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If you’re a business owner looking to hire a vehicle that can transport goods and equipment efficiently while having enough room for your workers, one of the top recommendations you’ll get is a Caddy. This brings us to the question, ‘What is a Caddy van, and what makes this vehicle so special?’
Caddies have carved a niche for themselves when it comes to catering to the needs of small businesses and personal transportation demands. With their compact design and spacious interiors, Caddy vans are perfect for anyone who seeks practicality in a vehicle. Join us as we shed more light on the features of a Caddy van.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Caddy Van?
A Caddy van is a compact van designed to carry cargo and passengers efficiently. Volkswagen Group (VW), a German automaker, first introduced the VW Caddy in 1979 in Pittsburgh. Since then, the company has produced and sold different variants of the vehicle, mainly across Europe and North America.
Tip: You can customise a Caddy with shelving or other storage compartments for proper cargo organisation.
A Caddy is like a car-derived van, typically based on a smaller platform like a car chassis, and it offers the perfect blend of space and compactness. These Volkswagen vans are usually a popular choice among businesses that need a vehicle for deliveries and services in urban and suburban areas.
VW Caddy Through The History
The VW Caddy has been on sale for 45 years. Volkswagen introduced the first generation vehicle in Pittsburgh, USA, in 1979. Following the success of the original vehicle, four new generations have been launched, with over three million units sold worldwide.
While the Caddy is designed as a van today, the first-generation vehicles didn’t have a van-like design. In fact, they weren’t even called Caddies. The Caddy began life as a pickup truck called the Rabbit. It wasn’t until the vehicle made it into Europe in 1982 that the Caddy nameplate was applied for the first time.
Caddies have a range of protection systems, including anti-lock braking and electronic stabilisation programme.
With gentle changes in the design over the years, the Caddy has developed into what we have today, and there are more types of it. The latest Caddy Van generation is based on the VW Group’s multi-purpose MQB platform. It is available as a light commercial vehicle (LCV) with two seats and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with five or seven seats.
Look here for details about the Transit van, a Ford vehicle that can rival the Caddy.
Popularity Of Caddy Vans
The Caddy has enjoyed significant popularity across North America and Europe for many reasons. For one, the compact size and manoeuvrability make it great for city driving, especially on narrow roads and in areas with limited parking space.
Since its official launch, over 3 million units of the Caddy have been sold globally, with over 200,000 sales in the UK. As of 2019, there were 123,100 Caddies registered in Great Britain.
The Caddy range is built exclusively at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plant in Poland.
Caddy Van’s Models
The Caddy can be configured as a Panel Van, a Kombi, a Caddy Life or a Caddy Camper.
- Caddy Panel: The Caddy Panel is one of the brand’s most popular models. It has a payload of 750 kg (1,653 lb) and a loading volume of 3.2 m3. The Caddy Panel has a passenger version as well as a cargo-carrying version called Volkswagen Caddy Cargo.
- Caddy Kombi: This variant of the VW Caddy is designed for those who need a vehicle that can transport workers and their kits. It offers seating for seven and significant cargo space.
- Caddy Life: The Caddy Life is a seven-seater people mover. It has a payload of 608 kg (1,340 lb), which can be increased by taking out the two rows of rear seats. There’s also a Caddy Maxi Life, which is a longer-wheelbase version of the Caddy Life.
- Caddy Camper: As the name suggests, the Volkswagen Caddy Camper was built for camping trips. It is based on the Caddy Life, but instead of seven seats, it has two seats and a table.
Things To Consider Before Buying Or Hiring A Caddy Van
There are a few factors that you need to pay attention to when buying or hiring a Caddy to be sure that it meets your specific needs.
- Intended Use: Be sure of what you intend to use the Caddy for. Will you primarily be transporting goods? Then go for the Caddy Panel. On the other hand, the Kombi and Life models are great for anyone who plans to transport people and cargo frequently.
- Payload Capacity: Pay attention to the maximum payload capacity and loading volume of the Caddy to be sure that it can handle the typical amount of load you carry.
- Engine: Consider the engine’s specs. Caddies come with different types of engines, which determine power and performance.
Read about SWB vans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A VW Caddy A Van Or A Car?
A VW Caddy is a van. Although it is based on a car-like platform, the Caddy has the features of a van and is made for both cargo and passenger transportation. The term ‘van’ is often used to describe road vehicles that offer plenty of space for cargo, which the Caddy does. The use of the Caddy is popular among small businesses and individuals.
Is A Caddy A Good Van?
Yes, a Caddy is a good van for many reasons. It has a special design that can be configured in different ways to suit various needs. Also, the Caddy van is very compact despite having a high payload and plenty of room for cargo and passengers. Furthermore, Caddies are manufactured by Volkswagen, a reputable automaker.
Can You Sleep In A Caddy Van?
Yes, you can sleep in a Caddy Van. The VW Caddy is available in a very spacious camper version. The Caddy Camper has two seats that you can fold down to form a bed, measuring 1.10 m by 2.0 m. The Camper also comes with curtains for privacy and a host of other features that will come in handy when going on a camping trip.
Is A Caddy Van Petrol Or Diesel?
A Caddy Van is both petrol and diesel. The petrol models are very reliable and considerably cheaper to buy, but they consume more fuel in the long run. The diesel versions have a higher upfront cost. However, they produce more power and have better fuel consumption, which makes it worth the extra cost.
Are VW Caddies Economical?
Yes, VW Caddies are economical. These vehicles are compact and light, which reduces the amount of fuel consumed when driving. They also come with fuel-efficient engines that deliver good mileage. Additionally, the practicality of the Caddy makes it a great choice for businesses and individuals looking to minimise operational expenses.
Conclusion
There you have it – a comprehensive answer to your question, ‘What is a Caddy Van?’ Caddy vans have gone from being just compact commercial vehicles to the embodiment of efficiency and utility. You’ll find these vehicles all around the UK and in different parts of the world, as many small business owners see them as the perfect choice for cargo and worker transportation.
