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Volkswagen Caddy 2015 review

Volkswagen Volkswagen Reviews Volkswagen Caddy Volkswagen Caddy Reviews Volkswagen Caddy 2015 Commercial Best Commercial Cars Volkswagen Commercial Range People Mover Best People Mover Cars Volkswagen People Mover Range 7 seater Car Reviews
EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Superior ride
  • Perky engine performance
  • Easy to operate

Dislikes

  • Cheap interior finishes
  • No reverse camera
  • No in-built satnav
Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell
18 Dec 2015
4 min read
0 Comments

VW's commercials look snappy, go more smartly and have options galore.

Given its 60 years in the delivery vehicle game, Volkswagen has a wealth of experience. A new generation of VW light commercials has just arrived in the form of the fourth generation of the Caddy small van and the larger T6 van.

Each has two wheelbase options and numerous derivatives and, in the latter, different roof heights.

There are so many option packs that you could virtually tailor a bespoke van.

It might take some time to roll down the assembly line — and cost a bit, too.

The Caddy starts from $28,990 and has a firm foothold in Australia. With two-seat, five-seat crew and seven-seat Maxi layouts, it's at the top of the tree in small van land — and accounts for healthy people-mover sales in Caddy Maxi-van guise.

The badge has been a loyal and reliable servant to thousands of working people over the years.

The latest generation is built on a new shared VW platform. It comes with a much more stylish exterior appearance and a better interior with access to an astonishing array of comfort, safety and practicality features.

Diesel power becomes available next year but the big news is the Bluemotion 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo (92kW/220Nm) with engine stop-start and regenerative braking.

The seven-speed DSG is a cracking good device, delivering crisp gear changes at the right time

Most important to delivery drivers dashing and darting in city driving is the torque on tap from a low 1500rpm. It also uses a lot less fuel than the previous, less powerful 1.2-litre, claiming as little as 6.0L/100km for the base model manual.

That thirst increases only slightly in the larger five and seven-seaters, in which the seven-speed DSG transmission helps keep the figure down to about 6.5L.

Load capacity in the working van varies — 773kg-841kg depending on the model and the wheelbase.

Standard items of advanced safety kit include Multi Collision Braking, which autonomously brakes the vehicle after you've had a prang. Difficult concept to grasp but VW says it's better to have the car completely stopped in a multiple collision.

Fatigue detection monitors how you drive and warns if it thinks you are on the blink.

As it's based on VW's new small car platform, the latest Caddy gets improved steering and braking .

Thanks to the independent front and rigid axle with leaf spring rear suspension, there is also superior ride. Cruise control is standard but a reverse camera is optional on the working vans, standard on the people-movers. What about the workers?

The upgraded interior includes some passenger car style and function elements but is still cheap looking and hard. — possibly a good thing for a working vehicle that may never benefit from being cleaned.

Handy cabin kit includes roof bins, numerous storage compartments and bottle holders. Depending on the model, multimedia ranges from not bad to pretty good. Not so flash is using phone streaming for satnav.

The exterior styling borrows cues from the Golf and Polo. More angles and a smarter grille dominate.

Driving

As expected, the new Caddy is an accomplished vehicle with perky performance from the 1.4-litre engine. We didn't get a drive in the manual but the seven-speed DSG is a cracking good device, delivering crisp gear changes at the right time.

It gets off the mark smartly and, from behind the wheel, feels much like a Golf, if one with a cheap interior. Ride quality is impressive whether empty or partially loaded.

On our brief test drive, the working Caddy was registering a measly 7.4L/100km in mostly city driving.

It's easy to operate, has logically placed switches and would be a relatively pleasant environment to spend your working days. Loading is via a side slider or barn rear doors. A tailgate is optional, as is a second slider.

Volkswagen Caddy 2015: Maxi TDI250

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 5.8L/100km (combined)
Seating 2
Price From $9,680 - $13,200
Safety Rating

Verdict

The Caddy is a significant improvement over the previous model on all fronts. It should have a reverse camera standard across the entire line-up. We are sceptical about streaming Google maps through the phone all the time.

Engine performance is impressive enough to make the diesel redundant.

 

How do you think the Caddy matches up to its commercial van rivals? Let us know in the comments below.

Click here to see more 2015 Volkswagen Caddy pricing and spec info.

Pricing Guides

$17,128
Based on 26 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$8,600
HIGHEST PRICE
$29,990
Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell
Peter Barnwell is a former CarsGuide contributor and News Corp Australia Editor. During his decades of experience as an automotive expert, he has specialised in writing about performance vehicles.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$8,600
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2015 Volkswagen Caddy
See Pricing & Specs

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