VOLKSWAGEN’S BEST-SELLING commercial vehicle is the versatile Caddy. Now it’s back in showrooms in its fifth generation.
While not an immediately obvious choice for the over-50s, its wide range of applications makes it worth considering if it meets your needs, or if you’re looking for a people mover or camper.
Expected in July and priced from $34,990 (plus on road costs), the new generation Caddy 5 range brings a raft of new features, design, safety and technology to the light commercial vehicle segment.
Ranging from commercial vans to people movers, the Caddy 5 sets the benchmark in efficiency and sustainability with an all-new Euro-6 diesel engine.
Built on the modular MQB platform, the Caddy 5 debuts a refreshed appearance with body features that include a dynamically designed front panel, clear, defined lines and new metallic paint finishes.
With 17 driver-assistance systems available in total, including four new to the segment, the new generation of Caddy introduces an array of safety technologies to the light-commercial segment.
With five variants initially offered across the range, the new Caddy is available in two wheelbases: “SWB” and “Maxi”. SWB variants have an overall vehicle exterior length that measures 4500mm, an increase of 92mm over the previous model. In addition, the wheelbase has grown to 2,755mm and the cargo space length to 1,797. Caddy Maxi variants measure a 2970mm wheelbase and 4,853mm exterior length.
The Caddy 5 range begins with the commercial-use Caddy Cargo and Caddy Cargo Maxi, which will be available with either 75kW/280Nm diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission or 90kW/320Nm diesel engine with 7-speed DSG.
Shifting to the people-mover range, the Caddy and Caddy Life will be available with a 90kW/320Nm diesel engine with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
Following the success of the Caddy Beach, the Caddy California camper will join the Caddy 5 range in Australia, powered by a 90kW/320Nm diesel engine with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
Like all Volkswagens, the fifth generation Caddy will come with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, capped-priced 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.
Caddy 5 Range and Pricing (plus on road costs)
| Caddy Cargo TDI280 | 6 Speed MAN | $34,990 |
| Caddy Cargo TDI320 | 7 Speed DSG | $37,990 |
| Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI280 | 6 Speed MAN | $36,990 |
| Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI320 | 7 Speed DSG | $39,990 |
Standard Features
- Dual-clutch transmission DSG selector lever with shift-by-wire technology
- Rear view camera system, with park distance control in rear
- H7 headlamps with headlight range control, automatic control and DRL’s
- Rear combination lamps
- Autonomous emergency braking front assist
- Cruise control system incl. speed limiter
- Electric parking brake with auto hold function
- Driver alert system
- Single passenger side cargo cabin sliding door (SWB), Dual sliding doors standard on Maxi
- Rear wing doors with window apertures asymmetric split
- Central locking system allowing separate cabin and cargo locking
- 8.25-inch “Composition” radio with colour touch screen and app connect
- Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel
- LED interior lights in cabin and rear cab
- 12v sockets in driver and rear cabin
- Multi-function display Plus
- 2x USB C ports
| Caddy Maxi TDI320 MPV | 7 Speed DSG | $45,490 |
Standard Features
- 7 Seats, 3 in second row and 2 in the rear, all easily removable for added flexibility
- Child seat anchors (i-Size) (except centre seat in 2nd row)
- Lane change system side assist incl. blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert
- Lane keeping system with lane assist
- Autonomous emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
- 8.25-inch “Composition” radio with colour touch screen and app connect
- LED reading light in passenger compartment and LED tailgate surround lighting
- Luggage compartment cover, folding and removable
- Door trim panel in plastic with armrest in fabric
- Black painted exterior mirror housings, body-coloured door handles and silver sliding door rail
- Tailgate with window aperture
| Caddy Life Maxi TDI320 MPV | 7 Speed DSG | $49,990 |
Standard Features
- “Trialog” seat trim
- Multi-color digital cockpit
- Air care climatronic with 2-zone automatic climate control with allergen filter
- Central locking system with keyless start
- Auto dimming breakaway interior rearview mirror
- Windshield wiper intermittent control with light and rain sensor
- 2x 12-V outlets, one in the load compartment and one in the dashboard
- Tailgate with window aperture and with power latching
- 17-inch Barahona alloys, brilliant silver
- Black roof rails
- Automatic headlight control with separate daytime running light and entry and exit lighting
- Comfort drive travel Assist, lane keeping system lane assist and emergency assist
- Park assist and park distance control in front and rear
- Adaptive cruise control (with follow to stop for dual-clutch transmission DSG) incl. speed limiter
| Caddy California Maxi | 7 Speed DSG | $54,990 |
Standard Features
- 17 inch “Colombo” alloys , glossy black
- Air care climatronic with 2-zone automatic climate control with allergen filter
- Multi-color digital cockpit
- Central locking system with keyless start
- Heat-insulating front side windows, 74 percent light-absorbing glass in rear side windows and rear window
- Comfort drive travel assist, lane keeping system, lane assist and emergency assist
- Park assist and park distance control in front and rear
- Adaptive cruise control (with follow to stop for dual-clutch transmission DSG) incl. speed limiter
- Foldable bed
- Storage bags for the rear side windows
- Darkening covers (even for panorama glass roof if option selected)
- Dimmable LED lights
- LED lights in tailgate
- 2 ventilation grids with integrated fly screens
- Foldable Table and 2 chairs
Once we have tested and assessed the new Volkswagen Caddy, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.