Review: Volkswagen 2K Caddy Life (2006-15)

Review: Volkswagen 2K.I Caddy Life (2006-10)

Overview

Released in May 2006, the Volkswagen 2K Series I (2K.I) Caddy Life was a seven seat people mover. The Caddy Life was initially available in 1.6i and 1.9TDI variants, powered by 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines respectively. The VW Caddy Life had a 2-2-3 seating configuration and sliding side doors on each side for ingress; the third row bench seats could also be removed.

In August 2008, the standard Caddy Life was replaced by the Caddy Life Maxi which had an extended wheelbase (3002 mm compared to 2682mm), provided 420 mm of additional boot length and more legroom. The Caddy Life Maxi was solely available as a 1.9TDI variant.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Caddy Life included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Optional safety equipment included front side airbags, brake assist and electronic stability control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 VW Caddy Life – fitted with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine and equipped with dual front and side airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 27.46; in Australia, the fitment of a seatbelt reminder added an additional point. In the offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, there was a one point deduction due to a door unlatching.

Features

Standard features for the Volkswagen Caddy Life 1.6i included 15-inch steel wheels, six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, front and rear fog lights, split and folding second and third row seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows, two 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser.

The Caddy Life 1.9 TDI was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, height adjustable front seats with under-seat storage compartments and a trip computer. Finally, the Caddy Life Maxi 1.9 TDI was distinguished by its 16-inch alloy wheels.

Review: Volkswagen 2K.II Caddy Life (2010-15)

Overview

Released in December 2010, the Volkswagen 2K Series II (2K.II) Caddy Life introduced a revised range, new engine and styling changes. The Caddy Life and Caddy Life Maxi were sold simultaneously, with five and seven seats respectively. The range consisted of two variants: the TDI250 and TDI320, powered by 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. In July 2011, the TDI320 variant was released with Volkswagen’s ‘4Motion’ all-wheel drive system.

Visually, the 2K.II Caddy Life could be identified by its new grille, front bumper and head- and tail-lights. Inside, there were new instruments, a three-spoke steering wheel and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls.

4Motion all-wheel drive system

The 4Motion system utilised a fourth generation Haldex coupling which, in normal conditions, provided a 90:10 front:rear torque split. Significantly, however, the fourth generation systems could pre-tension the clutch and direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle before traction was lost (i.e. a proactive system).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen 2K.II Caddy Life included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The Caddy Maxi Life was further equipped with front side airbags with head/thorax protection. In 2012, the Caddy Life TDI250 Trendline was introduced – it was also fitted with front side airbags with head and thorax protection.

Features

Standard features for the VW 2K.II Caddy Life TDI250 included a two speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs, air conditioning, cruise control, rear fog lights, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, two 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser.

The Caddy Life Maxi TDI250 and TDI320 were further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, four speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front fog lights (with cornering function), automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, cargo cover, roof rails and a trip computer.

Beyond this, the TDI320 4Motion added a six speaker sound system and rear privacy glass.

Startline, Comfortline and Trendline editions

From July 2011, the Caddy Life and Caddy Life Maxi were solely available in Startline and Comfortline editions respectively, though there were no changes to standard features.

In 2012, however, Trendline editions of the Caddy Life were introduced. As noted above, the Trendline editions were further equipped with front side airbags with head and thorax protection.

2012 Caddy Life Maxi TDI320 Edition 30

In October 2012, a limited-run Caddy Life Maxi TDI320 Edition 30 was released to commemorate 30 years since the release of the first Caddy. Based on the Caddy Maxi TDI320 Comfortline, the Edition 30 was fitted with 17-inch ‘Budapest’ alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, two-tone Alcantara upholstery, front fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Furthermore, the Edition 30 could be identified by its black headlight accents, roof panel, roof rails and painted bumpers.

Brochures

• Brochure: Volkswagen 2K.II Caddy Life (December 2010)
• Brochure: Volkswagen 2K.II Caddy Life (August 2014)

Related links

• Volkswagen Australia: Volkswagen Caddy Life
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen 2K Caddy