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High-roof station wagons like the VW Caddy are practical vehicles for families or people with higher transport requirements. However, they are often overused. This is also noticeable at the TÜV.
The third generation of the VW Caddy debuted in 2003 and remained on the market with two major facelifts (2010 and 2015) until the end of 2020. Only then did the new, now fourth generation, which uses the VW Group's modular transverse matrix, take over. The 2015 revised models have already been to TÜV twice. Time to see what the reviewers say.
Body and interior
The Caddy is available as a box for craftsmen and in a car version. Both variants are available in two lengths, 4,41 and 4,88 meters. Visually, the Caddy is a typical high-roof station wagon, winning a beauty prize was obviously not part of the specifications during development. Still: It doesn't look bad for a high-roof station wagon. The front is reminiscent of the Golf and Touran, the rest of the body is maximized to gain space. With success: passengers in the first and second row enjoy plenty of leg and arm room and there is plenty of space for luggage. The trunk volume varies between 750 and 3.020 liters. However, compromises have to be made in terms of the variability and user-friendliness of the seats. Muscle strength and dexterity replace the more complex folding systems that are common in cars at the push of a button. Both the short and the long version can be configured as a seven-seater. The sliding side doors are practical. They make it easier to get in and out. As is so often the case, the interior design depends on the willingness of the first-time buyer to invest in higher equipment lines and extras. The material quality is okay.
Motors and drive
For the facelift variants, there was a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines, a 1,2-liter with 62 kW / 84 PS and a 1,4-liter with 92 kW / 125 PS or with 81 kW / 110 PS as a natural gas variant. Also in the program was a one-liter three-cylinder with 75 kW / 102 PS. In 2018, VW added to the gasoline engine and offered a further expansion stage of the 1.4 with 96 kW / 130 PS. In the 1.2 and 1.0 series, power is transmitted via a manual five-speed gearbox; for the more powerful engines, there was a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as an alternative to the six-speed switch. All petrol engines were only delivered with front-wheel drive. On average, between 5,3 and 6,8 liters flow through the lines.
The diesels are more economical, with values between 4,6 and 5,6 liters. Only 2015-liter four-cylinders have been used since 2,0. The entry-level engine was a 55 kW / 75 PS unit, which, like the 102 PS variant, has a manual five-speed gearbox as standard. It was not until the compression-ignition engine with 90 kW / 122 PS was factory-coupled to a six-speed gearbox. It was only offered with all-wheel drive. The top engine with 110 kW / 150 PS could be ordered with either front or all-wheel drive. Since 2018 it has only been delivered with 4 × 4 drive and six-speed DSG.
Equipment and safety
The basic version "Conceptline" is poorly equipped. “Trendline” offers, among other things, the second sliding door on the side, electric windows and side airbags for the second row. Air conditioning, leather steering wheel or electrically adjustable exterior mirrors are only on board here if the first owner bought them. With the top equipment line "Highline" such amenities are part of the standard scope. Those interested in used cars with a sense of the beautiful appearance take a look at the “Alltrack” models. These come up with inlays in carbon and chrome optics, 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glazing and black body covers for the wheel arches. In the long lists of surcharges, buyers of the Caddy found not only modern infotainment systems but also the usual assistants that are familiar from the car range. In the NCAP crash test, the Caddy achieved an acceptable four-star result.
Quality
The Caddy copes with the general inspection a little worse than the average of the checked vehicles. The TÜV inspectors complain about the axle suspension and axle springs, and the taillights also give cause for criticism. The disc brakes wear out more than average. Oil loss happens again and again. The steering and the emissions test, however, do not cause any problems.
Conclusion
High roof suits like the Caddy are popular because of their practical properties. However, they are not always treated with care, or when used commercially - for example in taxi operations - they show very high mileage. When choosing a used one, you should therefore look carefully. Examples from private use as family transporters should be a good choice. For such, however, you have to invest from around 20.000 euros, vehicles with a very high mileage (400.000 kilometers and more) are available from 10.000 euros.