VOLKSWAGEN

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY DIESEL ESTATE 2.0 TDI 5dr

Fuel

FuelDiesel

Transmission

TransmissionManual

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph13.5s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2126 g/km

Van-based MPVs have, to date, failed to disguise their utilitarian roots. The Volkswagen Caddy and Caddy Life people carriers offer a rather more upmarket feel and a drive that's a good deal more spirited than most. You can have seven seats, yet in a car that's easy to park in the tightest multi-storey - and all the technology a family could want. As a compromise between relative sophistication and solid common sense, these compact Caddy people movers work extremely well.

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Volkswagen's Caddy and Caddy Life MPV models offer an interesting take on the van-based MPV theme. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

Van-based MPVs have, to date, failed to disguise their utilitarian roots. The Volkswagen Caddy and Caddy Life people carriers offer a rather more upmarket feel and a drive that's a good deal more spirited than most. You can have seven seats, yet in a car that's easy to park in the tightest multi-storey - and all the technology a family could want. As a compromise between relative sophistication and solid common sense, these compact Caddy people movers work extremely well.

Background

The problem with van-based MPVs is easy to identify. It's the lingering feeling that no matter how much glazing you have around the outside, when you're behind the wheel you'll still feel as if you're delivering pizzas. No matter how hard many manufacturers have tried to get away from the light commercial origins, these vehicles can't shake off the faint whiff of deep pan pepperoni. But if you were to lay odds on anyone to crack this thorny issue, it would be Volkswagen. With a range of increasingly sophisticated passenger cars, Volkswagen has decided to sprinkle a little of that urbane charm onto the fourth generation range of its compact Caddy people carriers, van-based MPVs that aim to be cut above the norm. The challenge is to do so while still keeping prices in the ballpark that van-based MPV customers expect. It's a tougher brief than you might expect.

Driving Experience

No previous Caddy model has been better prepared to function like a car. Because no previous model has used car-like coil-sprung suspension, older generation Caddy MPVs having shared the same van-like leaf-sprung suspension as their LCV cousins. A much more sophisticated chassis also helps, the much stiffer Modular Transverse Matrix platform used on all Volkswagen's current Golf, Passat and Tiguan-sized car models. Plus there's a fresh electrically assisted power steering rack with a more direct feel. All of this is the same of course as you get with the rejuvenated current Caddy Cargo van model, though the payload of this MPV version is 100kgs lower (506kgs). The engines on offer are the same as those in the Caddy Cargo of course too. There are three - a 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit with 114PS, offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox with the Caddy and with a 7-speed DSG auto with the Caddy Life. Alternatively, there's a choice of 2.0-litre TDI diesels, one with 102PS only offered with that manual gearbox; and the other with 122PS which comes only in DSG auto form with a Caddy but can be had with either a manual or an auto with the Caddy Life. At the time of this test in Autumn 2021, Volkswagen wasn't offering this MPV design with the optional 4MOTION 4WD system you can get with the Caddy Cargo van.

Design and Build

Bet you weren't expecting a van-based MPV to look as good as this? The fourth generation Caddy Cargo van's sleeker looks translate well into this MPV model. It's offered in standard 'Caddy' and plusher 'Caddy Life' forms (the latter recognisable by 16-inch 'Wien' alloy wheels and black roof rails). And, as with the van, you get a choice of standard short wheelbase or 'Maxi' long wheelbase body styles. You'll obviously want the 'Maxi' version if you're looking for seven seats (though a third seating row can also be added into the short wheelbase variant as an option). All variants get twin side sliding doors, but those on the 'Maxi' version (844mm wide) are 143mm wider than the ones on the short wheelbase version. The ambiance up-front is very car-like. And further back, there'll obviously be a lot more seating room in the second and third rows with the Caddy Maxi's long wheelbase, which gives you an extra 353mm of length with a larger luggage area. Even with all three seating rows in place, a Caddy Maxi can offer 446-litre of space. In five-seat format, you're looking at 1,720-litres of space in the Maxi - or 1,213-litres with the standard version. Fold the second row seats and it really does get van-like, 3,105-litres of space in the Maxi - or 2,556-litres with the standard version.

