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Photo of a Volkswagen Caddy

Volkswagen Caddy

Born a Golf pickup in 1979. Built for seven-seat family life.12

Researched October 25, 2026 from 34 sources

At a glance

0100200
48–168 hpPower
012.525
9.2–23.9 s0–100 km/h
0100200
131–196 km/hTop speed
0200400
76.6–350 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
998–1,907 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.12381011

Engine
1.0–2.0 L gasoline/diesel; BiFuel LPG, EcoFuel/TGI CNG; 1.5 L PHEV1101112
Layout
Front engine; FWD or 4Motion AWD, depending on version1
Built at
MkI: Westmoreland, US; TAS, Yugoslavia; MkIII–V: Poznań, Poland1613
Units built
Nearly 2.9 million at Poznań since 2003 (March 2026)13

The story

Conceived as a Golf-based pickup for North America, the Caddy evolved into a family hauler. The 2004 Life offered five or seven seats; the fifth generation switched to MQB in 2020.234

1979: Rabbit Pickup reaches North America19791982: Europe gets the Caddy name19822003: Poznań starts third-generation production20032004: Life launches with five or seven seats20042015: Caddy IV brings Euro 6 engines20152016: Three TSI choices for Caddy Life20162020: Fifth generation moves to MQB20202022: Maxi Life gets the 1.5 TGI20222024: eHybrid: up to 122 km on electricity2024 Volkswagen Type 147 Fridolin (147): 1964–1974147Volkswagen Caddy I / Rabbit Pickup (14D): 1979–200714DVolkswagen Caddy II (9KV): 1995–20039KVVolkswagen Caddy II Pickup (9U): 1996–9UVolkswagen Caddy III (2K): 2003–20152KVolkswagen Caddy IV (SA): 2015–2020SAVolkswagen Caddy V (SB): 2020–presentSB 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones123456822
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1964–1974Volkswagen Type 147 Fridolin (147)
1979–2007Volkswagen Caddy I / Rabbit Pickup (14D)
1995–2003Volkswagen Caddy II (9KV)
1996–Volkswagen Caddy II Pickup (9U)
2003–2015Volkswagen Caddy III (2K)
2015–2020Volkswagen Caddy IV (SA)
2020–presentVolkswagen Caddy V (SB)
1979Rabbit Pickup reaches North America
1982Europe gets the Caddy name
2003Poznań starts third-generation production
2004Life launches with five or seven seats
2015Caddy IV brings Euro 6 engines
2016Three TSI choices for Caddy Life
2020Fifth generation moves to MQB
2022Maxi Life gets the 1.5 TGI
2024eHybrid: up to 122 km on electricity
  1. 1979

    Rabbit Pickup reaches North America

    The Golf-based pickup goes on sale in the US for model year 1980, built at Westmoreland in Pennsylvania.1

  2. 1982

    Europe gets the Caddy name

    The name means "shopping trolley." European production starts at TAS in Sarajevo and runs to 1992.15

  3. 2003

    Poznań starts third-generation production

    The third generation debuts in Amsterdam; Poznań, Poland, starts production on November 12.16

  4. 2004

    Life launches with five or seven seats

    Caddy Life arrives with five seats as standard and seven optional, sharing its platform with Touran and the new Golf.7

  5. 2015

    Caddy IV brings Euro 6 engines

    The major facelift earns a new generation number, while the engines switch to Euro 6.8

  6. 2016

    Three TSI choices for Caddy Life

    By 2016, the Maxi offers 1.0 and 1.4 L turbo gasoline engines; the shorter five-seater also offers a 1.2 L TSI.9

  7. 2020

    Fifth generation moves to MQB

    Revealed on February 20, the fifth generation is completely redesigned around the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform.4

  8. 2022

    Maxi Life gets the 1.5 TGI

    The 2022–23 Maxi 1.5 TGI Life delivers 129 hp, is rated at 4.6 kg/100 km WLTP and measures 4,853 × 1,855 × 1,836 mm.10

  9. 2024

    eHybrid: up to 122 km on electricity

    The model-year 2025 plug-in hybrid brings 148 hp, 350 Nm and a 19.7 kWh usable battery; charging reaches 50 kW DC or 11 kW AC.11

Every generation

  • Volkswagen Type 147 Fridolin
    1471964–1974
  • Volkswagen Golf Mk1
    Mk1
  • Volkswagen Caddy I / Rabbit Pickup
    14D1979–2007
  • Volkswagen Caddy II
    9KV1995–2003
  • Volkswagen Caddy II Pickup
    9U
  • Volkswagen Caddy III
    2K2003–2015
  • Volkswagen Caddy IV
    SA2015–2020
  • Volkswagen Caddy V
    SB2020–present

Power over the years

From 48 hp to 168 hp in 32 years.

