Volkswagen Caddy VS Renault Trafic
Volkswagen Caddy
Likes
- Nice to drive – for a van
- Comfortable
- Handy camping additions
Dislikes
- AWD would be nice
- Issues with bed set-up
- Not enough handy camping additions
Renault Trafic
Likes
- Improved safety equipment
- 2.0-litre diesel now standard
- Better interior and technology
Dislikes
- Prices up by a lot
- Safety still well behind the best in class
- Might look too similar to the old one
Summary
Volkswagen Caddy
The universal appeal of road-tripping with a vehicle that offers an all-in-one solution to car camping has been growing enormously in recent years.
“What’s car camping?”, I hear you ask. Well, I’m talking about staying overnight or longer in a vehicle that affords you the ability to sleep in, eat in, and perhaps even cook in it.
As such, self-styled camper vans have gained an even bigger foothold in the market in recent years than they had in the years prior to the global pandemic, even though some of these vehicles, like this new VW Caddy California Maxi, don’t offer cooking facilities. That doesn’t seem to faze many (any?) current or potential owners of camper vans, or mini camper vans, or even those who like the idea of car camping, much more than actually ever doing it.
This five-seater van certainly looks the part and fits in with the #vanlife philosophy, but is it worth your consideration in such a variety-packed camper van market? Read on.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.9L/100km |
| Seating | — |
Renault Trafic
There’s more than meets the eye with the new 2023 Renault Trafic range.
This French van has seen a mild cosmetic update, but under the bonnet there’s a bigger engine, and it now has some of the requisite safety features you’d expect, and a new more advanced multimedia system.
Has Renault done enough with this Trafic update to keep it fresh against competition like the Toyota HiAce, Hyundai Staria Load, Peugeot Expert and Ford Transit Custom? Read on to find out.
Read more about
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- Watch your back Volkswagen, Honda and Nissan! This European brand is on the comeback trail in Australia with new SUVs, light commercials and electric cars
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.5L/100km |
| Seating | 3 seats |
Verdict
Volkswagen Caddy7/10
The appeal of a ready-made camper van is undeniable and the VW Caddy California comfortably occupies a niche within a niche.
This van is nice to drive but it also manages to be a functional and comfortable camper, albeit a very basic one.
There’s no getting around the fact that, while it does have a bed and a camp table and two chairs, it’s lacking cooking facilities and a fridge … and the list goes on.
This is perfectly fine if you intend to take the rest of your gear (portable stove, fridge etc) as carry-ons for infrequent nights away, but if your vehicle is going to be your camp for regular multi-day trips away then a lot of other approaches make more sense. You could, for instance, buy a 4WD or AWD wagon and a camper trailer. You might spend a little – or a lot – more than what you’d spend on this van alone, but your opportunities for adventure would be a whole lot more expansive.
In the end, it depends on what you want to do with it. This van is more than fit for purpose and it may well provide a more-than-great introduction to the adventure lifestyle for some.
Renault Trafic7.6/10
There is no doubt the new (newer?) Renault Trafic is an improvement on the last iteration, being safer, nicer inside, easy to drive and featuring some more up to date features.
It isn’t going to challenge the likes of the HiAce or Staria Load for benchmark status in other ways, but it is still a solid proposition for business buyers, and a great upgrade for existing owners who want to keep their fit-out but freshen up their van.
For those who want to make their van suit their needs, it'd be hard not to recommend going for the Pro model and speccing it up as you see fit.
Design
Volkswagen Caddy
VW’s Caddy California looks good on the outside.
Its interior layout and the materials used – durable plastics on the dash etc. fabric seat covers, and sturdy carpet on the floor – are well suited to an outdoorsy lifestyle that will inevitably bring dirt, sand and mud into the interior at regular stages of the vehicle’s life.
The sliding doors either side – and the large opening when the rear tailgate is lifted – make the Caddy California a more versatile camper proposition than vehicles without those ingress points because the interior can be more readily accessed.
The folding bed, which sits behind the second-row bench seat, ready to be unfolded and used, is a handy addition and, as it’s supported on the vehicle body, that supposedly helps to make it easier to set up and pack down than it otherwise might be.
However, I had some difficulty in unfolding it all the way out flat, even with the front seats moved all the way forward. Perhaps with some more time and, dare I say it, patience, I could have managed better.
Also the fold-out struts, on the base of the bed and that are meant to slot into B-pillar recesses, seem a bit too flimsy for my liking, especially if the bed can be reasonably expected to cope with the weight of two adults. The mattress is not a particularly spongy one either – but, hey, camping should involve at least some degree of discomfort. Otherwise, why would some people describe it as “roughing it”? I jest – anyway, you could easily replace the standard mattress with something more substantial if you get the urge.
