Volkswagen Caddy Cargo Van Review

The Caddy Cargo at a glance

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is one of the most ‘car-like’ vans on the market today. It’s easy to drive, easy to park, and best of all, easy to maintain. If you’re a tradesman who doesn’t quite need the room found in a Transit or Vivaro the Caddy Cargo is a brilliant option.

Its price reflects that of many of its competitors with the base model coming in at just over £24,000 and the top-of-the-range van sitting at £29,601. You might grimace at first when you read those prices but by taking a step back you’ll realise they’re actually very competitive. The Ford Transit Connect for example, (one of the Caddy’s biggest rivals) retails at just over £26,000 at its highest price.

The steering and drivability are considered by many as second to none. So, the reality is, if you spend most of the day nipping between jobs the Caddy Cargo is one of your best bets. All of this convenience means you might just be able to look past the Caddy’s biggest weakness. Its payload.

Engines and Spec

One of Volkswagen’s real strengths is their engines. Not even their biggest rivals would deny that and the new Caddy Cargo picks up right where the old model left off. The van’s 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines come with either 75hp, 102hp or 122hp. Despite the 122hp model having that sporty edge the less powerful model can certainly hold its own, making it a great run-around option.

For those of you wanting a bit more life and an engine that’ll wake you up on those morning commutes, you might look towards the petrol model. Volkswagen offers a 1.5-litre 102hp turbo petrol engine that will only add to the already sporty feel of the van.

When it comes to mileage the diesel options will be your best friend with the 2.0-litre TDIs reaching 57.6 mph. Unfortunately, If you do go for that sporty edge you’ll still pay the usual economic price. The faster petrol engine is claimed to produce 44.1 mpg, a far cry less than its diesel counterpart.

Interior

After you’ve listed the more obvious benefits that come with basing a van off a reliable car’s chassis the next best thing is the interior. The Caddy Cargo is no different here as the interior shines head and shoulders above some of its rivals. After all, It’s no secret that vans can be uncomfortable. In the Caddy though, you’ll feel like you’re sat in a car. Its comfy bucket-style seats and ergonomically placed gear leaver all contribute to a cabin that screams comfort.

The interior also comes with a brand new touchscreen centre console which handles everything from your music and radio to activating the lane-keeping assist. This convenient and intelligent system removes much of the hassle that comes with the more analogue systems found in most vans.

Despite the Caddy’s exceptional cab, the interior does highlight the van’s biggest weakness. The payload is considerably less than some of its rivals. Take the Transit Connect for example. Its payload capacity sits at between 680 and 782 kg (depending on the model) whereas the Caddy can only manage a maximum of 700 kg and that’s the Maxi long-wheelbase option. Deposit these fairly low numbers the Caddy’s payload likely isn’t a game-changer. Put it this way, if you’re considering a small van you probably don’t need the huge payload numbers that come with the larger Transits or Vivaros of the world.

If you can get over the disappointing payload, the Caddy Cargo certainly has the ability to really impress. But what are the key pros and cons?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comfortable and capable interior
• Drives like a car
• High tech specifications

Cons

• Low payload
• No eclectic option
• Fairly loud inside the cab

The Verdict

The Caddy Cargo starts at £24,183 for its baseline model. For the Cargo Commerce Plus (the next step up on spec) you’ll be paying £26,055 and the Cargo Commerce Pro (the vans top of the range model) will cost you £29,601. Of course, these prices are somewhat higher than many of the Caddy’s competitors but the truth is you’re paying for reliability. Because, let’s be honest, spending the money outright on a well-designed and proven Volkswagen engine sets you in good stead if you want to avoid any nasty maintenance costs.

The bottom line with the Caddy is it all comes down to drivability. After all, if you strip the van down you’re left with the same DNA as Audi TT. For this reason, it rises far above many of its competitors.

Little would argue that the Caddy’s payload is its weakest link. However, the once critical stat is increasingly becoming less and less necessary as even the vans on the smaller scale can handle more than enough weight for most tasks. The Caddy is a reliable, fast, and capable option if you’re considering a new van and you’d be no fool for thinking the Volkswagen Caddy is a great fit for you. If you want to talk with some experts about the next steps, contact us today!