Volkswagen Crafter 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.
Volkswagen Crafter
From $70,990
People Mover
Diesel
Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI
130kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
2530L
Volkswagen Caddy
From $57,600
People Mover
Petrol
Petrol I4 Turbo TSI
84kW
6.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
446L
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.
Track the Volkswagen Crafter & Volkswagen Caddy
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Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Crafter starts from $70,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Caddy opens at $57,600. 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 $78,089 and $63,360 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 Crafter features a 10.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, 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 Volkswagen Caddy counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volkswagen Crafter gets cloth upholstery while the Volkswagen Caddy offers cloth (double grid).
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Crafter uses a Diesel I4 Bi-Turbo TDI producing 130kW and 410Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter 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 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 Crafter measures 5,986mm long on a 3,640mm wheelbase, 1133mm longer than the Volkswagen Caddy at 4,853mm (2,970mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 2530L in the Volkswagen Crafter and 446L in the Volkswagen Caddy, 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 14.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.1m 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 $2,423/year for the Volkswagen Crafter and $1,767/year for the Volkswagen Caddy. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Caddy.
Warranty: 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter) vs 5 years (Volkswagen Caddy). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
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.
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 Crafter and Volkswagen Caddy?
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.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Volkswagen Caddy holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volkswagen Crafter, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
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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