Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 2022 review: GVM test

The Caddy 5 range offers six variants and two wheelbase lengths comprising Standard (SWB) and Maxi (LWB). Our test vehicle is the Cargo SWB, available with either a 75kW/280Nm entry-level version of its 2.0 litre turbo-diesel with six-speed manual transmission, or premium 90kW/320Nm specification with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic like our example for a list price of $37,990.

It certainly looks like a back-to-basics workhorse, with its hard-wearing grey plastic bumpers, black door handles and mirrors, easy-clean rubber flooring and 16-inch black steel wheels with silver plastic covers, 205/60R16 tyres and a full-size spare.

However, there are numerous features designed to make a working day easier like keyless start, two 12-volt accessory outlets, separate cargo bay locking system, heated door mirrors, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, non-adaptive cruise control, adjustable lumbar support on driver and passenger seats and a nice leather-rimmed steering wheel with height/reach adjustment to name a few.

It certainly looks like a back-to-basics workhorse. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The four-speaker multimedia system has an 8.25-inch colour touchscreen, two C-type USB ports and multiple connectivity including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. The only glaring omission here is AM radio (too bad if you like talkback).

There’s also plenty of safety tech and four option packs comprising Appearance, Tech, Driver Assistance and Comfort Drive Travel Assist enhancements.

The refined, energetic and economical 2.0 litre TDI320 four-cylinder turbo-diesel is a highlight. It meets the toughest Euro 6 emission standards using AdBlue, producing 90kW at 4250rpm and 320Nm across a flexible 1000rpm-wide torque band between 1500-2500rpm.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is a sweet-shifting transmission, with a sporty feel that’s unusual in an LCV. It offers three drive modes comprising standard Drive, athletic Sport or Tiptronic for manual-shifting, using the steering wheel-mounted paddles. There’s also an electronically-controlled automatic locking diff.

The refined, energetic and economical 2.0 litre TDI320 four-cylinder turbo-diesel is a highlight. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The dash display was claiming a frugal 5.6L/100km after almost 400km of testing, of which more than a quarter was hauling its maximum payload. That compared favourably with VW’s official combined figure of only 4.9L and, after crunching the numbers from tripmeter and fuel bowser readings, our figure worked out at 5.7L which was very close to the Caddy’s calculations. Therefore, you could expect an expansive ‘real world’ driving range of up to 900km from its 50-litre tank.

Deducting the Caddy’s 1526kg tare weight from its 2250kg GVM leaves a 724kg payload rating, of which up to 100kg can be legally carried on the roof. It’s also rated to tow up to 1500kg of braked trailer but that could be a challenge with its low 75kg tow-ball download limit, given that TBD is usually about 10 per cent of trailer weight (or about 150kg in this case). VW also does not disclose a GCM rating, so we don’t know how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time.

The cargo bay’s 1797mm length and 1614mm width means it can fit either a single 1165mm-square Aussie pallet or 1000 x 1200mm Euro 3 pallet, two 800 x 1200mm Euro pallets or two 720 x 830mm bread roll containers. However, with its 695mm opening for the sliding side-door, all of these would need to be loaded through the rear barn-doors which also offer 180-degree opening for easy forklift access.

Driver and passenger are spoiled for cabin storage. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The cargo bay, with walls and doors lined to mid-height, is well equipped for hard work with its thick rubber floor liner and six well-positioned load anchorage points. There are also two bright LED roof lights, a handy 12-volt accessory plug and what appears to be noise-absorbing fixtures over the wheel housings, which combined with the cabin bulkhead are welcome additions. External securing points on the roof are also provided for fitting roof racks or rails.

Driver and passenger are spoiled for cabin storage. There are large-bottle holders and storage bins in each front door, a deep drawer to the right of the steering column, another storage bin in the dash-pad ahead of the driver, spacious full-width overhead storage shelf, large single glovebox and a useful centre console with four open storage nooks and dual small-bottle/cup holders.

The cargo bay is well equipped for hard work with its thick rubber floor liner and six well-positioned load anchorage points. (Image: Mark Oastler)

We inflated the tyres to the 42psi cold pressures displayed on the placard and loaded 565kg into the cargo bay, which combined with our crew of two equalled a payload of 715kg that just snuck under the 724kg limit. The nose dropped 21mm and the rear coil springs compressed 45mm, with the long rubber cones positioned inside the rear coils providing additional load support.

The Caddy performed superbly, with steering, engine and braking performance hardly affected. It glided over bumps and other road irregularities without a hint of bottoming out and maintained its handling composure regardless of speed or road conditions.

It also gobbled up our 13 percent gradient 2.0 km set climb at 60km/h, self-shifting down to a suitable ratio and powering its way to the summit as though the load wasn’t there. Engine braking on the way down, in a manually-selected second gear, wasn’t as strong as we’ve come to expect from small displacement turbo-diesels. Even so, the quartet of disc brakes easily restrained this load during the descent.

The Caddy 5 is covered by VW's five years/unlimited km warranty and 12 months roadside assist. Scheduled servicing every 15,000km or 12 months whichever occurs first. Capped-price servicing fixed from February 1 every calendar year. Optional three and five-year pre-paid (and therefore lower priced) service packs also available.