Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi Review - Seven-seat Taxi is a 'Whole' in One
As a working vehicle, popular cars for taxi drivers tend to adhere to a specific hierarchy of talents to ensure they perform their duties to the best of their ability.
That might be comfort, or a generous specification, or a frugal powertrain, but for most taxi drivers it is outright space and practicality that often trumps all other traits.
It goes a long way to explain why van-derived multi-purpose vehicles have sustained such popularity in the taxi industry, where a no-nonsense approach to putting versatility and interior room above all else makes them extraordinarily good value people-movers.
It is perhaps little wonder then that the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi has emerged as one of the UK’s most popular taxis.
While it may be based on the commercial Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, don’t let the utilitarian origins fool you, for the Maxi – with its additional seats and rear windows – leans on the kudos of that esteemed VW badge to feel a world away from its van underpinnings and instead give the impression of a multi-functional, multi-talented car.
In fact, the Caddy is based on the Golf, which makes absolute sense because Caddy... Golf... geddit?
Small Van, Big Taxi
Van-based people-carriers have carved a surprisingly profitable niche for itself in the car market.
Ever since Citroen added some seats and windows to its no-frills Berlingo back in the late-90s, the class has developed a loyal following from those who are happy to trade sophistication and style for generous space, low costs and easy manoeuvrability.
Taxi drivers inevitably followed suit and now, 30 years on, the class is still going strong - even amid the explosive rise of SUVs - with the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi among the best.
Rest assured, while the Caddy Maxi is based on what the commercial vehicle industry would regard as a ‘small van’, it is anything but... there is a clue in the name, after all.
So much so that the Caddy Maxi is now one of a dwindling number of models packing seven seats as standard.
Moreover, if you remove big, chunky SUVs from that seven-seat group and the Caddy Maxi is one of just a handful of ‘non-Chelsea Tractor inspired’ models capable of transporting more than five in comfort.
Why Choose the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi as a Taxi?
For taxi drivers seeking TARDIS-like interior room within external dimensions that don’t take up a vast amount of space on the rank, there is no better option than the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi.
Indeed, while the Caddy Maxi measures less than five metres in outright length, it retains a spacious cargo area of 446 litres even with all seven seats in place, or 1720-litres as a five-seater.
It is therefore the ideal choice for drivers doing the airport taxi run or school taxi run, among others.
And besides, there is also something oddly satisfying about saying you drive a Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi...
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi at The Taxi Centre
If you are seeking a latest Volkswagen taxi at the prices tailored exclusively for taxi drivers, The Taxi Centre will have the right car at the right price just for you.
At The Taxi Centre, we want to help you find the best new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi taxi deal possible. We offer a selection of taxi finance options to help cover the costs of your new taxi in a way that suits your budget. Just one of the many benefits you get when buying a taxi direct from us.
We offer Hire Purchase (HP) on all of our new taxi, as well as Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) for specific models. Keep reading to discover the benefits of taxi finance at The Taxi Centre.
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2026 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi: Practicality & Interior Space
Being based on the running gear of a van, it is little wonder that practicality and interior room are front and centre of the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi's ultimate appeal.
While the base model – the Caddy Cargo – is considered a ‘small van’ by commercial vehicle standards, that applies only to the external dimensions, with the cab and load bay expertly packaged to ensure maximum cargo carrying capacity.
Such a focus on maximising space as a van is certainly effective when converting one to a passenger-carrying model, so much so that the Caddy Maxi comfortably houses seven full-size seats with plenty of room to spare in the boot for luggage.
Better yet, while the Caddy Maxi comes as a seven-seater, the second and third rows can be folded, double-folded or even removed to transform it into a five-seater with a vast boot, or a two-seater to open-up van-like levels of cargo room.
Even with seven seats in place, the 446-litres of boot space – bolstered by the Caddy’s tall roofline at the rear of the vehicle – is capacious but remove the rearmost row and that swells to gargantuan 1720-litres. Fold or remove the second row and you have 3105-litres to play with.
While shoulder room in the third row might be a squeeze for adults, it is more than sufficient for the brief time they may be used by fares, while there is no criticising the generosity of head and legroom all round.
2026 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi: Interior
Volkswagen is, of course, the manufacturer that all-but-invented the people-mover with the iconic VW Kombi (Camper Van, to you and me). It is a reputation for luxuriating passengers with plenty of room and a high standard of finish that the German firm has prided itself on ever since – just take a look at the VW Multivan, California and ID.Buzz.
It’s why you’ll find a plethora of cubby holes and storage spaces in the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi to complement an interior that is bright and airy, especially if you option the panoramic glass roof, while access is simplified by the 844mm sliding doors on both sides. Be mindful of the vast one-piece rear tailgate though as it needs plenty of room to swing up.
While the Caddy Maxi doesn’t go too far in its attempt to disguise its workhorse origins – instead choosing to maximise every inch of that van-like profile – it is still one of the classier models of its type in the class.
By taking some inspiration from the Golf – so long the go-to reference for buyers in the compact family class – the Caddy Maxi wears its boxy silhouette well. The same can be said for the interior, with its broad, well-laid out dashboard and modern-looking Digital Cockpit interface.
