02.06.2021

VW Caddy Review: Why Buy a Panel Van

You Can't Go Wrong With a VW Caddy Panel Van (or Another Derivative)

Volkswagen South Africa's 2020 Caddy range consists of 4 distinct derivatives, suitable for commercial and/or personal use, depending on which option you choose.

Should you be looking for a vehicle purely for business use, the Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van is the answer. Especially if you're in the business of transporting and delivering goods or need to bring a whole lot of tools and equipment along to do your job. If you're looking for a vehicle to transport your personnel, then the Caddy Crew Bus will get the job done nicely. Finally, if you're looking for a vehicle to fit a big family – or you're simply looking for the added space – you can't go wrong with either the Caddy Trendline or Alltrack.

CFAO Volkswagen has eleven dealerships across the country, all stocking the latest Volkswagen Caddy derivatives. If you are interested in any one of them, be sure to book a complimentary test drive for your preferred derivative at a dealer near you.

In this review article, we'll be focusing primarily on all the Caddy Panel Van has to offer. For more information on another derivative, don't hesitate to get in touch with our knowledgeable sales staff.

The Volkswagen Caddy 1.6 Panel Van: An Entry-Level Model Overview

Even at the entry-level of the range, Volkswagen's Caddy 1.6 Panel Van has a whole lot to offer budding entrepreneurs, eager to move themselves and their business forward. Discover what you can come to expect from the range.

Basic Information

  • Body shape: Panel Van
  • Vehicle type: Commercial
  • Fuel consumption (average): 7.3 l/100 km
  • Fuel range: 753 km
  • Fuel type: Petrol
  • Drive wheels: Front
  • Engine size: 1.6
  • Transmission type: Manual
  • Gears: 5
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Power: 81 kW
  • Torque: 155 Nm

Dimensions

  • Height: 1 823 mm
  • Length: 4 408 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2 682 mm
  • Width (excluding and including mirrors): 1 793-2 065 mm
  • Boot capacity (maximum): 3 200 l

Standard Features

Standard features of the VW Caddy 1.6 Panel Van includes, but isn't limited to, the following:

  • Woven fabric seat trim covers
  • Glove compartment featuring a lockable door and light
  • Partition featuring a tall, plastic grill in the upper section
  • Cab outfitted with rubber floor covering
  • 12 V power socket(s)
  • 2 passive speakers
  • Instrument cluster featuring km/h speedometer
  • Mobile device interface
  • Standard dashboard
  • 6J x 15 steel wheels

The Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van Inside and Out

Caddy Panel Van variants across the range impress with attractive and practical features on the inside and the outside.

The Exterior

In the Caddy Panel Van line-up, you'll find some of the most attractive vans currently on the market. The German automaker's iconic badge is a big and bold part of the vehicle's face. From the badge on the grille, chrome bars extend and create the illusion of wrapping around the vehicle, drawing your eyes to admire the vehicle from another angle. Its large headlights and powerful fog lights do wonders to improve your visibility during poor lighting conditions.

In fact, the Caddy Panel Van's whole profile looks fantastic, thanks to its lack of depressions. Depressions are commonly found on panel vans where windows can be popped out but there are none to be seen on a Caddy Panel Van. A bonus of its smooth body is that it's an effortless exercise to get your vehicle fitted with your business' signage.

Depending on your needs, you can get either a normal or extended wheelbase variant (dubbed Caddy Maxi Panel Vans). Maxi Panel Vans and Sport variants are equipped with two sliding side doors as standard (one on each side), while the shorter wheelbase variants come with one sliding door on the passenger's side, while an optional sliding door on the driver's side is also available.

A good commercial vehicle is built tough and made to last. The Volkswagen Caddy is a testament to this. Take its doors, for example, they are made using heavy-duty handles, hinges and rails that can handle the strain of extensive daily use.

