The 2020 Volkswagen Caddy is the fifth generation of Volkswagen’s versatile van and represents a further step in the blurring of lines between passenger car and commercial vehicle.
Light Commercials are among the most popular vehicles sold in New Zealand. As manufacturers continue to merge passenger car comfort, specification and safety into sturdy, useful workhorse body styles, this Kiwi buying trend definitely shows no sign of abating.
It is, for all intents and purposes, a light commercial delivery tool. But the Volkswagen Caddy is adept at heavy duty tasks as well.
For example, on the largest variant you can now load two European pallets in the cargo area. This is despite the Caddy still presenting an ideal SME business resource for nippy urban load-hauling. But then, it’s also an accomplished hatchback, now leveraging Volkswagen AG’s modular MQB platform, along with much of the modern equipment we see in the likes of the Golf hatchback range.
Thanks to four body variants, the Caddy presents a lot of usability across the board. With either the latest generation 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0-litre TDi engine option under the bonnet, there are some impressive efficiency gains to be had with the new model; up to 12% fuel saving, helped also by the new van’s more aerodynamic exterior design.
Every individual grade within the Caddy model line is better equipped than the corresponding previous version. With sweeping changes to the Volkswagen brand and corporate identity, revised nomenclature of the Caddy range has been debuted with the new generation of vans as well. Customer can choose between the base model Caddy, Life or more premium Style iterations.
Inside, the all-rounder Caddy impresses with new high-tech solutions and more appreciable space.
Many control elements have been completely redesigned: the interactive interfaces for the driver and front-seat passenger are formed by the new Digital Cockpit (optional fully digital instruments) and the radio and infotainment systems, the displays of which vary between 6.5” and 10” in size, depending upon grade. The fusion of the Digital Cockpit and the top 10” navigation system creates a new digital landscape of indicators and controls which Volkswagen has called its ‘Innovision Cockpit’.
Another new feature in the Caddy are its digital controls for light, sight, audio, and menu functions.
The rotary switch for light has served its time, with the front array of buttons for Light & Sight to the left of the steering wheel now taking over its role. Various items of the central control system’s menu can be reached quickly and easily via direct access buttons. In addition, LED interior lights, ergonomic seats and a power supply for external 230V devices all serve to enhance life on board and on the go with the Caddy. Another new feature is a roof vent for better climate control and faster stationary ventilation in the back of the vehicle.
With around 70% of new vehicle sales registered to businesses in New Zealand, the new Volkswagen Caddy range will more than ever present a healthy mix of hatchback-style ease of use, technology, and safety, with genuinely usable commercial pedigree.
Expect to see more the new Caddy on New Zealand roads towards the end of the year.
