Toyota Tarago vs Volkswagen Caddy
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular People Movers 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.
Toyota Tarago
Price TBC
People Mover
Petrol
—
202kW
10.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Volkswagen Caddy
From $57,600
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol I4 Turbo TSI
84kW
6.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
446L
Toyota Tarago: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle.
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.
Track the Toyota Tarago & Volkswagen Caddy
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Toyota Tarago and Volkswagen Caddy hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 4 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Caddy, against 0 on the Toyota Tarago.
Both include the essentials: a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Toyota Tarago and 7 in the Volkswagen Caddy.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Toyota Tarago stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for 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 Toyota Tarago gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Caddy offers cloth (double grid).
Drivetrain
The Toyota Tarago lines up producing 202kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 6-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 Toyota Tarago has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 84kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Tarago measures 4,795mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 58mm shorter than the Volkswagen Caddy at 4,853mm (2,970mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Caddy generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota Tarago leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
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 $2,936/year for the Toyota Tarago and $1,767/year for the Volkswagen Caddy. That is a $1,169 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Caddy.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Toyota Tarago) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Caddy). The Volkswagen Caddy has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Tarago if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Caddy if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Toyota Tarago and Volkswagen Caddy trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen Caddy will save you roughly $1,169 a year in fuel. The Volkswagen Caddy adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota Tarago and Volkswagen Caddy?
The Volkswagen Caddy is the cheapest at $57,600 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Caddy uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Toyota Tarago and Volkswagen Caddy all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Tarago has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Caddy has the longest warranty at 5 years / 0k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Tarago makes the most power at 202kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
