Last Updated: 17/08/2009
Worth a closer look
It’s been a big month for testing commercials with up to five seats here at Van User. The two double cab pick-ups seen elsewhere in the issue need little explanation, but Volkswagen’s Caddy Maxi window van is worth a closer look.There are plenty of tasks that require the transport of both people and tools or materials, however occasionally. Sticking a second row of seats into a van is of course the easiest option, and as the Combo crew van that we tried a couple of months ago showed, this can be achieved without taking away too much from the load area.
It’s an increasingly popular option too, with crew van versions of Ford’s Transit Connect, Citroen’s Berlingo and others all competing for a share of this growing sector. The red VW that you see here is slightly different though, mainly in its use of side windows behind the driver.
Volkswagen classes the Caddy Maxi window van as a passenger carrier, rather than as a van, as by adding those windows you lose the ability to reclaim the VAT on the purchase price. You may be able to reclaim the VAT if you can convince Customs that the vehicle is used solely for business use, but check that before you buy.
The standard window van actually has a further set of windows in the rear too, much like the seven seat Caddy Maxi Life. However the no cost Kombi option deletes the rearmost side windows for more of a van feel in the load area.
In many ways this vehicle is going to suit someone who needs a people carrier with load lugging abilities, rather than a van with occasional seats in the back. It would also make a very useful weekend family car for someone who needs a mid-size van during the week.
With the rear seats in place you still get a very healthy 1.6cu m load volume in the back. But fold that split rear bench forwards and that increases to a huge 3.9cu m. The payload, depending on specification, is a useful 632kg-713kg.
With those rear seats come twin sliding side doors, providing easy access for people or materials. The Caddy Maxi window van also comes with a lift-up tailgate, though conventional wing doors are a £90 option.
Privacy glass, in both rear side windows and the tailgate, is a £125 option that increases security in the load area. You can also opt for sliding windows in the rear side doors, for a further £310.
At the front the choice of power is exactly the same as for the regular Caddy and Caddy Maxi vans. You can choose between the 104hp 1.9 TDI PD engine or the 140hp 2.0 TDI PD. The smaller engine gets a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the more powerful motor has six ratios. For an additional £1,400 you can also choose the superb six-speed DSG automated manual box, though only with the 1.9 litre engine.
While I appreciate that for that sort of money DSG is not going to be a realistic option for many fleets, if you are going to be driving it yourself, particularly around town, I would consider stretching to the extra expense, it is that good. For urban driving you get all of the advantages of a full auto transmission, but with few of the downsides.
That said, though the DSG-equipped van comes with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard, it does produce more CO2 than the manual 1.9, putting it in VED band E rather than D for the regular van which results in road fund licence of £170 rather than £145.
Surprisingly, though the DSG box changes up commendably early, it also uses more fuel than the manual too, offering a combined consumption of 40.9mpg to the regular 1.9’s 45.6mpg. Even the 140hp 2.0 litre is said to provide 44.8mpg. To drive the last nail into its coffin the DSG is the heaviest version available, limiting payload to just 632kg, compared to 672kg in the manual 1.9 litre van and 713kg in the higher rated 2.0 litre.
Externally we had those 15” alloys (£375), rear parking sensors (£220), and ESP plus, which includes Driver Steering Response and trailer stabilisation (£250). That little lot added a not inconsiderable £2,445 to the DSG van’s on-the-road cost of £17,728, taking our test van well over £20,000!
Of course few people are going to specify any vehicle to that point. Far better to opt for the base 1.9 at just over £16,000 and add a few essentials that you require for your operation. The window van is still not going to be to everyone’s taste, particularly as you will struggle to reclaim that VAT. But if you want a spacious family runabout at the weekend and a hard working delivery van in the week, the window van does offer a happy compromise between car comfort and commercial practicality.
The Caddy Maxi remains a cracking van to drive. The window van is a niche vehicle, but VW has never been afraid to cater to all tastes. If it meets your requirements, it’s worth a look.
IN THE CAB..
The window van is just the same as any other Caddy Maxi, with a solid feeling dash and firm seating providing an easy to live with environment with a real feeling of space. Those rear seats will happily accommodate three adults, without the front seat occupants having to sacrifice leg room.
Our test van came well laden with additional goodies, which obviously make it a nicer place to spend the day on longer journeys. These included Climatic semi-auto air conditioning (£755), an electric pack of windows and heated adjustable wing mirrors (£270), a visibility pack (£100) of rain sensor, auto dimming rear view mirror and coming home lighting, the cab comfort pack (£195) including height adjustable front seats with drawers underneath, vanity mirrors and a dash tray with cover, and side airbags (£155).
