Volkswagen Australia has revealed the price and features of the updated Caddy, moving the light commercial vehicle and people-mover to a new platform for the first time since 2003.

Underpinned by the MQB platform which features across the Golf, Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia, the new Caddy is available as either a trade-focused vehicle or a people-mover, depending on specification.

One of the few brand models to be unaffected by the global semi-conductor shortage, Volkswagen is hoping the new Caddy can continue the success of its predecessors, having accounted for more than 70 per cent of all new light commercial vehicle sales in 2020.

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Pricing

First up, the commercial variants, which will be used in daily work life, are available in one of two wheelbases – with two engine choices.

Prices exclude on-road costs:

• Caddy Cargo TDI280 manual – $34,990
• Caddy Cargo TDI320 DSG – $37,990
• Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI280 manual – $36,990
• Caddy Cargo Maxi TDI320 DSG – $39,990.

Volkswagen also offers a dual-use Caddy Crewvan, based on the commercial variants but with five seats rather than two, on sale for a $4000 premium over the Cargo Maxi TDI320 with a price of $43,990.

Three people-mover trims are also offered, providing a touch of extra luxury and seven seats for a higher cost:

• Caddy Maxi TDI350 DSG – $45,490
• Caddy Life Maxi TDI320 DSG – $49,990
• Caddy California Maxi TDI320 DSG – $54,990.

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Features

The four Cargo variants each include the same level of standard equipment such as:

• Shift-by-wire technology
• Rear view camera system with park distance control in rear
• H7 headlamps with headlight range control, automatic control and daytime running lights
• Rear combination lamps
• Autonomous emergency braking front assist
• Cruise control system including speed limiter
• Electric parking brake with auto hold function
• Driver fatigue alert system
• Single passenger side cargo cabin sliding door (dual-sliding doors standard on Maxi)
• Rear wing doors with window apertures asymmetric split
• Central locking system allowing separate cabin and cargo locking
• 8.25-inch “Composition” radio with colour touchscreen and app connect
• Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel
• LED interior lights in cabin and rear cab
• 12v sockets in driver and rear cabin
• Multi-function display plus
• Two USB-C ports.

Moving to the Crewvan, the five-seater gains:

• Three removable seats in the second row (2+1)
• Curtain airbags for outer seats in second row
• Child seat anchors (except centre seat) and top tether on all seats in passenger cabin
• Lane assist
• Oncoming vehicle braking when turning
• Power-adjustable and heated mirrors
• Height adjustable driver’s and passenger seat with four-way power-adjustable lumbar support.

As the base seven-seat passenger Caddy, the Maxi TDI320 features more equipment than the cheaper variants, such as:

• Two removable third-row seats
• Auto emergency braking front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
• Lane change system side assist including blind-spot monitor and rear traffic alert
• LED reading light in passenger compartment
• LED tailgate surround lighting
• Luggage compartment cover, folding and removable
• Door trim panel in plastic with armrest in fabric
• Black painted exterior mirror housings, body-coloured door handles and silver sliding door rail
• Tailgate with window aperture.

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On top of the Maxi, the Life scores:

• “Trialog” premium seat trim
• Multi-colour digital cockpit
• Air care Climatronic with dual-zone automatic climate control with allergen filter
• Central locking system with keyless start
• Auto dimming breakaway interior rearview mirror
• Windshield wiper intermittent control with light and rain sensor
• Two 12-volt outlets, one in the load compartment and one in the dashboard
• Tailgate with window aperture and with power latching
• 17-inch Barahona alloys, brilliant silver
• Black roof rails
• Automatic headlight control with separate daytime running lights and entry and exit lighting
• Comfort drive travel assist, lane keeping system lane assist and emergency assist
• Park assist and park distance control in front and rear
• Adaptive cruise control (with follow to stop for dual-clutch transmission DSG) incl. speed limiter.

Lastly the California, the range-topping variant in the Caddy range, builds on the equipment levels of the Life by adding:

• 17 inch “Colombo” alloys in glossy black
• Heat-insulating front side windows, 74 per cent light-absorbing glass in rear side windows and rear window
• Foldable bed
• Storage bags for the rear side windows
• Darkening covers
• Dimmable LED lights
• LED lights in tailgate
• Two ventilation grids with integrated fly screens
• Foldable table and two chairs.

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Engine and drivetrain

A choice of two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines are offered across the Caddy range, although the lower-spec TDI280 only features in the Cargo variants, making 75kW of power and 280Nm of torque with power being sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

For an extra $3000 in Cargo guise but standard across the passenger variants of the Caddy, the TDI320 engine puts out an improved 90kW and 320Nm, mated exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic ‘box as drive is still only delivered to the front axle.

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Dimensions

Available as either the standard short wheelbase or the Maxi long wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions vary between the two bodies.

Warranty and servicing

The Caddy is covered by Volkswagen’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which includes a 12 month membership to Volkswagen Roadside Assist.

A choice of three and five-year service packs are also available for the Caddy, with the three-year/45,000km pack setting buyers back $1300 – saving around $246-$265 – while the five-year/75,000km pack costs $2100, including the first service free, costing between $631-$669 less than if it’s not optioned.

Availability

The 2021 Volkswagen Caddy is currently on sale and available at dealerships across Australia.