Volkswagen Caddy review (2015-2020)

Still trying to decide which Caddy to buy? Maybe this info will help.

Best VW Caddy engine

The 102hp TDI covers all bases extremely well, returning good fuel economy and providing plenty of performance. We've still got a soft-spot for the 150hp version, but that is rather indulgent.

The 1.0-litre 102hp petrol is the top choice if you don't want diesel.

Best VW Caddy trim level

They're all good value, so this really does come down to what you need in day-to-day driving. The entry-level Startline with the addition of the Business Pack should cover everything that most people are likely to need, though.

VW Caddy individual model reviews

In addition to all the above, we also have the following individual Caddy model reviews, giving you even greater info on specific versions:

• VW Caddy Trendline 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol review - tested November 2017
• VW Caddy Black Edition 2.0-litre TDI 102 review - tested January 2017
• VW Caddy Highline 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol review - tested July 2016
• VW Caddy Trendline 1.6-litre TDI 102 DSG review - tested November 2015

VW Caddy Trendline 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol review

Tested November 2017 by CJ Hubbard

• Petrol-powered three-cylinder Caddy tested
• Can such a small engine really work in a van?
• 102hp and 175Nm versus 727kg payload rating

Petrol-powered vans are few and far between these days, but Volkswagen offers more choices than most. Here for review we have its smallest model, the standard-wheelbase VW Caddy, combined with a 102hp 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that promises over 50mpg.

That’s the middle of three Caddy petrol engine options.

Changes for the VW Caddy in the 2018 model year

This also represents our first chance to review the 2018 model year Caddy, which went on sale in July 2017.

The update didn’t bring any changes to the looks, which were already among the smartest in the small van segment, but it did make autonomous emergency braking a standard feature – as it now is across all VW’s vans.

The mid-spec Trendline trim level we’re testing here also got an upgrade to standard-fit air-conditioning. Which is nice.

What’s the VW Caddy like to drive with a 1.0-litre petrol engine?

Better than you’re probably imagining.

Even in our increasingly ‘downsized’ world, a single litre sounds a bit extreme for a van – it’s half the capacity of every diesel-engined Caddy now, after all.

But, this is a very modern turbocharged engine – and with 102hp, it outguns the older 1.2-litre TSI petrol’s 84hp at the entry-level to the Caddy range quite comfortably, while also being lighter and more fuel efficient.

Both of these factors are helped by the 1.0-litre TSI having just three cylinders instead of the more common four, which not only saves weight but reduces friction to improve efficiency. Like most triples, it sounds good, too, with a kind of thrummy hum that’s packed with character.

In other words, it sounds much more pleasant than a diesel Caddy. You do still get quite a bit of road noise inside, however – especially with the standard part-mesh bulkhead – so don’t expect it to be whisper-quiet.

You’re also restricted to a five-speed manual gearbox, which seems a bit tight (it’s the same for the diesel equivalent). Gearchanges aren't especially precise, but the 1.0-litre Caddy’s enthusiastic power delivery means you tend to row along the road in a rather sprightly fashion, helped by the light but sure-footed handling.

An official 0-62mph of 11.3 seconds reflects this enthusiasm – though combine the 727kg payload maximum with the engine’s modest 175Nm of torque, and you’re in for a slow and laboured journey if the going gets hilly.

Surely a diesel Caddy is still more efficient?

Helpfully VW also makes a 102hp Caddy diesel, so we can do a direct comparison.

On paper, the 102hp petrol claims 51.4mpg – making it the most efficient of any petrol Caddy. The 102hp diesel claims 60.1mpg in standard guise, while the efficiency-optimised BlueMotion version raises this to 64.2mpg. You don’t need to be a genius to see that’s a big percentage difference.

The diesel also produces 250Nm of torque – 75Nm more than the petrol – suggesting it should make easier work of a full load, which in turn ought to be better for real-world fuel economy.

So why buy a petrol-powered VW Caddy?

It’s cheaper, for starters – by at least £1,000 before VAT.

That’s quite a few tanks of petrol – and miles – the diesel has to make up before its better economy starts to actually reduce your running costs.

What’s more, the trip computer in the 1.0-litre TSI we were testing was indicating a 49mpg average at a gentle dual-carriageway cruise. Suggesting that petrol power can be pretty efficient after all.

Add to that the quieter engine, and the reduced levels of harmful NOx and particulate emissions you get from a petrol (at the expense of higher CO2), and you can see that this could be a good choice for low-mileage operators. Especially those who spend a lot of time driving in town.

Should I buy a VW Caddy 102hp TSI petrol?

