Volkswagen Caddy 2023 review: Cargo petrol

New for 2023 are some important technology and safety updates, which, to VW's credit, arrive without a price hike.

The cheapest way into the Caddy family is via the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine tested, available with a six-speed manual ($36,990) or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic ($39,990).

It comes with 6-inch steel wheels (with “full silver wheel trim”).

You can expect 16-inch steel wheels (with "full silver wheel trim") outside, as well as halogen headlights, a full-size spare wheel, a single sliding door and rear barn doors for access to the cargo area.

Inside, expect a functional space with cloth seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, air-conditioning, manual-adjust seats that can be moved up or down, as well as forwards or back, and powered windows and door locks.

Tech duties are taken on by a 8.25-inch central touchscreen, and there are twin USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad and Apple Car Play.

Tech duties are taken on by a 8.25-inch central touchscreen, and there are twin USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad and Apple Car Play. There's no navigation, though, with VW in Australia (and globally) still struggling through the semi conductor shortage.

So what's new here? Well, the wireless charge pad for one. But there are also changes to the 'Lane Assist' and 'Front Assist' safety functions which we'll come back to under the Safety heading in just a moment.

Outside, it looks a lot like a small commercial cargo vehicle. Right, ready to move on?

Fine, let's go deeper. The easiest way to describe the Cargo's exterior looks is if you picture a small people mover, then replace the seats with cargo space, and the rear glass house with a big, windowless sliding door.

More car-like than van-like, then, and utterly inoffensive from the outside as a result. It's also easier to drive and park than a van, but we'll come back to that under Driving.

Inside, the space is practical over premium, obviously, but it's still a clean-looking and comfortable space. I like the toggle-style drive selector in our (automatic) test car, which tidies up the central console area nicely, and the new charge pad is a plus for those not carrying the right USB connector to keep their device topped up.

That said, I'd trade some of the pared-back class of the cabin for a few more actual buttons and switches to control things like the stereo and the climate.

Also, the materials used are predominantly of the harder-plastic variety, presumably to better survive the day-to-day of commercial life.

I'd trade some of the pared-back class of the cabin for a few more actual buttons and switches to control things like the stereo and the climate.

Probably the most important section for a car in this segment, right? Practicality is king when it comes to commercial vehicles, so how does the Caddy measure up?

It measures 4500mm nose-to-tail, making it about the same size as the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.

It's also 1855mm wide, while at the rear, the loading sill height (the distance between the ground and the base of the loading area) is 586mm. The load area height is 1272mm. Add those two together and the total height is 1858mm.

It comes with cloth seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, air-conditioning, manual-adjust seats that can be moved up or down, as well as forwards or back.

More important, though, is the size of the space in the back. VW says you'll find an area that's 1614mm high and 1272mm wide, which is 3.1m3.

That's enough to fit two Euro pallets (800mm x 1200mm) stacked one in front of the other. Your total payload is between 717kg and 746kg, depending on the gearbox.

Accessing the back happens through a sliding side door (703mm x 1096mm), or through the rear barn doors, and, once inside, you'll find multiple tie-down points to secure your cargo.

Up front, there are storage and cubby holes galore, including massive door pockets, a sizeable bin behind the central cupholders, and dash storage below the windscreen.

The cheapest engine here is the one we've tested, which is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol which produces 84kW and 220Nm. It pairs with a six-speed manual, or the seven-speed dual-clutch auto we've got, sending power on to the front wheels.

Also available is a more torque-rich 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, which makes 75kW and 280Nm (manual), or 90kW and 320Nm (automatic).

The cheapest engine here is the one we’ve tested, which is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol which produces 84kW and 220Nm.

VW reckons you'll use 6.2 litres per hundred kilometres in the petrol-powered Caddy, or 6.4 litres if you opt for the manual. The 50-litre tank does demand 95 RON premium fuel, which at of the time of writing in Sydney NSW, means around $101 will be required to brim the tank.

It's utterly car-like, which is about the biggest compliment you can pay any vehicle in the commercial space.

Honestly, I was surprised at just how quickly you can forget there's a big cargo space behind you once you climb behind the wheel, so user-friendly and familiar is the experience.

It's utterly car-like, which is about the biggest compliment you can pay any vehicle in the commercial space.

Full disclosure, we left the cargo bay empty for our test route, so we can't tell you what it's like under any kind of proper load. But I can tell you what it's like without one, and that is comfortingly car-like in just about everything it does.

That extends to the ride, too. Some commercial vehicles can feel floaty and bouncy without a weight in the rear, but this car-like Caddy delivers a similar suspension tune to a passenger vehicle, mostly gliding over pockmarks, speed bumps and imperfections without feeling overly disconnected from the road surface.

Honestly, I was surprised at just how quickly you can forget there's a big cargo space behind you once you climb behind the wheel.

The steering, too, is faithful and direct enough. Our test route took us out to Cronulla in Sydney's south, a place where finding a parking space on a warm Summer's day requires Powerball luck and plenty of patience.

But it was here that the Caddy suddenly made the most sense. If you were delivering parcels to one of the businesses here in a big van, you'd be driven crazy trying to find a space big enough while sneaking down tiny alleys and tight streets.

Full disclosure, we left the cargo bay empty for our test route, so we can’t tell you what it’s like under any kind of proper load.

But the bite-sized Caddy is a breeze, navigating everything in its path, and tighter than tight parking spaces, without breaking a sweat.

The downsides? You do miss the torque of a diesel engine at times, and treating the Caddy roughly removes some of the smoothness from the transmission, particularly when slowing down. That and the fact that really squeezing the grunt from the petrol engine disrupts the cabin ambience.

The bite-sized Caddy is a breeze, navigating everything in its path, and tighter than tight parking spaces, without breaking a sweat.

New for 2023, and with no price penalty, is lane-keep assist that works at speeds above 60km/h, actively counter-steering if the Caddy wanders from its lane.

There's also an updated Front Assist system, which can now detect cyclists and pedestrians as well as vehicles and objects, and even oncoming traffic when turning at an intersection.

New for 2023, and with no price penalty, is lane-keep assist that works at speeds above 60km/h.

Volkswagen says the front assist technology is active above five kilometres per hour, and up to 85km/h.

They join seven airbags (including driver's knee), 'Driver Fatigue Detection' and a reversing camera with with rear parking sensors, as well as the usual braking and traction aids, to round out the Caddy's safety offering.

All of which contributes to the Caddy's maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, awarded in 2021.

All of which contributes to the Caddy’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, awarded in 2021.

VW serves up a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and 12 months of roadside assistance. VW also offers capped-price servicing (it calls it 'Assured Service Pricing'), and allows you to prepay your three- or five-year service costs at the time of purchase at a discounted rate.

Want to go it alone? Then you're looking at 12-month, 15,000km service intervals, with the first five services costing a total $2944.

VW serves up a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and 12 months of roadside assistance.