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Volkswagen Caddy Life (2015 – 2021) Review

Volkswagen Caddy Life (2015 – 2021) At A Glance

4/5

+Easy to drive, lots of van-like practicality, suitable for wheelchair conversion, available with seven-seats.

-A lot more expensive than other van-based MPVs, interior feels a little crude.

When it comes to affordable running costs and raw practicality, few MPVs can match the space and family-friendly nature of the Volkswagen Caddy Life. Based on the fourth-generation van, the Caddy Life is easy to live with thanks to dual sliding doors and car-like handling. It can also be specified with seven seats, although the premium price might put some off. 

Van-based MPVs have come a long way since the era of the rattly and noisy window vans of the early 2000s and few vehicles illustrate this better than the Caddy Life. All models get five seats as standard and have a maximum of 3030 litres of storage, but this can be extended by an additional 340 litres with the longer Caddy Maxi Life.

As well as offering more space, the Maxi gets an extra row of seats, which means it can transform into a minibus of sorts for the school run with seven seats, although the third row can be a little cramped for adults due to the limited leg room.

All models use the same diesel engines as the van, with a Euro 6 compliant 2.0-litre TDI offered with 102PS or 150PS. Volkswagen claims as much as 60.1mpg from the 102PS unit and all engines are linked to a smooth five-speed or six-speed manual gearbox, with a six-speed DSG automatic available as an option. 

On the road the Caddy is good to drive and handles very much like a standard family hatchback, with light steering and lots of visibility from the large windscreen and side mirrors. The quality of the ride is also impressive, with its soft suspension providing lots of protection from potholes and speed bumps.

The interior is a little crude in places and the Caddy does show its van origins with lots of cheap plastics and a basic dashboard. However, there's lots of useful storage, with deep door pockets and useful cubby holes and cup holders. DAB radio and Bluetooth are also fitted as standard. 

Admittedly, some will be put off by the Caddy's boxy looks and no-thrills interior, but the Life range is difficult to fault when it comes to practicality and durability. What's more, with its suitability for wheelchair conversion and its supportive seats, the Caddy has lots of likeable traits for older drivers too.

Driving the Volkswagen Caddy Life (2015 – 2021)

The Caddy Life is surprisingly good to drive and its handling feels closer to a large family hatchback than a commercial vehicle. Power comes from Volkswagen's latest crop of Euro 6 compliant 2.0-litre TDI engines, offered with 102PS or 150PS. 

The entry-level 102PS model is the most efficient, returning a claimed 60.1mpg and emitting 122g/km of CO2. The economy figures drop a little for the larger Maxi model, with an official 58.9mpg and 125g/km. 

A smooth shifting five-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard and returns effortless gear changes, with the engine's 250Nm of torque providing enough power for the driver to pull away from tight junctions or congested roundabouts without fuss. Admittedly, the 102PS unit feels a little limited under heavy acceleration on the motorway, but it provides more than enough power to cruise along at 70mph.

A more powerful 150PS engine is available with a six-speed manual 'box and 340Nm of torque that provides a notable boost in acceleration and would suit Maxi buyers. The 150PS makes the Caddy more responsive when carrying a full boot and seven people. As you might expect, the extra power diminishes economy, with the Life and Maxi Life returning a respective 56.5mpg and 55.4mpg. CO2 emissions also climb to 131g/km and 134g/km.

The Caddy rides the road well, with good levels of cushioning in the suspension to cope with pot holes, drain covers and speed bumps. Indeed, even when empty, the Caddy is surprisingly calm, which cannot be said for some other van-based MPVs that have a tendency to bounce along when carrying one or two passengers.

The steering is also good, with lots of feedback at higher speeds but a light operation below 30mph. Parking and navigating towns or cities is also painless, thanks to the Caddy's large windscreen and generously sized wing mirrors.  However, road noise levels are quite high and the large wing mirrors generate noticeable exterior wind noise at motorway speeds. 

Volkswagen Caddy Life (2015 – 2021) interior

Both the five-seater and seven-seater versions of the Caddy Life are big on space, which means it will meet the needs for families who find standard MPVs lacking in storage. 

As a five-seater the Caddy Life is spacious and comfortable, with both the front and rear seats providing lots of upper leg and lower back support. The interior is also covered in a layer of hardwearing plastic, but this has been carried over from the van and doesn't feel particularly plush.

Owing to the Caddy's high roof, there is no trouble with head room and there are also lots useful cabin storage, with deep door pockets, cubby holes and a roof shelf above the driver for loose documents and maps. The rear also has windows that slide open and lots of storage points, with two located under the floor, which are perfect for hiding away valuables when parked up. 

The Maxi versions get seven-seats as standard and these are fine for children, but not suitable for adults due to the limited leg room. The Maxi Life is 420mm longer than the standard model and offers a considerable 3370 litres with the seats removed, while the standard model has 3030 litres.

Unfortunately maximum storage can only be obtained by removing the second and (in the Maxi's case) third row of seats, which can be hard work due to their bulky and heavy nature. They also have to be stored somewhere, which again is awkward should you not have a garage.

Both the second and third row can be folded flat or double folded forwards though and this provides plenty of space for carrying large items. All Caddy's get a set of twin sliding doors as standard, which makes it easy to get people in and out of the vehicle. It also makes parking simple, due to the lack of space needed to open the rear doors.

Model History

August 2015

New Caddy Life goes on sale

Prices for the short wheelbase Caddy Life 2.0-litre TDI 102 PS Euro 6 engine, start from £15,600 while the Caddy Maxi Life with the same engine starts from £17,985.

