2022 Volkswagen Caddy Review

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is more practical than ever before, while its tech-packed and Golf-like cabin is better than anything offered by rival models. The Caddy's biggest let-down is its poor payload, but that won't be a huge consideration for every buyer."

Now in its fifth iteration, this is the first time the Caddy Cargo has been called the Caddy Cargo. Previously it was known simply as the Volkswagen Caddy, while the people-carrier model was badged the Caddy Life. Now the Caddy Life is just the Caddy, while the Caddy van is now the Caddy Cargo. Confused? Wait until we tell you what the Caddy Cargo has in common with the Audi TT. That's the MQB platform – the oily bits that the Caddy Cargo is based on, which also underpin a whole range of Volkswagen Group cars from the Volkswagen Golf to the Skoda Karoq. The logic behind this move is that it makes the Caddy Cargo more car-like than ever before, a desirable feature in a small van that's set to compete with the likes of the Ford Transit Connect, Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo Cargo. The best compliment we can pay the Volkswagen Caddy is that its cabin feels just like a Volkswagen Golf's. You get a stylish dashboard and comfortable seats with enough support for those who spend all day in their van. There are three key trim levels: Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro. The standard Commerce is a bit basic, but the Commerce Plus will tick all the boxes for the majority of buyers. The Commerce Pro, meanwhile, offers a bit more luxury – but don't expect it to be cheap. You can easily splash more than £30,000 on one of these. If you're getting the impression that the Caddy's been watered down, you'd be wrong. You get a bigger load bay than in the old model, capable of swallowing Euro pallets whole. And, like before, you can buy the Caddy Cargo in two sizes – the standard length, and the longer Caddy Cargo Maxi. The majority of Caddy Cargo buyers are likely to go for the 2.0-litre diesel engine which is available with three different power outputs: 75PS, 102PS and 122PS. We've driven the latter, with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox and it's got plenty of grunt for shifting whatever it is you need to, errr, shift. You might be better saving money by opting for the mid-range 102PS version, although this is only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox – a shame as the DSG transmission really takes the strain out of day-to-day driving. There's also a 1.5-litre petrol engine available, intended to appeal to those drivers who spend most of their time in city centres or don't cover many miles each year. Unfortunately, there isn't an electric or hybrid model. There is, however, a 4Motion four-wheel-drive version – ideal for drivers who need to traipse across muddy fields or can't afford to be stuck in bad weather. In terms of being car-like to drive, the Caddy Cargo ticks that box more so than any of its competitors. The electric power steering means it's a doddle to drive around town while driver assistance technology poached from the latest Golf is on hand to keep you safe. We don't think you'll find a more car-like van on the market. And that pretty much sums up the Caddy Cargo. It's more practical than before and more car-like than any of its competitors. Sure, it's not as versatile as the bigger Volkswagen Transporter but for a van of this size it's impressively practical. It's not cheap – with a new top-spec model listing at more than £30,000 – but you get what you pay for, and the new Caddy Cargo ought to hold its value well.

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