Volkswagen Caddy Reviews

The undisputed leader of the Australian small (under 2.5t GVM) commercial van market is VW’s Caddy, which has grown its market share from around 46 per cent in 2016 to more than 55 per cent this year.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Caddy with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2015 VW Caddy with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch

When you talk peoplemovers large cumbersome wagons or four-wheel drives automatically spring to mind, but there are heaps of options for families looking to haul a tribe.

The Volkswagen Caddy TDI 250 Maxi Van has just been upgraded with Volkswagen’s innovative BlueMotion technology, making the $27,990 technology-laden vehicle one of the most fuel efficient

All VW's Caddy vans aren't the same. There are lots of them including a long wheelbase version called the Maxi Crewvan with two rows of seats and a load space as well. Crewvan is in the same workspace as a dual cab ute but it's a van.DESIGNIt is functionality in a concentrate as the relatively compact dimensions of the Crewvan can swallow up to an 850kg payload as long as you don't need to carry five people. It has two side slider passenger/loading doors and a pair of barn doors at the rear. There's windows halfway back along the side for the rear seat passengers then it's a blind van from there back.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONCrewvan is available with a 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine only and either a five-speed manual or slick shifting seven-speed DSG automated manual with front wheel drive. Our test vehicle had the latter and it makes a world of difference to the van in terms of driveability. It's a lot better with the DSG and definitely worth the money.The plucky donk is good for 75kW/250Nm output the latter from a low 1500rpm right where you want it for heavy lugging. Fuel consumption is an impressive 5.9 litres/100km giving the Crewvan a possible range of around 1000km. A diesel particle filter keeps the exhaust clean and the engine scores an EU5 emissions rating. The rear suspension is a hard working rigid axle/leaf spring arrangement.PRICE AND FEATURESThe start price is $27,990 but you get a decent amount of kit even if the wheels are steel without any sort of covering and the bumper and other external plastics are drab grey.A pollen/dust filter, full size spare, park distance control, decent audio, remote central locking, aircon', multiple airbags and cruise are all included in the package. But satnav is optional with no mention of a rear view camera.DRIVINGObviously designed for owners who need a dual purpose passenger/work vehicle, the long wheelbase Crewvan has plenty to offer including excellent fuel economy and room to burn. The load space, indeed the entire vehicle has practical rubber floor mats and there are a number of tie down fixtures in the load area.The rear pews are split fold but require a prop to hold them in place which intrudes a tad into the available large load space. Load height is low and a pallet will easily fit in the back. The lack of satnav is a problem because rear visibility is compromised a bit due to the ‘blind’ rear side panels. The turning circle could be a touch smaller too.Plenty of storage compartments are provided including one big overhead bin above the front cabin. All in all a good little vehicle. Well, it's actually bigger than you think. It's not pretty, but aesthetics don't really matter on a work vehicle…do they?VERDICTEconomical, good performance, plenty of room, practical long warranty and not too hard on the wallet.

You hate heavy cargo vans but you need something bigger than a car, you think the VW Caddy Van is perfect, but its cargo area is just a tad too small. Well, supersize the Caddy and VW’s got your solution - the Caddy Maxi Van.With a longer wheelbase, the Maxi provides all the basics of the regular Caddy, but with that extra bit of space to get your business on the road, all in an easy-to-handle vehicle.VALUEThe seven-speed DSG, TDI250 Caddy Maxi Van arrives ready for work for $30,990, including ESP, ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL, Hill Hold Assist, climatic air conditioning, steel wheels, full size spare, three-year unlimited km warranty, aux input socket, and cruise control.TECHNOLOGYThe two-seater Caddy Maxi Van TDI250 has a four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine that produces 75kW and 250Nm. Front wheel drive, seven-speed DSG transmission and sharp handling, the Maxi also has an impressive official fuel combined of 5.8/100km (we found 7.7/100km on our mostly urban drive).DESIGNThe Caddy Maxi lends itself to the demands of your business. Dual sliding and rear wing doors give easy access to your goods, while the large cargo space lets you customize the Caddy for any load. From carrying delicate flowers to rambunctious dogs, the Caddy is ready to serve. The longer wheelbase jumps the cargo load space to 2.25metres in length, with a volume of 4.2 cubic metres and an 800kg payload.Externally there’s not a lot of design, but that’s on purpose. The vehicle is perfect for signage, so no matter how convoluted your company name, it’ll be sure to fit. Seats are comfortable with height adjustment and under seat storage. Additional storage overhead, storage pockets along the dash, and plenty of cup holders provide room for all sorts of loose gear.The best thing about the Caddy design is the range of options. You can choose the window package for up to four side windows (which will help with those side blind spots), a rubber cargo floor (which will cut down on cabin noise), cargo barrier, and roof rails, to name a few.SAFETYDriver and front passenger airbags, ESP, ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL, Hill Hold Assist, and an electronic engine immobiliser all come standard, and we suggest the optional cargo barrier to keep your goods from becoming bads in the case of a collision.DRIVINGThe sun is shining, you hear the wind dance around you, and it’s almost peaceful, except that you’re not lounging in a meadow, but driving a vehicle down the motorway. Without a covering on the cargo floor, prepare for a loud cabin, as you’ll hear the road, the wind, and disconcertingly, the sloshing fuel tank.Electro-mechanical power steering lets the Caddy steer more like a car than a van, and the seven-speed DSG lets you worry about other things, like your portfolio, rather than shifting. If you don’t mind shifting, the manual version is a lot smoother to drive, as the automatic doesn’t change gears with the same grace as VW’s other DSG vehicles.With Maxi’s Independent McPherson struts on the front axle, and rigid rear with Leaf Springs in back, the Caddy is comfortable for the driver, but if you’re going to have over 250kg payload fitted to your vehicle, you may want to opt for the suspension upgrade. Despite the cabin noise and side blind spots, VW’s Caddy Maxi Van fits the bill in providing a base for small business owners to customize their optimal vehicle. VERDICTVersatile, comfortable to drive, and filling the niche for business owners, the VW Caddy Maxi is ready to join the staff as most valued employee.Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Van TDI250Price: from $30,990Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmSafety rating: n/aEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl diesel 75kW/250NmTransmission: 7-speed auto; FWDBody: 4876mm (L); 1794mm (w); 1836mm (h)Weight: 1459kgThirst: 8.8L/100km; 152g/km CO2

