The best small van on the market in terms of comfort and refinement.
High quality interior echoes Volkswagen passenger cars and means the Caddy is a pleasant van to spend all day in.
Seats are surprisingly supportive.
4Motion four-wheel drive version is ideal if you're going to tow.
Following worldwide recall of 2.6 million vehicles due to crystalline deposits in the synthetic oil in 7-speed DSGs affecting the Mechatronics units causing the fuses to blow, Volkswagen is recalling 30,000 UK market vans and LCVs fitted with 7-speed DSGs to change the oil in them from synthetic to mineral.
Entry-level 1.6 TDI with 75PS feels sluggish with a full load on board.
11-03-2017: Report of Caddy Life losing all power after Volkswagen's emissions technical update. RAC diagnosed an injector fault but Volkswagen dealership is denying the problem is related to the technical update.
20-03-2017: Report of Caddy van using more fuel after Volkswagen's emissions technical update. Consumption reportedly down from 48-50mpg to 36-38mpg. Reader also says that engine performance is notably poorer below 2000rpm.
05-04-2017: Huge increase in oil usage reported after Volkswagen's emissions technical update. Rear says oil light is coming on and van has used four litres of oil in 1000 miles. The van never used any oil previously and shows no signs of leaks.
06-04-2017: Report of 2012 VW Caddy diesel having NOx emissions fix then a week later it refused to start. RAC identified it as the EGR valve. VW said to bring it in for a diagnostic test which would be FOC if it was the result of the fix. Then they told the owner it was a coincidence, charge £90 for the diagnosis and quoted £900 for the part.
15-05-2017: Report of EGR failure after Volkswagen NOx emissions fix. Owner quoted £1000 for repairs.
23-05-2017: Another report of EGR failure on 2011 Caddy 1.6TDI soon after NOx emissions fix.
21-07-2017: Report of injector of EA189 1.6TDI engine of 16,000 mile VW Caddy failing after the NOx emissions fix.
15-11-2017: Series of problems reported with 2011 VW Caddy 1.6TDI DQ200 7-speed dry clutch DSG, ex Mobility, specifically adapted for transporting someone with special needs: Taken to dealer in December 2016 with clutch judder and loss of power, eventually losing drive completely. Clutch pack replaced at owner's cost. Then began to not change gear correctly. The in January 2017 stuck in Park. Dealer diagnosed failed Mechatronics and that there were metallic metal particles present in the oil. They had to replace the complete gearbox and clutch pack, again at owner's cost. Since then it has been returned to the dealer on 6 occasions totalling 9 weeks since having the gearbox replaced. VW told owner that the rolling radius ofhe tyres differed by 4% and that he needed to fit new tyres before they could continue looking at it. He replaced all 4 tyres and returned the vehicle to the dealer where they couldn’t find a fault. Owner took master tech out for a road test and in 2 miles confirmed the faults where the vehicle was holding in gear (70mph 5th gear) or when in 7th traveling at 65mph if he tried to accelerate to overtake a car the vehicle would kick down to 3rd gear causing the engine to drastically and dangerously over rev. Rattling when changing up or down gears in drive and hesitation at junctions or roundabouts. Dealer then had the vehicle for 5 weeks and has to date changed ECU programming, throttle pedal, an EGR valve and all 4 injectors under instruction from the factory in Germany. Still not fixed.
03-12-2019: Report of injector failure on 2014 Caddy with the 1.6 TDI diesel. Issues started with a tapping noise getting louder. Owner pulled over and found fuel all over the engine bay and two injectors broken away from the head (numbers three & four).
22-7-2020: Injector failure on 2010 1.6 TDI Caddy with 60,000 miles on the clock.
July 2010
New Caddy and Caddy Maxi unveiled
The new generation models are refreshed with the latest frontal styling found across all new Volkswagens, such as the latest Polo and Transporter. There are also new rear light clusters, plus roof rails available for the first time, and the option of cornering lights. It is a similar story inside, where new instruments, steering wheels and audio/navigation systems plus the option of Bluetooth connectivity enhance the Caddy range with more quality and style.
Under the bonnet there is a completely new range of four of Volkswagen's latest common rail, four-cylinder TDI engines which are up to 13 per cent more fuel-efficient. This includes two 1.6-litre TDI engines producing 75PS and 102PS, plus two 2.0-litre TDI units producing 110PS and 140PS. These are quieter, more refined and economical, with cleaner Euro5 standard levels of emissions. Other new features introduced to the new generation Caddy include Volkswagen's latest seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive.
BlueMotion Technology models will now be available in the van and passenger-carrying models with the 1.6-litre engine, offering the ultimate in economy and low emissions. These use Start/Stop and battery regeneration systems to help deliver carbon dioxide emissions of as low as 129g/km and an average fuel consumption of up to 57mpg, giving a potential range of up to 735 miles on one tank of fuel.
