mercedes V-Class weigh around 2,200 kg), which ensures lower fuel consumption. All three models are available with assistance systems. The interior looks solid - you can't expect a high-quality interior like the VW T6 or the Mercedes V-Class, but the price for the team of three is correspondingly low.

There are four matching SCA pop-up roofs for the minibus trio. All four offer plenty of space for sleeping and reclining comfort thanks to integrated disc springs. The SCA 186 and 187 roofs are designed for vehicles with a short wheelbase. The SCA 186 model is also available in a panoramic version. The SCA 188 and 189 roofs are suitable for the long wheelbase.

The three minibus variants from Renault, Nissan and Fiat are (apart from the rather plain Vito) the cheapest VW bus alternatives on the market: the price range starts at 32,000 euros, for 40,000 euros you can already get a well-equipped car and the maximum price is 54,000 euros, with the Renault being the most expensive on average and the Fiat the cheapest. Which of the three vehicles you ultimately decide on will probably depend on the individual equipment you want, which you should compare carefully in all three cases. It should be noted that there will probably no longer be any successor models as a joint project: Fiat has been part of the Stellantis Group since the beginning of 2021 and is therefore more likely to cooperate with Citroën, Peugeot and Opel.

Ford: Tourneo Custom and Transit Custom - Affordable with modern drive technology

While the Ford Transit Custom is considered a robust craftsman's car, the more expensive Tourneo Custom comes with a few extras. Both are available with a six-speed automatic gearbox (8 or 10 gears are also available as an option) and assistance systems. The Tourneo can also be equipped with leather seats, additional air conditioning, USB ports, carpeting, sliding doors or pop-up windows. The interior of the Tourneo is therefore much more upmarket. The Ford's diesel engines achieved an output of between 105 and 185 hp. A special feature is the plug-in hybrid engine variant. This clearly sets the Tourneo Custom apart from the competition, which does not offer this option. Around 43 kilometers can be driven purely electrically, otherwise the petrol engine takes over. This variant has 126 hp - acceleration is correspondingly sluggish and the top speed barely exceeds 120 km/h. From 2022, however, both the Tourneo and Transit will also be able to drive purely electrically.

You can make the Ford fit for leisure activities by fitting one of the two roofs SCA 124 (for the short wheelbase) or SCA 126 (for the long wheelbase). Just as with the pop-top models for the other minibuses, you get plenty of space thanks to high pop-up scissor lifts and optimum lying comfort.

As an alternative to the VW T6, the Ford Transit is reasonably priced at 33,000 to 60,000 euros - but at 42,000 to 82,000, the Tourneo is in a similar price range to the VW. Even if the quality of the technology and equipment does not quite match that of the Volkswagen or Mercedes, the Ford Transit is good value for money. However, it does have one decisive disadvantage: among minibuses, the Ford is the only one with a pop-up roof that reaches a height of over 2 meters - and can therefore only be driven in garages or car washes that are spacious enough at the top.

Alternatives - they do exist!

The answer to the question "Is there an alternative to the VW bus?" is yes. Anyone looking for a car with a similar level of comfort will find it in the Mercedes V-Class. However, other vehicles also score points with modern technology and extensive equipment options - many of which even offer advantages over the VW T6 in certain areas, be it through lower weight, a powerful plug-in hybrid engine or environmentally friendly electric variants. Anyone who can do without a few extras in favor of lower costs will also definitely find what they are looking for in the VW competition. And all of them are suitable for traveling and camping: no matter which vehicle you ultimately choose - no one has to do without a suitable pop-top roof.