Review Volkswagen Cross Caddy 2.0 TDI 4Motion – Worker in holiday

The Volkswagen Caddy from the " Cross " family came to our editorial office, which wants to be taken seriously even by MPVs and SUVs for everyday use. Its basis is for the most part focused on work use , it is suitable for entrepreneurs and people who constantly transport something. So what weapons did you prepare for battle? We had the opportunity to find out as part of a weekly test .

Design – Divine Green

The first strong weapon is its extravagant and distinctive appearance, which is provided by the Vipern Green paint . Although it is the most expensive paint with a price tag of around seventeen thousand crowns, in combination with seventeen-inch wheels it attracts considerable attention on the road. Silver skids on the roof, a set of plastic bumpers and sills that connect the black edges of the fenders are also nice accessories. It is more about design elements than protection, even so it is suitable for lighter terrain. Finally, the dark rear windows are pleasing.

Interior – Excellent practicality

The interior goes hand in hand with the striking exterior, you can find the green color on the door upholstery and very comfortable seats. Those who follow a more conservative style can have a classic dark design . The plastics in the interior are mostly hard, which points to the origin of this car, on the other hand, it does not feel cheap and vulnerable. The Cross equipment , worth fifteen thousand crowns, enriches the interior compared to the classic Comfortline version with heated front seats, a self-dimming mirror and a light and rain sensor. A big advantage is the overall ergonomics of the driver's position and the easy use of comfortable electronics. Everything is intuitive, easy to read and in the right place. It also surprised us with a relatively high-quality audio system , which we did not expect from a utility vehicle.

As far as utility is concerned, thanks to the raised roof, we can find a handy box for small items above the driver's head and enough space in the back for larger loads as well. The basic volume of the luggage compartment is 0.9 m ³ , which can be increased to 3.2 m ³ after removing the rear seats (it was enough to gradually pull the three straps, fold the seats and remove them). Taking out the seats was not that easy due to their weight. Practicality and the ability to transport even larger objects is a strong argument for sporty customers. They can really take their bikes, skis, outdoor equipment and so on anywhere. Access to the trunk and boarding is easy. This is not a problem even for seniors with limited mobility .

Engine and chassis – Surprisingly economical

Under the hood on hydraulic struts is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with an output of 110 horsepower and a torque of 280 N.m., which is available from 1750 to 2750 revolutions per minute. This option really suits the car and gives it a smooth start and a good pull during acceleration even with a load in the back. I personally would not choose a weaker engine, after all, the power of the engine is useful in practical life. A connectable four-wheel drive (4Motion) using the Haldex inter-axle clutch in cooperation with the rear rigid axle is also suitable. This connection ensures perfect traction , especially on light terrain, where the Cross Caddy behaves confidently and bravely makes its way to the finish line. Ideal for owners of forest cabins or for driving to snowy mountains.

The six-speed manual transmission also matches the engine perfectly. Its gradation helps to make full use of the engine's torque and at the same time ensures very good fuel consumption . At 50 km/h in four the engine was running at 1400 rpm, at 90 km/h in six the engine was turning 1700 rpm and on the highway at 130 km/h in sixth gear the engine was running at just 2400 rpm a minute.

Furthermore, it was very pleasant that the sixth gear is not only " maintenance ", but it can be smoothly accelerated without the need to downshift. The result of a well-chosen engine is also consideration for your wallet, although in the city and on the highway we move just above the limit of 7 l/100 km , but in the districts it consumes only 6.2 l/100 km (without load) and with a larger load in the form of two folding boxes, two medium-sized boxes and a few other small things, the consumption was 6.7 l/100 km . We drove around 650 km for about 3/4 of the tank, and we have to admit that we didn't focus much on gentle driving.

The chassis of an unladen car is quite jumpy on our roads with significant bumps (mainly the rear axle), but that can easily be excused. The Cross Caddy is primarily a utility vehicle, which is why most of the load is calculated on the rear axle. This corresponds to the higher ground clearance of this model, namely +40 mm compared to the standard version. Then everything is fine and the car floats beautifully, but it does n't lean significantly in corners, which we have to appreciate.

Ride and Finish – A stylish stunner

The driving experience is very positive, Volkswagen managed to create a good travel companion from a utility vehicle, in which you often don't even think you're driving a van. At the same time, thanks to its distinctive appearance, everyone turns around. When driving, it provides full comfort and a clear display of information on the panel between the alarms. The multifunctional steering wheel fits very well in the hands and the buttons do not get in the way, the armrest is exactly in its place and thanks to the considerable range of settings, you feel at home even on a longer journey. The only possible negative is the greater engine noise , but we are unnecessary detailers, on the contrary, the aerodynamic noise is very good for the shape of the car.

In my personal opinion, Volkswagen produces cars that certainly have their flaws, but on the other hand, they are easily forgivable. The price of the tested car including extra equipment is also excusable – 770,159 CZK (the price of the basic car is 684,648 CZK), yes, it may seem a lot, but when you consider what and in what quality this car offers, this price is comparable to competition and acceptable.

Second view – Filip Melich

The tested Volkswagen Cross Caddy is, in terms of appearance, exactly the kind of car that the owner can use as a work van during the day and then take his wife to the theater in the evening. He will definitely not embarrass her. In terms of driving, the car is stable and not insidious, and it does not disappoint even outside the paved surface . On a muddy forest road , the 4Motion system didn't let itself be embarrassed, but I couldn't ask for more from the Cross Caddy. After all, there are other cars on the market for medium and heavy terrain. However, it's nice to know that the first pothole won't stop you.

I have to say that if I were a small business owner in a country town and didn't have the money for two machines (personal and commercial), a Volkswagen Caddy would probably be the car that would end up in my garage . And while I'm at it, I'd throw in a few thousand for the Cross version and that awesome green color…

Basic price of the tested car: CZK 684,648

The price of the tested car incl. surcharges: CZK 770,159