Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Caddy Cargo Maxi C20 Petrol 1.5 Ehybrid 150 Commerce PRO Kombi DSG Assist

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen offers this the useful option of PHEV power to customers of small vans with this model, the Caddy Cargo eHybrid, here mildly updated. There are none of the restrictions of an EV but commuting journeys can still be battery-powered. If the price proposition works for you, it's worth a look.

Background

We'd understand if you happen to be undecided about the switch to full-EV power with your next small van. Battery tech in the van electric segment has improved lately, but not enough to give a compact electric LCV anything like the driving range of an equivalent combustion model. Plus they cost more and depreciate faster. Just before you sign up for another diesel though, take a quick look at the model we are reviewing here, Volkswagen's Caddy Cargo eHybrid, which has now benefitted from a light mid-term update. It's a Plug-in Hybrid, sharing its powertrain with an equivalent version of its Ford Transit Connect design clone. So it still uses an engine, but will apparently travel up to 73 miles on battery power before it needs to. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

This Caddy eHybrid's 1.5-litre PHEV drivetrain - also lent to its Ford Transit Connect clone and rival - finds its home here. It uses a high voltage battery and electric motor to deliver a combined 150PS, with 350Nm of torque through the 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission you have to have. To get anywhere close to the claimed 72 mile EV range figure, there are various drive modes you'll need to master: 'EV Now', which drives using only the electric motor; 'EV Auto', which balances electric and petrol power to best suit driving conditions; 'EV Later', which drives using only the petrol engine, saving all the battery energy for use later; and 'EV Reserve', which saves a driver-defined level of battery energy for later use. Towing capacity's up to 1.5-tonnes - the same as the top diesel. As with other variants in the range, your car can be specified with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, which provides assisted driving for accelerator, braking and steering functions to reduce stress on highways or in stop and start traffic. You wouldn't expect engaging handling from a compact LCV and you don't get it here. But the compact body makes this small van easy to manoeuvre around town, as does the light steering.

Design and Build

Apart from the badgework and an EV charging flap, there are no external give-aways that this is a different kind of Volkswagen Caddy Cargo. Visually, the Caddy hasn't looked much different since the third generation version was launched back in 2003. So the complete styling re-think for this SB-series model at its original launch in 2020 was somewhat refreshing. Little else was needed visually for this mid-term update, so Volkswagen has contented itself with minor revisions to the front apron and bumper, plus revised wheel rims which, as before, are between 16 and 18-inches in size. Behind the wheel, the main change as part of this update is a larger, free-standing central display. As before, the cabin is all neat and unfussy, with dark grey plastics prevailing on every surface but quite a high quality feel prevailing and quite a high level of infotainment including a wide range of connectivity options that work via an integrated eSIM. Where fitted, the AGR-approved ergoComfort seats are particularly supportive, approved by the German campaign for Healthy Backs Society. And an electronic handbrake is standard, plus buyers can specify electric closing aids for the sliding doors and the tailgate.

Market and Model

The eHybrid powertrain is available right across the Caddy Cargo range and prices start from around £29,000, exc. VAT. If you happened already to be looking at the fastest diesel auto version (the 2.0TDI 122PS 7-speed DSG version), you'll find eHybrid pricing very similar. But compare against the 2.0TDI 102PS 6-speed manual variant most Caddy Cargo customers choose and there's £3,000 more to find. As with the ordinary combustion models, there are two body shapes - SWB and longer Maxi - and three trim levels - 'Commerce', 'Commerce Plus' and 'Commerce Pro'. All mainstream models get a touchscreen infotainment system. This Caddy is also equipped with an 'always connected', integrated eSIM, which allows infotainment systems to be prepared to access mobile online services and functions of 'We Connect'. The interior also gets an electronic handbrake, cruise control and a heat-insulating windscreen. 'Commerce Plus' trim adds and ergoComfort driver's seat, air conditioning and body-coloured bumpers. 'Commerce Pro' adds 16-inch alloy wheels, all-round parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a rear view camera and a digital cockpit instrument screen. You can add a roof vent for better climate control and faster stationary ventilation in the back. Safety-wise, there can be a total of 19 camera systems fitted to this Caddy, including Adaptive Cruise Control, a 'Trailer Assist trailer manoeuvring system, 'Side Assist' (basically a Blind Spot system), 'Rear Traffic Alert' (which warns you of oncoming vehicles when you're reversing) and 'Emergency Assist' (assisted stopping in an emergency). There's also VW's 'Travel Assist' set-up which allows for a degree of level 2 autonomous driving.

Practicalities and Costs

Though the PHEV set-up means that slight compromises need to be made with payload and towing weight, the drivetrain hasn't adversely affected carriage capacity. All versions can take two standard euro pallets and, as with an ordinary TDI diesel or TSI petrol Caddy Cargo, you get a 3.1m3 cargo capacity in the standard short wheelbaseSWB1 model; or 3.7m3 in the Maxi version, which can offer 2,150mm of cargo space length. The Maxi model gets a longer sliding side door. Payload can be up to 740kg if you choose the right version - which is more than you get from any Caddy Cargo TDI. All right, so it's practical. But how will running costs add up? Well, we gave you the EV range figure - up to 72 miles - in our 'Driving' section. This should mean that owners should rarely have to visit their local fuel station. This eHybrid is rated at up to 44.8mpg and 42g/km. That's provided you keep this van regularly fully charged of course. This Caddy eHybrid's Plug-In Hybrid battery can be fast charged at up to 50kW using public fast chargers - which isn't a particularly fast speed but is fine for a PHEV. You can recharge the vehicle at home using AC charging up to 11kW, but most owners will be using a more conventional 7.4kW garage wall box. Expect a super-low CO2 return, which will enhance your Benefit-in-Kind taxation status. This Caddy Cargo comes with the usual VW three year/60,000 mile warranty and a year of roadside assistance. You could pay more to extend this cover of course. Service intervals are spread quite far apart - every 18,600 miles or every two years, whichever comes first.

Summary

Don't blindly sign up to just another diesel Volkswagen Caddy Cargo without taking a long, hard look at this PHEV eHybrid petrol version. You might be surprised at what you find, especially with this lightly updated model. If the price premium over the diesel version weren't so significant, this acquisition of this PHEV powerplant would probably be a no-brainer for Caddy van customers. As it is though, choosing this Hybrid variant will still require careful thought. And careful comparison with the near-identical product you could get with a 'Transit Connect' badge from your local Ford dealer. But if the sums add up, this frugal part-electrified Caddy model might too. It has a polished feel that both the equivalent Ford and the only other small PHEV van on the market (the LEVC VN5) both lack. So perhaps after all, it's time for level of EV-ness in your next small LCV. The electric revolution requires a big mindset change for customers in the segment. But here's a useful stepping stone to it.