Volkswagen Caddy Life 1.9 TDI (77 kW) 4Motion
It sounds very fashionable - life is for movement. Much more than what Caddy looks like on the road, especially since he lives in the shadow of his brother Turan. Yes, Caddy is a version of Turan, but that does not mean that she and his clone.
In terms of size, the two models are very similar, with the difference that you will find the Touran in showrooms inside the car, and you will have to go to the dealer for the Caddy. Although the Life model is more intended for passenger transportation than freight. Fortunately, they are quite different in design, so you shouldn't have a problem separating them.
The Caddy is mostly less showy, instead of a hinged door it has a sliding door in the second row (take that for good, although the left is stuck in the test), the interior is less sleek (read: more spartan) and the seats in the second row are actually a bench, and not the seats - it is only foldable, not removable. And one more thing that shouldn't be overlooked: Caddy's rear axle is not multi-wire like the Touran's, but stiff and upgraded with leaf springs instead of coil springs. If the Caddy is going to play the role of a family car in your home, just remember this information.
Therefore, the ride is much less comfortable, especially for rear passengers who jump quickly over uneven surfaces if the rear is not properly loaded. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course, as long as they accept it just as strongly.
But still, let's look at this thing from the other, brighter side: it is because of this design that you may also want a new Caddy with all-wheel drive. But that's not the case with the Touran! Don't be fooled by the Cross hardware. This makes the Touran more off-road, but the chassis and drivetrain are the same as any other version.
With Caddy, the story is completely different. You probably won't even notice that four-wheel drive is hidden underneath. Even inside, which remains the same as we are used to.
In the test model, it was further improved with only the seats upholstered in a gray and red combination of fabrics, as well as tinted glass at the rear, cosmetic mirrors in the sun blinds, a lifting edge of the roof, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, etc. The leather trim gave it additional prestige : XNUMX-way multifunction steering wheel, touchscreen radio and acoustic-graphical parking aid with sensors integrated in the rear bumper.
Everything else can be found in the list of standard equipment, including a drawer at the top of the dashboard that opens with such a terrible squeaky sound that we can't even imagine it in the Touran.
But the Caddy is not a Touran, and if you're a real customer, you'll notice that, but don't dwell on it. You won't even miss a box in front of the front passenger, which doesn't have a cover, but you'll prefer a handy storage space for things the Touran doesn't have.
You may also be bothered by the loud sound of the engine - in combination with all-wheel drive, only a 1-liter TDI with 9 horsepower is available - but because you bought the Caddy not to travel around Europe, but to drive towards the weekend without worries, even when the snow is fine whitens the road, it does not lead you astray.
The reason the Volkswagen Caddy is used among commercial vehicles and not private vehicles is therefore not just a whim of people working in marketing, but has a much deeper meaning and should be well considered before making a decision and buying.
If you don't depend on all-wheel drive and don't want to compromise on comfort, it might be a good idea to take another look at the Touran Cross.
Its price is just 4 euros higher than that of the equally motorized Caddy 1.600Motion. If not, grab Caddy and enjoy the slogan in the title. Believe me, even when it seems that this "SUV" should already exist, it still diligently gnaws at the ground underneath and stubbornly overcomes the slope meter by meter.
Matevž Korošec, photo: Saša Kapetanovič
Volkswagen Caddy Life 1.9 TDI (77 kW) 4Motion
Basic data
| Sales: | Porsche Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 23.879 € |
| Test model cost: | 29.552 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 77kW (105 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 13,9 with |
| Maximum speed: | 164 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 6,7l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.896 cm? – maximum power 77 kW (105 hp) at 4.000 rpm – maximum torque 250 Nm at 1.900 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives all four wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 195/65 R 15 T (Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25). |
| Capacity: | top speed 164 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 13,9 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,2 / 5,8 / 6,7 l / 100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.698 kg - permissible gross weight 2.280 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.405 mm - width 1.794 mm - height 1.864 mm - fuel tank 60 l. |
| Box: | 750-2.580 l |
Our measurements
| T = 3 ° C / p = 1.111 mbar / rel. vl. = 45% / Odometer Condition: 2.980 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 14,0s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 19,0 years ( 116 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 9,4 / 13,5s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 16,1 / 19,8s |
| Maximum speed: | 164km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 8,1 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 41,2m |
| AM table: | 41m |
evaluation
This Caddy does not deserve the name of a delivery van, but an off-road family delivery van. And in Caddy's case, we can take that name literally. Thanks to its sturdy construction, it has a rigid rear axle and leaf springs found only in the most thoroughbred SUVs. So don't look for consolation in this, but it will take you very far. Longer than you can imagine.
We praise and reproach
open space
utility
shoulder strap
sliding doors
warehouses
endurance
glass motor
creaking box on the armature
non-removable back bench
driving comfort (rigid axle)
