Volkswagen Caddy Cargo Van Review

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo Van 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 for you.

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.

Here at Van Sales UK, we love the performance of the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, so have put together this review on the best features and performance of the van, as well as exploring which trades would most benefit from its use.

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.

While it may have a compact design, this van is capable of transporting up to 700 kg with ease, including up to 100 kg on the roof – a perfect choice for builders, plumbers and couriers. The payload is considerably less than some of its rivals, but 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 limited payload, the Caddy Cargo certainly has the ability to really impress. But what are the key pros and cons?

Pros & Cons

While this is the ideal van for many tradespeople, it does have certain limitations:

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 prices of Volkswagen Caddy Cargo are somewhat higher than many of its 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 and makes the perfect van for plumbers, builders and couriers.

If you’re interested in the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, contact Van Sales UK today. All of our vans are available to purchase, lease or finance and we even offer part exchange. Alongside free fast delivery and free breakdown cover, we’re the best option to shop for a new vehicle. If you’d like to find out more about the Iveco Daily Tipper, call today on 0117 205 1597.