New Volkswagen Caddy now on sale
Fifth-generation small German van and people-mover brings fresh design, more equipment, added safety and higher pricesVolkswagen Australia has released full pricing and local specification details for the fifth-generation Volkswagen Caddy range, which reaches showrooms in July.
Priced from $34,990 plus on-road costs, the new five-variant VW Caddy line-up is now about $9000 pricier than the model it replaces at the entry level.
However, Volkswagen says the hefty price increase is justified by a raft of enhanced equipment, technology, safety and design.
The visual changes are heralded by a “dynamically designed” front-end, clearer and more defined body lines and new metallic paint finishes.
The German car-maker’s smallest van is built on Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform, and available in two wheelbases – the short ‘SWB’ and long ‘Maxi’.
SWB variants have an overall vehicle length that measures 4500mm – an increase of 92mm over the previous model. In addition, the wheelbase has grown to 2755mm and the cargo space length to 1797mm.
Caddy Maxi variants ride on a 2970mm wheelbase, measure 4853mm long and also come with an additional sliding door.
Anchoring the commercial van line-up are the Caddy Cargo 280TDI ($34,990) and Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI280 ($36,990).
Both are fitted as standard with a 75kW/280Nm turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.
Alternatively, buyers can opt for an uprated 90kW/320Nm turbo-diesel – known as the TDI320 – mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic for an additional $3000.
Volkswagen says entry variants are fitted as standard with an electric parking brake, automatic headlights, air-conditioning, reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, cruise control, central locking, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, LED lights in the cabin and cargo areas, two USB ports and 12-volt outlets front and rear.
Entry vehicles employ an 8.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the instrument cluster includes analogue gauges separated by a multi-function display.
On the safety front, Volkswagen says there are 17 driver-assistance systems available in total, and all variants come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Moving up to the people-mover range, the seven-seat Caddy Maxi TDI320 utilises the same 90kW/320Nm engine and seven-speed DSG combination, but adds rear seating spaced across a 2-3-2 layout.
The Maxi also boasts child seat anchors (i-Size) and top-tether points for all but the centre second-row pew.
Over and above the commercial Cargo range, the Maxi adds fabric door trim panels, a luggage compartment cover, black painted exterior mirrors, body-coloured door-handles and a tailgate with window aperture.
The Maxi also benefits from added safety equipment including lane change system, side assist with blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring.
Sticking with the seven-seat range, next in line is the Caddy Life Maxi TDI 320, priced at $49,990. It adds Trialog seat trim, digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control with allergen filter, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 17-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, daytime running lights and two additional USB ports. On the safety front the Life also scores adaptive cruise control.
Sitting atop the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy range is the flagship Caddy California Maxi, a five-seat lifestyle-oriented offering priced at $54,990 plus ORCs.
The extra freight over the Life Maxi brings different 17-inch alloys, keyless start, heat-insulating front sight windows and tinted windows, a foldable bed, storage bags for the rear side windows, dimmable LED lights, two ventilation grids with integrated fly screens, a foldable table and two chairs.
All Caddy variants are backed by Volkswagen five-year/unlimited-km warranty and capped price service plan, with the option of pay-up-front three-year or five-year servicing packs.
Stay tuned for our first drive of the updated Volkswagen Caddy range closer to its July touchdown in showrooms.
How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy cost?
Caddy Cargo TDI 280 – $34,990
Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI 280 – $36,990
Caddy Cargo TDI 320 – $32,990
Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI 320 – $39,990
Caddy Maxi TDI 320 – $45,490
Caddy Life Maxi TDI 320 – $49,990
Caddy California Maxi TDI 320 – $54,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs
* Overseas models pictured
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