Car Review
The last time we reviewed the Volkswagen Golf, we had such a fun time that when we were approached to review the Volkswagen Caddy – a huge 7-seater perfect for families – we jumped right at it!
Our weekend ride came in a gorgeous hue of maroon and it was spacious! I was told that the Caddy was originally marketed as a van overseas but seats have since been put in so that it is suitable for family travels. There are so many great features of the Volkswagen Caddy that I was so impressed with!
Cost-Effective
The Volkswagen Caddy is a model in Category A COE segment, which means you can get a car suitable for your family without burning a big hole in your pocket! Budget is one of the most important considerations when buying a car so this is definitely a plus point. Furthermore, its fuel-efficient feature makes it an even more cost-saving so that your finances can be more freed up for your other needs.
All Back Seats Are Removable!
This is a win-win situation if you run a business and would need a van to transport your goods and yet also need a car to ferry your family around because the Volkswagen Caddy can do BOTH! I love how versatile the car is! There is a unique suspension system near the back of the car so that even if the car is used to transport very heavy goods, the ride will still be very smooth.
The interior is spacious, so with all the seats in, everyone can fit in comfortably including the kids and grandparents, and you are all set for a perfect family day out. Sounds awesome, isn’t it?
Unique Fatigue Detection System
As a safety feature, the Volkswagen Caddy has a Fatigue Detection System that can recognise any deviation from normal driving behaviour and recommend the driver to take a break when necessary. To do this, the system evaluates driving behaviour at speeds of 65 km/h and above and draws conclusions as to whether the driver is fit to drive. It evaluates in this process various signals, such as, for example, steering behaviour. In the event of any atypical actions, the system recommends the driver take a break by both an audible and visual signal. Safety is always an important consideration and Volkswagen knows it.
Voice Enhancer System
When the car is big and the noises from external road conditions may be loud, this feature works really well. The driver’s voice is picked up by a ‘microphone’ at the front seat and the passengers at the back can hear it via a speaker, so that everyone can hear what the driver is saying and the driver does not need to turn his/her head to speak to everyone else in the car. Again, this is for safety reasons as well. In fact, the ‘microphone’ works so well that if you are alone in the car, you can have a personal karaoke session. LOL!
If you are a parent and wondering if your kids’ loud chatter will be picked up from the back and enhanced to you in the front, don’t fret. This system works only one way from driver to the passengers. =P
Numerous Storage Options
Now, tell me how awesome this feature is, if you need to ferry young kids around. Apart from a large glove compartment, there is a roof shelf that stretches above the windscreen across the full width of the cabin. It is big enough to take even A4 folders. Further storage bins are integrated in front of the gear selector lever and in the door panels. The latter are large enough to accommodate upright 1.5-litre drinks bottles. The third seating row is a bench seat in the rear with a fold-down backrest. The seat provides enough room for two adults. As and when required, it can also be taken out to enlarge the already spacious boot area. Great if you need to put in luggage or if you are moving house or need to transport some goods.
App Connect
App-Connect is available in the Volkswagen Caddy, so smartphone pairing for Apple and Android devices are available. This allows the car to play songs from your favourite playlist in your devices, as well as read out messages or allow you to take phone calls hands-free. Yes, for safety yet again! And definitely provides for a lot of convenience for the driver.
All thanks to Volkswagen, we had a really great weekend shuttling between different places to attend birthday parties, church services, meals and shopping. The ride was so comfortable that both kids fell asleep during the journey, and when they awoke, they can’t stop going on and on about how we should just get a Volkswagen Caddy when we next buy a car. =P
With Chinese New Year coming up in just 3 weeks’ time, now might be the best time to buy a family car to shuttle your family around in style and comfort! For more information on the Volkswagen Caddy, you can go to http://www.volkswagen.com.sg/en/models/caddy/gallery.html or drop by their showroom at Alexandra. :)
