Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 2023 Review

Volkswagen announced pricing and specs for the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy last November, but a price hike of $500 across the range kicked in on January 1.

That doesn’t sound like much, particularly with some important new features being adopted for MY23, but the Caddy remains at the premium end of the compact van segment.

Entry into the line-up now starts at $37,490 plus on-road costs for the manual-equipped Volkswagen Caddy Cargo TSI220 short-wheelbase commercial van, with the larger Maxi starting at $39,490 plus ORCs.

From there, the five-seat Caddy Crewvan is priced from $46,490, while the Caddy Maxi people-mover is set from $48,640 and the Caddy California Camper at $58,190 (all plus ORCs).

Those prices compare with a starting figure of $35,606 plus ORCs for the Peugeot Partner. A new-generation Renault Kangoo is also coming soon, while the bigger Chinese-built LDV G10 remains attractively priced from $35,779 drive-away ahead of a generational change due in the final quarter.

The 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo tested here comes with a fair arsenal of standard equipment.

Much longer, however, is the optional extras list.

The standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, climate control, cruise control, power windows, cloth seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In terms of commercial-themed items, there’s remote central locking with a separate system for the load compartment, six tie-down points, LED lighting overhead, rear barn doors that offer additional extension to facilitate a forklift or machinery, and a single sliding door on the left-hand side.

You can option a right-hand side sliding door for an additional $620.

Options include keyless entry/start, tyre pressure monitoring and even integrating mirrors into the sun visors.

The Caddy Cargo is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, 12 months’ roadside assistance and a pre-paid servicing ‘Care plan’ which costs $1500 over a five-year term.

This is where the lion’s share of changes have taken place with the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo.

According to VW, the front assist system can now detect cyclists and pedestrians from 5-85km/h as well as oncoming traffic when turning at an intersection, applying the brakes automatically if needed.

The updates mean the Cargo and Cargo Crewvan commercial versions are now on par with the Caddy people-mover and California models in terms of safety gear.

Even so, the devil is in the detail. Listed as optional in the Caddy Cargo are basic driver aids including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, lane keep assist and rear cross traffic alert and braking.

The Caddy Cargo does come with a suite of airbags. It also gets a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

The optional park assist system (front sensors) are currently unavailable due to the global semi-conductor shortage.

For a $40,000 van, you’d expect a little more standard safety items.

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo has no official crash test rating in Australia, but the people-mover version carries a five-star ANCAP rating (awarded in 2021).

What technology does the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo feature?

Infotainment on the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo comprises a 10.25-inch touch-screen display with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB-C ports and two 12V connectors.

Again, digital radio ($355) and satellite navigation ($1625) are both listed under optional extras.

There’s a choice of petrol and diesel power in the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo range.

Here, we’re testing the entry-level TSI220 petrol version for the first time in this generation.

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine delivers 84kW and 220Nm, driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (which adds $3000 over the six-speed manual version).

The Caddy moved to Volkswagen’s car-derived MQB platform in this latest generation, which is an important topic when it comes to modernisation and driveability.

The Caddy is suspended by a MacPherson strut configuration up front and a rigid axle with coil springs and a Panhard rod at the rear (previously leaf springs).

The swap to new underpinnings importantly yielded similar proportions in this latest generation, with an overall vehicle length of 4500mm (+92mm) and wheelbase of 2755mm (+73mm).

The cargo space maximum length, width and height is, respectively, 1797mm (+18mm), 1614mm (+58mm) and 1272mm (+28mm), while the width between the wheel-arches is 1230mm (+60mm).

VW officially claims a fuel consumption average of 6.2L/100km for the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo TSI220 SWB, theoretically providing a total driving range of more than 750km given its 50-litre tank.

The one caveat is that the petrol engine requires a minimum 95 RON premium unleaded blend.

The 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo drives much like one of VW’s passenger vehicles – with a slight industrial bent.

Getting comfy from the driver’s seat is a cinch for the most part, with excellent steering wheel rake and tilt adjustment, car-like modulation of the controls and an open glasshouse design looking forward.

