New Volkswagen Caddy: a real alternative to SUVs

The new Volkswagen Caddy has just been unveiled with a comprehensive standard equipment list and a great deal of practicality, which makes it an alternative to any SUV

The Volkswagen Caddy is one of the longest-running products in the brand’s range, and the generation just presented is already the fifth in its history. This latest version is the most revolutionary to date, as it moves from being a derivative of a commercial vehicle to a derivative of a passenger car. A few months ago we showed you early sketches of what it was going to look like, and the brand has now revealed the definitive model.

The reason is that the Wolfsburg engineers have used the MQB platform, the same one used by the new Volkswagen Golf or the Seat León. As a result, both the handling and the available equipment make it a real alternative to a compact SUV.

The Volkswagen Caddy features a new and much more attractive design

The design of the new Volkswagen Caddy is one of its main strengths, as its shapes are more typical of a passenger car than a van, achieving an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.30 Cx. The front adopts the features of the brand’s latest models, while the rear has straighter lines to offer a wide loading opening flanked by two large vertically arranged headlights.

In addition, the available equipment has improved considerably, so buyers can choose features such as electrically operated rear doors, a panoramic roof, alloy wheels up to 18 inches, keyless entry and start, and even a digital instrument cluster.

What it will continue to offer are its multiple body configurations, so there will be a Cargo variant for transporting goods, a family version for carrying passengers, and several passenger-car versions. There are also three equipment levels: Caddy, Life and Style.

The interior of the Volkswagen Caddy combines practicality with technology, so if you choose the Maxi body version, you can fit two Euro pallets inside. This load capacity goes hand in hand with the equipment of a latest-generation passenger car, so optional features include a digital instrument cluster or a 6.5- or 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system.

Of course, the Wolfsburg manufacturer has increased the equipment available in terms of driver assistance systems. These include Travel Assist, which facilitates assisted driving; Trailer Assist, which makes towing easier; and Side Assist, which includes rear traffic alert.

TSI, TDI and TGI engines: more environmentally friendly

The engine range of the new Volkswagen Caddy has also evolved to meet strict emissions regulations:

Naturally, the spotlight has been on the TDI engines, that is, the diesels. For the first time, they use a dual dosing system. This means they incorporate two SCR catalysts and therefore double AdBlue injection, making them one of the cleanest diesel offerings on the market. Within this engine range, power outputs go from 90 CV to 122 CV.

There is also a 1.0 TSI petrol engine producing 116 CV, and a TGI CNG version that would achieve the benefits of the ECO label from the DGT. The work on the engine range will benefit not only the environment but also users, as all engines will have fuel consumption up to 12% lower than the previous generation.

Sedrán, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, stated: “With its significant increase in space, its absolute perfection down to the smallest details, new technologies and a new dynamic design, the Volkswagen Caddy has taken an enormous leap forward in quality.”