Volkswagen Caddy vs Volkswagen Crafter
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.
Volkswagen Caddy
From $57,600
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol I4 Turbo TSI
84kW
6.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
446L
Volkswagen Crafter
From $70,990
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
2530L
Volkswagen Caddy: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h and ground clearance.
A blank cell below means 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 Volkswagen Caddy starts from $57,600 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Crafter opens at $70,990. That makes the Volkswagen Caddy the more affordable entry point by $13,390.
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 $63,360 and $78,089 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Caddy by roughly $3,280 in fuel alone.
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 Volkswagen Caddy features a 8.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Crafter gets a 10.4-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Caddy stands out with wireless charging that you will not find on the Volkswagen Crafter. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volkswagen Caddy gets cloth (double grid) upholstery while the Volkswagen Crafter offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Caddy uses a Petrol I4 Turbo TSI producing 84kW and 220Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed dual clutch (dsg) to a FWD layout.
The Volkswagen Crafter responds with a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI making 130kW and 410Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter driving the front wheels.
The Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 84kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Caddy measures 4,853mm long on a 2,970mm wheelbase, 1133mm shorter than the Volkswagen Crafter at 5,986mm (3,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 446L in the Volkswagen Caddy and 2530L in the Volkswagen Crafter, giving the Volkswagen Crafter a 2084L advantage. The Volkswagen Crafter seats 12 vs 7.
For towing, the Volkswagen Crafter leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.1m to 14.0m
Based on 12.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 14.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,767/year for the Volkswagen Caddy and $2,423/year for the Volkswagen Crafter. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Caddy.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (Volkswagen Caddy) vs $2,423 (Volkswagen Crafter). The Volkswagen Caddy saves you roughly $656 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Volkswagen Caddy) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Caddy if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Crafter takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Volkswagen Caddy will save you roughly $656 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Crafter has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Crafter?
The Volkswagen Caddy is the cheapest at $57,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Crafter by $13,390.
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 — Volkswagen Caddy all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the largest boot at 2530L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Crafter has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
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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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