Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life MPV (2010 – ) review

This is an evolution of the outgoing Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life rather than a complete rethink, but that’s no bad thing as it has always been a handsome vehicle. The biggest changes are more modern headlight clusters and the strong horizontal three-bar grille shared with all new Volkwagens. To separate the Maxi Life MPV from its Maxi window van stable mate, it gets body-coloured bumpers, door handles and mirrors, alloy wheels, roof rails and opening windows in the sliding doors. Tinted rear glass is an attractive optional extra.

Don’t think for a second the Maxi Life’s van heritage means it has a cheap dashboard, it’s actually very good. Volkswagen has raided its extensive parts bin and decided to fit instruments, buttons and stereos you’ll more often see in its posher products. The extra space on offer has been utilised with huge door bins and an overhead cubby.

Unlike many car-based MPVs, all seven seats are big enough for adults to sit in comfortably. Access to the rear row is gained by sliding back a side door and flipping forward one of the middle row seats. It’s reasonably quick and easy to do. However, unlike some MPVs, the rear seat design is quite basic and they are fairly bulky with no nifty fold-flat solution. If you want maximum loading space it’s a matter of unlocking the rear seats from their base and lifting them out of the vehicle. For most this should be a rare occurrence, as even with all seven seats in place there’s a 530-litre boot. With no rear seats at all this increases to a massive 4,100 litres.

While the Maxi Life handles perfectly well, it can’t match the outright handling of smaller car-based MPV’s. Its long wheelbase gives it good stability, especially on the motorway, so its shortfalls are only exposed on more demanding roads where it’s less keen to change direction quickly. Despite advanced suspension borrowed from the Volkswagen Touran, the Maxi Life is a big vehicle.

There are two common-rail engines and four power outputs available, the smaller unit being a 1.6-litre TDI with either 74 or 101bhp. We tested the latter and found a narrow power band resulted in it having to be worked harder than is ideal to make good progress, making it hard to recommend. The 74bhp engine must really struggle, especially with seven passengers and luggage on board. We expect the 108bhp (fitted with 4MOTION four-wheel drive as standard) and 138bhp 2-litre TDI engines to suit the Maxi Life’s weight and size far better.

With average 42.8 to 49.6mpg fuel consumption from best to worst in the Maxi Life range, economy is impressive considering its size. It’s better still if the BlueMotion Technology pack is fitted, which increases the model range’s economy between 53.3mpg to 55.4mpg.

The Caddy Maxi Life is an evolution of a highly successful and proven model, which is fitted with engines and parts widely used in many Volkswagen’s. It should prove a trustworthy companion.

The previous 2007 Volkswagen Caddy scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. There is a comprehensive Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Active Rollover Protection (ARP), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS). There are also driver, passenger and front side airbags.

Volkswagen has fitted a good level of equipment to the Maxi Life, including 16-inch alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, interior roof storage nets, roof rails, electric front windows, six-speaker audio system, fog lights and air-con.

If you need a large and affordable MPV the Maxi Life is a tempting proposition. It’s able to accommodate seven and luggage and has an interior which should stand up to years of use.