VAN LEASING LIVE!

Lorraine from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Volkswagen Caddy to see how the highly acclaimed small van compares to some of its competitors:

The new Caddy bolts onto to VW’s already impressive range of vans that includes the much loved Transporter, Crafter and Amarok. But does the Caddy perform quite as well as its bigger siblings? On the face of it, the Caddy certainly displays the modern and refined design that we’ve come to expect from VW and I’m sure all business owners would be more than happy to see their logo shining on the side of a brand new Caddy. But what else can it offer and could a VW Caddy be the perfect van lease for you? Let’s find out:

Size Matters

The Caddy range has a number of options and the CaddyMaxi versions represent the larger size configurations. Load capacity varies between 3.2 – 4.2m3 depending on the model. This is very slightly less capacity than is available on the Ford Transit Connect and Peugeot Partner but it’s there or thereabouts when comparing it to others in its class. All models come with both side sliding doors and twin rear doors, which make loading and unloading a breeze.

Creature Comforts

For a van of its size there’s a surprising amount of space in the cab with ample leg room and seats with great support even for longer journeys. As you would expect with VW everything in the cab is of a high quality and built to last. There’s plenty of storage space with drink holders, cubby holes and document holders in abundance – all within easy reach. Bluetooth Connectivity is also a fantastic standard feature along with Remote Central Locking and a CD Player.

Safety and Security have also been given serious consideration by VW who have included front and side airbags for driver and passengers, Thatcham immobiliser and an alarm as standard.

On the Road

The VW Caddy comes with 4 engine options; two 1.6 TDi’s offering 74 and 106bhp and two 2.0TDI’s offering 108bhp and 138bhp. These are fantastic engines that are quiet, efficient, Euro V compliant and can go up to 735 miles on 1 tank of fuel. The 5-speed gearbox is standard on most models but some of the higher spec variants do come with the VW’s 7-speed DSG gearbox and patented 4-motion technology – fantastic additions and well worth the small extra cost in our opinion.

The Caddy is a joy to drive. Its small footprint gives it the feel of driving a car more than a van. It is extremely manoeuvrable and the refined suspension makes for great cornering and a smooth and comfy ride – even with a full load in the back.

There are also a huge number of additional features and functions that come as standard including ABS, ESP, Traction Control, Electronic Differential Lock, Engine Drag Torque Control, Daytime Running Lights and an automatic hazard light function under heavy braking. These all make for a safe and comfortable drive.

The Verdict

So, is the VW Caddy the perfect van lease or van contract hire deal for you? If you’re in the market for a small van then it has to be a big YES! Ok, so the Caddy is millimetres smaller than some of its closest competitors, but when you weigh this up against all the benefits of the Caddy this really no big deal. The VW Caddy is economical, looks fantastic, drives well and comes with so many great features as standard. Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.