► VW’s Caddy Cargo van driven
► Car-like driving experience and interior
► But you pay extra for the privilege
Thinking of a small van and want a bit of premium-ness to go with it? Volkswagen’s Caddy van has arguably filled that need over its several-decade-long life so far. This latest one, which VW calls the fifth-generation Caddy, has been transformed into something a lot more car-ish than ever before. But is that a good thing? We’ve driven the latest Caddy Cargo model in the UK.
What’s new on the VW Caddy?
This latest generation of VW’s small panel van has been completely redesigned from the ground up, using the brand’s MQB platform as a base. That means the new Caddy shares a lot in common with so many modern VW Group products including the eighth-generation VW Golf.
As well as a significant exterior redesign, even including some honeycomb-like effects in the bumper (like an ID model) and some modern LED lighting integrated into the rear, the latest Caddy introduces some new technologies. Tech like VW’s Travel Assist and Trailer Assist are available, too, incorporated into a thoroughly redesigned interior.
VW has also focused on increasing the load bay space available. Changes to the rear suspension system means standard Caddy Cargo models can fit a Euro pallet sideways (rather than just lengthways) if preferred, and cargo volume is rated at 3100 litres. There’s also a Caddy Cargo Maxi available with a stretched wheelbase that’s good for two Euro pallets and, if you’re more bothered about carrying people rather than things, there are Caddy Life versions available.
What are the specs?
For the Caddy Cargo and Caddy Maxi Cargo, your specs are: Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro.
Every Caddy Cargo features a basic central touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and some USB-C ports inside. Commerce Plus adds air-con, rear parking sensors, better seat adjustment and armrests as well as body-coloured bumpers. Top-spec Commerce Pro includes nav, power folding and heated door mirrors, an alarm and heated windscreen. Options include some jazzy paint colours, a more sophisticated infotainment system as well as aforementioned safety and assistance technologies.
Three engines are available at the time of writing – one petrol and two diesels – available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG automatic depending on the trim level. The petrol is a quiet 112bhp 1.5-litre TSI, while 100bhp and 120bhp diesels are offered. We’ve tested the 100bhp diesel here
How does the VW Caddy drive?
Would you be surprised if we said it drove like a Golf? Which, overall, is not a complaint or a slight on the family hatchback. The Caddy is smooth to drive, rides comfortably and features some neatly-judged controls.
VW says the Caddy’s new McPherson struts at the front mean an increased steering ratio than the previous generation, with the steering itself feeling fluid and accurate enough. The setup isn’t as sharp as, say, Ford’s older-generations of Transit and Tourneo Connect models (especially given the latest generation ones are badge-engineered models of this very Caddy) but it’s very sweetly judged.
One of the best parts of the Caddy’s driving experience is the ride quality and seating support – this is quite possibly one of the most comfortable vans you can buy in the UK right now. The ride doesn’t jolt over short bumps, and feels sweetly balanced as the speeds rise and, provided you go for mid-spec Commerce Plus that includes the additional (and very welcome) thigh adjustment in the seating, the Caddy is a solid companion for long drives.
The only thing that pierces the quietness of the driving experience is the grumbly diesel engine (if you choose it). Naturally, we have to remember that this is a van and not an S-Class and, in fairness, the TDI engine used here is quieter than in older generations. But there’s still a gruff and gravelly din as the revs rise. Performance from it is fine enough even from the lesser-powered diesel option – it’s not quick, but taking advantage of the torque in the mid-range helps to alleviate the sensation that you’re not making much progress.
What about the interior?
Again, very much like a Golf. Here, that’s a little bit more of a grumble than in the way the Caddy drives. The overall dashboard design is, for example, heavily inspired by the design of the Golf, including touch sliders for the volume and temperature, as well as the light controls. The Golf’s maligned infotainment is carried across, too, even if our experiences with it here were of surprising compliance of the usually-fiddly system.
Elsewhere, the interior is a no-nonsense affair. Everything you touch and feel is shaped out of a hardy dark plastic and there’s no fancy digital instrument display here – just some classic (and actually quite welcome) analogue dials.
As for the cargo area, it’s an impressive size and immensely useful. We spend a few days filling it full of junk and it managed to carry much more than we thought in one single sitting. The inclusion of a side sliding door was welcome, though we would have liked it if VW had included rear doors that folded all the way back around the van (like an ID.Buzz Cargo).
VW Caddy Cargo: verdict
Ford and Stellantis might take a lot of the glory, but it’s hard to ignore how good the Caddy Cargo is. It’s no-nonsense and immensely handy, with some very car-like trimmings included to add an element of sophistication.
The trade-off is the additional price. While offering more kit, the Caddy Cargo’s entry price is around £5,000 more than a comparable Transit Connect and around £7,000 more than a Peugeot Partner.
Specs are for a Caddy Cargo Commerce Pro SWB 122PS TDI manual; price includes VAT