Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life Estate (2015 - 2021) practicality

• Four-star Euro NCAP rating
• Some active safety tech available

Euro NCAP tested the Caddy as an MPV in 2015, and awarded it a four-star rating; in fact, it scored fairly well for occupant protection, but that bluff front end isn’t especially good for pedestrians.

There are front airbags for the driver and passenger, plus side and curtain airbags protecting the two front rows. Those in the rearmost row aren’t afforded this protection. Electronic stability control is standard, as is VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which locks the brakes after an impact in order to reduce the likelihood of a secondary crash.

It will also monitor the driver for signs of fatigue, and includes tyre pressure monitors and Hill Hold Assist.

As optional extras you can add adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking – but the latter feature is an early version of the system that applies the brakes for you in case of an imminent impact, and only takes action up to 18mph.

• Space for seven adults
• Big boot, and you can remove the seats
• Lots of cubby holes

The Caddy Maxi Life is a full seven-seater, and space for adults is very generous in the first and second rows of seating; adults will fit in the third row, but larger folk won’t enjoy being stuck back there for very long.

Access to the second row, which features Isofix mounting points for child seats, is ever so easy thanks to the large sliding rear doors. Getting to the third row requires a touch more athletic dexterity, as the middle seats don’t move that far out of the way.

Massive boot, lots of storage

Even with every seat occupied, the Caddy Maxi Life still offers a huge boot. Because Volkswagen classes it as a commercial vehicle rather than a car, it doesn’t issue an official volume, but safe to say this Caddy will swallow a week’s worth of luggage for a family of seven, including a baby’s buggy. There are roof rails as standard too, and the boot lip is very low, making loading easy.

Need even more room? Then you can always remove the seats altogether, which gives you 3,370 litres of space to play with. You can also buy a Maxi Life without the third row of seats – but this is a no-cost option, so doesn’t give you a discount.

The cabin is packed with storage options, including a large overhead shelf, lockable glovebox and enough cupholders to keep every passenger hydrated.