Volkswagen’s new Caddy is here and ready to haul

VOLKSWAGEN’S perennial and hot-selling commercial van, the Caddy, is back in showrooms on a new platform and loaded with safety and convenience features with power from a clean, state-of-the-art diesel engine.

In July it had occupied 50 per cent of all sub-2.5 tonne van sales and even then sales were slipping on restrictive supply and a run-out program. 

Now sales are expected to surge thanks to the arrival of an all-new version built on the latest Golf platform and with a choice of two diesel engines and pricing from $34,990 plus on-road costs.

The Caddy has been the go-to small van for urban delivery clients for years and in 2020, had a 71.9 per cent share of the sub-2.5 tonne van segment.

For the fifth generation, Caddy ‘5’ rides on the MQB modular architecture with dimensions remaining similar to the outgoing version, allowing current owners to upgrade and transfer storage solutions straight to the new model.

Externally, it gets a new look with redesigned front panels and new paint colours. 

Six variants will be offered locally across two wheelbases: Standard (SWB) and Maxi (LWB). 

The SWB is 92mm longer than before at 4500mm with a wheelbase of 2755mm (up 73mm) while the Maxi has a 2970mm wheelbase and is 4853mm long.

Caddy 5’s range opens with the commercial-use Cargo (from $34,990) and Cargo Maxi (from $36,990). 

Buyers have the choice of either a 75kW/280Nm diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission (TDI280) or a 90kW/320Nm diesel paired with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (TDI320).

The five-seater Caddy Crewvan Maxi comes exclusively with the latter option, as do the seven-seat people-mover Caddy and Caddy Life Maxis.

Volkswagen has also introduced a camper that joins the range after the success of the Caddy Beach, officially dubbed the Caddy California and powered by the TDI320 with further details to be announced shortly.

Standard equipment highlights on the commercial-grade Caddy Cargo includes a rearview camera, automatic headlights, autonomous emergency braking, cruise control, driver fatigue monitor and alert, single passenger-side sliding door, rear barn doors, an 8.25-inch colour monitor, LED cabin and cargo area lights and two USB ports. 

The Maxi versions add dual sliding side doors.

Priced from $43,990, the dual-use Crewvan TD320 comes with all of the same toys as the Cargo version as well as five seats, rear curtain airbags, two rear child anchors, lane-assist and lane-keeping system, oncoming vehicle braking when turning, electric and heated mirrors as well as a height-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Caddy Maxi TDI320 ($45,490) boasts an extra two seats and adds to the Crewvan’s features with blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, black painted exterior mirror housings, body-coloured door handles, silver sliding door rail and a tailgate with a window aperture.

The Caddy Life Maxi TDI320 ($49,990) comes with premium cloth seats, multi-colour digital cockpit, auto climate control air-conditioning and allergen filter, 17-inch alloys, black roof rails, auto headlights and wipers, park assist, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.

The Caddy California Maxi ($54,990 plus costs) raises the bar even further with heat-insulating front windows, rear privacy glass, a foldable bed, foldable table and two chairs, storage bags for the rear side windows, dimmable LED lights and two ventilation grids with integrated fly screens.

In line with all Volkswagens, the new-generation Caddy will come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, capped-price servicing every calendar year, optional three and five-year pre-paid service packs and the option to purchase under the flexible Volkswagen Choice guaranteed future value program.

2022 Volkswagen Caddy pricing*

*Excludes on-road pricing