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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched the current generation of its Caddy in 2015 and has now given the light van range a boost with the addition of a business pack for the entry-level Startline model.

Interior and equipment

Debuted at the Commercial Vehicle Show in April, VW claims the pack includes the items small and large business customers most frequently specify for a competitive price.

The Caddy business pack costs £950 (all prices exclude VAT) and brings on board an alarm, rear parking sensors and air-conditioning. The brand says the price amounts to a saving of £520 compared to adding these options individually.

Standard spec on the Startline already includes front assist with city emergency braking, a five-inch colour touchscreen infotainment module including DAB radio, a leather multi-function steering wheel, and electric windows with electrically heated and adjustable wing mirrors.

The Startline panel van C20 2.0 TDI 102hp five-speed manual we drove also came with a wealth of extras that belied its nominal position as an entry-level model. These included App Connect (£158), an alloy spare wheel (£192), which seems somewhat extravagant, a Light and Vision pack (£149) with auto-dimming rear-view mirror (the rear doors are glazed), automatic headlights with daytime running lights and windscreen wiper with rain-sensor, VW’s Discover Media Nav system (£682), rubber floor mats (£101), 17in alloy wheels (£1,176), which look nice but may not be most operators’ priority, and metallic paint (£403).

The cabin is tidy, finished in robust materials and functional, and a reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel as well as a height-, reach- and rake-adjustable driver’s seat (which the passenger side also gets) makes it easy to find the most comfortable driving position. Storage provision is generous and includes a large overhead shelf.

The touchscreen is positioned low down in the central console, however, which is not ideal for the driver’s sight line when on the move.

Load bay

A full-height bulkhead with a solid lower and mesh upper separates the cab from the load bay, which is accessed via twin rear doors that activate two interior lights when opened. Six load lashing rings are installed to secure cargo.