Equipment includes a colour infotainment system with DAB, Bluetooth, heated windscreen, post-collision braking, daytime running lights and BlueMotion Technology modifications, for added efficiency and lower emissions, as standard. As well as additional systems such as Brake assist, City Emergency Braking and cruise control.

These new models all come with the 2.0-litre TDI Euro 6 engines and are available with a 102PS or 150PS power output. They also have BlueMotion Technology modifications as standard, which include low-rolling-resistance tyres as well as regenerative braking and stop/start systems. The most economical 102 PS engine has a combined fuel consumption of up to 65.7mpg and a CO2 of 114g/km.

Volkswagen’s Caddy Life offers flexible seating for up to seven passengers, including the driver. The two rear rows of seats can be folded, double folded or removed to leave a loading space of up to 3,030 litres. The Caddy Maxi Life, with its extra 420mm length, offers an additional 340 litres, bringing the total loading area up to 3370 litres.

December 2015

Petrol Caddy Life launched

Prices start from £15,110 for the 1.2 TSI 84PS 5-speed manual Caddy Life. The new Euro 6 petrol engine range will consist of a 1.2 84PS 5-speed manual, a 1.0 102PS 5-speed manual and a 1.4 125PS with either the 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG gearbox.

August 2016

Volkswagen Caddy Life now available with a VW approved WAV conversion.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, in partnership with Sirus Automotive has launched the very first wheelchair conversion of its petrol-powered Caddy.

The unique offer has been developed using the latest generation Caddy model, providing customers who are looking for a more realistic ‘car driving’ experience the option to select a petrol model for the first time. Sirus offers three Caddy variants: the Caddy Transfer, Caddy Drive and Caddy Up-Front, all offering a superior experience for wheelchair users, whether they are a passenger or driver.

Nick Axtell, Specialist Sales Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The introduction of petrol power brings more choice for wheelchair users, giving them greater opportunity to increase their mobility whilst enjoying an enhanced driving experience.”

The converted Volkswagen Caddy Up-Front, available from £26,195, can accommodate most power and manual chairs allowing the passenger to travel next to the driver in complete comfort. As standard, the conversion incorporates an ergonomically redesigned centre console, a shallow ramp (9 degrees), unique griping surface technology and a fully automated remote tailgate and ramp system with lowering suspension for easy access. A range of options such as alloy wheels, tyre packages, body styling enhancements and custom audio packages allowing customers to create the ultimate in wheelchair accessible transport.

Tthe Volkswagen Caddy Drive offers the highest specification ‘drive from wheelchair’ conversion. Available from £34,995, the Caddy Drive can accommodate most large powered chairs, features an ultra lowered floor to ensure exceptional headroom for taller wheelchair users and a re-located gear selector combined with electronic handbrake for ease-of-access and increased floor space.

All of the Volkswagen Caddy petrol and diesel powered Sirus conversions can be leased via the Motability scheme or purchased directly from Sirus Automotive Ltd and come with a three-year warranty supported by Sirus mobile engineers. Vehicles are available for immediate delivery.

For more information on Sirus, visit http://sirusautomotive.co.uk/,

VW Caddy Sirius WAV With Ramp

June 2017

Specification improvements and a price reduction announced for Volkswagen Caddy vans. The change delivers higher standard equipment levels, boosted safety features across all models and lower prices for petrol-powered models.

For the 2018 model, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has increased safety levels with the fitment of autonomous emergency braking (AEB - Front Assist with City Emergency Braking) and driver alert as standard across the entire range. All Volkswagen vans now come with standard AEB.

All three trim grades, Startline, Trendline and Highline, feature more standard equipment than before. All gain a leather multifunction steering wheel and multifunction display (in addition to AEB and Driver Alert), while 2018 Trendline models now feature climatic air conditioning as standard. Highline models gain Volkswagen’s Discover Media satellite navigation system as standard.

As part of the 2018 Caddy package, Volkswagen also realigned its price structure. The Startline 1.2 TSI 84 PS model now costs £17,527 (total RRP inc OTR and VAT): £1,017 less than the previous price.

The Caddy is offered with three highly efficient TSI petrol units. The line-up for the 2018 model consists of: a 1.2-litre 84 PS four-cylinder unit, a 1.0-litre 102 PS three-cylinder unit and a range-topping 1.4-litre 125 PS four-cylinder engine offered with the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission. All three optimise lightweight construction and a turbocharger.

All Caddy vans ordered from 1 June will be equipped with the new specification package.

VW Caddy Life WAV 2

March 2019

'Engineered For You' VW Caddy Life WAV launched at CV Show 2019, which runs from April 30 to May 2 at the NEC Birmingham.

The conversion is carried out by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Recognised Partner Lewis Reed and combines high performance and practicality.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sells more than 2,000 WAVs per year through converters with the new model set to be offered through the 'Engineered For You' scheme.

The van is compact, spacious and easy to drive with the premium Lewis Reed conversion available in short or long wheelbase. The maximum capacity is five seats plus a wheelchair with the adaptations ensuring headroom and space for both rear passengers and wheelchair users is not compromised.

For ease of access, the Caddy Life WAV features an integrated TorSpring® lightweight ramp and fully automated rear entry system. Lewis Reed offers a choice of floor fittings to ensure maximum comfort plus a full options range. As a Recognised Partner, the Caddy WAV comes with a conversion warranty that matches the base vehicle.

VW Caddy Lifes are available with petrol as well as diesel engines and with DSG transmissions or manuals.

July 2019

VW Caddy Life and Maxi Life price list now shows the only petrol engine to be a 102HP 1.0TSI; 2.0TDI is restricted to 102HP but remains available with the old DQ250 6-speed wet clutch DSG.