Volkswagen Caddy 5 Review

The good news for buyers is that Volkswagen has given its Caddy range a significant update for its fifth-generation and latest model year, with even more generous equipment lists headlining the upgrades for VW’s adaptable family and commercial vehicle.

Just how good is the latest VW Caddy 5, then, and how does it stack up against its rivals? Let’s find out.

Starting Price: $34,990

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Volkswagen Caddy 5 (MAXI TSI220) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volkswagen Caddy 5 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the VW Caddy range start from $34,990 for the entry-level Caddy Cargo TSI220 manual, with an automatic transmission adding $3000 to the equation. The Caddy Cargo TDI280 is priced at $38,990.

Opting for the Caddy Cargo Maxi TSI220 brings the price to $38,990, while the TDI280 is priced from $40,990 with a manual transmission, an automatic transmission is priced at the same $3000 premium.

The Caddy Crewvan is priced at $45,990 for the TSI220, with the TDI320 priced at $47,990.

Finally, the VW Caddy Maxi TSI220 is priced from $48,140 and $50,140 for the TDI320, while the Life Maxi is priced from $52,640 and the range-topping Caddy California is priced from $57,690.

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What Features Does the Volkswagen Caddy Have?

Volkswagen’s entry-level Caddy Cargo comes riding on a set of 16-inch steel wheels and receives cruise control, automatic headlights, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, sliding doors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED interior lighting, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Caddy Maxi adds a seven-seat layout and LED lighting, while the Caddy Life Maxi gains a set of 17-inch alloys, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a digital instrument cluster and semi-autonomous parking.

Finally, the range-topping Caddy California receives a folding bed, LED interior lighting, as well as a folding table and chairs.

Range Features:

• 16-inch steel wheels

• Cruise control

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• 8.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• Wireless smartphone charging

• Seven-seat layout (Caddy Maxi)

• 17-inch alloys (Caddy Life)

• Keyless entry & start (Caddy Life)

• Adaptive cruise control (Caddy Life)

• Digital instrument cluster (Caddy Life)

• Semi-autonomous parking (Caddy Life)

• Folding bed (Caddy California)

• LED interior lighting (Caddy California)

• Folding table & chairs (Caddy California)

Volkswagen Caddy Colours

The Volkswagen Caddy range is available in 12 different colours, including Candy White, Reflex Silver, Fortana Red, Pure Grey, Indium Grey, Cherry Red, Golden Green, Copper Bronze, Costa Azul, Starlight Blue, Deep Black and Mojave Beige.

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

While it might be used primarily as a commercial vehicle, Volkswagen has ensured that the Caddy feels impressively comfortable and refined in a mix of driving situations.

In terms of engines, there’s a choice of a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol in the TSI220 kicking up 84kW of power and 220Nm, while the TDI280 steps it up with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel producing 75kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

The range-topping TDI320 engine produces 90kW of power and 320Nm of torque, making it the pick of the bunch thanks to a hefty amount of torque to push you off the line and up to speed.

Power is thrown to the front wheels via a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the latter of which offers remarkably quick shifts and offer some seamless acceleration as you pick up speed.

Around town, the Caddy’s steering remains lightweight and user-friendly, while the platform itself is shared with the Golf, which makes it a strong performer on a mix of town and highway driving.

All up, the Caddy is an impressive vehicle that remains easy to pilot around town and more than comfortable enough on a long-distance trip, speaking to the versatility of the platform.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Space, practicality, and even the layout of the Caddy’s interior depend on whether you’re opting for the commercial or passenger-focussed variant.

In both, the front of the cabin is surprisingly refined for a vehicle like this, with a leather steering wheel and sleek dashboard design greeting the driver and front passenger, with a heap of storage options available.

The news gets even better when it comes to practicality considering the short wheelbase Caddy is now bigger than ever, making it 93mm longer and 62mm wider than its replacement, with a wheelbase spanning an additional 73mm, while the Cargo Maxi is 353mm longer.

This means that in passenger-carrying form, the Caddy’s interior is more than capable of transporting a large family of seven, while the Crewvan configuration is comfortable for up to five people with a heap of cargo space in the rear.

For the commercial variants, the rear of the Caddy Maxi can accommodate two palettes between the wheel arches, with payload figures capped at 724kg for the SWB Cargo and up to 754kg for the Cargo Maxi, with braked towing figures standing at 1500kg for the turbo-diesel range, which drops to 1400kg in the petrol Caddy.

Is it Safe?

The Volkswagen Caddy has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 84% for adult protection, 86% for child protection, 69% for pedestrian protection and 79% for its safety assist technologies.

As standard, the VW Caddy comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assistance, junction assistance, and a rear-view camera with parking sensors, while the passenger-focussed range gains blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Volkswagen Caddy range is a strong performer when it comes to fuel economy for both its petrol and diesel-powered lineup.

VW says the turbo-petrol range is rated at 6.4L/100km on a combined cycle, which drops to just 4.9L/100km in its TDI turbo-diesel range, making it an impressively frugal vehicle, particularly in diesel form.

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen Caddy Worth it?

As a complete package, there are few vehicles on the market that offer the versatility and refinement of the Volkswagen Caddy range which, in its latest update, has become bigger and better-equipped than ever before.

There’s a strong value proposition on offer for large families and commercial entities alike inside the latest Caddy, which is why we can’t help but recommend you add it to your shortlist.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

3. One turbo-petrol and two turbo-diesel engines are available

4. Fuel economy of 6.4L/100km in petrol form, drops to 4.9L/100km in TDI

5. Cargo, Crewvan and seven-seat passenger layouts available

Pros

• Impressive practicality and space for cargo

• Driving refinement of a passenger car

• Sleek and stylish cabin

Cons

• Pricey options list

• No LED headlights available

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Volkswagen Caddy Competition