Used Volkswagen Caddy for sale: everything you need to know
The Volkswagen Caddy is a popular van that is also available as a people carrier with far more space and practicality than MPV buyers are traditionally used to.
It's good to drive as it’s based on the same underpinnings as cars such as the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3. Volkswagen calls it the MQB platform and it significantly boosts the appeal of the Volksagen Caddy. You can even choose semi-autonomous driver assistance systems, along with other modern gadgets.
Rivals to the Volkswagen Caddy van include the Ford Transit Connect and the Vauxhall Combo Cargo.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Caddy MPV competes with the likes of the Peugeot Rifter and the now closely related Ford Tourneo Connect.
Better still, the VW Caddy is a handsome machine in its own right, particularly if you choose a rich and vibrant paint colour (a choice of 12 is available – we love Golden Green and Copper Bronze). Here, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about speccing a Volkswagen Caddy.
Should you buy a Volkswagen Caddy?
The Volkswagen Caddy is a super car to buy for those seeking an abundance of family-focused practicality. It is truly cavernous inside, either in regular size or longer, even-more-useful Maxi format. Seating seven won’t be a squeeze either – and when the seats are not occupied, you can fold them down and benefit from a massive boot.
The extra practicality touches you get with a VW Caddy make all the difference. For starters, there are sliding doors, which makes getting in and out a breeze, particularly in crowded car parks. On the Maxi, the rear sliding doors are even longer, further boosting practicality.
Once inside, passengers will find comfortable separate rear seats, and the third-row seats in seven-seat versions are suitable for adults, not just children. Headroom is vast and there’s aircraft-style overhead stowage as well. It’s just a pity the rear windows are fixed and can’t be opened.
Having all the refinements you’d expect of a regular family hatchback is another big boon. It feels like a Volkswagen Golf in so many ways, from the look of its interior, to the performance of its engines, to its neat handling and comfortable ride.
As it effectively shares a dashboard with the Volkswagen Golf, the VW Caddy also boasts that car’s advanced media systems, with up to two wide and colourful screens. These are fully connected, which brings traffic-detecting sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus the ability to receive over-the-air updates so your infotainment will improve over time.
We rate the Volkswagen Caddy highly. For growing families, it ticks all the boxes. It is truly cavernous inside, offering much more space and convenience than even the roomiest of hatchbacks.
It also looks appealing, particularly the VW Caddy Life with its high-end LED lights and bright alloy wheels. And with the latest gadgets from the Volkswagen Golf, it’s a car that won't short-change you in terms of tech.
Add in great value prices and the appeal is obvious. If you’re looking to buy or lease an ultra-practical family car without spending a fortune, the Volkswagen Caddy is well worth a place on your shopping list.
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What’s the best used Volkswagen Caddy model to buy?
The standard Volkswagen Caddy is fairly basic, so we'd recommend looking for a Caddy Life. This is a bit more car- than van-like, with things like alloy wheels, parking sensors and an actual infotainment system.
Choosing between the standard Caddy and the long-wheelbase Caddy Maxi will depend on how much stuff (and how many people) you wish to carry. Unless you really need to transport a football team, the standard Caddy should be sufficient.
Used Volkswagen Caddy fuel economy and performance#
Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 TDI 102: The most affordable diesel-engined Caddy is a 2.0-litre version putting out a modest 102PS. However, it still has decent pulling power, so shouldn't feel overwhelmed – despite its easygoing 13.5-second 0-62mph time (14.0 seconds in the larger Maxi). It’s only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox and averages up to 58.9mpg.
Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 TDI 122: The more powerful diesel option adds 20PS, for better performance without too much of a fuel economy penalty. In the base Caddy, it’s only available with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, but there’s a choice of both manual and auto with the Caddy Life. Zero to 62mph is cut to 11.4 seconds.
Volkswagen Caddy 1.5 TSI 114: The sole petrol engine is a 1.5-litre TSI turbo four-cylinder unit. A 114PS output sounds modest, but the turbocharger still offers a lively response, and 0-62mph takes 11.4 seconds. It can average up to 43.5mpg. This engine is manual-only for the Caddy, or auto-only for the Caddy Life.
Used versions of the Volkswagen Caddy Life offer a choice of 2.0-litre diesel engines, plus a more affordable 1.6-litre TDI diesel. Fuel economy is a given, no matter which diesel engine you choose. Petrol engines, by contrast, are a real rarity. However, the 1.5 TSI is becoming more popular on new models, which will filter through to the secondhand market in due course.
What used Volkswagen Caddy trims levels are available?
Volkswagen keeps things simple with the VW Caddy line-up. Those looking to buy or lease one can choose either the standard Volkswagen Caddy or the better-equipped Volkswagen Caddy Life.
The Volkswagen Caddy has a functional level of standard equipment, and is available in standard Caddy or longer Caddy Maxi configurations. The Caddy has five seats as standard, or seven as an option. The Caddy Maxi is a seven-seater.
The Volkswagen Caddy Life adds extra style and equipment to the core Caddy offering. It has smarter exterior styling, a host of useful features inside, plus a more advanced infotainment system – including the We Connect Plus app for pairing with smartphones.
Used Volkswagen Caddy dimensions and boot size
The Volkswagen Caddy’s exterior dimensions are:
The Volkswagen Caddy’s boot size is:
191 litres behind third row (Maxi: 446 litres)
1213 litres behind second row (Maxi: 1720 litres)
2556 litres with rear seats folded (Maxi: 3105 litres)
Used Volkswagen Caddy road tax
There's no hybrid tech here so you'll pay a flat rate of £180/year to tax the Volkswagen Caddy.
How much is it to insure a Volkswagen Caddy?
The Volkswagen Caddy is potentially very affordable to insure, with the entry-level 1.5 TSI version boasting a group eight rating – similar to a Volkswagen Golf. The 102PS TDI moves up to group nine, although if you want the extra power of the TDI 122, you’ll face a jump up to group 12 for car insurance.
Read our full Volkswagen Caddy review
