Monday 19th February 2018

Volkswagen Caddy: PH Fleet

As one load lugger leaves, another arrives to take its place

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At the start of the year we said goodbye to our long-term Skoda Superb Estate 280 Sportline, leaving a large hole in the PH Fleet. Even though it was primarily used for carrying our Sunday Service gear, the car was a comfortable cruiser and always in demand. So when it came to looking at potential vehicles to replace the Superb, nothing else as cavernous, as practical and, well, as available came to mind. So we upped the ante and switched our focus to commercial vehicles - yes, PH is once again going to run a van.

But not just any van, a Volkswagen Caddy Highline to give it its full name. With a load space of 3,200 litres, it should comfortably swallow everything we chuck at it. Having to cover long distances we opted for the most powerful engine - a 2.0TDI with 150hp and 251lb ft which should be sprightly enough, a six-speed manual and a couple of other driver comforts. The rear-view camera comes in handy as the rear doors have no glass, and the heated seats will help keep us warm on those cold Sunday mornings. The cabin doesn't feel like that of a van, more like a larger Golf with a higher seating position - and loads more cubby holes.

Having been convinced that Viper green wasn't the best colour, a more reserved pearlescent black was selected - that doesn't mean that some louder PH graphics and sportier wheels can't be added at a later date though...

Upon its arrival, the immediate concern was that the Caddy's load volume was all in its height and the lengthier kit wouldn't fit. Thankfully, a test run revealed that the largest of the Sunday Service gear just about fits in. Crisis averted. With our first Sunday Service of 2018 coming up, it will be interesting to see how the Caddy fares on a trip up to Leeds and whether or not it garners the same amount of affection the Superb was lavished with.

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Car: Volkswagen Caddy
On fleet since: January 2018
Mileage: 197 (delivered on 120)
List price new: £21,330 (As tested £26,629 comprised of £504 for deep black pearlescent paint with Titanium black upholstery, £600 for Winter pack including headlight washers, heated washer jets, washer fluid level indicator, heated driver's and front passenger seats and electric auxiliary air heater, £252 for rear parking sensors with rear view camera, £78 for lumbar support for driver and front passenger seats, £144 for high beam assist, £114 for electrically foldable and adjustable heated mirrors and £150 for App-connect)

[Dale487]

£26K for a van - you can get a brand new Golf GTI for that money! (Less load space I know) - Better make full use of it being a van at that price.

[geeks]

Dale487 said:

£26K for a van - you can get a brand new Golf GTI for that money! (Less load space I know) - Better make full use of it being a van at that price.

Except you cant, and you know, its not actually a van...

[Fetchez la vache]

First time in ages I've seen an un-pimped caddy. At a guess it won't last long un-pimped, either

[techguyone]

Is it me or is the sheer amount of Germanic options on all this type of thing (VAG) just mind boggling, I looked at a tiguan on the configurator, and you can damned near pay half as much again for literally hundreds of different options. (maybe it's me coming from a background of 4 or so trim levels and limited options)

Why not just have better specified trim levels.

[BiggestVern]

techguyone said:

Is it me or is the sheer amount of Germanic options on all this type of thing (VAG) just mind boggling, I looked at a tiguan on the configurator, and you can damned near pay half as much again for literally hundreds of different options. (maybe it's me coming from a background of 4 or so trim levels and limited options)

Why not just have better specified trim levels.

One word, profit! Some of the VAG options almost defy belief. They seem to deliberately de-content their cars just to charge buyers to put the stuff back in. Read Andrew Frankel's recent piece about getting cruise control fitted to his long term 911 for reference. (A £108,000 car where cruise was a cost option, really?)

[Turbobanana]

I don't buy this.
It looks as though VAG has an "arrangement" with PH whereby a vehicle is loaned in return for some advertising. Sometimes the "arrangement" works well, and you get a Skoda Superb 280 thing, which is very nice. Other times the product is a van. Which is not.
Enjoy!

[Gruber]

Those tailgate struts have got some work to do! I can understand the benefits of shelter from the elements under there, but wouldn't a more tradition van door arrangement have been better?

Nice van though!

