Volkswagen Caddy Review

In their own words on the Volkswagen website, the Caddy is as innovative and versatile as ever. There's talk of a new, sleek design coming out soon, with a wealth of new features, like smart Driver Assist systems, a fully digital cockpit, and a ground-breaking "info-entertainment" system. All very exciting, but what does that all mean?

Well, if you're not too familiar with what the Caddy is, here's a brief history lesson.

Classed mainly as a panel van and leisure activity vehicle, the Caddy has been produced by the Volkswagen Group in Germany since 1980. That means it's been sold all around Europe and in other markets around the world for the last 42 years, which speaks volumes for its popularity and reliability - "Vorsprung Durch Technik" and all that...

Initially, the Caddy came with two engine choices. The 1.6L diesel and the 1.7L petrol. One unique feature of the diesel was that it came with a five-speed gearbox, with the fifth gear labelled as "E" or "Economy".

If you'd thought this van was a good golf companion because of the name, there's a funny story there too. Originally, it wasn't actually called the Caddy until 1982, but only when it was released in Europe. It was called the Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup when it first went on sale in North America!

The European invasion

Once the Rabbit Pickup had hopped over the Atlantic and set foot in the European market, the quickly renamed Caddys were built in Volkswagen's plant in Sarajevo, in modern day Bosnia and Herzegovina, although back then it was known as Yugoslavia.

That lasted a decade up until 1992, when Caddy models started being developed with Skoda, and were designed to be slightly smaller.

The 2nd generation

In the mid-1990s, the brains behind the Caddy's design decided that the van needed a bit of a makeover - after all, don&'t we all after a few years?!

So, in 1995, the Polo Caddy was released, designed by Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary SEAT who had been making popular family cars since the early 1950s.

It was built in Martorell in north-east Spain, until in 2004, the next change happened.

The 3rd generation

The third generation of Volkswagen Caddy made its long-awaited debut right at the end of 2003, at the RAI Commercial Vehicle Show in Amsterdam. This is when Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showcased the Type 2K Caddy panel van.

This new model had a sleeker, more aerodynamic design, as the angle of the windscreen was more slanted, making the dashboard bigger and the bonnet smaller. It was well-received as a stylish upgrade, increasing its popularity further with fans of the previous models.

A series of facelifts

Towards the end of 2010, the Caddy underwent another facelift so that it matched the series of upgrades most other Volkswagen vehicles were going through at that time. These changes included an enhanced front complete with new headlights and grille.

Five years later, in 2015, it underwent a second facelift consisting of a new front fascia, a roof spoiler, as well as a new interior to keep it competitive alongside its more modern rivals.

The 4th generation

Finally, the latest generation of Caddy was unveiled in February 2020, when some brand-new technology was added, including Travel Assist, the new upcoming "braking-when-turning" function, the latest space-age info-entertainment systems, as well as digitalised controls.

At Auto Capital

We think the Volkswagen Caddy is a great van and we're happy to supply it to any of the lucky people who want to drive it. It's easy to drive, and doesn't have to be about carrying equipment around. As it's so comfortable for passengers, this is a van that can even cater for your family!

Still as reliable now as it has been since 1980, as well as being as reliable and practical as ever, the Volkswagen Caddy is ready for whatever comes down the road.