2026 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi: Specifications & Safety
It’s a relatively simple choice of trim levels on offer for the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi with just two options available – Life and Style – offered in Maxi specification across three engine sizes.
Standard equipment available on the base Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life includes:
- Alloy wheels
- 10.4-inch infotainment screen
- Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
- Sliding doors
- Body-coloured bumpers
- Electric mirrors
- Electric windows
- Air-conditioning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Reach and rake adjustable steering wheel
- Leather multi-functional steering wheel
- Front seat drawers
- Removeable waste bin with cover
- Overhead storage compartment
- Parking sensors, front and rear
- Rear view camera
- Keyless Go
- Anti-theft alarm
- Lane keeping system
- Driver alert system
- Power-operated child safety lock
- Tyre pressure monitor
- 3-point belts in front
- Driver/Passenger/Side/Curtain airbags
- ABS
- Brake assist
- Traction control
Standard equipment available on the base Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Style adds (in addition to Life trim):
- Air-conditioning, two-zone climate control
- LED main headlights
- Power latching doors
- Winter Package Plus
- Dark tinted glass in rear
- 17-inch alloy wheels
The Volkswagen Caddy has a four-star safety rating from EuroNCAP. The independent safety body awarded the Caddy with a 72% rating for adult occupants, 80% for child occupants and 80% for vulnerable road users (pedestrians).
2026 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi: Performance & Running Costs
Under the bonnet, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi comes with the choice of three engines – two turbodiesel units and a petrol one.
The diesel engines are a vestige from the Caddy commercial vehicle, where the low-down torque and superior pulling power is preferred to lug heavy payloads.
While diesel power has fallen out of favour in recent years due to the impact of the noxious gases it puts into the environment, the diesel option remains a frugal one in terms of day-to-day running costs.
Indeed, the two diesel options – either 102PS (101bhp) or 122PS (120bhp) – demonstrate impressive fuel efficiency, achieving over 50mpg on a combined cycle. It makes the diesel the preferred choice for taxi drivers who conduct longer-range fares.
The petrol option comprises a 1.5-litre engine generating 116PS (114bhp) and can deliver almost 43mpg.
The petrol engine is arguably the preferred choice for urban taxi drivers, who will benefit from its responsive throttle and more favourable emissions figures in areas with city centre clean air zones.
It is also worth noting that the 122PS diesel and 116PS petrol come with Volkswagen’s patented DSG seven-speed automatic gearbox, which ensures a relaxed driving experience and easy progress, especially with a full complement of passengers.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi – The Verdict
Seven-seat cars have long been a popular choice with taxi drivers for obvious reasons, but with the automotive market shifting away from multi-purpose vehicles in favour of SUVs, there is an increasingly limited selection to choose from.
The Volkswagen Caddy Maxi therefore makes a smart taxi option, successfully wearing its commercial vehicle origins as a badge of pride by using all that space to not only create a spacious seven-seater, but a versatile and flexible one at that.
It means carrying seven people and their luggage has never been easier, which is even more impressive when you consider the Caddy Maxi takes up less room on a rank than a than a Passat.
It’s full of clever practical touches and storage space too, while the light-filled interior makes both the interior a pleasant space to spend time in and the Caddy Maxi easy to manoeuvre through city streets.
Though it does without an ultra-frugal electric or hybrid option (for now), the diesel engines are economical, while the petrol unit is refined with its seven-speed DSG gearbox.
For full passenger carrying ability – with room to spare – this side of a hefty Ford Tourneo Custom, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Taxi takes some beating.
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Seven-seat Taxis To Consider With The Volkswagen Caddy Maxi
Nissan X-Trail Taxi
One of a handful of large SUVs that can squeeze seven seats into its high-riding wagon, the Nissan X-Trail makes for a more sophisticated alternative to the Caddy Maxi. The stylish model works well as both a five-seater and as an occasional seven-seater, depending on your needs, while appealing with its lofty driving position, quality interior and clever four-wheel drive hybrid system.
Toyota Proace Verso Taxi
If you’re sold on the appeal of a van-based multi-purpose vehicle, then trading up from a ‘small van’ (like the Caddy Maxi) to a ‘medium van’ inevitably brings obvious benefits in terms of interior room. The Ford Tourneo Custom (based on the Transit Custom) is a good example, but the Toyota Proace Verso should also be considered with its attractive electric powertrain and versatile interior up to nine seats.
Used Skoda Kodiaq Taxi
Skoda’s reputation among taxi drivers needs little introduction. The Czech firm has carved a special niche among private hire drivers with models like the Octavia, Superb and Scala ranking highly for their vast, well-built interiors, useable practicality and value-for-money ethos. To date, however, there has been just one seven-seater in the manufacturer’s range – the Skoda Kodiaq. A model that makes a great value pre-owned buy, a used Skoda Kodiaq Taxi blends all the strengths of its stablemates and pumps them up into a bigger, multi-purpose interior.
Used Dacia Jogger Taxi
For seven seats on a budget, there is really nothing that can get close to the value-for-money offered by the Dacia Jogger. The oversized estate shape doesn’t take up much room on the road, but Dacia has packaged it to offer seven full seats. Better still, the Jogger was already one of the UK’s cheapest cars on sale when new, which makes it an even more attractive used buy at The Taxi Centre.