Market and Model

The story here is that you get two spec levels, a basic minibus-type version (that the model badged merely 'Caddy'); or an MPV that really feels much more like a car (the 'Caddy Life'). Either way, as we said in our 'Design' section, there's the choice of either a short wheelbase model with the option of seven seats. Or a seven-seat long wheelbase 'Maxi' body style (from which you can delete the third seating row if you really don't want it). Prices start at just over £26,000 for the Caddy short wheelbase: add around £2,200 to that if you want the Caddy Life version. Many will want to find the extra £1,500 Volkswagen wants for the long 'Maxi' versions, which obviously have much more space for the third seating row. But the longer 'Maxi' shape brings the cost up of course - to around the £30,000 mark if you want a Caddy Maxi Life model, as many families will. Adding the 3rd row package into the short wheelbase model costs just over £800 more - we can't really see why you'd do that because it doesn't save much in the final analysis. With base 'Caddy' spec, you are of course limited to the basics, though they do include a 'Composition' infotainment system with a 6.5-inch centre screen, twin side sliding doors and a very complete rosta of camera safety kit. The 'Caddy Life' variants of course offer much more. As we said in our 'Design' section, visually, 'Life'-spec is marked out by 16-inch 'Wien' alloy wheels and black roof rails, plus you get LED rear tail lamps. With the 'Life' version, you also get power-folding mirrors and all-round parking sensors, while inside, there's a removable waste bin and the seats get smarter 'Trialog' upholstery and at the front, feature lumbar support and sliding drawers. 'Life'-spec gets you a bigger 8.25-inch 'Composition' central infotainment screen with 'App Connect' (enabling 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring), along with 'We Connect Plus' preparation (so that you can interact with the screen and the car using your smartphone).

Cost of Ownership

As you'd expect, this Volkswagen delivers a frugal set of running cost returns. In standard Caddy form, the short wheelbase model in 2.0 TDI 102PS manual form manages up to 58.9mpg on the combined cycle and up to 126g/km; for the 2.0 TDI 122PS DSG auto version, the figures are up to 55.4mpg and up to 134g/km. With the 1.5 TSI petrol manual model, it's up to 44.1mpg and up to 144g/km. These figures are only fractionally reduced if you choose either the 'Maxi' body shape and / or the 'Life' model spec. As for service intervals, the efficient engine range enables Volkswagen to offer service intervals spread quite far apart - every 18,600 miles or every two years, whichever comes first. Various service plans are of course available to spread the cost of maintenance. And there's a 'Service' section of the 'Vehicle' screen telling you when oil change maintenance and inspections are due. You'll need to get the 15-litre AdBlue tank topped up as part of regular servicing too. Finally, there's the three year warranty. This one gets the cover package applicable to a Volkswagen van, so the mileage limit in this period is raised from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's also three years of pan-European Roadside Assistance also included with no mileage restriction. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and the Caddy is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion body warranty.

Summary

As an exercise in managing compromise, the Caddy people carrier is a triumph. Volkswagen has managed to keep prices reasonably competitive for this type of vehicle, while at the same time injecting enough sophistication to distance it from its light commercial roots. That it has done this without compromising practicality in any significant manner marks this Caddy MPV as one for the shortlist if you're after really sensible family transport. With its neat styling and rugged utility, this is a proper multi-role vehicle, and in seven-seat guise it has more passenger space in the third row than you'd get from a seven-seat SUV costing maybe £10,000 more. In short, if you need a vehicle that can discharge some arduous family responsibilities and emerge unscathed, this one's well worth a look.