The driver’s seat sits low enough in the cabin to cultivate adequate driver feeling, however we reckon taller occupants will find it tricky getting enough legroom, with adjustment impeded by the bulkhead.

Similarly, the Caddy Cargo’s car-like side mirrors are a little inadequate with their rearward outlook, which exacerbates the big slabs of sheet metal down either side of the van, and the lack of standard blind spot monitoring. Rear vision could definitely be better with larger, broader mirrors.

On-road, the electro-mechanical steering is light at low speeds, the engine is refined and the 11.4-metre turning circle provides nippy around-town access and, ultimately, ease of use.

Similarly, disc brakes at each corner provide reassuring stopping power and the electronics suite is quite adept at keeping proceedings in check.

With all that said, there are still unmistakeable trade van character traits, like the occasional thudding over rougher bitumen and moderate levels of road noise, even withstanding the bulkhead divider fitted to our vehicle.

The coil spring rear has wrought better body control and dynamics, with the Caddy much more confident on a twisting section of road compared with before.

The 220TSI turbo-petrol offers moderate progress and efficiency on-road. It is initially beset with some hesitation upon throttle tip-in – a symptom of the DSG transmission, stop-start system and turbo lag – but once percolating the 1.5-litre spins freely and offers tractable power.

Push the petrol a little harder and its vocals are easily detectable, but given the Caddy’s brief we reckon the petrol is a strong alliance, easily working up to and holding highway speeds and facilitating overtaking manoeuvres with some forward planning.

We also had a stint carrying about 400kg on test and found the Caddy Cargo retains its surefooted dynamics. The ride feels a tad more settled over broken bitumen, and the body retains its finesse through changes in direction.

Total load space is rated at 3100 litres, or 100 litres less than the old model. Total payload for the petrol model is listed at 692kg – about 50kg less than the equivalent diesel.

The braked towing capacity is 1500kg with a 75kg tow bar rating. The roof load is rated at 100kg.

Overall, we averaged 7.2L/100km economy in a mix of conditions – including the load testing – which is quite admirable.

Is the petrol better than the diesel? Not necessarily, since the oiler offers better real-world efficiency and a superior payload rating.

However, for those nipping around the city each day, the petrol is arguably better suited.

Even with the newfound MQB architecture, the 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is still very trade-oriented inside.

Although our complaints read more like minor gripes, they are important considerations given the amount of time spent in commercial vehicles.

First and foremost, there simply aren’t enough physical buttons and switchgear, with a heavy reliance on the centre touch-screen display.

For example, you cannot adjust the climate control except through the touch-screen – and it’s a two-stage process when you do. There’s also no physical volume knob.

Elsewhere, every contact surface is hard to touch, including the door sleeves. There’s also nowhere to rest your left elbow from the driver’s seat.

Storage facilities are generally good, headlined by an overhead console to secure paperwork and incidentals. However, we reckon it could be better, with lots of opportunities to integrate additional pop-out cup holders and hidey holes across the lashings of dashboard plastic.

With all that said, the Caddy Cargo is still a quiet and comfortable vehicle. The integration of charging points, the comfort of the seats and cavernous door pockets all aid day-to-day amenity and ease of use.

An 1165x1165mm Aussie pallet or 800x1200mm Euro pallet can fit through the barn doors but not the 703x1096mm kerbside sliding side door.

Another redeeming feature is the fitment of a full-size steel spare wheel underneath.

It wasn’t so long ago that you could purchase the next-size-up entry Volkswagen Transporter for the same price as today’s entry-level 2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo.

Even so, this remains a sound and viable option for smaller trades, and one that isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty.

The Caddy Cargo is refined, comfortable for the most part and very civilised in the way it drives, giving it a nice point of difference from like-minded but more affordable rivals.

We just wish a lot of the aforementioned safety and convenience equipment was standard inclusion.

2023 Volkswagen Caddy Cargo SWB TSI220 DSG at a glance:
Price: $40,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 84kW/220Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 141g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested