Foot room is limited, encroached by the front wheelwells and tight packaging. The front seats, in a cushy light-gray velour, were chair-height and were a good compromise between softness and support. Both have left and right armrests and are a good place to watch the road go by.

The steering wheel does not have a tilt function, and some may be put off by the somewhat bus-like angle of the steering wheel. It isn't nearly as bus-like as the wheel on the old microbus, however. The fully automatic dual zone (front and rear) climate control system is adjustable in 1-degree increments. An ambient air thermometer is included, which is useful in changing weather conditions. The ventilation system includes a dust/pollen filter, beneficial for hay fever sufferers.

Overall the interior looks more institutional than luxurious, but it is comfortable. The ambiance is one of functionality rather than style, with straight lines serving where straight lines will fit. There's walkthrough space to the rear passenger area.

Two EuroVan models are available: $30,465 GLS and $31,965 Multivan (MV).

A primary difference between the GLS and MV models is their seating arrangements. EuroVan GLS contains traditional forward-facing center and rear bench seats.

The MV replaces the second-row bench with a pair of rear-facing seats -- positioned back-to-back with the front seats. The face-to-face seating in the second and third row was a novelty that our passengers thought could grow old. Foot room is shared, and even with cooperation and coordination there will be accidentally kicked ankles. After dark, our backwards facing passengers found the headlights of following cars shining in their eyes irritating. This arrangement makes a lot more sense when the tray table is lifted out. It's nice for those roadside lunches, impromptu card games and tailgate parties. An overhead fluorescent lamp adds lighting to the regular dome lights. The rear seat can be converted into a passable bed and privacy curtains snap all around the interior.

Pass-through panels under the rear seat allow long items to be carried. With the rear seat removed (not an easy task), a sheet of plywood will fit. A cargo shelf splits the cargo area in half which, depending on the nature of your cargo, will either be a blessing or a pain in the neck. It bolts in, however, and will require a wrench to remove. The back of the third row seat, covered in vinyl cloth, could use a more durable backing as ours had already suffered a laceration from rough cargo loading.

The EuroVan comes equipped with a high level of standard equipment that includes electronic climate control, cruise control, heated windshield washer jets, and power windows, locks and mirrors. The power glass sunroof, a $1,000 option, uses a fabric shade that's not opaque but blocks the sun, even on bright days. We're also partial to the $400 heated front seats, with settings from 1 to 5 on dash-mounted thumbwheels. The right-side sliding door provides a child lock for extra safety.

In addition to the GLS and MV models, Volkswagen offers a Camper model with a longer wheelbase (by 15.7 inches). It's just the thing for that big trip to Yellowstone. It can be outfitted with a pop-up roof, full-swiveling captain's chairs, two-burner LP gas stove, refrigerator and other amenities. A "Weekender" package available on the MV comes with a pop-up canopy top and many of the other amenities of the Camper without the longer wheelbase.