There are folding chairs and a table provided, although I’d be looking to the Aussie camping gear market for more sturdier examples of this kind of outdoors furniture, especially if you plan to put your equipment through regular and prolonged use.
Renault Trafic
To consider this a ‘new’ van might be stretching it, but this heavily facelifted version does have a distinct look that you should be able to pick it in traffic.
There are new-look LED headlights with C-shape LED daytime running lights, a revised grille (the Pro version has a bit less chrome than the Premium), new front bumper and new bonnet.
There are 16-inch steel wheels on most versions to keep it simple (17-inch alloy wheels are reserved for the Lifestyle crew van), and aside from that, nothing is different outside. Oh, but you can't option that green colour that was very popular with the pre-facelift model. The brand says even though about 20 per cent of buyers choose that colour at the height of its popularity in Australia, globally it wasn't such a hit (about 2 per cent of customers chose it), so it has been axed. There are seven colour choices, though.
Perhaps the most crucial design changes come inside the cabin, where there is a new dashboard with upgraded materials used, a new steering wheel, new instrument cluster with 4.2-inch colour screen, new buttons and switches that mirror the passenger car range, and of course, that new 8.0-inch touchscreen media system. The subtle changes make it feel considerably more modern and less plasticky than before.
Practicality
Volkswagen Caddy
The Caddy California is a five-seater: two seats in the front and a three-seater bench seat as the second row.
Upfront, the driver and passenger seats are manually-adjustable for height, with four-way adjustable lumbar support, and tilt-and-depth adjustment on the seat cushion. They are cloth trim but feel adequately supportive and comfortable and have a height-adjustable centre armrest, stowage compartments and two drink holders.
There are storage spaces aplenty – including a dash with multiple stowage compartments, and an illuminated glove box – as well as two USB-C ports.
The digital cockpit is easy enough to use, as is the touchscreen multi-media unit and we had no strife setting up our smartphone for Apple CarPlay, and although the screen is on the wrong side of small, it’s clear and crisp enough to get a decent idea of what’s going on.
The second-row bench seat is a 2/3-1/3 split, and the second row can be folded, double-folded and removed separately. The two outboard passengers also get access to a folding table in each of the front seat-backs.
This second row of seats has ISOFIX child seat anchors in the two outboard seats and there are top tether points on all of these second-row seats.
The rear luggage compartment has a cover and there are storage bags fitted to the interior walls in the cargo area and also a 12-V outlet back there, as well as LED lights in tailgate.
Renault Trafic
That updated interior sees a few new storage options, and you score cup holders on top of the ends of the dashboard, huge door pockets with multiple storage zones, additional loose item storage on top of the dash, a flip-down middle seat with a cup holder and configurable clipboard setup, and there’s a wireless phone charger on the Premium and Lifestyle versions.
There are a few USB charge points including one on the media screen to connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and for the record, I had plenty of problems with the CarPlay dropping out on my relatively new iPhone 13 Pro.
That aside, the new media screen is a big improvement on the old one, and it helps the Trafic feel more car-like than before. The driver’s seat comfort and adjustability (eight-way seat, rake and reach steering) add to that, though the passenger two-seat bench is a bit flat.
The design of the cargo area is unchanged - meaning customers with expensive fitouts will be able to switch over to the new model without reworking anything.
As before, there are two different versions - short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) - and the cargo capacity varies as such, with the SWB up to 5.8m3, the LWB up to 6.7m3, and the crew van models at 4.0m3.
Payload spans between 1053kg and 1279kg, depending on the variant and transmission.
There are numerous tie-down points (10 in SWB, 12 in LWB), multiple flooring options, half-height protective panels fitted as standard, and you can option a bulkhead on the base model for just $400. Other options for the base van include a driver’s side sliding door ($600), and rear barn doors instead of the tailgate ($400).
Those who know their van will work hard might want to consider the Trade Pack, which adds a wooden floor, full height wood wall lining, LED cargo zone lighting, a heavy duty battery, and a spare wheel protection basket - it adds $2000 to Pro or Premium models.
If you want to show up and show off, there’s also the Business Pack for Premium models ($2200), which adds climate control, tinted windows, 17-inch alloy wheels, a heated driver seat, LED cabin lights, satellite-navigation, chrome front grille highlights, a colour-coded front bumper door mirrors, and rear tail-light columns.
There are other options including things like glazed sliding doors (Premium only, $400), a switch back to a tailgate rather than barn doors for the Premium or Lifestyle models (no cost), removal of the bench seat and bulkhead in favour of two-seat open-plan layout (no cost for Premium models), a single passenger seat for Pro models ($100). There are other options available, but suffice to say, you can essentially add or even subtract what you need if you choose a Trafic van.
