How seriously cool is a car that offers a double bed plus four separate seats when you’re on the move? When travelling en masse, there’s no better way to quell sibling rivalry than with a place to sleep, or a seat located far from a potential conflict zone. Divide and rule, the new parenting motto in Volkswagen’s seven-seater T5 Caravelle. And in this case, the everything-that-opens-and-shuts version with the new 132kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel and seven-speed dual clutch automated manual (DSG) gearbox. There’s more: check out those stylish 17-inch alloys, the new instrument panel, the climate control system, satellite steering controls, good sound, and lights that swivel when you go around corners. It’s still a great, long, skyscraping loaf of a thing, but it has space, lots of it, for everything from trip clutter to forests of feet. There’s so much of it to like. And everyone has a tale of nostalgia for one or more of the previous generations: families started, families driven from place to place, epic travels and travails, but all in a generous spirit. It inspires a friendly nod more often than a sports sedan which might cost far less, because for a cool R555 000, and in the case of the test vehicle another R70 000 in extras, it ain’t no Volksiebus. You do get a standard 3-yr/60 000km maintenance plan, but the price shock is almost enough to make David Kramer want to forget his vellies.

You could make a checklist of all the lekker things about this vehicle:

• Commanding driving position with a great view of the road and a short bonnet to make parking and tight traffic no problem
• Lots of possible second and third row seat positions – facing forward, back, one or both removed, third row folded flat to make a bed, and more
• Plenty of storage spaces under the seats, in the door pockets, in the side panels, in fact so many you could lose things for months
• The new generation bi-turbo diesel engine that is strong and frugal. It’s quiet on the move and pulls better than you imagine a 2.0-litre should
• Clever and smooth-shifting DSG box operated from a stubby lever close to the dash, that takes all the hassle out of moving in traffic and also lets you enjoy the view when on the open road
• Automatic sliding doors on both sides – optional, but perfect for loading people and things wherever they are
• Great ride comfort. The Caravelle soaks up the bumps with ease, yet doesn’t feel wallowy
• The Servotronic steering is speed dependent, so it’s light a low speeds and firms up as you go faster
• You can tow 2.2 tonnes, so a horsebox or a Venter with all the camping gear won’t be a problem
• Now more safety kit, including ABS, more airbags and a vehicle stability programme (ESP) now standard on every version

As with everything, there are some negatives on the balance sheet: