Volkswagen Caddy Cargo eHybrid (2025 - ) review

The cargo spaces inside the Caddy Cargo eHybrids are exactly the same as the Caddy Cargos using other fuel types. That means the eHybrid in the short wheelbase version (the model we tested) offers the same 3.1 cubic metres of load volume as the diesel version, and the Maxi version’s 3.7 cubic metres is also what you’ll find in the standard fuel models. Payloads range from 643kg in the lowest ‘Commerce’ trim short wheelbase (SWB) model, right up to 740kg on the ‘Commerce Plus’ SWB. The ‘Commerce Pro’ highest trim level models offer around 630kg in the SWB and 670kg on the Maxi, so it’s best to take a good look at the spec and choose the right model if maximum payload is required. Other than that, access to the load space is through two rear doors or the offside sliding door, and lashing points run down both sides of the cargo area to help with securing loads into place. Load length is pretty good for a van of its size, with the SWB providing 1.79m and the Maxi increasing that to 2.15m. Load width is also convincing with the SWB and Maxi models both providing a full width of 1.6m and 1.23m between the wheelarches - critical for loading and carrying two Europallets (the SWB with no space, and the Maxi with space to spare), and the SWB can carry one Euro 3 pallet and the Maxi two. We have to flag that Volkswagen is also one of the best manufacturers for clearly stating pallet carrying capability – their brochures are great! Rating the load space is easy because it’s a small van and you get what you see. It’s functional and accessible, although other small vans will offer more space and weight carrying capability.

At entry level the vehicle is very functional with the ‘Commerce’ trim offering up simple fabric on the seats, cruise control including speed limiter, electric parking brake with Auto Hold function, a lockable glovebox, manual height adjustment on the front seats, electric windows, rubber floor, a comfortable multi-function steering wheel (behind which can be fitted a 10.25 digital driver display in the top trim), electronically controlled heating system and the usual other bits like door storage and visors. The infotainment system is good with a 10.4-inch screen, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity so you can hook up your phones. Below that are some control switches for drive selection, USB-C sockets and the electric parking brake. The jump up to ‘Commerce Plus’ adds armrests to the driver’s seat, underseat storage, climatic air con, leather trim on the steering wheel, seat cushion controls for the driver, electric lumbar settings on the driver’s seat, and vanity mirrors to the visors. Finally, the jump up to ‘Commerce Pro’ (the trim level our test vehicle sits in) adds a few more bits including a touch screen infotainment system, the digital screen behind the steering wheel, sat nav, heated front seats and armrests for the passenger’s seat and it’s all very nice. It’s all very plastic and tidy, very Volkswagen commercial vehicle in its approach, with a lot of features and functions available as standard at the basic level.

The eHybrid system gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to utilise an electric-only range of around 70 miles for shorter journeys, and what seemed to us a consistent 300 miles of total range with a full tank of petrol. Apparently, it offers a return of 565mpg, which is incredibly high and it would probably work out that high if you keep the battery charged. Charging rates are slower than you might expect, the port capable of accepting up to 50kW, but that’s more than fast enough for a plug-in where the petrol engine can pick up the slack on longer journeys. Charging will come at the price of your home tariff or public charging costs, and if you can charge at home we’d always recommend it. Besides that, the starting price in the eHybrid models is £28,435 (in OTC, ex VAT) topping out at £31,660 (inc OTR, ex VAT), so slightly more expensive than the diesel models. These acquisition prices can be broken down on finance or a good lease deal, so take a look around before you commit.

Reliability of the new Volkswagen Caddy Cargo should be good, platform sharing with the new Ford Transit Connect also transfers that reliability to that vehicle. The warranty period is pretty standard at three years, although the mileage limit is 100,000 miles. The vehicles are too early in their lifespan to positively or negatively report on issues, especially with the new eHybrid system.

The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo eHybrid performs as you’d expect a small van of its size to perform. It’s comfortable enough in the cabin, practical enough in the cargo space and looks the part. Loading is a simple affair thanks to its low load height and there’s little to quibble about. In the small van class it is difficult to recommend it over Stellantis small vans, which are bigger and offer higher payloads, but really it will come down to what you need from a van. As we said at the start, it performs as you’d expect.

Over the course of our 30-mile test loop we utilised mainly the electric range, but there were moments you could feel the vehicle switching between its various drive modes, so we were happy to let it do its thing. It’s not the quickest of vans, but it has some guts outputting 150PS from the eHybrid system. What it might lack in speed it more than makes up for with maneuvrability and we found it easy to nip about urban streets in. Really, this is the environment the eHybrid Caddy Cargos are designed for, so it makes sense that it was on these roads it felt the most confident and comfortable to drive.

At the standard ‘Commerce’ trim level, the safety spec is generous with notable systems including Brake Assist, Lane Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist, rear parking sensors, emergency call control unit with eCall, alerts, immobiliser, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Electronic Breakforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR) and a full traction control system. The top ‘Commerce Pro’ trim level adds parking sensors at the front. A lot here carries over from the Golf platform, so you know it’s going to be nice and safe to drive. It even comes with an alarm system as standard, not something that every van can claim.

Equipment levels are split across the three trim levels – Commerce, Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro - each one adding more to the list of things you get, as you’ll see in the sections above. The entry-level specs are good, with the higher trims adding touchscreens, parking sensors, a digital dash display, different alloys, body-coloured panels on the exterior, among other things. Our recommendation would be to thoroughly check the specification of the Caddy Cargos on the deals you find, it’s a well-equipped van and some of the top-trim additions are definitely worth the extra money.

The top-spec ‘Commerce Pro’ vans are clearly the way Volkswagen wants you to drive the eHybrid Caddy Cargo with all the bells and whistles added, but that step up from middle to high trim on the SWB comes with a near £2.5K price hike from £29,240 (inc OTR, ex VAT) to £31,660 (inc OTR, ex VAT). When you consider that the starting price for the entry-level SWB eHybrid model is £28,435 (in OTC, ex VAT), you can see how tight the price bands are between the trims. So, if you can find a good finance or lease deal on the top-spec van, it’s easy to justify the slightly higher monthly costs. There is, of course, an extensive options list you can pick and choose items from, but the standard specs are so generously packed with features and equipment that you’ll probably gloss over them. In short, the latest Caddy Cargo is the best yet and those fitted with the eHybrid system are an interesting way to enjoy the best of both worlds before you make the full switch to electric power.