Review: Volkswagen 2K Caddy Van (2005-15)

Review: Volkswagen 2K.I Caddy (2005-10)

Overview

Released in March 2005, the Volkswagen 2K Series I (2K.I) Caddy was a two-seat van. The VW Caddy was initially available with either a 1.6-litre petrol engine (the 1.6i variant) or a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel unit (the 1.9 TDI). Built off the Mk.5 Golf platform, the Caddy had a sliding door on its left-hand side (a right-hand side door was optional), double-wing rear doors and 3.2 cubic metres of load space.

In April 2008, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi was released. Compared to the standard Caddy, the Caddy Maxi had a longer wheelbase (3002 mm compared to 2682mm), a right-hand side sliding door and 4.2 cubic metres of load space. The full range is given in the table below.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Caddy included a driver’s airbag, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The Caddy Maxi was further equipped with a front passenger airbag and a front electronic differential lock.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 VW 2K 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 included a four speaker sound system and CD player, air conditioning, remote central locking, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. The 1.9 TDI variant was further equipped with power windows and mirrors.

For the Caddy Maxi, standard features also included heated mirrors and the 1.9 TDI was equipped with cruise control.

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

Overview

Released in December 2010, the Volkswagen 2K Series II (2K.II) Caddy introduced a revised range with new engines, transmissions and updated styling. The Caddy range consisted of the TSI160 and TDI250 variants, while the Caddy Maxi was available as a TSI175, TDI250 or TDI320 variant (see table below). From July 2011, the Caddy Maxi TDI320 was available with Volkswagen’s ‘4Motion’ all-wheel drive system.

Visually, the 2K.II Caddy 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.

February 2013: Caddy update

In February 2013, the Caddy range was expanded with the introduction of the Caddy Maxi Crewvan. In the Crewvan, the three-seat rear bench could split and fold forward to increase the load capacity from 1.6 m3 to 4.1 m3. Furthermore, maximum load length was 2.25 m (with the seats removed) and payload was 709 kg for models with manual transmissions. Like the Caddy Maxi, the Maxi Crewvan was fitted with rear barn doors as standard.

Furthermore, a TDI250 variant for the Caddy Maxi range was introduced with Volkswagen’s fuel-saving BlueMotion technologies. As such, the TDI250 engine was fitted with a Stop/Start system (which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary) and brake energy regeneration (which inversely varied alternator output with engine load).

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 included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

An electronic front differential lock was fitted as standard across the range.

Features

Standard features for the VW 2K.II Caddy included a two speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, air conditioning, driving lights, rear fog lights, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats with under-seat storage compartments and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Caddy Maxi was further equipped with cruise control.

Compared to the Caddy Maxi, the Caddy Maxi Crewvan added ‘Timo’ seat trim, a second row of seats (a three-seat bench which could split, fold and be removed), side windows in the sliding doors, drawers under the front seats, a back rest release for the front seats and a rubber floor in the passenger/load compartment.

2012 Caddy Runner

In August 2012, limited edition VW Caddy Runner models were introduced. Solely available as TSI160 variants, the Runner editions were distinguished by their hard-wearing ‘Runner’ trim and unique ‘Runner’ badging. Production of the Caddy Runner was limited to 200 vehicles.

Brochure

• Brochure: Volkswagen 2K.II Caddy van (December 2012)

Related links

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