Volkswagen Caddy review

The Caddy Cargo we tested featured the only petrol engine available: the 1.5-litre TSI 113bhp, allied to a manual gearbox. This is a very agreeable, best-selling powertrain when it’s buried in a soundproof-laden Golf hatchback. In a boomier, van, laden with cargo… it’s still excellent.

Smooth, responsive, with dependable torque and a slick gearshift. It’s extremely civilised. It feels sophisticated for a van, and VW has indeed binned off 19th Century leaf springs for a coil-sprung rear axle, which helps. 

So’s the whole driving experience. The steering is light and well-assisted, the Caddy is properly-damped even when empty and it manages to feel properly car-like, rather than cumbersome or ungainly. With a respectable sub-12 metre turning circle, it’s far from unwieldy, though even with the generous door mirror, rear parking sensors are a real must when backing up in tight spaces. 

Are the engines from my nan’s old Polo?

Nope, they’re some of VW’s latest fodder and that means the Caddy is blessed with a strong line-up of engines. The 2.0 TDI comes in 74bhp, 101bhp and 120bhp flavour, or there’s VW’s excellent 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit with 113bhp. Go for the brawniest diesel and you can choose a 7-speed DSG gearbox, or all-wheel drive. Still need that Touareg?