• The Caddy is very van-like inside
• But that means lots of space
• And that space is adaptable and versatile

How much space is there?

As you’d expect of something so squarely proportioned, the VW Caddy specialises in space. Up front, even the six-footers on our testing team had plenty of space not only around them but above them. VW takes advantage of this space by adding a storage area over the windscreen.

The rear passenger area is accessed via sliding doors (with optional power latching, worth having as it saves you from having to slam them too hard), and reveals a bench seat with plenty of room for our six-foot occupants – although fitting three adults across will be a bit of a squeeze on the shoulders, there’s no shortage of head or knee room.

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The long-wheelbase (LWB) model, called the Caddy Maxi, has two extra seats in a third row as standard. These are available as an optional on the short-wheelbase (SWB) Caddy but you’ll lose a lot of boot space if you go for them in this model. Conversely, they can be deleted (with a cost saving) from the Maxi if you’ve got a lot of gear to fit inside and only need to carry five people.

All of the rear seats can be completely removed if you need to use the Caddy as a van.

Boot space and storage

The Caddy’s boot space is both large and practically shaped, making it easy to pack and certainly commodious enough for a week’s worth of luggage for five people.

Starting with the SWB model, the standard five-seater configuration has 1,213 litres of boot space – vastly more than any family SUV, and almost as much as the 1,237 litres you can cram into a VW Golf with the rear seats folded. Need to get more into the Caddy? With the second-row seats removed there’s a huge 2,556 litres of room. On the other hand, if you go for the seven-seater package you’ll be left with just 191 litres when there are bums in every available position.

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The seven-seater Caddy Maxi still offers 446 litres of luggage room with every one of its seats occupied (for context, the five-seater VW Golf has 381 litres when also full of people), rising to 1,720 litres as a five-seater and 3,105 litres with all the rear seats taken out. The Caddy’s second and third row seats do fold (60:40 split in the middle, individually at the back) if you don’t want to eject them entirely.

While impressive versus traditional cars and SUVs, you’ll get much the same amount of capaciousness from any of the Volkswagen’s van-based opposition. Space is, after all, the major reason for opting for one of these. Do note that the boot lid – a giant top-hinged tailgate – needs plenty of room to open and has strong support struts, so we found closing it requires more than the usual effort.

Boot aside you’ll also find generous door bins, a glovebox and several other useful storage areas inside. Don’t put anything too heavy in the overhead shelf – we’ve found it not impossible to shake items lose during hard acceleration or enthusiastic cornering.

Is it easy to park?

Short-wheelbase Caddys are 4,500mm long – about the same as a Nissan Qashqai, and with such squared-off edges we found it’s not difficult to judge parking distances at all. The long-wheelbase Maxi extends to 4,853mm, which isn’t quite as big as a BMW X5. A little more awkward, but okay in most car parks. Maximum height is comfortably under 1,900mm, so there shouldn’t be many issues with height restrictors.

Entry-level versions do without parking sensors, but these – and a reversing camera – are fitted as standard on the Caddy Life specification. Automatic Park Assist is available as part of an option package.

Safety

• Five-star Euro NCAP rating
• Scores high for adult occupant
• Very similar to VW Golf

The Caddy received a five out of five from European crash regulators Euro NCAP. It borrows most of its safety equipment from the VW Golf, which also scored highly. This means there’s autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane assist and a driver alert system as standard.

Plus you can option adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. During our testing of this it performed perfectly fine, not getting caught out by changing lighting conditions, nor cars switching lanes suddenly.

There are two Isofix child-seat mounting points on the middle rear bench seat.