Category: Compact MPV 
Price Range: No data available
Tough, utilitarian image; strong diesel engines.
Very much a van; high price.
A useful and competent working vehicle, but too expensive to be an appealing alternative to a more car-like model.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles turns out a series of popular vans on the Caddy theme: the Caddy Maxi slots in the range between the smaller Caddy and the Transporter. Like rivals from Ford and Peugeot, it comes with the option of a Kombi minibus layout (there's also a pretty neat camper van conversion).
The Caddy Maxi Life is the most passenger-oriented model in the range. Seating seven people in three rows, it has a decent level of creature comforts and more car-like interior trim and decor. It is offered in the UK with the 1.9 TDI (104bhp) and 2.0 TDI PD (140bhp) diesel engines, the former with the option of Volkswagen's DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) automatic transmission with sequential-shift facility.
However, the biggest drawback with the Caddy Maxi Life is that prices start from around £16,000, making it dearer than Volkswagen's own Touran seven-seater (from just under £15,000), which is both better-looking and more refined to ride in. In terms of rivals, the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic are both more luxurious all-rounders. It's also not far off the much better-equipped Ford S-Max in price.