Price and features
Volkswagen Caddy
Before we get cracking, it’s important to note that we tested the 2.0-litre TDI320 variant (diesel); there is a 1.5-litre TSI220 petrol variant available.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Caddy California Max is built off Caddy Maxi people-mover variant on an extended long-wheelbase platform.
Our test vehicle has a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $54,990, not including on-road costs. As tested our Caddy California was $56,105 because it has Copper Bronze metallic paint, which costs $1115.
As standard, it has five seats (two in the front and a three-seat bench as the second row), a newly designed dash and instrument cluster featuring a full-colour digital cockpit, an 8.25-inch colour touchscreen (with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), two-zone climate control, keyless start, a lifting tailgate, and a stack of other features too numerous to list here. Find out for yourself, do your own research for there’s joy in that.
Driver-assist tech includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, lane assist, and park assist and park distance control in the front and rear.
The California package includes a foldable bed, storage bags, a foldable table and two chairs, as well as additional interior lighting and ventilation vents.
There are numerous VW genuine options available, including a panoramic glass sunroof as well as a tent that can be attached to the rear of the vehicle, but it was unavailable at time of writing.
Renault Trafic
Formerly one of the most affordable vans on the market, times have changed for the facelifted Renault Trafic line-up. Prices are up between $4610 and $8610, depending on the grade.
But justifying the jump is the inclusion of a number of new features - including forward AEB (auto emergency braking), lane departure warning, a new media screen with smartphone mirroring technology (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and a few other items like LED headlights and daytime running lights. And of course, customers score an upgrade to a larger diesel engine, too.
You can read all the details in our 2023 Renault Trafic pricing and specs story, but I’ve covered a few of the choice options in the practicality section below.
Under the bonnet
Volkswagen Caddy
Our test vehicle – the TDI320 variant of the new Caddy California – has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, producing 90kW at 2750-4250rpm and 320Nm at 1500-2500rpm, and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox DSG.
This is a front-wheel drive van and it’s riding on 18-inch wheels and Bridgestone Turanza T005 (215/55 R17) tyres.
Renault Trafic
This is not a new engine, but for a lot of the models in the range it is an upgrade from the existing 1.6-litre four-cylinder that was previously offered in two different tunes (85kW or 103kW).. In fact, there was an even lower output 66kW version ages ago, too.
For some, then, the 2.0-litre with 125kW of power (at 3500rpm) and 380Nm of torque (at 1500rpm) is a big step up, and one that Renault Australia said customers wanted.
That 2.0L engine is now available whether you choose the six-speed manual or six-speed ‘EDC’ dual-clutch automatic transmission. All Trafic models are front-wheel drive only.
All versions have 750kg of unbraked towing capacity, while braked towing capacity maxes out on the base manual version at 2500kg in SWB or LWB. The rest of the range has braked towing capacity of between 1630-1720kg.
Concerned about the Trafic’s gross vehicle mass (GVM)? It varies between 2980kg and 3070kg. And the gross combination mass (GCM) spans from the auto models at 4700kg through to the base manual at up to 5570kg.
Efficiency
Volkswagen Caddy
Volkswagen lists the official combination fuel consumption as 4.9L/100km, but during our four day test we only averaged 6.2L/100km.
This van has a 50-litre fuel tank and an AdBlue tank.
Renault Trafic
The official combined cycle fuel consumption figures are an impressive (on paper) 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres for the auto model and 7.2L/100km for the manual versions, no matter the wheelbase or seat capacity.
On our test drive at the launch, with no significant weight in the back and in the auto Premium version, the dashboard display was showing 7.8L/100km.
In the Trafic’s favour is an 80-litre fuel tank, meaning a decent theoretical driving range of up to 1230km if you can get it down to the official number, or a more realistic (but still impressive) 1025km at the average consumption I saw on test.
You don’t need to worry about Adblue, either. It doesn’t have it, and it meets Euro 5 standards only (manual - 188g/km CO2; auto - 171g/km CO2).
Driving
Volkswagen Caddy
The Caddy California is 4835mm long with a 2970mm-long wheel-base. It stands 1836mm high (including roof rails) and is 2100mm wide (including the wing mirrors). The TDI320 variant has an unladen mass of 1723kg.
This is not the biggest van around and it manages to feel quite manoeuvrable for something that’s fairly box-like.
Visibility is pretty good from the driver’s seat, with mostly clear vision in all directions.
Steering is suitably sharp and well weighted, which is handy for a camper, especially for one that tends to feel its size a bit through sections of the blacktop that involve lots of twists and turns.