Does the Caddy make sense with a tiny petrol engine? Largely, yes.

If you’re planning to do mega miles, a diesel will still deliver better mpg. But the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol is quieter, cleaner and characterful – and not that inefficient if you drive it sensibly.

A niche choice for now, sure. But not a bad one. And if diesel continues to be lambasted in the press, it could be a smart, potentially futureproof move as city centres start to crack down on air quality emissions.

VW Caddy Black Edition 2.0-litre TDI 102 review

Tested January 2017 by CJ Hubbard

• Special edition small van reviewed in the UK
• Big wheels, lowered suspension, lots of kit
• Limited to 500 examples, 703kg payload

Volkswagen has spent decades proving that commercial vehicles can be about style as well as practicality, and the latest in a lengthy line of models designed specifically to reinforce this idea is the Caddy Black Edition.

Introduced in November 2016, the VW Caddy Black Edition is a limited-edition range-topper that aims to give you some of the aftermarket feel of a customised van with the reassurance of Volkswagen factory-fitted parts.

With 17-inch alloy wheels and lowered sports suspension as standard – not to mention the Deep Black pearl effect paint – it should certainly stand out against ordinary examples of rivals such as the Ford Transit Connect, Citroen Berlingo and Mercedes-Benz Citan.

Powered by a big – by current small van standards – 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel engine that provides a promising blend of 102hp, 250Nm and a claimed 60.1mpg, it also includes a generous amount of fitted equipment.

Enough at least to make the £800 extra the Black Edition costs over the equivalent Caddy Highline seem like something of a bargain.

What makes a Caddy Black Edition?

The Black Edition specification includes all of the following:

• Body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors, door handles and side rubbing strips
• Black roof bars
• Front foglights with cornering function
• 17-inch Canyon alloy wheels in black and silver
• 27mm lower sports suspension
• Full carpeting for the cab
• Leather multi-function steering wheel
• Leather gearknob and gaiter
• Driver alert system
• Full-height solid bulkhead
• Blacked-out rear windows
• Rubber load floor covering

This is in addition to the Highline’s usual luxuries such as cruise control, air-conditioning, heated windscreen and touchscreen infotainment system including DAB radio and Bluetooth. Notable items you’ll still need to pay extra for include satellite-navigation.

The Black Edition add-ons would cost you around £2,000 as optional extra on the Highline, so that £800 premium really does look good value.

What’s the lowered suspension like?

The point of a van like this isn’t necessarily to carry the biggest possible amount of stuff, but to look the business for your business – a van with a distinctive appearance being a sort of calling card that may help potential customers remember you.

This is a trick that’s going down very well in the medium van sector just at the moment; it’s not unheard of in the small van sector, but less common. It's enough to make the Caddy Black Edition a distinctive choice.

Whether you’ll come to rue that choice over time may depend on your tolerance for an uncomfortable ride. Because the large wheels and the lowered suspension mean this Caddy will bounce you around on bad surfaces much more than a regular rival.

That’s the price you pay for looking good…

How's the handling?

By way of compensation for the tough ride quality, the Caddy Black Edition is pretty neat to drive.

With some clever electronics helping along under the skin – there’s an electronic differential lock (EDL) for increased traction as well as electronic stability control – you can make quite rapid progress. The Caddy feels grippy in corners and the 2.0-litre engine provides eager performance.

The only thing we really didn’t like about the driving experience was the five-speed manual gearbox, which felt strangely imprecise and occasionally didn’t engage gear correctly.

In the cab

As with most Volkswagens, the Caddy’s interior exudes resounding quality. This is a van that feels like it will stand up to a lot of abuse.

That said, the overwhelmingly dark plastics turn the cab into a black hole at night, and it would be nice to see some more covered storage – though the cubby on the dashtop is usefully deep, and the overhead bins well lipped.

Should I buy a VW Caddy Black Edition?

The Caddy Black Edition is definitely not a case of style over substance – this is a very usable small van that also happens to look smarter than your average contender. The ride is firm, but most buyers will probably feel that’s fair trade for the appearance, and the reduction in roll through corners.

At £19,370 on the road (excluding VAT; at the time of writing) it’s not even especially expensive.

And though there are more practical alternatives – small vans that will carry more payload and have larger load areas – with just 500 examples of the Black Edition available in the UK, we’re sure it won’t struggle to find fans.

VW Caddy Highline 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol review

Tested July 2016 by Liam Campbell

• Petrol engine introduced in 2016
• Quieter and quicker off the mark
• Priced at £16,790 plus VAT

The Euro 6 emissions standard and the increasing scrutiny on diesel engines prompted Volkswagen to introduce a range of petrol versions of its Caddy van in early 2016. The petrol engines complemented the already-available 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines, and we've put the mid-sized 1.4-litre petrol to the test.