September 2010
Prices for the new Caddy and Caddy Maxi were announced. They start at £12,100 excluding VAT for the 1.6-litre 75 PS TDI Caddy van while the Caddy Maxi starts at £14,050 excluding VAT for the entry-level model equipped with a 1.6-litre 102 PS TDI engine.
Standard equipment across the Caddy range includes Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), ABS Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control System (TCS), automatic hazard lights activation under emergency braking, a driver's airbag, speed sensitive power steering, remote central locking and a CD stereo with
AUX-in socket.
January 2012
Volkswagen Caddy Match launched
The Caddy had its first ever special edition, the Match, offering value for money with a higher specification and stylish exterior. It comes with air conditioning, Bluetooth, a trip computer, electric windows, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, cruise control, wheel trims plus body-coloured bumpers and wing mirrors.
The Match trim is available for both the standard Caddy and the long wheelbase Caddy Maxi (except 4MOTION and EcoFuel models) with prices starting from £14,110 (ex. VAT) and £16,060 (ex. VAT) respectively.
October 2012
Volkswagen introduces Trendline and Highline models
The Caddy Trendline gained specification worth up to £1,555 (plus VAT), with a premium of £900 (plus VAT) over the standard model, representing a customer saving of over £650.
The Caddy Trendline gets Bluetooth connectivity, an upgraded CD/radio with ParkPilot display for rear parking sensors, cruise control, electric windows, height adjustable passenger seat, heated and electrically operated door mirrors, storage compartments under the front seats, vanity mirrors in the sun visors and a cover for the dashboard centre storage compartment. Externally, the Trendline is enhanced with wheel trims and body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and door handles.
Similarly, the Caddy Highline costs £1,900 (plus VAT) more than the standard model, with additional specification worth up to £3,245 (plus VAT). This includes all the Trendline enhancements, plus Climatic air conditioning, a leather-covered steering wheel and gear knob, alloy wheels, front fog lights and an alarm.
January 2014
Volkswagen Caddy BlueMotion launched
The cleanest and most fuel-efficient Caddy panel van ever produced is available to order from February with prices starting from just £14,600 (basic RRP ex. VAT). Available in short-wheelbase panel van form only, the Caddy BlueMotion is powered by a frugal 1.6-litre TDI common rail direct injection engine that develops 102 PS and 250 Nm of torque.
Fuel consumption figure of 61.4mpg (combined) – 6mpg more than the already fuel-efficient Caddy with BlueMotion Technology and 11.8mpg better than the base Caddy. With its 60-litre fuel tank, it can travel over 800 miles. Based on an annual mileage of 30,000 and an average diesel price of 140p per litre, the new Caddy model delivers a fuel cost saving of £744 over the standard 1.6-litre TDI 102 PS model. CO2emissions are 119 g/km.
The new model achieves its remarkable efficiency through the sleek, aerodynamic body design combined with Volkswagen’s standard BlueMotion Technology features – Cruise Control, Hill-Hold Assist, Start/Stop and Energy Recuperation – plus three additional new BlueMotion design and engineering advancements. 15-inch reduced rolling resistance tyres, reduced ride height by 27 mm to reduce drag and more efficient engine control.
In addition to its advanced fuel-saving features, the new Caddy BlueMotion introduces a number of styling features to differentiate it from the rest of the range. New multi-spoke 15-inch wheel covers, body-coloured side guard strips and a black and blue coloured trim fabric are particular to the BlueMotion model.
September 2014
Caddy Black Edition introduced
The limited edition model is based on the Highline specification but includes £2150 of additional equipment, representing a customer saving of £1350. The striking new model goes on sale 1 October and is available until 31 December 2014.
The Caddy Black Edition gets Deep Black Pearlescent paint, unique black and polished 17-inch alloy wheels and silver roof rails and radiator grille surround. There is also a multi-functional steering wheel, leather gear knob and gaiter, heated wing mirrors and electric windows as standard.
Available in short-wheelbase panel van form only, the Caddy Black Edition is powered by a frugal 1.6-litre TDI common rail direct injection engine that develops 102PS and 250Nm of torque, and is offered with a five-speed manual transmission. BlueMotion Technology - which includes hill-hold assist, energy recuperation and start/stop - means drivers can expect fuel economy of 55.4mpg combined and emissions of 134g/km.
To give the Black Edition a sportier appearance and improved handling the Dynamic Suspension reduces the ride height by 27mm. Inside, the seats are trimmed in leather and Alcantara while the cabin is separated from the load cube by a full-height solid bulkhead. The new Caddy Black Edition goes on sale from 1 October with an on-the-road price tag of £17,860 (ex. VAT).
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High quality interior, refined and comfortable making it ideal for both long and short work, impressive TDI engines are punchy yet frugal, ESP as standard.
1.6 TDI model can feel underpowered when full laden, narrow load area compared to rivals, increasing number of injector problems.