The idea is simple - make as much cargo space inside the van's perimeter as possible. Simple stuff, really, but then it gets hard. Make the van safe - preferably with a five-star crash rating like the Mercedes Vito. Load it with passenger-car features, make it flexible with seating, ensure ride comfort and

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?What is it?The Tardus of people movers. The Volkswagen Caddy is larger on the inside than it looks, with seating for seven people. If you thought the Caddy is a small car, try parking one next to a Pajero wagon and compare them — the Caddy is longer. This is the longer version (4.876m) with the addition of all-wheel drive.How much?Just the one model priced from $45,490 plus on road costs.What are the competitors?None really, except perhaps for Kia's cheaper Rondo 7. You'll be shopping for this one against larger people movers based on the price. For instance for almost the same price you could buy a top of the range Honda Odyssey which also seats seven.What's under the bonnet?This one comes with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that churns out 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque, the latter from a low 1500 revs. It's hooked up to a six-speed double clutch manumatic that provides the driver with the option to change gears manually.How does it go?Like a rocket, but we wonder whether all-wheel drive is really necessary, given that it adds $3500 to the price and the extra weight of the system adds to fuel consumption (6.5 for the 2WD versus 6.8 litres/100km for the AWD)Is it economical?Still, 6.8 litres/100km is nothing to be sneezed at. With a 60-litre tank it has a theoretical range of more than 880km.Is it `Green?'Gets 3.5 out of five stars from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius gets five), with a greenhouse rating of 7 and air pollution rating of 6 out of 10 (where 10 is best). Generates 179g/km CO2.Is it safe?Caddy is a four-star car. Driver and front passenger are well taken care of, with front and side airbags, but rear passengers miss out. Comes with a full complement of safety equipment including stability control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist.Is it comfortable?In a delivery van sort of way. Seating feels small and upright, but not uncomfortable, at least not in the short-term. Second and third rows of seating are removable for carrying larger items, offering up to 3880 litres of cargo capacity.What's it like to drive?Very easy to drive. Quick off the mark and has plenty of mid-range response thanks to the diesel. Wheel has multi-function controls for audio and the computer, with an AUX input for music players — but misses out on Bluetooth (it's a dealer fit option but costs a bomb).Is it value for money?Dual zone climate air, automatic lights and wipers, fully featured trip computer with distance to empty, cruise control and rear parking sensors — to name a few.Would we buy one?No. The tribe has left home. This vehicle will appeal to a select few, primarily those that want seven seats and the Volkswagen name for a budget price. 

IF our maths is right consider this: a Volkswagen Caddy Van could fit some 1800 cans of beer in that big-little cargo area.That'd be some 58 blocks of 30 cans with a spare pair of cartons up front to even out the load. And no doubt the VW would do its level best to haul that cargo _ close on 700kg _ around.We didn't try anything quite that demanding (or rewarding) with this Caddy but did come away with respect for its workman-like approach to business without bruising the workers; small delivery vans have come a long way.VALUEThe newest line of Caddys, released late last year, starts at $21,990 through to $32,990 for the top-spec Maxi version. There's the choice of petrol and diesel engines plus auto or manual transmissions.The Holden Combo (one model only) is $21,280, Citroen's Berlingo starts at $22,990 and there's not a lot of other competition in this area.DESIGNThe Caddy, by default, is a simple and compact box on wheels.But with attention to detail it offers a comfortable driving position, excellent ergonomics and 101 storage spots which include big door pockets with bottle holders, dashboard spots for pens plus odds and ends and a large shelf running across the cabin above driver and passenger. Handy touches run to one-touch electric front windows and daytime running lights.The rear floor, thanks to front-wheel drive, is flat with minimal intrusion from rear wheel arches. The load floor is just over half a metre from the street, back doors open wide and sliding side doors (right-hand one optional) allow easy access to cargo up front.TECHNOLOGYWith speed-sensitive steering, turbocharged diesel and the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission, the Caddy is up there with current engineering for small passenger cars. Differences include the leaf springs out back. The braking system (discs all round) covers stability and traction programs, ABS and hill holder.SAFETYVolkswagen's smallest van arrives with driver and front passenger airbag plus the option of head and thorax bags. There's ESP and ABS among primary safety features and a four-star crash rating.DRIVINGThis little jigger gets up and goes. Okay, so we didn't fill it up with a big load of beer but with two up, light load and full fuel tank, then slotted into Sports mode on the transmission, the Caddy is a mighty quick little cargo carrier.Here the DSG and turbo diesel engine help slip and slot through city traffic with ease. Steering is quick and accurate, quick enough to introduce a little body roll from the high-sided van.And, despite limited visibility with those van sides, the Caddy is easy to park around the shopping centres (rear park distance controls are optional).