Volkswagen might provide a spread of three-row autos in Australia however, apart from the Tiguan Allspace, these are all individuals movers based mostly on vans.
The Volkswagen Caddy serves because the entry level for the model’s individuals mover vary right here, slotting in beneath the Multivan and Caravelle.
There’s no Atlas crossover above the Tiguan Allspace, nor will you discover individuals movers just like the Golf-based Touran or the aged Sharan. The massive Viloran, Tavendor and Talagon are additionally off the desk for Aussies, whereas the brand new MQB-based Multivan and MEB-based ID. Buzz have but to be locked in.
With the Tiguan Allspace’s third row proving somewhat tight and the Caravelle and Multivan beginning within the low-$60,000 vary, that leaves the Caddy as the choice for Volkswagen consumers looking for most versatility with minimal outlay.
However whereas the Caddy might share its physique with a humble cargo van, the newest technology – launched right here final yr – shares its MQB underpinnings with the likes of the Golf hatchback.
Does that make this a fascinating, car-like various to bulkier individuals movers just like the hot-selling Kia Carnival, or is that this only a van with home windows?
How a lot does the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320 price?
All Caddy individuals movers have the longer Maxi physique, however there’s a selection of base or Life trims, every out there with both turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines.
We’ve put the bottom trim to the take a look at with the optionally available turbo-diesel engine. The one possibility was $1115 Golden Inexperienced metallic paint, considered one of 9 optionally available premium finishes – and, surprisingly for a German automobile, most of these are precise colors!
The listing worth for this variant is $50,140 earlier than on-road prices, and ours had an as-tested, drive-away worth of $56,562 based mostly on a NSW postcode.
Its worth places it between the bottom S and Si trim ranges of the Kia Carnival diesel. The S is $49,480 earlier than on-roads or $53,690 drive-away, whereas the Si is $54,980 earlier than on-roads or $59,390 drive-away.
There are treasured few individuals movers remaining at this finish of the market, with an extinction occasion – due largely to SUVs, not a meteor – taking out extra compact autos just like the Citroen C4 Picasso and Kia Rondo, whereas even bigger fare just like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Tarago have succumbed.
The Hyundai Staria seems positively huge in opposition to the Caddy, however in base diesel guise – with customary all-wheel drive – it’s priced from $51,500 earlier than on-roads ($56,685 drive-away in NSW).
LDV is at present with no individuals mover after it axed the budget-friendly (if not safety-focused) G10 individuals mover, although it’ll quickly add the G90. We don’t but know, nonetheless, how a lot it can price.
The Caddy is subsequently priced proper up in opposition to bigger rivals, however we think about there are consumers on the market who’re looking for one thing simpler to drive than a cumbersome Staria. Extra on the Caddy’s efficiency in that respect later.
What’s the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320 like on the within?
The Caddy’s dashboard combines the lows of Volkswagen’s newest passenger automobiles with the hardy however hardly plush appointments of its industrial autos.
Just like the Golf, you’ll discover nary a conventional button right here, with a minimalist centre stack and a group of touch-capacitive controls.
There aren’t any bodily local weather controls, and also you press a touch-capacitive change beneath the touchscreen to convey up controls on the touchscreen.
However whereas the Golf has an infuriating contact slider just under the display, the Caddy does with out. There’s, nonetheless, a tiny shortcut on the touchscreen.
Mentioned touchscreen measures 8.25 inches, an appropriate if unextraordinary measurement, but it surely seems misplaced within the sea of black plastic that makes up the sprint. As within the Golf, it’s laggy, whereas with Android Auto specifically we noticed a useless spot on the backside of the display the place a firmer jab was required.
A bigger 10-inch touchscreen is on the market, which provides wi-fi connectivity for the standard-fit Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You may also go for a digital instrument cluster, although the analogue gauges and small data display are neat and legible.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel is chunky and feels good in your arms, and fortunately it doesn’t have the irritating touch-capacitive switches discovered on some Volkswagen wheels.
Every part feels solidly screwed along with wipe-clean plastics, perfect for a individuals mover, however there’s no two-tone remedy or contrasting metal-look trim to brighten up the inside as there may be on even a base Carnival.
As an alternative, there are 3-4 completely different black plastic textures up entrance, with a wierd, splotchy texture on considered one of them. Suffice it to say, the dashboard isn’t as good as a Golf’s, whereas the door trims are plasticky and damaged up with solely the skimpiest upholstery.
Storage is plentiful, nonetheless, with an enormous cavity above the solar visors in which you’ll stash gadgets and fully overlook about them. There are additionally cutouts on the dashboard itself, a group of rubberised cavities on the centre stack, plus the anticipated glove compartment and centre console bin. The latter has a intelligent adjustable armrest in basic Volkswagen vogue.
On the base of the minimalist centre stack, there are two USB-C shops and a 12V outlet. The gear selector, as with many new Volkswagens, is a stubby little factor.
The seats are completed in what appears like hard-wearing material, with a gray color to tie in with all the opposite shades of gray within the cabin. The Life additionally options gray material however has a jazzier sample for a extra distinctive look.
Step into the second row and also you’ll discover the seats don’t slide fore and aft, and legroom is tighter than anticipated. The home windows additionally don’t slide down.
There are air vents again right here, in addition to two extra USB-C shops, bottle holders, and trays that fold up from the entrance seatbacks.
Step into the third row and also you’ll discover each bottle and cup holders, in addition to loads of open storage areas albeit no air vents or USBs.
There’s additionally an honest quantity of area right here general – definitely greater than any mid-sized SUV – although once more the home windows are fastened.
The seats themselves are fairly skinny, and but don’t fold flat into the ground, so we suspect youngsters will name shotgun for the second row.
The skinny seats do pay dividends for cargo area which, thanks additionally to the Caddy’s boxy form, means you’ll be able to comfortably match two suitcases behind the third row.
Should you’re carrying youngsters, there are top-tether factors for every second- and third-row seat, in addition to ISOFIX factors for the third-row and outboard second-row seats.
If you wish to flip your Caddy right into a cargo van, the third-row seats are individually detachable, whereas the split-fold second-row bench can be eliminated.
Should you merely select to fold each rows, you’ll discover they don’t fold into the ground, whereas additionally they don’t create a stage floor. The second row can, nonetheless, be double-folded up in opposition to the front-row seatbacks.
With seven seats in use there’s a 629mm by 1185mm with 446 litres of cargo area. Behind the second row there’s a 1452mm lengthy ground with 1720L of quantity, whereas behind the primary row there’s a 2265mm lengthy ground and 3105L of area.
What’s below the bonnet?
The individuals mover vary makes use of solely the extra highly effective of the 2 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines provided domestically within the Caddy.
This produces 90kW of energy and 320Nm of torque – up 15kW and 40Nm on the lesser tune – and is mated completely with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.
Volkswagen additionally presents the Caddy with a turbocharged 1.5–litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 84kW and 220Nm.
On a mixture of inner-city, suburban and freeway driving, we averaged 6.6 litres per 100km, growing to eight.1L/100km over the course of every week of principally suburban driving. Volkswagen claims mixed cycle gas financial system of 4.9L/100km.
The Caddy has a tare mass of 1732kg, a complete 350kg lighter than a Carnival. However the bigger (302mm longer, 140mm wider) Kia has 148kW of energy and 440Nm of torque, and subsequently has a superior power-to-weight ratio of 71.1kW/t in contrast with 52kW/t within the Caddy.
How does the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320 drive?
You might assume the Caddy’s Golf-derived underpinnings would make this a nimble individuals mover to drive.
However, the lengthy wheelbase means it nonetheless feels considerably cumbersome – significantly if you’re manoeuvring in tight locations like automobile parks. Its turning circle measures 12.1m, worse than even the 11.7m turning circle of the bigger Kia Carnival.
The best way the Caddy dispatches some bumps, sending impacts into the cabin, additionally belies this individuals mover’s shut relation to a cargo van.
With that stated, the newest Caddy has a vastly extra car-like rear suspension than its predecessor, swapping leaf springs for coils and that includes a a strong Panhard rod and trailing arms. For probably the most half, it delivers a clean experience.
There’s loads of extra car-like attributes the Caddy presents, from its clean energy supply to its spectacular steering really feel.
