Caddy can really play

A DIESEL engine and automatic transmission mean the VW Caddy is a standout in the small-van class.

It's the only small van to offer a diesel engine, and only one of two to offer a self-shifting transmission.

The diesel engine has been available from the launch of the Caddy in 2004, but the automatic is a recent addition to the option list.

It's not a traditional automatic with a torque converter, rather a smart automated manual six-speed gearbox. In fact it's the same gearbox that has been so acclaimed in the VW passenger-car range, including the GTi hot hatch.

Neither is it like the automated manual gearboxes we've seen from other makers, which tend to be clumsy and, as a result, their vehicles are not very pleasant to drive.

The problem they all suffer is a slump in performance when the clutch is disengaged, the gear change executed and the clutch re-engaged.

All of that takes time, during which the car slows before speeding up again once the shift is completed.

Despite the claims of the carmakers trying to flog these so-called smart gearboxes, it always feels easier and smoother to shift manually.

That's not the case with the Caddy's DSG gearbox, which is as smooth as a regular auto.

The secret to the smoothness is the use of two clutches: one disengages the gear in use; and the other engages the next gear, making the change very smooth.

In use, the DSG feels and drives like a torque converter automatic, but it delivers the efficiency of a manual gearbox with the fuel consumption benefits that flow from that efficiency.

If the need arises, the option is there to initiate the shift yourself, but for the most part the shifts are left to the computer to make. It is calibrated to select the optimum gear in all driving situations to return the best fuel consumption.

The floor-mounted shifter looks like a normal automatic one, with all the usual driving modes on the selector.

To use it manually you simply move the lever to the left to engage the manual mode, then shift up or down by moving the lever forward or back.

In the Caddy the DSG is linked to a 1.9-litre direct-injection turbo diesel with 77kW at 4000 revs and 250Nm from 1900 revs.

The combination delivers plenty of performance with good fuel consumption.

The turbo diesel lacks nothing in performance, with good acceleration around town and strong performance when wound up on the highway.

On test, the Caddy van delivered 6.6 litres/100km in average city-type driving, and probably would drop below six on the highway.

According to the trip computer, it had a range of just under 1000km on a tank of diesel.

If you don't look back when you're at the wheel of the Caddy you'd be hard-pressed to know you are driving a van.

The Caddy's cabin is well appointed and comfortable, it rides smoothly, steers and handles with precision and brakes strongly.

It's so good you could easily believe you were driving a Golf, its close passenger car cousin. It's only when you look back and you see the load zone with its sliding side doors and rear barn doors that it hits you you are driving a commercial vehicle.

When put to work the Caddy will swallow 3.2cu m, or 759kg, of cargo, and tow 1500kg.

The regular diesel Caddy with the five-speed manual gearbox is priced at $24,990. The DSG adds $3000, boosting its price to $27,990.

Not cheap, but it is good.