Prices of petrol-engined VW Caddys have been cut and equipment levels have been lifted across the range.

Drivers considering buying a petrol-engined Volkswagen Caddy now have an extra reason to make the shift away from diesel.

Prices of petrol Caddy vans for the 2018 model year have been cut by as much as £1,000 from last year’s list prices. For example, the Startline 1.2 TSI 84 PS model now costs £17,527 (RRP inc OTR and VAT) – some £1,017 less than the previous price.

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that small vans don’t need diesels and that for low mileages, petrol engines are actually more suitable. In recent times, Volkswagen taken steps to increase the range of petrol engines available in its vans. Other manufacturers are making similar changes.

The Caddy is offered with three TSI turbocharged petrol units, a 1.2-litre 84 PS four-cylinder unit, a 1.0-litre 102 PS three-cylinder unit and a range-topping 1.4-litre 125 PS four-cylinder engine offered with the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission.

Safety boost

However, it’s not just petrol buyers who standard to benefit. Volkswagen has given the entire Caddy range a specification boost. As we reported in May, all new Caddy, Transporter and Crafter vans ordered from 1 June 2017 will be fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard. The Caddy range will also get a specification boost from this month.

This should be a big plus for drivers and fleet operators. Safety experts at Thatcham Research — who carry out Euro NCAP tests in the UK — believe that AEB is “probably the most significant development in vehicle safety since the seat belt”. Reports suggest that the average insurance premium for vans with AEB is 10% lower than for those without, due to the system’s ability to prevent or reduce damage from rear-end shunts.

Drivers should also be more comfortable in the 2018 Caddy. All models, including Startline, gain a leather multifunction steering wheel and multifunction display (in addition to AEB and Driver Alert), while 2018 Trendline models now feature climatic air conditioning as standard. Finally, range-topping Highline models gain Volkswagen’s sophisticated Discover Media satellite navigation system as standard.