Volkswagon Maxi Caddy Kombi 2009 Van Review

We take the 2009 Volkswagon Maxi Caddy Kombi LCV for a test drive on a wet weekend in Scotland and find ourselves suitably impressed.

There are those in the iVan office who consider our esteemed Editor a “right old stick in the mud” – not this time! He was first to drive the Caddy Maxi 4Motion on a wet weekend in Scotland.

Over the past few years, Volkswagen in company with other LCV manufacturers, have taken a serious look at their light commercial vehicle range, how they sell them and how they support them. The result that everyone who is serious about LCVs is still in business, those who weren’t, are not. The message is, you either do it right, or you don’t do it at all.

A look at the current VW range shows just how far they have come with a range of van bodies that will take loads of 3.2 cubic metres in volume all the way up to 17 cu.m.

The Caddy and Caddy Maxi account for 3.2 and 4.2 cu.m respectively, while the Transporter range takes over with five body styles that can accommodate 5.8 cu.m up to 9.3 cu.m. There is a slight overlap with the Crafter where the standard van can accommodate 7.5 cu.m but with eight body styles, the monster at the top end can swallow 17 cubic metres. Payloads range from 720 kgs to almost 2.4 tonnes, so there is a van there to suit every need.

Once you start adding in the engine options, it’s easy to see why some folk get confused. It’s like asking a kid to pick his favourite pizza - they are all the same except for the base and the topping!

Until now, the Transporter has been only the only VW in the van range to have the option of the 4Motion, all wheel drive system.

This was primarily for the Caravelle and California customers who needed all wheel drive to get the best positions on the beach, or get themselves out of soggy caravan sites after the traditional British summer weather had turned them into bogs or boating ponds.

In a bid to offer customers more choice, or just confuse them further, Volkswagen has added a Caddy Maxi 4 Motion to the range in Germany and is now exploring the possibility of introducing the model to the British market.

On the Road

At present, there is only one in the country, a left hand drive ‘Life’ model with German plates on it. It was therefore the ideal vehicle for me to take to Knockhill Race Circuit for the annual visit of the British Touring Car Championship. Knockhill has its own off-road 4x4 course, but it has another attraction, all the car parks are on grass and all are on slopes.

On the Friday when I arrived I parked in the long grass in the most remote bottom, corner of the steepest slope. It rained all day. It was after 7 when I splunged through the long grass to the Kombi with more hope than confidence about extracting the van from the reeds.

At least the flashers blipped when I pointed the ignition key fob at it, but my heart dropped as I looked at the wheels. It had sunk about two inches all round. Anyway, I fired it up, selected reverse, and just eased on the throttle. Fortunately I had some biscuits left and soft drinks so at least I wouldn’t be marooned without food and water till the tractors arrived in the morning.

I didn’t need them. The four wheel drive system simply unsucked itself from the mud, reversed up the slope allowing me to swing round and drive out through the muddy ruts left by other vehicles departing the car park.

On Saturday, I parked it up with the rear wheels on a pebble filled drainage ditch and the front wheels in the muck. Come Saturday night, no drama, no problem, I went home for my tea.

It was the same on Sunday and when the racing was all over, I drove out via the 4x4 course. In fairness, I didn’t tackle the extreme bits, but the rocks were wet and some of the climbs were rather steep. The wee Caddy was surprisingly effective.

It doesn’t have extra gearlevers, ratios and difflocks. The system is simplicity itself. Under normal conditions, 90% of the drive goes to the front wheels and depending on conditions, the electronically controlled Haldex transmission will transfer power to which ever wheel has grip, even 100% to the rear if necessary. And if you’re really stuck, there is a switch on the dash to lock the rear diff. I didn’t need that either.

Conclusion

Impressed? I certainly was, but who would use it? Forestry and agriculture springs immediately to mind, but power-line workers and postmen would find it much more effective in some areas than large vans or 4x4 ATVs.

Already the 4Motion window van is receiving favourable reviews from dealers and prospective customers, but VW hasn’t made up its mind about a UK version – yet!

There is one down side - it adds almost £2,500 to the price. But I tell you what, it’ll be worth it the first time you find your van sunk up to its axles in mud at a sodden pop concert or camp site, with the wife and kids wet, cold, hungry and miserable, and just wanting to go home. What price happy families? Priceless!

(Prices current as at Aug 2009)