VW Caddy Maxi Camper boot size
The VW Caddy Maxi Life is one of the biggest MPVs out there and probably the best small camper van option out there. If boot size is your primary criteria – you can’t go wrong with a Caddy. The car drives well too. Where it lacks a bit is comfort – it takes after its van origins and offers a more basic interior. But it makes up for it in storage – it really has a lot of compartments all over the place. It’s not the best car to take off the road completely – but you can take it down a good enough mud road without any big problems. A very good car camping / microcamping conversion candidate, unless you are planning to drive through forests and very much offroad – or you prefer a higher class interior comfort.
If you are looking for about the same size, but a more reliable/low-cost maintenance car, have a look at the Toyota ProAce City Verso.
In the UK, the Caddy Maxi Life is registered as a car (not a van), so can go at a higher speed limit than the equivalent van.
This car’s boot is 225 cm long ⤢, 126 cm tall ↕, and 117 cm wide ↔.
NimbleCamper rating: 3.8/5VW Caddy Maxi boot size – length, width and height for sleeping
The VW Caddy Maxi is one of the largest everyday cars ideal for camping. Its boot height of 126 cm and length of 225 cm make it perfect for sleeping, comfortably accommodating tall campers. The width of 117 cm, though modest, provides enough space for both sleeping and storage. The Caddy Maxi is a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Body type | |
---|---|
Make | |
Boot height (cm) | 126 |
Boot length (cm) | 225 |
Boot width [wheel arches] (cm) | 117 |
Comfort rating | 1 |
Consumption l/100km | 7.4 |
Consumption MPG (UK) | 38 |
Consumption MPG (US) | 32 |
NimbleCamper rating (out of max 5) | |
Average used price, GBP (2015) | 11030 |
Engine type | |
Boot door type | |
Available in |
- Boot length note – to achieve 225cm you might need to remove the rear seats, otherwise there’s about 190cm)
- EURO NCAP safety rating (2015) 4/5
- ADAC Rating (lower = better) 2.3/5
TLDR – Conclusion
If I was to buy a car for camping, it would definitely be a VW Caddy Maxi Life. It’s good enough in terms of comfort but it wins big time in terms of boot space it offers. And most camping boxes you can find are made to fit the Caddy.
Standard reviews (not focused on camping):
HonestJohn.co.uk rating 3/5 • Autoexpress.co.uk rating: 2/5* • Carbuyer.co.uk rating: 3.8/5
Average rating: 2.9/5
*(might be a fluke, as it scored above 3 in all areas, yet they gave it 2/5 in total – see and decide for yourself)
How to sleep in VW Caddy, DIY camping conversions & other posts
Caddy vs Multivan – which one is better for camping?
This post will help you determine which car is better for camping – the Multivan or the Caddy Maxi Life….
Top 5 biggest MPVs in the EU & US: which MPVs have the largest boot space?
Let’s look at the biggest MPVs in the US and EU by their actual boot dimensions1. We will not look…
Fiat Panda Mk3 & Dacia Jogger – DIY 1-person conversions by Fabian
Here are two creative camping conversions: a practical Fiat Panda camping conversion to Fabian’s simple 1-person jogger setup.
Fiat Panda camping conversion DIY by Bill
This DIY Fiat Panda conversion makes the most of available space in the car. Bill Roberts shows us that you…
VW Caddy Maxi Life is one of the top cars in our cars for camping database.
VW Caddy Frequently Asked Questions
VW Caddy general summary
The 2019 Volkswagen Caddy Life, a van-based MPV, a practical choice for those needing to transport people and cargo. It offers more space than a typical estate car, solid build quality, and sliding doors. It comes in five or seven-seat configurations and is more enjoyable to drive than expected.
I have to emphasize the roomy interior, particularly in the back, with ample knee and headroom. There’s also a Maxi version with seven seats, but the seats don’t fold flat, requiring them to be removed for maximum cargo space, which can be inconvenient.
In terms of features, the Caddy provides essentials like air conditioning, a 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, and a heated windscreen, but lacks more advanced features such as speed sign recognition or blind spot monitoring. The interior is described as utilitarian, with practical but not luxurious materials and furnishings.
The Caddy offers three engine options, including a 1-liter turbo petrol and a 2-liter diesel, with the latter being more suitable for carrying seven people and cargo. However, the diesel engine’s noise and lack of noise insulation in the cabin are its downsides.
In terms of running costs, the Caddy is considered frugal, providing approximately 4.7 l/100km (50 miles per gallon) on a good run. The driving experience is pleasant, with light steering, good stability in corners, and a straightforward, no-frills feel. Despite lacking style, the Caddy is praised for its practicality and solid build, although its competitors may offer more standard features and family-friendly design.
The price of the Caddy (2019) ranges from £21,000 to £29,000, making it relatively expensive, but its sensible VW image and solid feel may appeal to some buyers.
VW Caddy Useful links
- Instructables – DIY VW Caddy Maxi Camper camping box
- another simple DIY Caddy camperbox with instructions
- shi*t load of Caddy images: over 1000 images here and over 600 here – indulge yourself!
- More Caddy Microcamper conversion images
- Facebook groups:
- Caddy Campers (UK)
- Caddy Camper (D/A/CH)
- Microcamper (DE/A/CH)
- Small vehicle campers (UK-EU)