The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine offers reasonable punch – getting the front-wheel drive van off the mark with some pep – and it works well with the dual-clutch auto transmission, resulting in a mostly smooth and unfussed drive.
Ride is well sorted, albeit on the firm side of things and some of that characteristic can be attributed to the van’s dimensions, the fact it was unladen, and it’s shod with 18-inch wheels.
Something people who aren’t used to driving vans should keep in mind: a van’s sides and back-end tend to catch wind gusts in high-wind areas, and that sensation and impact on the van’s behaviour can be somewhat disconcerting if you’re not anticipating them.
This van’s Bridgestone Turanza T005 (215/55 R17) tyres cope adequately with rain-slick bitumen during the recent poor weather.
All-round, this van is well behaved on-road and yields a relaxed driving experience.
Renault Trafic
One of the key things that was discussed at the launch event was ‘comfort’. For Cameron at Lindenvel Group - a commercial fit-out business based in Gosford, but with projects all over Australia - comfort is the key purchase decision for his team. His business currently has three pre-update Trafic models, and he reckons the team has put almost a million cumulative kilometres on their vans since they first upgraded from a 2000 Toyota HiAce back when this generation of Trafic launched in 2015 locally.
It was also a key discussion point for the brand’s product manager, Charly Clercin, who pointed out that comfort is more than just seat cushioning. It’s also about adjustability, vision from the driver’s seat, material finishes, and the new touchscreen which should make things easier for people who spend as much time in their van as they do in their bed.
And it is comfortable. In fact, my co-driver and I were very impressed by the driving seat comfort, with the adjustable arm-rest adding to the “I could drive this for hours” vibe.
But for passengers? Not as good. The bench seat is a bit flat and lacks side support, but at least it’s wide enough to actually fit two adults, if needed.
The suspension is very well sorted. I drove a SWB version and there wasn’t too much to whinge about with it unladen. The suspension picked up on the odd sharp edge or lump, but it was never uncomfortable.
The steering was great, too, with nice weighting and responsiveness, and it was very easy to park the van - so easy, in fact, yours truly absolutely smoked the ‘parking gymkhana’ challenge that Renault put on at the event, where I had to reverse from a tight parking ‘garage’ made of witch’s hats, drive into two other ‘garages’.
Suffice to say, it’s not too hard to park. The surround-view camera on the Premium model, and front and side sensors, certainly helped, but so did the revised mirrors, which are a bit bigger and offer a slightly better view for drivers.
And the engine? It’s a good’n. With easily enough pulling power from low in the rev range, the only complaint was a touch of hesitation from a standstill, and when shifting from D to R (or vice versa) in a hurry.
But the six-speed dual-clutch auto was very good, shuffling through the gears without hassle, and without too much of that slow-speed slurring/lurching sensation some dual-clutches can offer up.
Safety
Volkswagen Caddy
The VW Caddy California has the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2021.
It has front, side, curtain and centre airbags for driver and front passenger, ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard second-row seats and top tether points on all second-row seats.
Driver-assist tech includes adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue detection, multi collision braking system, lane change system (including blindspot monitoring), side assist with rear traffic alert and more.
Renault Trafic
There are now safety tech items that were never available before on the old Trafic.
Things like autonomous emergency braking (car to car only, no pedestrian, cyclist or junction detection), lane departure warning (no active lane keeping assistance), a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and six airbags (dual front, front side and curtain) are included on all vans.
There are more standard goodies if you choose the Premium or Lifestyle model, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and front+side parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitoring, too.
Other vans are streets ahead in terms of the range-wide safety tech on offer, so if safety is a big priority for you, be sure to look at the Toyota HiAce or Hyundai Staria Load.
Further, the Renault Trafic scored a three-star Euro NCAP safety rating back in 2015, and the updated version hasn’t yet been tested - but based on the current criteria, it would be surprising if it even maintained that rating.
Ownership
Volkswagen Caddy
The VW Caddy California Maxi is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, a choice of three- or five-year Care Plans (capped price servicing), and a free year of 24-hour roadside assist.
A Caddy’s five-year capped price servicing plan costs $1500 and includes two free services.
Renault Trafic
The Renault Trafic is supported by a five-year/200,000 kilometre warranty plan, which is the standard for the class.
The brand also offers a five-year capped-price servicing plan, which is a bit expensive by class standards but more affordable than the last iteration over a five-year span.
It costs $649 per service for visits one, two, three and five, and service four costs $949. That means an average annual service cost of $711 (previously: $739 avg over five years).
But the thing is, if you do a lot of kays in your Trafic, you might be okay with that - because the intervals are every 12 months or 30,000km, meaning potentially less down-time for your van.
If you abide by the service plan, you also score five years of roadside assist.