Volkswagen Caddy 2021 Review

Tradie van, people-mover or camper – the fifth-generation 2021 Volkswagen Caddy has hit Australia and, as ever, it’s no one-trick pony.

Moving to Volkswagen’s passenger-oriented MQB architecture, the latest Volkswagen Caddy ushers in new safety and technology, while also upholding decent payload credentials and real-world efficiencies.

The Caddy continues to be offered in short-wheelbase (SWB) or larger Maxi forms, across two-seat, five-seat, seven-seat and camper configurations.

Here, we’re testing the Caddy Maxi in seven-seat people-mover form.

As we reported back in April, the new 2021 Volkswagen Caddy line-up is about $9000 pricier than the model it replaces at the entry level, at $34,990 plus on-road costs.

But from January, there are more increases coming.

Available for now in diesel form only, the Volkswagen Caddy range will expand to 16 derivatives early next year with the introduction of TSI220 petrol-powered models across the range.

At the same time, diesel model pricing will also increase by between $2000 and $2700 from January 1.

As such, the range will continue to open at $34,990 plus ORCs for the short-wheelbase Caddy Cargo van (with petrol power), $36,990 for the long-wheelbase Cargo Maxi, $43,990 for the five-seat Crewvan, $46,140 for the Caddy people-mover and $55,690 for the Caddy California camper.

On the Caddy people-mover front, that $46,140 starting price for the TSI220 petrol compares with the Kia Carnival (from $46,880) and Hyundai Staria (from $48,500). The diesel-powered TDI320 will start at $48,140 plus ORCs, while a higher-spec Life variant will be available on both petrol and diesel models for an extra $4500 over their respective entry models.

As it stands today, the Caddy TDI320 seven-seat family wagon starts at $45,490 plus ORCs – the model on test here – and $49,990 for the Life version.

Standard equipment across the range includes an electric parking brake, automatic halogen headlights, air-conditioning, reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, cruise control, central locking, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, LED lights in the cabin and cargo areas, two USB ports and 12-volt outlets front and rear.

The entry model employs an 8.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the instrument cluster includes analogue gauges separated by a multifunction display.

The flagship Life variant adds adaptive cruise control, 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.

The Caddy is claimed to introduce 17 new safety technologies for 2022. But, as ever, the devil is in the detail.

All variants are equipped standard with full airbag coverage and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, driver fatigue detection, rear cross traffic alert, side assist with blind spot monitor, and a lane keeping system with counter steering assistance.

However, adaptive cruise control, ‘comfort drive travel assist’ (lane keep assist) with emergency assist, tyre pressure monitoring and park assist with park distance control front and rear are part of a $5000 optional package.

The Caddy is backed by Volkswagen’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and one-year roadside assist.

An up-front Volkswagen Care Plan servicing package is also available at a cost of $1300 for five years/75,000km, based on 12-month/15,000km intervals.

The 2021 Volkswagen Caddy makes a significant move to VW’s ubiquitous MQB platform, which underpins popular passenger models including the Golf.

The changes enable new technologies and updated powertrains, while also introducing some dimensional changes.

As such, SWB Cargo 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.

The Caddy rides on a MacPherson strut front axle and a longitudinally guided rigid rear axle with Panhard rod.

The diesel-powered Caddy TDI320 driven here employs a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 90kW and 320Nm outputs. Drive is shuffled to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The diesel offers a claimed fuel consumption rating of 4.9L/100km and is fit with an AdBlue system that is designed to reduce emissions.

Disc brakes are fitted to all four wheels that measure 16 inches.

The Caddy offers a payload of between 683kg and 718kg depending on the variant, while towing capacity is listed at 1500kg braked across the range.

For all the marketing rhetoric, there is an impressive level of packaging in the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy seven-seat people-mover.

The trade-based family wagon offers a surprising degree of space and versatility, thanks to dual sliding doors, removable seats, a low boot loading height and decent proportions.

The driver’s seat is low-slung and there is decent vision to both the front and the rear. And the trade origins mean there is excellent day-to-day storage, including the overhead console, open cubbies ahead of the driver, deep door pockets and middle console hidey holes.

There’s plenty to like about VW’s latest MIB infotainment system, too. Debuting in the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf earlier this year, the system is easy to navigate and seamless on the road – despite the obvious absence of hardwired switchgear.

Additionally, you can shortcut access to different menus to save time wading through the 8.25-inch touch-screen.

Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also strong and straight-forward, facilitated by either of the two front USB-C ports.

Access to the second row is a cinch, thanks to wide openings afforded by dual sliding doors. Space back there is also roomy enough for child seats or adults on moderate journeys, with a flat floor, second-row air vents and dual USB-C ports to match.

The 60/40 split function of the second row is still oriented to left-hand drive markets, with the smaller (and therefore easier to manoeuvre) portion located on the right side of the cabin.

An open glasshouse floods the cabin with natural lighting and the outlook is completely unaffected by the usual raked window lines familiar with SUVs.

At the same time, the Caddy has some key design drawbacks. There is no window adjustment whatsoever for the second row, and all contact points are covered in hard-wearing plastic.

Access into the third row is relatively straight-forward thanks to seats that fold, tumble or can be removed altogether.

Space in the bleachers is best suited to shorter journeys, with no separate air vents, minimal seat support and what feels like acres of hard plastic surrounds.

That said, the Caddy wins back key points by offering ISOFIX attachment points on second-row outboard seats and both third-row seats, as well as top tether attachment points across both rows.

There’s 446 litres of boot space with the third row in place, which is big enough for a couple of full-size suitcases.

Additionally, you can completely remove the third row or even parts of the second row if you wish, underlining the Caddy’s inherent flexibility.

You need to cast aside any preconceptions around the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy on the road – that’s because it doesn’t feel like a traditional seven-seater.

Nippy and accessible dynamics are just a couple of hallmarks of the Caddy people-mover, which is easy to navigate through car parks, feels user-friendly and more akin to a small car with the tuning of its controls.

Light low-speed steering teams with excellent outward vision to imbue the Caddy with excellent around-town amenity.

Aside from some low-speed hesitation, the diesel engine happily plays along too, finding peak torque from 1750rpm and offering a broad spread of ratios as you build speed.

Overtaking or climbing to highway speeds is also well facilitated by the oiler. We can’t speak for how it would perform with seven on board and a boot full of luggage, but with four up it doesn’t want for additional power or torque.

Fuel efficiency is another strength: we averaged 5.9L/100km in combined conditions, marginally above the claim.

Elsewhere, the Caddy people-mover feels competent during changes of direction, and does its best to shake off larger hits in the road.

Ultimately, the MacPherson strut front and the rigid rear axle combination is prone to bumps thudding and crashing their way into the cabin, which is also subject to plenty of road and wind noise.

The problem is exacerbated by rugged country roads, where the cabin environment lacks the sleek refinement of other seven-seaters including the brilliant Kia Carnival.

For all of its versatility, the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy seven-seater isn’t quite as polished as standalone family hauler rivals including the Kia Carnival.

However, excellent packaging, a competitive entry price and decent technology and safety mean the Caddy people-mover continues to offer families a competent alternative.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Caddy TDI320 people-mover cost?
Price: $45,490 plus on-road costs ($48,140 plus ORCs from January 1, 2022)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 90kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 129g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested