2020 VW Caddy - Roadtest & Review | Vanarama.com

Small vans are under a lot of pressure these days. They’ve got to be car-sized, nippy, comfortable to drive, and they’ve got to let users pack a load of kit in the back. So, say hello to the VW Caddy, Volkswagen’s very own small van that aims to tick ALL those boxes.

The version we have with us today is a Highline… the very top trim level, and it features the best engine and the 6-speed DSG gearbox – I’ve been excited about getting my hands on this one, so let’s see how it handles its very own Vanarama road test.

• Great-looking engine grille and badge.
• Front fog lights.
• Heated windscreen.
• Rain sensor with automatic wipers and intermittent control.
• Body-coloured bumpers, passenger car style door mirrors and handles.
• 16" Bendigo alloy wheels.
• Rear-parking sensors.
• Hatch door.
• Ply-lined loading bay.
• Lashing points.
• LED spotlights.

Back door width: nearly 1.2m
Back door height: nearly 1.1m

Payload: around 700kg

Length: nearly 1.8m
Width: over 1.5m
Width between arches: nearly 1.2m
Height: over 1.2m

Side sliding door width: 0.7m
Side sliding doors height: nearly 1.1m

Highlights:
• 8-way adjustability on driver’s seat, including lumbar support.
• Height adjustment for driver and front passenger seats.
• Steering wheel and controls.
• Radar cruise control with speed limiter.
• DID in centre of dashboard.
• Infotainment screen with bags of gadgets and gizmos.
• Climatic air conditioning.

Well, the VW Caddy is certainly not short on options… on this top trim level it’s overflowing with equipment and additions. It’s also fast and fun to drive, but still capable of returning a sensible level of fuel efficiency.

The only place it falls behind the competition is payload… and even then it’s only by about 50kg, which is hardly worth worrying about.

People complain that you must pay a premium for the VW badge, but they’re wrong. The VW Caddy is sensibly-priced, offers excellent ROI, looks great, drives great… etc, etc. It’s a great contender in the small van sector.

It’s unafraid to wear its heritage on its sleeve, and yet it’s not shy about putting a fair bit of distance between itself and the competition with its many, many, many options. That alone, has convinced me of its value… what about you?