New Volkswagen Caddy California Maxi coming

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it will offer the latest generation Caddy California camper locally.

The fifth-generation Volkswagen Caddy arrived in Aussie showrooms last month and the compact German van and people-mover will soon touch down in camper van guise.

Available to order now via Volkswagen’s public website ahead of first deliveries early next year, the 2022 Volkswagen Caddy California Maxi is priced at $54,990 (plus on-road costs).

The price marks a $9000 premium on the previous-generation Caddy Beach Maxi that launched locally in 2019, but costs nearly $30,000 less than the larger Multivan California that launched in limited numbers last year.

Apart from being all-new, the Caddy California is more expensive than the previous Caddy Beach because it switches from petrol to diesel power.

The newcomer is fitted with a 90kW/320Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel (dubbed TDI320 in VW-speak) matched as standard to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There’s also fresh technology and more equipment – mirroring the rest of the new Caddy range.

“Built off the Caddy Maxi people-mover variant, the Caddy California makes use of an extended LWB platform, while still maintaining the inherent benefits of a small van,” Volkswagen says.

Like the trade-oriented Caddy Maxi, the California gets standard features including a redesigned dash and instrument cluster featuring a multi-colour digital cockpit, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, two-zone climate control, plus an 8.25-inch colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and DAB+ digital radio.

Styling parallels the rest of the Caddy range from the outside, with the exception of requisite California badging, but VW says the inside is a different story.

“Upon arriving at the camp site, the everyday Caddy Maxi workhorse transforms into a stylish and practical weekend warrior, with folding seats that transform into a double bed, darkening curtains for the windscreen, doors, tailgate and optional panoramic sunroof; two ventilation grids with integrated flyscreen for driver and front passenger windows, two storage bags for the rear windows and drawers under the front seats. A fold-out table and two chairs ensures the campsite is all set for a leisurely stay,” the car-maker says. 

The Caddy California is backed by Volkswagen Australia’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and is available with optional three-year or five-year servicing packs.