Volkswagen Caddy Cargo Q&A with FIAT Professional’s

Caddy Cargo is a car-like treat for the delivery team

Andrew Walker is smitten by the small Volkswagen load-lugger’s driver appeal

The Caddy Cargo is the first Volkswagen van to be based on the MQB platform that underpins most of the company’s cars. This makes it much more fun to drive than previous Caddys and it now features the same interior as the VW car range, too.

Improvements don’t stop there either. The new model also features new engines, new trim, improved suspension and improved tech and safety. There’s also much improved cabin quality and a more modern exterior.

Engines

Despite the clamour for electric vans, VW won’t be electrifying the Caddy and instead we will have to wait for an electric ID Buzz Cargo, which will be built on an all-electric platform. So you have a choice of three 2.0 TDI turbo diesels, offering 75hp, 102 hp or 122hp plus a 1.5 TSI turbo petrol producing 114hp. All versions use AdBlue, with the Caddy’s system also featuring something called ‘twin dosing’ to reduce emissions even further.

Sizes and payload

The Caddy Cargo comes in two sizes: standard short-wheelbase (SWB) and Maxi long-wheelbase (LWB). Both feature lower loading floors and wider real wheel arches than were offered on the previous model. It means that Euro pallets can now be loaded into the cargo area sideways, with two Euro pallets fitting side by side.

Most models have a 1,500 kg braked towing capacity, with the 75hp diesel and 114hp petrol version limited to 1,400kg. The un-braked towing limit is 750kg.

Caddy Cargo is 93mm longer then the previous version, at 4,500mm long. The wheelbase is also up by 73mm to 2,755mm. The van is 62mm wider than before at 1,855mm, excluding the door mirrors, and is 5mm lower at 1,818mm than the previous models height. Outside dimensions on the new Caddy Maxi has reduced compared to the previous model, so maximum loading length has fallen from 2,249mm to 2,150mm.

All Caddy Cargos come with a fixed bulkhead and six load-lashing points. SWB models come with a single sliding side door on the passenger side while Maxi models come with two on either side of the van. Twin opening rear doors are a given and the Caddy’s doors open extra wide, too. In a change from the previous model, the Caddy 5 comes with rear doors that don’t have windows. You can still get glazed doors or a tailgate if you want these, however.

There are three trim levels: Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro. Entry

level Commerce costs from £22,458 and features black bumpers, door mirrors and door handles, Composition Audio infotainment with 6.5 touchscreen, DAB+ radio, Bluetooth, SD card slot, twin USB-C ports and two speakers, cruise control with speed limiter, electronic parking brake, electric door mirrors and windows, LED interior lighting, height adjustable front seats, a multi function steering wheel with reach and rake, a solid bulkhead and six load lashing rings. Business Pack for the entry-level Caddy Commerce adds air-con, parking sensors and an alarm.

Costing from £24,228, Commerce Plus adds body-coloured bumpers, rear parking sensors, air-con, a driver’s armrest, electrically adjusted lumbar support for the driver and load compartment lighting; while the range-topping Cargo Commerce Pro increases the goodies to front and rear parking sensors, silver sliding door rail, a heated windscreen, LED rear lights, alloy wheels and the Discover Pro Media navigation system with 10 touchscreen. The cost is £27,588.

Interior

It’s inside where things have noticeably changed, with the addition of new technology and a premium feel. Taking its cue from the Golf 8 and ID.3, Volkswagen has cleaned up the dashboard, so there’s very few physical buttons, with almost everything controlled by a central infotainment touchscreen display and a digital dial cluster. The Active Info display sits in front of the driver and allows access to the van’s functions, again very car-like. The Discover Media nav system adds an excellent 10” colour touchscreen and four speakers. Connectivity includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via twin ‘c’ USB connectors, but only on higher spec versions.

Much has been talked about the new controls and the infotainment within the van, but I found it relatively straightforward to use, despite the daunting lack of switches. Perhaps my time spent in other VW models helped. To be fair to VW, there are some buttons. On the right of the steering wheel you’ll find the lights and in the centre dash, located between two air-vents, are short-cut buttons for ASSIST, CLIMA and MENU. This allows you to select CLIMA and access the climate control functions on the touchscreen, which are easily adjusted. Furthermore, there are slim temperature controls neatly located under the touchscreen, so you can bypass the screen altogether; a sensible inclusion.

The floor features a rubber covering and there’s a driver’s armrest on Commerce Plus, with Commerce Pro adding a passenger armrest as well. The glove box is a decent size, as are the door pockets, and there’s a large bin behind the instrument cluster, an overhead shelf and useful space in the centre console. As with the Transporter 6.1, the Caddy 5 has adopted the USB C socket type, which may require you to purchase an adaptor or two.

Service and warranty

Perhaps the most important offering for SME van customers is the back-up VW offers. Caddy Cargo gets the standard Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles warranty, which covers it for three years / 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner. On the fixed schedule the Caddy Cargo needs an oil service at 9,300 miles or 12 months (whichever is sooner) and an oil service plus a inspection every 18,600 miles or 24 months (whichever is sooner). On the variable service scheme, the same 18,600-mile / 24-month interval for the oil and inspection service remains, but a regular oil service sits between 9,300 18,600 miles.

Driving

The mid-range Commerce Plus SWB looked pretty sharp when it arrived in its Starlight Blue Metallic paint, a £612 extra. The cabin layout is the same as you’ll find in the latest VW car range, so no complaints there. Build quality is top-notch and the floor and seat coverings look built to last.

Powered by the 2.0 litre 122hp diesel engine, our teat van literally flew around and it’s really good fun to drive. Top speed is 115mph and maximum power offers you 320Nm’s of torque.

The engine comes with lowish CO2 emissions, of 127g/km and claimed combined fuel economy is 57.6 mpg. Over our usual stomping ground – M56, M53, M6, A556, A56 and Cheshire back lanes – we travelled over 250 miles and averaged 47.8 mpg, so a fair way down on the claimed figure, but to my mind, a typical return for a diesel van. The 50 litre full tank means you can travel for 500 miles between fill-ups.

The smallish stature of the SWB version means excellent road holding, although the suspension is a little hard. The new electricallyassisted power steering is light and precise and the six-speed gearbox features a short, smooth shift. Changes to the front suspension have improved the steering response and the Caddy is easier to manoeuvre than of old.

Pros and cons

In the pros camp, brilliant build quality, on-trend safety and tech and a car-like driving experience; the Caddy Cargo really is the best small van for creature comforts and drivability. It truly handles like a small family hatchback and is worlds away from vans of even three years ago.

On the down side, the sub 1,000kg payload will put some off. Standard equipment is good and way better then the Caddy 4, but rivals Stellantis offers more for less, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on entry level models. On wet roads, noise entering the cabin is more noticeable than I would have expected. It’s also not the cheapest option.

CC&V VERDICT

I loved driving the Caddy 5 and it’s comfortably the best small van I’ve ever driven. The cabin is a lovely place to be. Most of what you want comes in the entry level spec, but we would suggest you go for mid-range Commerce Plus which offers more goodies. We would also select the lower powered 102hp diesel version, which offers better fuel economy. If you can handle the 780kg payload and want to drive a van that leaves you feeling like you’ve been driving a car, then the Caddy 5 is your man.

CC&V RATING:

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