Caravelle vs Shuttle?

[archersam]

Forgot to add. I need a lwb as I’m so used to the space these days.

If I could have found a 6.1 Velle lwb (not sure if any were actually made or not - I know they came in lwb on the 6) I’d have still bought my shuttle for the better seat options that work for me even if I’d love to be posh Velle owner

 

[FerrisBFW]

Not all Velles are equal, my Caravelle is somewhat beaten up, I could never be a snob about it

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

I've had a 2 Shuttles, a T5 (SWB) and a T6 (LWB). Depends on what your using it for really as the Shuttle suits my needs better than the Caravelle. We got it as a family car with 2 kids, 2 dogs and biking / camping etc. Therefore only ever had the front 5 seats in and rear is used for general crap. Great have the flexibility to remove the individual middle seats as well. Probably the more versatile spec T6 available.

Mine has the zone climate, car class and slightly nicer spec. I've changed steering wheel and done a few little things but Im sure the premium of the Caravelle is worth it over the Shuttle with a few little cheapish tweeks.

One thing to note is be careful on the full 9 seater as a lot of insurance do class that as a minibus. I changed to single passeneger seat and had DVLA change it to 8 seater.

Like you, I have a T6 LWB Shuttle in SE spec, having previously had a T5.1 Caravelle. The SE interior is broadly similar level to the Caravelle, with the exception of the horrible plastic steering wheel . Reasonably decent H7 headlights, auxiliary water heater, noise insultation etc.
I use mine as my regular mode of transport, I removed the rear triple bench, and slightly tilted it by installing spacers under the front of the seatbox, but it doubles up for carrying bikes (Bikestow for 4 bikes behind the middle seats), and camper with a @VAN-KING bed system.

 

[coullstar]

I think it its a family car and your not carrying a lot of things / people in the back then Velle is "nicer" to have. Otherwise a Shuttle everytime IMO. Just so versatile especially if you camp, bike etc. All these with 2 rows of seats in, bikes, set of alloy wheels, 2 dogs etc etc

 

[roadtripper]

I don't think the Shuttle seats do the "train table" arrangement?

We essentially wanted a van to roadtrip in and eat fish and chips in the rain in the back. Thought we needed a California but then found the Caravelle.

For us we want a camper we don't sleep in - if that makes any kind of sense - and the Caravelle works very well for that.

There is entirely too much chrome on it for my preferences, but that does mean we have a certain "don't notice us just a smart taxi" air of stealth when parked up.

Hope we don't come across as Velle snobs, I hadn't even realised that was a thing; might have put me off Transporters and gone down the V Class Merc route instead.

 

[Crazymind]

Swivel front seat. Nice to have on the Caravelle as well.
My 2 pennies Caravelle vs Shuttle. I think the main difference is how far you will travel.
I have done 1600 miles with my Velle between yesterday and today. Can’t think of any other car other than a full size Range Rover to travel in comfort. However I wouldn’t travel in a Range Rover, too flashy…
I have done the same journey driving a Shuttle and it’s two steps below. Comfort is quite basic on the shuttle, in terms of suspension ride quality and body control ( which can easily be addressed with 1k pounds Koni upgrade). The rear bench is kind of flat and non supportive over long distances and sound proofing poor. Can’t hear people 3rd row at motorway speed. You can on the Velle.
However I would consider the shuttle if the price is right. Koni upgrade and sound proofing will probably make it very close to the Velle if not even better. Shuttle perfect on road trips 2/300 miles at a time. Continental Touring and long distances the Velle has got what you need to travel comfortably and with all the necessary equipment.

 

[david173]

Swivel front seat. Nice to have on the Caravelle as well.
My 2 pennies Caravelle vs Shuttle. I think the main difference is how far you will travel.
I have done 1600 miles with my Velle between yesterday and today. Can’t think of any other car other than a full size Range Rover to travel in comfort. However I wouldn’t travel in a Range Rover, too flashy…
I have done the same journey driving a Shuttle and it’s two steps below. Comfort is quite basic on the shuttle, in terms of suspension ride quality and body control ( which can easily be addressed with 1k pounds Koni upgrade). The rear bench is kind of flat and non supportive over long distances and sound proofing poor. Can’t hear people 3rd row at motorway speed. You can on the Velle.
However I would consider the shuttle if the price is right. Koni upgrade and sound proofing will probably make it very close to the Velle if not even better. Shuttle perfect on road trips 2/300 miles at a time. Continental Touring and long distances the Velle has got what you need to travel comfortably and with all the necessary equipment.

Think you nailed it with this post! spot on

 

[Jamie2.0]

The other thing I’d noticed between the shuttle and Caravelle was the engine selection.

When we were looking for our shuttle I noticed most, regardless of lbw or SWB had the 102 engine with a 5 speed gear box. We wanted a 150 with 6 speed manual but went with a 150 with DSG SE spec SWB.

Seats in the shuttle are no different to a kombi. The radio, heater controls and trim are more upmarket in the Valle, we have the mid and rear A/c, led lights, blinds, carpet etc. I’d imagine the Valle has better speakers too.

In my experience shuttles you‘re more likely to find with start line grey bumpers and steel wheels. The SE spec is closer to the Valle but really it’s more closer to the kombi highline spec.

For me the shuttle has all the parts I wanted on our the kombi. Now I have a kombi I covet a Caravelle but for us I can’t see the benefit of the extra money spent on a ‘Valle. Only thing we don’t have is front fog lights.

For us the 3 middle single seats in the shuttle are perfect, all have isofix which when you have 3 kids all in kiddy seats (Maxi cosi rodi fix) these are ideal. Maybe when they’re older the Valle might be more versatile.

As noted the the Valle/ multivan thing… our user manual is labelled Caravelle

 

[Magpie1832]

Our 9 seat Shuttle is LWB. It has caravelle refinements according to the white label. It has full climate control zoned in the rear with its own blower and controls etc. The seats are cream and black leatherette. Has pull up blinds in all the rear panels. Full LED lights. So is a higher spec than most shuttles. Didn't know all this when we bought it just thought they were all like this.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

The other thing I’d noticed between the shuttle and Caravelle was the engine selection.

When we were looking for our shuttle I noticed most, regardless of lbw or SWB had the 102 engine with a 5 speed gear box. We wanted a 150 with 6 speed manual but went with a 150 with DSG SE spec SWB.

Seats in the shuttle are no different to a kombi. The radio, heater controls and trim are more upmarket in the Valle, we have the mid and rear A/c, led lights, blinds, carpet etc. I’d imagine the Valle has better speakers too.

In my experience shuttles you‘re more likely to find with start line grey bumpers and steel wheels. The SE spec is closer to the Valle but really it’s more closer to the kombi highline spec.

For me the shuttle has all the parts I wanted on our the kombi. Now I have a kombi I covet a Caravelle but for us I can’t see the benefit of the extra money spent on a ‘Valle. Only thing we don’t have is front fog lights.

For us the 3 middle single seats in the shuttle are perfect, all have isofix which when you have 3 kids all in kiddy seats (Maxi cosi rodi fix) these are ideal. Maybe when they’re older the Valle might be more versatile.

As noted the the Valle/ multivan thing… our user manual is labelled Caravelle

The Shuttle SE is a much better spec (similar to a Caravelle) that the basic Shuttle, which is more of a 8 seat taxi spec. My SE is 150ps, DSG, has the higher spec heating system, higher grade entertainment system, blinds, carpets etc, and similar soundproofing levels to my previous Caravelle. It does have the 2-seater passenger bench seat which I have improved by slightly reclining it. Massive amount of storage in there which makes up for the "missing" under seat drawers that the Caravelle has. I removed the rearmost bench as I use the cargo space and find that 6 seats are enough, Rarely used all 7 in the Caravele. The 2nd row seats are easier to remove than the Caravelle seats.

 

[Jamie2.0]

The Shuttle SE is a much better spec (similar to a Caravelle) that the basic Shuttle, which is more of a 8 seat taxi spec. My SE is 150ps, DSG, has the higher spec heating system, higher grade entertainment system, blinds, carpets etc, and similar soundproofing levels to my previous Caravelle. It does have the 2-seater passenger bench seat which I have improved by slightly reclining it. Massive amount of storage in there which makes up for the "missing" under seat drawers that the Caravelle has. I removed the rearmost bench as I use the cargo space and find that 6 seats are enough, Rarely used all 7 in the Caravele. The 2nd row seats are easier to remove than the Caravelle seats.

I had to check our paperwork - turns out it is the SE too.