  • Electric front windows
  • Heated rear window
  • Windscreen wiper with variable intermittent delay and wash wipe system
  • Rear window wiper and washer system with intermittent control
  • Fixed side window in load/passenger compartment

  • Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
  • Traction control system (TCS)
  • Brake assist
  • Electronic brake force distribution
  • Electronic Stability Programme
  • Automatic post collision braking system
  • Engine drag torque control
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  • Electric parking brake with auto hold function

  • Carpet floor covering in passenger compartment
  • Carpet floor covering in cab

  • We connect basic preparation

  • Lane keeping system
  • Driver alert system

  • Start/stop system with regenerative braking

  • eCall emergency call system
  • Multi function display
  • On board computer
  • Service interval indicator

  • Black painted exterior mirror housings

  • Decorative inserts in beige birch vein

  • Diesel particulate filter

  • DAB Digital radio
  • 2 Type C USB

  • Silver sliding door rail
  • Roof rails preparation
  • Twin near side and off side sliding doors
  • Body colour door handles
  • Body colour bumpers

  • Automatic headlight control system
  • Automatic hazard lights activation under emergency braking

  • Air conditioning
  • Electrically controlled heating system

  • Centre console with 2 cupholders
  • Glove compartment cover with light
  • Multifunction steering wheel
  • Plastic gearshift knob/handle
  • 12V socket in passenger compartment
  • Sliding trunk cover
  • Overhead storage compartment
  • Reach and rake adjustable steering column
  • Lockable glove compartment with light

  • Interior light in headlining
  • 5 standard interior lights in passenger compartment

  • Seat belt reminder
  • Direct tyre pressure monitoring system
  • First aid kit with warning triangle and safety vest
  • 3-point seat belts in front with pretensioner and height adjustment
  • Side and curtain airbag for driver and front passenger
  • Curtain airbag for outer seats in rear
  • Front centre airbag
  • Power operated child safety locks
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts

  • Isofix on 2nd row outer seats
  • Split folding rear seat
  • Front head restraints
  • Rear head restraints
  • Height adjustable head restraints
  • Manual front seats with height adjustment
  • Seat occupied recognition for front seats

  • Anti theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn and towing protection

  • Electronic differential lock

  • Sun visors with mirror and airbag label on front passenger

  • CO2 (g/km): 123
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • HC: N
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 126

  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Transmission: MANUAL
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 81
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 95.5
  • CC: 1968

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • EC Urban (mpg): 47.1
  • EC Extra Urban (mpg): 72.4
  • EC Combined (mpg): 60.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 47.9
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 62.8
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 68.9
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 54.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 58.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 5.9
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 4.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.8

  • Generation Mark: 5
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • Badge Power: 102
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • AdBlue: True
  • Coin Series: N
  • Coin Description: TDi
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

  • Engine Power - KW: 75
  • Engine Power - RPM: 2750
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 207
  • Engine Torque - NM: 280
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1500
  • Engine Power - BHP: 102
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 13.5
  • Top Speed: 109
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 28.6

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Front: 205/60 R16
  • Alloys?: False
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Tyre Size Rear: 205/60 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 16" STEEL

  • Width (including mirrors): 2100
  • Height: 1818
  • Height (including roof rails): 1775
  • Length: 4500
  • Width: 1855
  • Wheelbase: 2755

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1581
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2220
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Max. Loading Weight: 639
  • Max. Roof Load: 100
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

  • Heated windscreen: £198
  • Dark tinted glass in rear seat area heat-insulating glass in front area: £222
  • Heat insulating windscreen: Included

  • Rubber floor covering in cab and passenger/load compartment: £222
  • Front/rear floor mats: £90
  • Rubber floor covering in cab: Included

  • AppConnect: £174
  • Mobile phone interface with wireless charging: £330
  • Bluetooth mobile phone interface: Included
  • Wireless app connect for apple carPlay: £174

  • Dynamic road sign display: £324
  • Lane change system side assist with blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert: £402
  • Trailer maneuvring system with front and rear parking sensors: £798
  • Trailer maneuvring system with park assist: £1,020
  • Park assist system with front and rear parking sensor: £756
  • Adaptive cruise control with speed limiter: £684
  • Power steering with mobility aid: £90
  • Rear view camera: £276
  • Servotronic speed sensitive power steering: Included
  • Front and rear parking sensors: £540
  • Cruise control + speed limiter: Included

