CANNY CADDY (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Can a Plug-in Hybrid Caddy Cargo make more sense than a diesel one? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

Volkswagen offers this the useful option of PHEV power to customers of small vans with this model, the Caddy eHybrid. There are none of the restrictions of an EV but commuting journeys can still be battery-powered. If the price proposition works for you, it's worth a look.

Backgroundword count: 120

We'd understand if you happen to be undecided about the switch to full-EV power with your next small van. Battery tech in the van electric segment has improved lately, but not enough to give a compact electric LCV anything like the driving range of an equivalent combustion model. Plus they cost more and depreciate faster. Just before you sign up for another diesel though, take a quick look at the model we are reviewing here, Volkswagen's Caddy Cargo eHybrid. It's a Plug-in Hybrid, sharing its powertrain with an equivalent version of its Ford Transit Connect design clone. So it still uses an engine, but will apparently travel up to 73 miles on battery power before it needs to. Sounds promising.

Driving Experienceword count: 198

This Caddy eHybrid's 1.5-litre PHEV drivetrain - lent to its Ford Transit Connect clone and rival - finds its home here. It uses a high voltage battery and electric motor to deliver a combined 150PS, with 350Nm of torque through the 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission you have to have. There are various drive modes you'll need to master: 'EV Now', which drives using only the electric motor; 'EV Auto', which balances electric and petrol power to best suit driving conditions; 'EV Later', which drives using only the petrol engine, saving all the battery energy for use later; and 'EV Reserve', which saves a driver-defined level of battery energy for later use. Towing capacity's up to 1.5-tonnes - the same as the top diesel. As with other variants in the range, your car can be specified with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, which provides assisted driving for accelerator, braking and steering functions to reduce stress on highways or in stop and start traffic. You wouldn't expect engaging handling from a compact LCV and you don't get it here. But the compact body makes this small van easy to manoeuvre around town, as does the light steering.

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