[mooseracer]

geeks said:

Except you cant, and you know, its not actually a van...

Huh? What is it then?

[eldar]

geeks said:

Except you cant, and you know, its not actually a van...

Actually, you can, just, with a bit of haggling.

[nicfaz]

Also, the list price plus options specified don't add up to the total price - it's the small matter of £3,457 short. Were there other things you weren't telling us about or did you get ripped off by VW?

[Tim16V]

Turbobanana said:

I don't buy this.
It looks as though VAG has an "arrangement" with PH whereby a vehicle is loaned in return for some advertising. Sometimes the "arrangement" works well, and you get a Skoda Superb 280 thing, which is very nice. Other times the product is a van. Which is not.
Enjoy!

Definitely something going on!

[helix402]

Was the engine cover removed for photos or does it come with no engine cover?

[geeks]

mooseracer said:

geeks said:

Except you cant, and you know, its not actually a van...

Huh? What is it then?

It was in reference to the commenter mentioning the golf. As is a golf is not a van.

[Nick928]

£26k for a van!!!!!
£26k seriously?
It's not even all that well speced.
I assume that's £21.5 ish plus the VAT. You could get a brand new Berlingo with the same options fo £10k plus VAT and they aren't much different to drive.

I swapped a 64plate T5.1 Sportline Kombi for a Berlingo (Starship Enterprise model) and the Berlingo is far more comfy place to be and more fun to drive.
Oh and the Berlingo doesn't leak like a sieve either.

[Ex X Power]

Gruber said:

Those tailgate struts have got some work to do! I can understand the benefits of shelter from the elements under there, but wouldn't a more tradition van door arrangement have been better?

Nice van though!

I think tailgates on a van are PITA to use in the real world too, they're a big old thing to lift everytime when you just want to quickly grab something. A friend of mine has it on his Transporter.... He hates it... Not to mention the extra room you need to swing the thing open

[Alucidnation]

helix402 said:

Was the engine cover removed for photos or does it come with no engine cover?

You have no idea how much VW commercials are scrimping with their cost cutting.

The engine cover is the main one, no longer painting under the bonnet or in the engine bay so you have grey, various trims missing from inside, the carpet option used to cover the entire floor area in the cab, but now, it barely goes just under the seats, which now means you can see the wiring loom down the side of the seat when you open the door.

I have rattles and creaks coming from around the steering column cowl which i can't find, knocks from the front suspension, had the steering rack replaced as it kept wondering even with the steering wheel held straight.

The ONLY reason I chose one was because of the decent 150 BHP output, but even when loaded up with a few things, it is very obvious the weight of load takes the edge off performance.

I will certainly be looking at the Ford Transit connect in a couple of years when this lease is up, as that has just been revamped with LED headlights and more refinements apparently, but not sure of the engine line up.


Good things? 45-50mpg

[martin12345]

Something doesn't add up in the article (literally) - not withstanding why PH's would be running a van (VW have lent it to them for nothing ?)

List £21,300
As test £26,000+

Options listed only add up to a little under £2k
Can't make it add up even assuming one is without VAT and the other with VAT

Where's the missing £2.5k gone/come from ?

[cheddar]

I love a small van with plenty of bhp and I'm sure the interweb would find you one for well under £20k.

Map it, please map it, we won't tell VW

[V8RX7]

Ex X Power said:

Gruber said:

Those tailgate struts have got some work to do! I can understand the benefits of shelter from the elements under there, but wouldn't a more tradition van door arrangement have been better?

Nice van though!

I think tailgates on a van are PITA to use in the real world too, they're a big old thing to lift everytime when you just want to quickly grab something. A friend of mine has it on his Transporter.... He hates it... Not to mention the extra room you need to swing the thing open

I agree my Dualiner has one (as it seems 99% do) I'd far rather have back doors - it's supposed to differentiate it from a "van"

[lost in espace]

Gruber said:

Those tailgate struts have got some work to do! I can understand the benefits of shelter from the elements under there, but wouldn't a more tradition van door arrangement have been better?

Nice van though!

I didn't even know you could get a Caddy with a tailgate!

Mine is bigger though ;-) came in useful today though keeping dry.