2022 VW Caddy: the love affair is over and its not the Caddy's fault!

I have so been looking forward to the improvements the 5th generation would bring to the brilliantly versatility Caddy, yet I am left super frustrated with what has arrived on South African shores.
This isn't about the product but rather about how its positioned in our market...

[@phenyanemelusi5552]

"Straight Torque" indeed, honest review👍🏿

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

Thank you for the message….sadly it seems that paid commentary is all you get these days

[@darrenjones3681]

Really don’t like the rear end restyling

[@antonvangraan2378]

Brilliant review Marius, agree with your assessment.
We have a 2007 Caddy Life TDi with 187 000km and can honestly not see myself forking out R600k on a new Caddy.
Sure, the improvements over my Caddy are great, but not to such an extent that I would rush out to buy the new one.
Oh yes, we have a 5 speed manual... 🤣

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

Thanks Anton - such superb cars hey! That’s a big issue these days with all cars is the replacement cost - scary!
No issues with the manual at all - works well - but in this day and age & given the family / lifestyle focused users, DSG is crucial - not offering it this time really shifts the Caddy into the commercial corner when it’s a car that truly offers so much more!

[@neilklopper7667]

Why exactly is South Africa not getting the DSG automatic? There seems to be loads of them in NZ and Australia. I don't believe the rubbish that the dealerships are saying. Is it because of the state of the SA economy? Other manufacturers are bringing in automatics. This is such a shame.

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

No Neil that’s not what dealers are saying, that’s the position of VWSA! They are not bringing the DSG to market - as I explained in the video, it’s viewed and sold as a commercial vehicle and their focus is on pushing the ridiculous ‘stylish’ crossovers with zero practicality and a hefty price tag. It’s a shocker - such s brilliant offering the Caddy has always been and they’ve essentially just hit the self destruct button. And they’ll be crashing and burning with the Amarok too - priced way above the Ranger 🙈

[@michaelede6309]

Very funny as in New Zealand and you can get is DSG i have a Caddy van 90Kw 320Nm great on fuel and good power done nearly 20,000 Ks all good!

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

EVERYWHERE else in the world and with all the previous models, it’s just this latest version that the ‘clever’ people at VW decided not to bring it. Like I said, they want you to buy these hatchbacks that they are trying to market at crossovers 🙈

[@winterbottom3258]

None of the rear windows open so to use it as a family car becomes a problem means you going to have to use the AC all the time increasing fuel consumption

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

I honestly don’t know anybody who drives with their windows open and the increase in fuel consumption using the aircon honestly is negligible.
Would it be nice to have a pop out like they have in the Transporter? Sure…but it never felt like a big concern for me or my passengers when in the back.
What is a concern is that there are no air vents in the back…THAT is something I forgot to raise!

[@darrenjones3681]

There is a huge electronic lack of supply in all manufacturing at the moment, even some basic mechanical parts from some manufacturers is a problem 4 months for an Astra shock absorber is a joke

[@louisdeabreu807]

No dsg! Volkswagen SA what a bummer.

[@darrenjones3681]

Oh come on as a van manual is fine as a car dsg is for people that don’t know how to drive

[@gilbertosandino8324]

Generation 5 👎. Generation 4 🫶

[@MariusRobertsProductions]

Agreed

[@vikr0]

Ah Yeah!

[@terencephilipstrydom4838]

A bit pricey for what you get!