The Volkswagen Caddy is a versatile light commercial vehicle derived from the brand's popular passenger car platforms. Since its debut, five generations of the Caddy have been produced. The first model, known as the Caddy 14D, was introduced in 1983. Initially developed for the North American market under the name VW Rabbit Pick-up, it quickly gained popularity in Europe. This version was built on the chassis of the first-generation Golf. Although production ceased in 1992, the model was reintroduced in 2006 in South Africa following several updates.
The second generation, designated as the 9U, launched in 1996 and was based on the Škoda Pickup. It offered two engine options: a 1.6 MPI petrol engine producing 75 hp and a 1.9 diesel engine with 64 hp. Around the same time, Volkswagen’s Spanish subsidiary SEAT developed the Caddy 9K, based on the VW Polo and SEAT Ibiza platforms. A rebadged version, the SEAT Inca, was also released. However, production of the SEAT variant was later discontinued as the brand shifted towards a sportier image.
In 2003, Volkswagen introduced the third generation, the Caddy 2K, available as both a light commercial van and a passenger estate. This model is manufactured in Poland at the VW plant in Poznań. A facelifted version was launched in 2010, featuring a more aerodynamic design and a refreshed interior. It also introduced a new range of efficient TDI and TSI engines, reducing average fuel consumption by up to 21% compared to the previous model.
Volkswagen also offers the Caddy Maxi, a larger variant that can serve as a spacious delivery van or a comfortable seven-seater family car, depending on the configuration.
Factory tyre sizes for the Volkswagen Caddy include 195/65 R15, 175/65 R14, and 205/55 R16. Optional tyre sizes include 205/60 R15, 215/45 R17, 185/60 R14, and 195/50 R15.