050100150200 19801990200020102020 hp 1980 · 48 hp · Rabbit Pickup 1.5 diesel1996 · 56 hp · Second-gen 1.7 SDI1996 · 89 hp · Second-gen 1.9 TDI2004 · 74 hp · Life 1.4 gasoline2006 · 107 hp · 2.0 EcoFuel CNG2007 · 138 hp · Maxi Life 2.0 TDI2010 · 104 hp · 1.2 TSI2012 · 168 hp · 2.0 TDI CFJA2015 · 148 hp · Fourth-gen 2.0 TDI2016 · 124 hp · Maxi Life 1.4 TSI DSG2022 · 129 hp · Maxi 1.5 TGI Life2025 · 148 hp · eHybrid system 168 hp 2.0 TDI CFJA 48 hp Rabbit Pickup 1.5 diesel
17891011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
198048Rabbit Pickup 1.5 diesel
199656Second-gen 1.7 SDI
199689Second-gen 1.9 TDI
200474Life 1.4 gasoline
20061072.0 EcoFuel CNG
2007138Maxi Life 2.0 TDI
20101041.2 TSI
20121682.0 TDI CFJA
2015148Fourth-gen 2.0 TDI
2016124Maxi Life 1.4 TSI DSG
2022129Maxi 1.5 TGI Life
2025148eHybrid system

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Kombi / Caddy Life (2K)

    Standard

    Kombi / Caddy Life (2K)

  • Standard

    Startline / Trendline / Comfortline / Highline / Style

  • Caddy Maxi Life (2K)

    Standard

    Caddy Maxi Life (2K)

  • Tramper / Beach / Caddy California

    Special

    Tramper / Beach / Caddy California

  • Cross-Caddy / Alltrack / PanAmericana

    Special

    Cross-Caddy / Alltrack / PanAmericana

  • Special

    Caddy Dark Label

    2022

  • Special

    Caddy Edition 35

    2017

  • Caddy Sport

    Performance

    Caddy Sport

  • Limited

    Caddy Edition 30

    168 hp

  • Limited

    Caddy Carrera Cup Edition

    250 built

  • Special

    Bischofberger Family Hochdach

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a Golf Mk1 face attached to a pickup bed.119
  • 9KV passenger model: tall roof, panoramic side glazing and an asymmetric rear door.22
  • 2K Caddy Life: sliding doors on both sides.8
  • Fifth generation: a stubby nose, slim headlights and a mostly closed grille.23
  • Fifth generation: blacked-out tailgate and narrow, upright rear lights.2324

Year by year

  1. 2003

    The new body gets a more raked windshield and a smaller hood.1

  2. 2010

    A facelift gives the original body Volkswagen's then-current front-end design.8

  3. 2015

    A new nose and redesigned rear, especially the taillights, distinguish the update marketed as Caddy IV.825

  4. 2020

    All-new fifth-generation body: lower, blunter nose, honeycomb lower bumper and narrow vertical rear lights.23

  5. 2026

    A redesigned front bumper, new paint colors and fresh 16- to 18-inch wheel designs preview the refresh.13

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Caddy
    Caddy
    Photo of a SEAT Inca
    SEAT Inca

    SEAT Inca

    The second-generation 9KV van is almost identical; check the grille for the Caddy's Volkswagen logo.222

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Caddy
    Caddy
    Photo of a Škoda Felicia Pickup
    Škoda Felicia Pickup

    Škoda Felicia Pickup

    The second-generation 9U pickup shares the Felicia's body; look for the Volkswagen grille logo.12

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Caddy
    Caddy
    Photo of a Ford Tourneo Connect
    Ford Tourneo Connect

    Ford Tourneo Connect

    Closely related from 2021; check the nose for the VW logo on the Caddy's closed grille.123