The tiller feels prefer it’s proper out of a Golf, although its nearly sporty weighting and really feel can solely accomplish that a lot when grappling with a car sitting on an nearly 3m-long wheelbase. The steering is arguably a contact heavy for a individuals mover, but it surely definitely doesn’t really feel like a van’s set-up.
Diesel clatter is saved to a minimal, whereas even at freeway speeds the Caddy’s inside avoids sounding too boomy – although a little bit of a boring roar does creep in.
The idle cease/begin is aggressive, one thing widespread to Volkswagen’s automobiles and other people movers alike.
It’ll reduce the ability at the same time as you’re rolling to a cease, so should you’re simply making an attempt to creep forward in site visitors you’ll usually discover the engine will change off. You received’t discover a easy, bodily button to show off the system, both.
Although dual-clutch transmissions aren’t famend for his or her smoothness at low speeds, there’s little in the way in which of hesitation and roughness when crawling by site visitors within the Caddy. Choosing up the tempo, the shifts show fast and clean.
90kW isn’t a lot – that’s 8kW greater than an MG 3 – however with 320Nm of torque, out there from 1500 to 2500rpm, this engine really feel fairly prepared and energy is doled out easily. That’s with one occupant on board, nonetheless; load up the Caddy with seven occupants and their stuff, and it could wrestle.
What do you get?
Caddy TDI320 highlights:
Nightfall-sensing halogen headlightsDual sliding doors17-inch metal wheelsFull-size spare wheelPower-folding heated exterior mirrors8.25-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto6-speaker sound systemDAB+ radioLeather-wrapped steering wheelAir conditioningCruise management with velocity limiterPower entrance windowsElectronic park brake with auto-hold
Adaptive cruise management and LED headlights aren’t customary like on a base Carnival S, although the Caddy a minimum of has a regular leather-wrapped steering wheel.
There’s a spread of choices out there to primarily convey this base mannequin as much as the identical stage because the Caddy Life.
Navigation Package deal: $1660
10.25-inch touchscreenSatellite navigationWireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Consolation Drive Journey Help Package deal: $1825
Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/goFront, rear parking sensorsKeyless startPark AssistTravel AssistAdaptive cruise controlAdaptive lane steering (centring)
There are further standalone choices equivalent to a panoramic sunroof, an influence tailgate, keyless entry, LED headlights, and a digital instrument cluster, amongst others.
Is the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320 protected?
The Caddy has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on Euro NCAP testing performed in 2021.
It acquired an grownup occupant safety ranking of 84 per cent, a toddler occupant safety ranking of 86 per cent, a weak street person safety ranking of 69 per cent, and a security help ranking of 79 per cent.
Commonplace security gear contains:
AEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detectionBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertDriver fatigue detectionLane-keep assistRear parking sensorsReversing digital camera 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
How a lot does the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320 price to run?
The Caddy is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
Volkswagen is providing five-year servicing care plans for the worth of a three-year plan till December 31, 2022. A plan subsequently prices $1500, which suggests a saving of $1448 in contrast with the usual capped-price servicing schedule.
A Hyundai Staria might be had with a $1800 five-year, 75,000km plan, however a Carnival proprietor is slugged with payments totalling $2573 over a five-year interval. The Caddy, a minimum of in the intervening time, is subsequently comfortably cheaper to run than these rivals.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi TDI320
The Caddy is priced proper up in opposition to bigger individuals movers just like the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria, however whereas it has car-like steering, it doesn’t really feel considerably extra manageable to drive on account of its lengthy wheelbase.
It’s lighter and extra environment friendly than these individuals carriers on paper, but it surely’s down on each energy and torque – one thing that’ll be exacerbated with heavier hundreds.
The Caddy’s inside, whereas hard-wearing and brimming with storage, is utilitarian to the intense, and its second- and third-row lodging are considerably compromised – the center row doesn’t slide, and the third-row seats are fairly skinny. Then there’s the laggy infotainment system and the touch-capacitive controls, each of which influence usability.
There’s loads to love in regards to the Caddy, from its car-like steering and its plentiful storage. Nevertheless it’s not priced as sharply appropriately to make this a intelligent, left-field various to the stalwart Carnival.
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