Petrol engines in small vans have made a resurgence in recent years, with Ford, Vauxhall and Fiat Professional now all offering them in their small vans. They make the perfect alternative for inner-city courier work, as short start-and-stop trips can clog the DPF (diesel particulate filter) that most diesel vehicles now have.

In the cab

Despite the low seating position, the view from the driver’s seat is commanding thanks to the Caddy's low dashboard and short nose while the standard rear windows provide good visibility to the rear. There are a lot of storage spaces including a large glove compartment and overhead shelf.

We tested the high-spec Highline edition, which was packed with a wide range of equipment including climate control, cruise control, a 6.33-inch touchscreen display, hill hold assist and rear parking sensors.

On the road

The 1.4-litre petrol engine has many obvious advantages over the diesel engines. It’s surprisingly nippy, producing 125hp and reaching 62mph in just 10.3 second from standstill, although the meagre 220Nm means it isn’t quite as lively if you're carrying a full load.

While the engine itself is quiet, the cab is quite noisy at higher speeds due to the mesh bulkhead, but it is comfortable and drives and handles just like a small passenger car. The engine is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission and achieves 47.9mpg on the combined NEDC cycle.

Should I buy a 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol Caddy?

The Volkswagen Caddy is the most respected small panel van and, by introducing petrol engines, Volkswagen is opening the model up to even more potential customers. Petrol versions are quieter and quicker when unloaded which makes them ideal for inner-city work, but the diesel engines are better for carrying heavy loads and load distance work.

VW Caddy Trendline 1.6-litre TDI 102 DSG review

Tested November 2015 by Liam Campbell

• VW Caddy DSG is one of the only automatics in the small van sector
• Trendline spec adds rear parking sensors and cruise control
• Total list price of £23,722 plus VAT

One of the more unusual advantages of the Volkswagen Caddy is the availability of an automatic transmission. We put the seven-speed DSG transmission, fitted to a short wheelbase Trendline van, to the test in a mixture of urban and rural settings.

Exterior

On the outside, the Volkswagen Caddy hasn't changed much compared with the previous generation. The Trendline trim level adds body coloured bumpers, door mirrors and door handles to give a more premium appearance, although the plain steel wheels have been given a set of rather cheap-looking wheel trims.

In the cab

One of the biggest improvements made to the new Caddy is the cabin environment. The dashboard is smart and a lot less cluttered than other models, and there are up to 17 conveniently located storage compartments.

Due to the short nose and low windows, visibility is very good. Both the seat and steering wheel are reach and rake adjustable to accommodate drivers of most shapes and sizes.

A 5.0-inch touchscreen Composition Colour radio system with DAB radio and Bluetooth capability is standard, even for the entry-level Startline, while the Trendline specification adds rear parking sensors, cruise control and a multi-function display in the instrument panel. Sadly, steering mounted controls aren’t a standard feature on any model.

On the road

We’ve tested Volkswagen’s DSG transmission on a number of occasions, but we’re always surprised at just how smooth and refined it is. The seven gears add flexibility and ensures that this automatic can quickly adapt to different driving manoeuvres, with little effort or hesitation.

Under the bonnet is the smaller of the Caddy’s engines, the 1.6-litre TDI unit, which has been tuned to 102hp and 250Nm. In the cities, this versatile engine is complemented by the tight turning circle, both of which can be exploited thanks to the great visibility from the driver's seat.

On the open road, road noise does become more noticeable due to the open bulkhead design, but engine noise remains low thanks to the seven-speed transmission. The steering is precise and provides adequate feedback, while there is little body roll.

Should I buy a Caddy Trendline 1.6-litre TDI with DSG?

The seven-speed DSG is one of the only true automatic transmissions in the small van sector, and the fact that it’s incredibly smooth and efficient makes it ideal for the stop and start of inner city driving, which makes it more ideal for courier work.

With the additional Acapulco Blue metallic paint, Visibility Pack (auto-dimming rear view mirror, automatic headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers), climatic air conditioning and composition media radio, our test version had a list price of £23,722.

There’s £2,000 difference between the Startline and the Trendline, but just £1,000 between the Trendline and Highline. Considering that the Highline spec adds climatic air conditioning (in addition to alloy wheels, fog lights, rain sensing windscreen, etc), which is a £1,080 option on its own, we’d recommended ditching the extra kit of this model and opting for the Highline.