New Volkswagen Caddy MPV on sale now priced from £24,648
Hot on the heels of the commercial variant comes the new Caddy MPV, sporting the Mk8 Golf’s infotainment setup and seating for up to seven
The all-new Volkswagen Caddy MPV is available to order now. It joins the recently launched Caddy Cargo panel van and sports a similarly bold new look, a tech-laden interior and a fresh platform derived from the latest Golf hatchback – and there’s more space than ever.
Prices start from £24,648 for the entry-level model, climbing to £32,922 for the range-topping Caddy Maxi Life variant. When the first examples reach UK shores early next year, they’ll offer fresh competition for the Ford Tourneo Connect and Peugeot Rifter.
Buyers have their choice of two trim-levels and two wheelbase lengths. The entry-level model comes as standard with electric windows, air conditioning, cruise control, a pair of cup holders in the centre console and a 6.5-inch infotainment system. There’s also a new multi-function steering wheel and an electronic handbrake with an auto-hold function.
The more lavishly equipped Caddy Life starts from £27,420 and adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, lumbar support for the front seats and a larger 8.25-inch infotainment system. There’s also a couple more convenience features, such as a removable waste bin and storage drawers under the front seats.
Volkswagen’s long-wheelbase Caddy Maxi adds £1,320 to the MPVs starting price, for which buyers get a little extra space and a third seating row at the rear of the vehicle. An even larger 10-inch infotainment system and digital instrument cluster can also both be specced as optional extras.
New Volkswagen Caddy: engines and drivetrains
From launch, UK buyers can choose from two diesel and one petrol engine. The diesel units are both based on the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which is available in two states of tune – either 101bhp or 120bhp. The least powerful option is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the more muscular variant gets a seven-speed automatic.
Both diesel options also come with a new “double-dosing” AdBlue system. Volkswagen says the system reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by using two SCR catalytic converters to feed twice as much AdBlue into the exhaust.
The sole petrol option features a detuned version of Volkswagen’s familiar turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 112bhp rather than the usual 148bhp. It’s also mated to a six-speed manual gearbox which, like all Caddy derivatives, sends power to the front wheels.
Despite selling a pure-electric version of the previous-generation Caddy in Europe, Volkswagen has decided against offering an EV on the latest Caddy – mainly due to the development costs associated with retro-fitting the MQB platform with electric technology.
Instead, Volkswagen will now focus its efforts on the MEB-based ID.Buzz Cargo, that’s set to arrive in 2022. Besides this, the old e-Caddy wasn’t even a factory Volkswagen project – it was developed in tandem with the German tuning company ABT and assembled away from the van’s production line.
New Volkswagen Caddy: interior and equipment
The new Caddy is safer than ever before as it features 19 different driver assistance systems, including trailer assist and travel assist. The latter – a first for a Volkswagen commercial vehicle – uses a combination of lane assist and adaptive cruise control to take charge of the MPV’s steering, throttle and brakes on the motorway.
Other new features include electric closing aids for the sliding doors and tailgate, plus a large panoramic sunroof with a glass area of 1.4m2 that sits above the first and second row of seats. An electronic parking brake is now standard across the Caddy range, while keyless entry and 18-inch alloy wheels come as standard on top versions.
Also joining the range will be a rugged Caddy Pan Americana and a sporty Caddy Vision. The former focuses on an outdoor lifestyle with a revised grille and flared wheelarches, while the latter is aimed at the style conscious with plenty of high gloss black elements. Volkswagen also recently launched a new Caddy Camper, which featured plenty of clever packaging.
What do you make of the new Volkswagen Caddy MPV? Let us know in the comments section below…