Against its rivals

  • Mercedes-Benz Citan

    Caddy vs Mercedes-Benz Citan

    Price before VAT lower is better

    Caddy19,060 £
    Mercedes-Benz Citan13,085 £
    20
  • Citroën Berlingo XL

    Caddy vs Citroën Berlingo XL

    Model price lower is better

    Caddy24,819 £
    Citroën Berlingo XL24,130 £
    26
  • Kia Carnival

    Caddy vs Kia Carnival

    Gasoline starting price lower is better

    Caddy$50,640
    Kia Carnival$47,480
    27

Prices

Auction sale
$0$10K$20K$30K 202420262028 2025 · $15,600 · 1991 Caddy Sport, WB & Sons2025 · $8,580 · 2016 Caddy C20, Mathewsons2025 · $5,119 · 1999 Caddy, Hampson Auctions2025 · $2,730 · 2014 Caddy C20, Mathewsons2026 · $25,250 · 1981 Rabbit Pickup, 11k miles shown, BaT2026 · $17,745 · 1992 turbodiesel, Bring A Trailer2026 · $13,163 · 1988 Golf Caddy, Hampson Auctions2026 · $7,300 · 1983 Rabbit Pickup 5-speed, 41k mi shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $14,000 · 1981 Rabbit Pickup LX 4-speed, 123k mi shown, BaT $25.3K BaT, 2026
31323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2025Auction sale$15,6001991 Caddy Sport, WB & Sons
2025Auction sale$8,5802016 Caddy C20, Mathewsons
2025Auction sale$5,1191999 Caddy, Hampson Auctions
2025Auction sale$2,7302014 Caddy C20, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$25,2501981 Rabbit Pickup, 11k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,7451992 turbodiesel, Bring A Trailer
2026Auction sale$13,1631988 Golf Caddy, Hampson Auctions
2026Auction sale$7,3001983 Rabbit Pickup 5-speed, 41k mi shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,0001981 Rabbit Pickup LX 4-speed, 123k mi shown, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Fourth at Oulton Park in a Caddy TDI”
    • “A 1982 Pickup in Forza Horizon 5”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Volkswagen Caddy - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Caddyfreunde e.V. - Der Verein für alle Freunde des Volkswagen Caddy - Caddy Geschichte caddyfreunde.de
  3. VW Caddy (Typ 14D) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Volkswagen Bedrijfswagens onthult de nieuwe Caddy nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  5. Caddy I (1982–1992) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  6. Volkswagen Poznań : l’usine polonaise fête 20 ans de production du Volkswagen Caddy - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  7. Volkswagen Caddy Life lansering den 13 november | Volkswagen Personbilar Sverige AB mynewsdesk.com
  8. VW Caddy (Typ 2K) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  9. Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life TSI 2016 review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  10. VW Nutzfahrzeuge Caddy Maxi 1.5 TGI Life (06/22 - 06/23): Technische Daten, Bilder, Preise | ADAC adac.de
  11. Ludospace familial ou fourgon de livraison urbaine, le Caddy se décline désormais en version eHybrid - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  12. Gebrauchtwagen-Beratung VW Caddy 2K: Checkliste zu Rost, DSG und Motoren auto-motor-und-sport.de
  13. Nouveau Caddy : évolution du fourgon compact et du ludospace familial - Volkswagen | Espace Média Volkswagen France media.volkswagen.fr
  14. Der neue Caddy PanAmericana - Porsche Holding newsroom porscheholding-newsroom.at
  15. Volkswagen - Världspremiär: Nya Caddy California med minikök, panoramaglastak och fristående tältlösning vwgroup.se
  16. Volkswagen Caddy Dark Label – wyjątkowa edycja specjalna | Volkswagen Samochody Dostawcze vwdostawcze.pl
  17. Volkswagen bringt Caddy Roncalli Edition - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  18. VW Caddy Edition 35: Sondermodell zum Jubiläum auto-motor-und-sport.de
  19. VW Caddy Mk1 Buying Guide heritagepartscentre.com
  20. Volkswagen Caddy Edition 30 TDI 140 DSG (2013 - ) expert review - Expert Volkswagen Caddy Commercial Vehicle Reviews - AutoTrader autotrader.co.za
  21. Turbodiesel-Powered 1992 Volkswagen Caddy Bischofberger Family Hochdach 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,000 on September 24, 2026 (Lot #264,723) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  22. VW Caddy (Typ 9KV) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  23. Foto’s + Vlog: Dit is de nieuwe Volkswagen Caddy! • Bestelauto.nl bestelauto.nl
  24. Volkswagen Caddy Review 2026 | Performance & Pricing | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  25. Interview: „Der Caddy ist Benchmark in seiner Klasse“ - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  26. Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life vs Citroen Berlingo XL | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  27. 2021 Volkswagen Caddy Life road test review | RACV racv.com.au
  28. Volkswagen Racing Cup 2009 race results vw-cup-archive.co.uk
  29. Forza Horizon 5 1982 VW Pickup on Steam store.steampowered.com
  30. Volkswagen bittet Caddy in die Werkstätten - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  31. No Reserve: 11k-Mile 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,250 on March 2, 2026 (Lot #231,978) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. Volkswagen Caddy For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,300 on March 22, 2026 (Lot #234,495) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup LX 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,000 on February 24, 2026 (Lot #231,132) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caddyfreunde.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • nieuws.vwbedrijfswagens.nl
  • volkswagen-newsroom.com
  • media.volkswagen.fr
  • mynewsdesk.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • adac.de
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • porscheholding-newsroom.at
  • vwgroup.se
  • vwdostawcze.pl
  • auto-medienportal.net

Photo credits

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