The Interior

As you'd come to expect, the quality of materials used in its construction is evident as soon as you set foot inside a Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van. You don't have to worry about any eyesore seam lines, as the Caddy is well put together and feels sturdy overall. Read our article on the VW Caddy Panel Van interior for further details.

The Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van's Layout and Space

Storage compartments are ample in the cabin – a surprisingly uncommon phenomenon in vans. Both the driver and passenger have access to cup/bottle holders and door pockets. There's also a very useful overhead shelf, a lidded glovebox and a spacious holder at the top of the dash, large enough to accommodate A4 size paperwork.

Whether you choose a standard or extended wheelbase Panel Van, you shouldn't struggle with too little boot space either, as you'll have access to 3.2 m3 and 4.2 m3 respectively. Furthermore, your Caddy is able to accommodate a payload of up to 815 kg with ease. The load compartment is also fitted with between 6-8 lashing rings. These fold-down rings are attached to the van floor and allow you to securely fasten your cargo with tear-resistant tensioning belts to comply with set regulations.

Additionally, you can invest in an easy to clean, plastic protective layer that's moulded to fit the Caddy Panel Van's floor surface like a glove. This rubberised material is also fantastic when it comes to improved insulation and sound dampening.

To be prepared for work, you need a reliable and multifunctional vehicle. Find out which Caddy Panel Van fits both your budget and needs.

The Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van's Drive and Performance

Depending on the model variant, the Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van has between 81-103 kW of power at its disposal, and between 155-320 Nm of torque. Top speeds vary from 170-186 km/h, which is quite respectable considering the vehicle's weight and dimensions.

Its handling is similar to Volkswagen's other vans: light and sensitive, which is different than what you'd find in plenty of other commercial vehicles – but different in a good way. The Caddy still feels securely planted on the road and boasts comfortable pedal weights and gear changes. Its suspension deals with a rough road surface admirably and smooths out the most annoying bumps at high speeds, even without any cargo on board, giving your drive a stable feeling.

With each new generation of the Caddy Panel Van, sound penetration and engine noise have drastically improved as well.

The Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van's Safety and Security

The Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van comes with a generous amount of standard and optional safety and security features. Rest assured that you and your precious cargo are in good hands.

Standard safety and security features in the entry-level Volkswagen Caddy 1.6 Panel Van include:

  • Front seats equipped with 3-point seatbelts
  • 2 airbags, covering both the driver and the front passenger (features front passenger airbag deactivation)
  • Anti-theft alarm system
  • First aid kit with a warning triangle
  • Halogen headlights
  • Standard design rear combination lamp
  • Daytime running light
  • Speed-related variable steering assist, i.e. Servotronic
  • Front disc brakes – Geomet D
  • ABS

Optional extra safety and security features include:

  • 2 more airbags for a total of 4 (adds a side airbag in the front and a curtain airbag)
  • Park distance control
  • Electronic cruise control system
  • Integrated front fog lamps
  • Bi-xenon headlights with separate LED daytime running lights and dark-tinted rear combination lamps

Euro NCAP Safety Rating Results

When the current generation VW Caddy range was evaluated for its Euro NCAP safety rating in 2015, it scored an impressive 4/5 stars. For the evaluation, it was tested in four distinct areas and received the following scores:

  • Adult occupant – 84%
  • Child occupant – 78%
  • Pedestrian – 58%
  • Safety assist – 68%

It's Time to Take Your Business to the Next Level With a New VW Caddy Panel Van

Invest in a versatile vehicle for your small business and the world becomes your oyster. With Volkswagen's Caddy Panel Van range, taking your business to the next level has never been easier. If you're unsure of which Caddy is best suited to meet your needs, contact your nearest CFAO Volkswagen dealer and discuss it with our sales team. For the final peace of mind you seek, book a test drive and find out if your preferred variant ticks all your boxes.

We hope our Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van review article gave you a better idea of all this vehicle has to offer. For the still undecided amongst you, read our other articles on the topic for additional insights:

  • VW Caddy Interior
  • Volkswagen Caddy Specs
  • Volkswagen Caddy Price