2020 vw caddy 1
Carsales Staff17 Dec 2020
NEWS

Next-gen Volkswagen Caddy looming

Fresh powertrain, tech and chassis for all-new German compact van, landing locally mid-2021

More local details have been announced for the all-new Volkswagen Caddy 5, which was first revealed in February.

Volkswagen Group Australia has confirmed the latest and all-new iteration of its compact van and people-mover will reach Aussie dealerships early in the second half of 2021.

All-new Caddy 5

The fifth-generation Volkswagen Caddy trades its predecessor’s PQ35 platform for the VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB architecture, as seen under a plethora of the German car-maker’s models including the upcoming Golf 8 hatch.

That could well spell more passenger-car-like comfort and dynamics, even as LCV-firm suspension continues to meet the platform's commercial requirements. The nameplate will be offered in Caddy Cargo (van), Caddy Crewvan and Caddy People Mover formats.

Details are yet to be revealed about local engine and drivetrain choices, but the new Caddy will land with a range of new Euro 6 emissions-compliant engines – a number of diesels at launch, followed later in 2021 by petrol options – along with new bodywork, a new interior, and a comprehensive array of new technology.

In Europe, power options include a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel or 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, but fall short of the electrified powertrains offered in the Volkswagen Golf, at least in Europe.

2021 volkswagen caddy revealed low spec model 11

Longer load bays

What we do know, however, is that the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo will continue to be complemented by a longer-wheelbase Caddy Maxi variant, and that both the Caddy Cargo and Caddy Maxi will feature longer load compartments – up by 58mm and 82mm in length respectively.

The new Caddy 5's rear aperture is now 51mm wider, while two sliding door widths will be available, with the Caddy Maxi gaining an additional 135mm.

Volkswagen Australia is yet to announce local wheelbase, payload and load-capacity specifications, although it has said van versions will accept up to two Euro pallets.

Tech-packed interior

Inside the cab, a revitalised interior features a new dash design with a choice of 8.25-inch or 10.0-inch high-definition displays with App-Connect integration.

Volkswagen's futuristic Innovision Digital Cockpit, which debuted in Volkswagen's third-generation Touareg, will be available as an option.

In fact, technology has been ramped up significantly in the new Caddy 5, with Volkswagen Australia saying the new generation now offers a total of 17 driver assistance systems, including four that are new to the compact LCV segment.

While the brand is yet to issue a comprehensive list, systems such as adaptive cruise control, dynamic lane keeping and rear cross traffic alert are all said to be on offer, while a reversing camera will be standard across the range.

Volkswagen Australia says the new Caddy 5 boasts “levels of technology not yet seen in the light commercial space”.

2020 vw caddy life mpv 24

Market-leading compact LCV

The 2021 Volkswagen Caddy 5 has some particularly big shoes to fill, with the current generation Caddy Van accounting for 70.7 per cent of the compact LCV (up to 2500kg GVM) segment.

More than 1500 examples were sold in 2020 to the end of November (VFACTS data). Next was Renault's Kangoo (19.5%), followed by Peugeot's Partner (8.2%) and Fiat's Doblo (1.6%).

In contrast, in the sub-$60,000 people-mover category, the Volkswagen Caddy holds a far more modest 3.4 per cent market share.

“While Caddy 5 is an all-new model, it is still 100 per cent a Caddy,” says Volkswagen Australia.

“For over a decade, the Caddy has been the market leader in its segment, representing around 80 per cent market share.

“While new customers will be attracted to the Caddy 5 for its practicality and technology, existing customers, many of whom have owned several previous generations of Caddy, will see this latest evolution as simply making a good thing even better.”

Australian pricing and full specifications for the new Volkswagen Caddy 5 will be announced closer to the model's local introduction shortly after mid-2021.

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Written byCarsales Staff
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