Test: Volkswagen Caddy 1.6 TDI (75 kW) Comfortline
Content
After the first few miles it occurred to me that the Caddy could be a very good family car. Thanks to the quieter and quieter TDI, it's no longer a tractor, but the driving position and driving performance are quite solid - by no means a limousine, but - good. There was already a story in my head that I could compare it to Sharan and that it is even the best choice for undemanding families if…
Until December 18th, just after the biggest batch of snow, the four of us headed to Linz, Austria, and back. The fact that the engine and the passenger compartment in the cold (then it was even ten degrees below zero Celsius) on the road from Kranj to Ljubljana warmed up only in Vodice, I noticed in the morning, and during a long trip with passengers, we found that there was no ventilation. just not up to the size of the cabin.
The rear passengers have two (nozzles) for supplying (warm) air, but in practice this is not enough: when we rolled up our sleeves in the front, the rear passengers were still cold, and the side windows in the second row were from the inside. (seriously!) frozen all the way. It is very likely that the ventilation / heating system is good enough for the Caddy as a small van (Van version), but not for the passenger version. So don't forget to pay an extra € 636,61 for an extra heater in the cabin and possibly another € 628,51 for a winter package that includes heated front seats, windshield washer nozzles and headlight washers.
This issue aside, the Caddy can be a very smart solution for a family for whom the Sharan is too expensive or too much a limousine. Is there enough space? There is. Okay, the back bench will only be for toddlers, and five will sit well, four adults in general. This “baby” bench (surcharge € 648) is very easy to fold and take off in a few seconds, but not too heavy for the father to be unable to remove himself when Bruno joins the ride instead of the two children. Once installed, there is little room for creases in the boot.
More impressive are the storage compartments: a lockable cool box in front of the passenger, space for two bottles between the front seats, a closed box at the top of the dashboard, huge above the front passengers, below the passengers in the second. a row, above the rear rails, side mesh drawers under the ceiling, four coat hooks and four strong loops at the bottom of the trunk. The advantage (to take the example of the new Sharan) is the ability to remove both benches, which allows for a large cargo area with a flat hard bottom. For example, delivering a new washing machine home. However, the disadvantage of the Caddy is the fixed windows for passengers in the second and third rows.
Wondering if it looks too much like a truck? Well, yes. It is necessary to come to terms with tougher plastic, coarser fabric inside, difficult closing the tailgate (that they do not close very well, we often only notice when driving because of the warning light) and only basic safety equipment and luxury; However, this Comfortline comes standard with tinted windows at the rear of the B-pillar, double sliding doors, four airbags, halogen headlights, fog lights, remote central control, air conditioning, height and depth adjustable steering wheel, ESP and stability control. ... radio with very good CD-readers (even bad ones don't let it through, but there is no MP3 format). The connection with blue teeth is unfortunately optional and costs 380 euros.
Is 1,6 liters of diesel volume sufficient? For a package like Caddy, yes. As mentioned, we have to praise the quieter and quieter hum compared to the old 1,9-liter TDI (unit injector system), but now it thirsts for a liter more. With cruise control set to 140 kilometers per hour, the four-cylinder engine spins at 2.800 rpm in fifth gear (so we didn't miss six), while the trip computer shows the current fuel consumption by about half a liter.
It will be difficult to get an average value below 7,2 (long distance with several hours of leisurely driving for winter plows!), It would be preferable to be one tenth below eight liters. For comparison: when testing the previous Caddy, colleague Tomaž easily drove with a consumption of less than seven liters per hundred kilometers. Speaking of fuel: the container is inconveniently unlocked and locked with a key.
Matevž Gribar, photo: Aleš Pavletič
Volkswagen Caddy 1.6 TDI (75 kW) Comfortline
Basic data
| Sales: | Porsche Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 20.685 € |
| Test model cost: | 22.352 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 75kW (102 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 13,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 168 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,9l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder – 4-stroke – in-line – turbodiesel – front-mounted transversely – displacement 1.598 cm³ – maximum output 75 kW (102 hp) at 4.400 rpm – maximum torque 250 Nm at 1.500–2.500 rpm . |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 215/60 / R16 H (Bridgestone Blizzak M + S). |
| Capacity: | top speed 168 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 12,9 - fuel consumption (ECE) 6,6 / 5,2 / 5,7 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 149 g / km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 5 doors, 7 seats - self-supporting body - front single transverse levers, spring legs, double levers, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, screw springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc 11,1 - rear , XNUMX m. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.648 kg - permissible gross weight 2.264 kg. |
| Inner dimensions: | fuel tank 60 l. |
| Box: | The spaciousness of the bed, measured from AM with a standard set of 5 Samsonite scoops (scanty 278,5 liters): 5 places: 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (85,5 l), 2 suitcases (68,5 l) 7 places: 1 × backpack (20 l); 1 × air suitcase (36L) |
Our measurements
| T = 4 ° C / p = 1.030 mbar / rel. vl. = 62% / Mileage condition: 4.567 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 13,1s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 17,9 years ( 124 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 11,3s (IV.) |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 15,9s (V.) |
| Maximum speed: | 168km / h (V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 7,2l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 8,2l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 7,9 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 41,2m |
| AM table: | 41m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 55dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 54dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 65dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 68dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 66dB |
| Idling noise: | 38dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
Overall rating (288/420)
Be sure to pay extra for an extra heater in the cabin, and then the Caddy will become a good family companion. Even in winter.
Exterior (11/15)
A prettier, more dynamic look than its predecessor, but only the front - side and rear changes are less noticeable.
Interior (87/140)
The sixth and seventh passengers will have bruises on their knees; heating is noticeably weak in winter. There are no comments on spaciousness, workmanship and ergonomics.
Engine, transmission (45
/ 40)The smaller turbodiesel works well and there are no comments on performance and transmission ratios. However, it is more voracious than the old 1,9-liter.
Driving performance (49
/ 95)As expected, bulkier in corners than passenger cars, but otherwise stable in every way.
Performance (20/35)
Acceleration is almost the same compared to the 1,9-liter engine, but it performed worse in the flex test.
Security (28/45)
All models have ESP and front airbags, and side airbags are standard on only the best versions.
Economy (48/50)
Average fuel consumption, favorable price of base model or price compared to minivans. Two-year unlimited mileage warranty, renewable up to four years.
We praise and reproach
quiet engine operation
moderate fuel consumption
sufficient power
nice, adjustable front seats
easily removable third bench
enough storage space
good CD reader
large mirrors
slow engine warm-up in winter
poor cab heating
no radio control on the steering wheel
fixed glasses in the second and third rows
only one reading lamp in the back
trunk size for seven places
difficult closing of the trunk lid
inconvenient opening of the fuel tank