We have the 8 seater with 3 individual seats in the second row. I think the ticket on the handbook calls it a Caravelle

 

[archersam]

Swivel front seat. Nice to have on the Caravelle as well.
My 2 pennies Caravelle vs Shuttle. I think the main difference is how far you will travel.
I have done 1600 miles with my Velle between yesterday and today. Can’t think of any other car other than a full size Range Rover to travel in comfort. However I wouldn’t travel in a Range Rover, too flashy…
I have done the same journey driving a Shuttle and it’s two steps below. Comfort is quite basic on the shuttle, in terms of suspension ride quality and body control ( which can easily be addressed with 1k pounds Koni upgrade). The rear bench is kind of flat and non supportive over long distances and sound proofing poor. Can’t hear people 3rd row at motorway speed. You can on the Velle.
However I would consider the shuttle if the price is right. Koni upgrade and sound proofing will probably make it very close to the Velle if not even better. Shuttle perfect on road trips 2/300 miles at a time. Continental Touring and long distances the Velle has got what you need to travel comfortably and with all the necessary equipment.

Yeh the shuttles can do the train seat arrangement however you need an additional set of brackets installed infront of the standard brackets, although how you deal with seat belts I am not sure.

I had to check our paperwork - turns out it is the SE too.

We have the 8 seater with 3 individual seats in the second row. I think the ticket on the handbook calls it a Caravelle

yea as in Europe a uk shuttle is called a caravelle. And a uk caravelle is a multivan.

 

[VAN-KING]

If you want to use your van for camping, biking and generally family outdoor pursuits the Shuttle tends to be a better option. Many have said the Caravelle is a more executive choice that you may not want the kids and dogs jumping around in.
The bed option in the Caravelle from what our customers have told us, is that it's not as comfortable as our system, and not as user friendly.

 

[ShooglyStu]

@VAN-KING Does the fitment of your bed system count as a modification to the vehicle for insurance purposes?

 

[VAN-KING]

@VAN-KING Does the fitment of your bed system count as a modification to the vehicle for insurance purposes?

The system uses the existing T5/T6 lashing points therefore no modification to the van is required. We would recommend using Insurance Documents & Useful Numbers | Brentacre for your van as there will be no grey areas with your van insurance. Tell them what you have done to your van and they will cover it.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

If you want to use your van for camping, biking and generally family outdoor pursuits the Shuttle tends to be a better option. Many have said the Caravelle is a more executive choice that you may not want the kids and dogs jumping around in.
The bed option in the Caravelle from what our customers have told us, is that it's not as comfortable as our system, and not as user friendly.

Having gone from a Caravelle, that I used for stealth camping, to a LWB Shuttle with @VAN-KING bed system, I can confirm that the Van-King is much better. Flat sleeping surface with a proper, comfortable mattress, easy to set up and use etc

 

[Jamie2.0]

Something to add on the shuttle vs Caravelle vs kombi debate….windows.

Shuttles seem to typically come with clear glass and fixed windows all round. I do missed the flush sliders that we had on our kombi and could retro fit I guess.

Caravelles that I’ve seen usually have a good tint. The flush sliders seem to be hit and miss, guess these are offered as an option?

 

[roadtripper]

Caravelles that I’ve seen usually have a good tint. The flush sliders seem to be hit and miss, guess these are offered as an option?

Certainly the ones we looked at (late T6 and T6.1) came with "privacys glass" levels of tint on the mid and rear side windows, but no tints on the windscreen, tailgate or front side windows.

Given the chequered history of side opening windows I'm glad on ours the dealer that specced it (it's ex demo) knew of the issue and we have plain glass. I'd rather deal with ventilation than water ingress!

The bed option in the Caravelle from what our customers have told us, is that it's not as comfortable as our system, and not as user friendly.

The bed option is certainly primarily to get the seats flat so you can get the big wardrobes back from IKEA and very much secondary as a bed.

For occasional use it's fine but it sleeps 2/3 and as it is full width there is almost zero shuffle space to get changed for bed in.

There are some pod options and aftermarket multi boards that fill in the missing "third" California style rather than using the mid seats/table which are more comfortable, but it's tricky to use them and have the mid seats (which is probably why you'd want a Caravelle anyway...)

I have some pictures of mine in "bed mode" over here

Roadtripper's Caravelle tinkering

Hey folks, been lurking for a while gathering useful advice as we considered if a van was right for us and now we have one on the drive the time was right to join fully and do the VIP thing to (potentially) do some electrical tinkering. Thanks everyone who posts advice here, it's a massive help...

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