Volkswagen CARAVELLE

79 registered in New Zealand · 1984–2022 · 92% from Germany

The Volkswagen CARAVELLE is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 79 registered across model years 1984 to 2022. It averages 6.6 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 110 kW. Most are diesel-powered light vans with a 2.5L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the CARAVELLE.

Select Year

79 On NZ Roads
2.5L Engine
6.6 L/100km
110 kW

Fuel Types

Volkswagen CARAVELLE fuel type breakdown: DIESEL 56%, PETROL 44%.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Volkswagen CARAVELLE transmissions: 4-GEAR AUTO 24%, 5-GEAR MANUAL 13%.

Engine Size

Volkswagen CARAVELLE engine sizes: 2.5L 24%, 2.0L 18%, 2.8L 14%, 2.5L 13%, 2.1L 6%.

Imported From

Volkswagen CARAVELLE imported from: Germany 92%, Not Known 3%, United Kingdom 3%, South Africa 3%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Volkswagen CARAVELLE vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Volkswagen CARAVELLE NZ arrival timeline: 2020: 2, 2021: 3, 2022: 5, 2023: 1, 2026: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Volkswagen CARAVELLE.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

SILVER 24 (30%)
BLUE 15 (19%)
BLACK 13 (16%)
GREEN 7 (9%)
WHITE 6 (8%)
RED 5 (6%)
GREY 4 (5%)
YELLOW 2 (3%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Volkswagen CARAVELLE regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 24, CHRISTCHURCH: 5, WELLINGTON: 5, NELSON: 4, FAR NORTH: 4.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Honda logo
Honda Crv 6,691
1996–2012 8 L/100km
2 Toyota logo
Toyota Hiace 6,054
1975–2026 10.5 L/100km
3 Hyundai logo
Hyundai Imax 1,715
2010–2021
4 Ford logo
Ford Transit 1,603
1966–2026
5 Nissan logo
Nissan Serena 1,601
1991–2022 6.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Volkswagen CARAVELLE are there in New Zealand?

There are 79 Volkswagen CARAVELLE vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1984 to 2022.

How much does it cost to run a Volkswagen CARAVELLE?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Volkswagen CARAVELLE averages 6.6 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $52 per week or $2,701 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Volkswagen CARAVELLE?

The Volkswagen CARAVELLE is primarily classified as a light van in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon, hatchback. The most common fuel type is diesel.

Are Volkswagen CARAVELLE cars imported or NZ-new?

92% of Volkswagen CARAVELLE vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.