  • Function control module: £450
  • Function control module with body builder programming: £348
  • Preparation for function control module: £18
  • Tailgate with window: Included
  • Tailgate with window aperture and with power latching: £150

  • Discover media navigation system with 10-inch" colour touch screen with 6 speakers: £1,284

  • Exterior mirrors - power adjustable, heated and power folding: £156
  • Exterior mirrors heated and electrically adjustable: Included
  • Dimming breakaway interior rear view mirror: Included
  • Automatic dimming rear view mirror: £120

  • Second 95Ah battery: £18
  • Increased battery/alternator capacity: £150

  • Radio "Composition Audio" with 6.5-inch" colour touch screen: Included
  • Radio "Composition Colour" with 8.25" colour touch screen with 6 speakers: £306
  • 4 speakers: Included

  • Solid paint: Included
  • Metallic paint: £612
  • Pearlescent paint: £612
  • Loading edge protection in stainless steel look plastic cover in front of rear aperture to protect painted bumper: £162
  • Black loading edge protection plastic cover in front of rear aperture to protect painted bumper: £162
  • Fixed panoramic glass roof with 2 roof grab handles: £960
  • Power latching for passenger side sliding door: £162
  • Without nameplate set (without model designation): £0
  • Additional front underbody guard: £282
  • Power latching for driver side sliding door: £162

  • H7 twin halogen headlamps: Included
  • LED headlights with LED separate daytime running lights: £1,116
  • Separate daytime running light: Included
  • High beam assist: £156

  • Storage drawers under front seats: £96
  • Leather upholstery: £114
  • Cloth upholstery: Included
  • Left hand drive: £600
  • 12V socket in load compartment and dashboard: £66
  • 230-V inverter and outlet: £174
  • LED tailgate surround lighting: £42
  • Removable waste bin with cover for cab: £18
  • Net partition with 2 mounting points in passenger compartment: £180

  • 7 seat pack - Caddy: £828
  • Winter pack - Caddy: £522

  • Metallic - Copper Bronze: £612
  • Metallic - Costa Azul: £612
  • Metallic - Mojave beige: £612
  • Metallic - Fortana red: £612
  • Metallic - Starlight Blue: £612
  • Metallic - Reflex silver: £612
  • Metallic - Golden Green: £612
  • Metallic - Indium grey: £612

  • Pearl - Deep black: £612

  • Solid - Cherry red: £0
  • Solid - Candy white: £0

  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row: Included
  • Backrest release for front passenger seat: £174
  • ergoComfort seats for driver and passenger with armrests: £426
  • Manual adjustable lumbar support in front seats: £168

  • Central locking system "Keyless-Go": £138
  • Central locking system "Keyless Entry" with fingerprint "two-stage unlocking": £402
  • Remote central locking with interior locking and two remote keys: Included
  • 4 remote control keys for locking system: £60
  • Anti theft unlocking wheel bolts protection: £30
  • Anti-theft wheel bolts protection: Included

  • Towbar preparation: £234
  • Removable/lockable towbar: £834

  • Cloth - Soul with upper and lower dashboard in soul and black floor covering: £0
  • Cloth - Titanium black with upper and lower dashboard in soul and black floor covering: £0

  • Leather - Black: £114

  • 16" Black steel wheels with wheel trims: Included
  • 215/55 R17 low rolling resistance tyres: £0
  • 225/45 R18 low rolling resistance tyres: £0

  • 16" Wien silver alloy wheels: £678
  • All season 205/60 R16 low rolling resistance tyres for 16" alloy wheels: £156
  • All season 215/55 R17 low rolling resistance tyres for 17" alloy wheels: £0

  • Steel spare wheel with original equipment tyre including tool kit and jack: £108
  • Tyre mobility kit in lieu of spare wheel include 12V compresser and tyre sealant: Included

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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