Renault Trafic vs Volkswagen Caddy
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Renault Trafic
From $52,990
Van
Diesel
2.0L Diesel
125kW
6.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Volkswagen Caddy
From $57,600
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol I4 Turbo TSI
84kW
6.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
446L
Renault Trafic: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and ground clearance, plus 2 others.
Volkswagen Caddy: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h and ground clearance.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Renault Trafic starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Caddy opens at $57,600. That makes the Renault Trafic the more affordable entry point by $4,610.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $58,289 and $63,360 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Trafic features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Caddy gets a 8.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Renault Trafic stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the Volkswagen Caddy. The Volkswagen Caddy counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Renault Trafic gets cloth upholstery while the Volkswagen Caddy offers cloth (double grid).
Drivetrain
The Renault Trafic uses a 2.0L Diesel producing 125kW and 380Nm of torque, sent through a 9-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Volkswagen Caddy responds with a Petrol I4 Turbo TSI making 84kW and 220Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual clutch (dsg) driving the front wheels.
The Renault Trafic has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 84kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Trafic measures 5,080mm long on a 3,098mm wheelbase, 227mm longer than the Volkswagen Caddy at 4,853mm (2,970mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Renault Trafic generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.1m diameter
Large
Based on 12.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,767/year for the Renault Trafic and $1,910/year for the Volkswagen Caddy. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the Renault Trafic.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (Renault Trafic) vs $1,910 (Volkswagen Caddy). The Renault Trafic saves you roughly $143 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Trafic if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Caddy if: You or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Renault Trafic takes 3 of 3 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Renault Trafic will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Caddy?
The Renault Trafic is the cheapest at $52,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Caddy by $4,610.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Trafic uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Caddy all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Caddy has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Renault Trafic makes the most power at 125kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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