YOLKS WI EN CADDY KOMBI
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• Although the Kombi majors on versatility, boasting the same load area and capacity as its panelled partner with the seats folded down, it's a bit of a stretch to think who would go for the extra row. Someone with more than his fair share of worker's mates, perhaps, or someone who needs their working vehicle for family use as well?
Ours came with the optional creature comforts one would expect to see on a recreational vehicle including a CD player, alloy wheels and air conditioning (although few operators would want them fitted to a workhorse van).
Access to the rear seats is good, particularly on the passenger side where the front seat flies forward at the tug of a handle. Putting this seat back into position is not as easy but it makes up for this by giving much better access to the rear than the driver's seat operation allows.
Folding down the rear seats to get the maximum load area (once again it's big enough for a Euro pallet) is simple enough, although the headrests have to be removed to allow the seats to flatten out fully and the seat-belt housing intrudes a little. Maximum payload with a 75kg driver is 550kg, giving the Caddy as much working potential as dedicated vans offer. The fabric-trimmed load area is not as resistant to liquid and muck as the rubber covered Berlingo and Combo, but it still has tie-down points and a reasonable loading height of 568mm. Like its closest rival, the Combo, the Caddy comes with an overhead storage area. This is a good thing considering the tiny glovebox in front of the passenger and svelte door pockets.
There's another small storage area underneath the height-adjustable steering wheel. The standard radio/cassette on this vehicle is RDS—our tester also came with a CD player displaying a bewildering array of flashing lights and emitting the occasional little beep.
The SDI engine is smooth, with a positive feel from the gearbox through the stick. Progress is slowish, however; it was only able to leave the less powerful Combo behind—and not that far behind, either.
The ABS system (with traction control fitted as a 2755 option) threw up some startlingly good braking figures which beat the rest of the pack hands down. The Citroen and Vauxhall did well to come close.
Handling is solid in terms of predictability and neutrality; with this feel and the light flooding in through all those windows in the rear you can soon forget you're in what can be a highly practical van.
The Caddy meets the high standards people have come to demand of Volkswagen. Everything has a rocksolid feel built into it with an immensely satisfying operation of switches and doors.
Sound-proofing is second to none, with the Caddy giving us the best noise level returns by far and the best "thunk" closing the door. This van could easily be used for long comfortable trips at the weekends after a hard week at work. Versatility comes at a premium, however: extra seats and extra windows means extra cash. No VAT can be reclaimed, which means its price is pushed up by 21,643 to a grand total of £11,033.