10 Compelling Reasons to Choose a VW Caddy Campervan

The fifth-generation Volkswagen Caddy has won two What Car? Van Awards in 2022 for Best Overall and Best Value for Ownership Cost. It’s no surprise that with a clever van conversion, the VW Caddy Campervan is becoming one of the most sought-after small van options around.

volkswagen caddy campervan in blue with a tent attachment

Image Source: Parkers

With the VW name, you can trust that you’re getting a reliable and functional vehicle with a Volkswagen Caddy Campervan. Of course, being a camper, you’re also getting the all-important VW vibe, which simply gives you kudos in camper circles. But, unlike the VW Transporter, the Caddy brings you everything you love in a VW in a more compact space.

Don’t dismiss a Caddy, thinking it’s too small to house everything you need. Your conversion will need to be clever with a Caddy Campervan, to make use of every square inch, but here are 10 compelling reasons why you should choose a Caddy Campervan if you’re looking for a small campervan:

1. You can get everywhere

It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, or how much RV companies try to convince you otherwise, you can’t actually take any van anywhere. There’s no easy joy to be found nipping out for supplies in a hefty vehicle. There’s not much fun navigating mountain passes or country lanes. There’s no getting in many attraction car parks.

With a Caddy Campervan, you’re in a vehicle that’s on a par, size-wise, with many cars. If you can get there by car, you can get there in your Caddy van.

Given that van life is truly about the journey, and the people and places you see along the way, the tiny home which is the Caddy makes authentic van-life possible simply because more of the world is your oyster.

No more parking panic. Just park as easily as you would a car.

2. You can afford to buy a VW Caddy Campervan and run it

Van life is becoming astronomically expensive as more and more people figure out that it’s a wonderful way to experience places and spend time.

A VW Caddy is considerably more affordable than many larger vans, including the also affordable Transporter. In reality, you can expect the cost to be in a similar league to your average family car. There is an excellent second-hand market too.

And that’s true when it comes to running it too – a cost often overlooked in pricing a van. Larger campers guzzle fuel. Not the Caddy. The van carries less weight in itself, and less weight inside, so it will simply cost less to run.

Don’t forget, smaller campervans are cheaper to insure too.

3. Have fun with creative conversions

In our experience, the most compact vans bring out the most creative and innovative conversion ideas. You have to be inventive, and this really pays off with interiors that solve problems, work practically, and look beautiful.

If you are someone who enjoys the conversion process then you haven’t fully lived until you’ve done a Caddy conversion, for this reason. You’ll have so much fun coming up with ingenious ideas.

4. It makes the most of outdoor living

Van lovers, by nature, are Great Outdoors lovers. The camper is a place to lay your head and a means of transport, but living space is the space outside your van. But, with a large and cumbersome van, with a fixed table and seats, it can be much harder to embrace outdoor living.

With a small campervan, like a Caddy, there’s no choice; you have to extend van life to the outdoors around your van. It’s immersive, and there’s no missing what’s right outside the van door. If you want to connect with nature, you need a smaller van.

5. You don’t need multiple vehicles

It’s very normal for campervan owners to have their van parked up on hardstanding or the driveway at home in between trips, gathering dust. Would you really commute to work in a large van?!

A Caddy isn’t much larger than many 7 seaters. You can use it as your everyday vehicle and not feel out of place. This is great news for your wallet and the environment. One set of tax, one set of servicing, one set of fuel. It makes sense.

6. It’s supremely versatile

Ah, but can I use it for my commute when it’s set up as a camper, I hear you say. Well, that’s another wonderful thing about the Caddy. We’ve seen lots of different kits which insert into a Caddy and work as modules to make the van into what you need, when you need it.

One day you can have it kitted out for lugging your work gear around, then nip home and swap in the sleep kit for a weekend away. These kits also serve as a temporary conversion, if you don’t want everything fixed in place. It’s super versatile.

Either invest in the kits you need or get crafty and make your own.

7. Shhhh… it’s not really a camper…

How many times do you come across the most incredible place to camp and jostle with your inner Jiminy Cricket when confronted with a ‘No Campervans’ sign? Or how much do you wish you could pull up alongside that lake but know that your RV is spoiling the view for everyone else?

A Caddy Campervan is the ultimate stealth camper. No one knows this is a camper. You can pitch up without any conscience wrangling.

This is particularly great if you like exploring cities. There’s no stealth camping in a self-declared obvious camper in urban areas. But with a Caddy, there’s nothing stopping you parking up like you would a car in a regular space, and exploring the city by night, and having somewhere comfy to lay your head.

8. It’s not as small as you think

Harry Potter fans will have marvelled at the magical Weasley tent which looks tiny yet reveals palatial proportions on the inside. The Caddy is not quite like that, but there is some element of magic going on; you can definitely fit more in it than you think you can.

We’ve seen some beautiful Caddy conversions which effectively serve as a small home on wheels. We’ve seen plenty of sleeping room for two. Remarkably, we’ve seen built in kitchens, a campervan shower and other campervan accessories. Every Caddy conversion we’ve seen has also won us over in terms of storage space. Under the bed we’ve even seen a kayak slotted in!

9. You can easily add a pop top

Perhaps one of the reasons that the Caddy is so versatile and quickly appears massively spacious is that it’s really easy to add on a pop top. It’s such an easy way to add some extra space. All of a sudden, you can stand up in your tiny van. This is great because the fundamental size of the van stays compact, but you’ve got more space when you need it.

10. It’s easier to get up and go

The concept of having a campervan is that you can make a decision on a Friday night to grab your overnight bag and just go. Or, the sun is shining and you’re on a month long trip and want to see where the mood takes you.

However, the reality is that with bigger vans, many owners find it takes much more planning. You can’t just get up and go so easily. With a Caddy campervan you can.

It really opens up the flexibility of life and travel, and you can live the flexible lifestyle you’re after. That’s pretty cool.

The Volkswagen Caddy campervan is, unsurprisingly, gaining quite a following. It’s popular with singletons and couples who want an affordable and reliable campervan that gives them options. It’s great for those who want to explore the world, whether 5 miles away or over a massive trek of thousands of miles. It’s also there in the everyday, in whatever way you need it.

If you plan to buy a caddy campervan in the near future or have recently purchased one, then you will need to get campervan insurance before you can drive it. You can compare camper insurance quotes from multiple providers by filling out quick and easy form.