Volkswagen details new Caddy range, here July

VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia (VGA) has revealed the pricing and specification details of its all-new fifth-generation Caddy van with the versatile LCV due here in July priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs.

Officially dubbed the Caddy 5, the new model is built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform and ushers in a heap of new tech, a fresh diesel engine and the usual raft of new styling cues.

With seven variants set to be offered Down Under across both van and people mover body styles, the Caddy’s entry price has risen $3700 compared to the outgoing model.

Available from the aforementioned $34,990, the new Caddy range is opened by the Cargo TDI280 which pairs a new Euro 6-compliant turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The new diesel mill develops 75kW of power and 280Nm of torque when mated to the manual transmission with both figures being stepped up to 90kW/320Nm when the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) is thrown into the mix – drive is sent to the front wheels in either case.

Opting for the DSG adds $3000 to the Cargo’s pricetag both in short-wheelbase and ‘Maxi’ long-wheelbase form with the latter adding an extra 353mm to the former’s 4500mm length (4853mm).

Sticking with the Cargo Maxis, the TDI280 can be had from $36,990 while the TDI320 (DSG) starts from $39,990.

All Caddy Cargos share the same standard equipment list with the highlights consisting of an 8.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, automatic and range control headlights, cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, electric parking brake, driver alert system, rear wing doors, central locking, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, LED interior lights, Multi-Function Display Plus, a plethora of 12V sockets and two USB-C ports.

Load access on the short-wheelbase versions is via a passenger side sliding door while the Maxis up the ante with dual sliding doors.

Exclusively available with the TDI320 powerplant and in Maxi form, the Caddy people mover range is opened by the eponymous Maxi TDI320 from $45,490 – $8450 more than its outgoing equivalent.

Standard equipment on the base-model people mover includes seven seats (2-3-2 layout), the same 8.25-inch infotainment system as found on the Cargos, lane change system, side assist, lane keeping system with lane assist, autonomous emergency braking, front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, LED reading lights and tailgate surround lighting, front and rear parking sensors, folding and removable luggage cover and black door mirrors.

Stepping up to the $49,990 Life variant meanwhile adds ‘Trialog’ seat trim, a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, powered tailgate, 17-inch Barahona alloy wheels, black roof rails, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, comfort drive travel assist, lane keeping system with lane assist, emergency assist, park assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go function.

At the top of the range lies the $54,990 California which builds on the Life’s standard kit list with black 17-inch ‘Colombo’ alloys, heat-insulating front side windows with 74 per cent light-absorbing glass in rear windows, a foldable bed, storage bags for the rear side windows, darkening window and panoramic roof covers, dimmable LED lights, two ventilation grids with integrated fly screens, a foldable table and two matching chairs.

VGA has sold 294 Caddys across both van (233) and people mover (61) body styles so far this year ending March, accounting for 54.4 and 2.2 per cent of their respective segments.

2021 Volkswagen Caddy pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs