Head to head
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter vs Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Transporter
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter takes loads 1.8m (6ft) longer and tows 200kg more.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Load length: the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter takes loads 1.8m (6ft) longer.
- Towing capacity: the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter tows 200kg more.
Specifications side by side
| Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter | Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Transporter | |
|---|---|---|
| Payload | 1061-1229 kg (Medium CR35, 3.5t); 881-1117 kg (Long CR35, 3.5t); 2352-2410 kg (Medium CR50, 5.0t) | up to 1.28 tonnes (diesel); up to 1 tonne (electric) |
| Load volume | 9.9-11.3 m3 (Medium); 14.4-16.1 m3 (Long); 16.4-18.4 m3 (Long Maxi) | 5.8 m3 (SWB); 6.8 m3 (LWB) |
| Load length | 4855 mm (Long Maxi) | 3050 mm (SWB (with load-through bulkhead)); 3450 mm (LWB (with load-through bulkhead)) |
| Towing capacity | up to 3000 kg braked (3.5t models); up to 3500 kg braked (5.0t CR50) | up to 2.8 tonnes (diesel) |
| Gross weight | - | 2800-3350 kg |
Sources: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Transporter. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the Crafter if...
- you want one that takes loads 1.8m (6ft) longer
- you want one that tows 200kg more
The Crafter's wide GVW range, up to a 5.0t CR50 derivative, lets it cover jobs that would otherwise need a 7.5t truck, and it is commonly chosen by fleets that also want a driver-friendly cab.
Full Crafter specifications →Buy or hire the Transporter if...
The Transporter is positioned above budget medium vans on cabin quality and resale value, and stays under 2 metres tall on both wheelbases so it can access multi-storey car parks that rule out taller rivals.
Full Transporter specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter and the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Transporter?
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter takes loads 1.8m (6ft) longer and tows 200kg more. The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter is a large panel van offered from 3.0t to 5.0t GVW, VW's rival to the Sprinter and Transit.; the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Transporter is a medium panel van (T6.1 generation), VW's rival to the Transit Custom and Vivaro..
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