The rear door aperture has also been stretched for easier access. That means that a Europallet can now be carried sideways in the cargo space.


ing door mirrors.


There is also a Lights & Vision pack with auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers and lights, while the info- tainment moves up to VW’s Discover Media navigation with 10” touchscreen. Whichever model you choose, there is a totally new interior, with flush fitted screens and touch sensitive controls for the lights and the heating and ventila- tion systems. This does result in mul- tiple prods at the screen to adjust the cabin temperature, which I’m not sure is actually progress.


For Volkswagen, the Caddy Cargo has arrived at an opportune time, bringing the van bang up to date


“


on the ID.Buzz model to be launched later in the year. All engines have six-speed manu-


al gearboxes, with a seven-speed DSG transmission as an option. The 122hp engine can also be matched to VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which makes a return to the UK market. While the front McPherson strut suspension has been revised for im- proved steering, the rear leaf spring has been replaced by coil springs. This allows for the increased internal load space, but also makes it easier to fit front and all-wheel drive.


In the cab Caddy 5 launches a new naming policy for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, with Commerce being the entry level, followed by Commerce Plus and Com- merce Pro. All vans come with a host of ADAS systems, including Automat- ic Post-Collision Braking System, Elec- tronic Differential Lock, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking System. Caddy Cargo Commerce standard equipment includes VW Composition


Audio DAB+ radio with a 6.5” colour touchscreen, Bluetooth and SD card in- terfaces. All Caddy vans also have We- Connect preparation and it is possible to add the popular Business pack to the Commerce trim.


Caddy Cargo Commerce Plus trim adds body-coloured bumpers, rear park- ing sensors, air conditioning, a leath- er-trimmed multi-function steering wheel and storage under the driver and passenger seats. Move up to Cad- dy Cargo Commerce Pro and you add 16” alloy wheels for short vans and 17” alloys for Maxi models, front and rear parking sensors, a heated windscreen, LED rear lights and heated power-fold-


There is a totally new interior, with flush fitted screens and touch sensitive controls.


On the road VanUser spent some time in a Caddy Cargo Maxi in mid-range Commerce Plus trim, with the 102hp engine and a manual gearbox, which is fairly rep- resentative of a popular model. The in- terior is certainly a big step up from the previous model, with a totally new dash and centre console design. It all works well and the Caddy Cargo is a comfort- able van in which to spend time. If de- sired, you can now specify AGR Ergo- Comfort seats, if you spend a lot of time at the wheel, which offer even more ad- justment and support.


The 102hp engine has plenty of power for a van of this size and the six- speed manual gearbox delivers a good spread of ratios, for relaxed urban stop and start work or for higher speed dual carriageway work. The engine noise is well suppressed and a full bulkhead stops any booming noise from the rear, though you do get some road noise from the wheels at higher speeds.


Conclusion For Volkswagen, the Caddy Cargo has arrived at an opportune time, bring- ing the van bang up to date, as several other manufacturers prepare to intro- duce new models in this sector. As if to prove that fact, VWCV reports a strong order bank for the new van, with plen- ty of fleet interest. Certainly, the van feels like a very focused update, with VW’s engineers having left hardly any component un- touched in their efforts to move the game forward. Not having to work in electric and hybrid drivelines from day one must have helped, as it has allowed the company to deliver a diesel van that should be exactly what today’s custom- ers are looking for. It is good to see that Volkswagen still considers the inclusion of safety and driver assistance systems, many of which are standard equipment, to be of equal importance.


VanUser rating: 4.5 MAY 2021 • VANUSER 13


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