Citroen
SpaceTourer
Van-based MPV · up to nine seats
- From
- £36,995
- Length
- 4,983mm
- Isofix
- 3
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life 7-seater
Seven seats are standard on the Maxi, with wide sliding doors and third-row seats that lift out
- Price from
- £35,673
- Boot, 7 seats up
- 446 L
- Seats
- 7
- Isofix points
- 2
- Length
- 4,853mm
Quick answer
Is the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life a 7-seater?
Yes. Seven seats are standard on every UK Caddy Maxi Life, in Life and Style Edition trims, with deletion of the third row available at order, while the short-wheelbase Caddy Life offers seven seats only as an option.
Best for Flexible seven-seat transport with removable rear seats
On this page
The VW Caddy 7-seater to choose is the Caddy Maxi Life: the shorter Caddy Life can have seven seats too, but carwow says it does not have quite enough room for them.
There is no hybrid or electric version: engines are a 1.5 TSI petrol and a 2.0 TDI diesel in two outputs, with a manual gearbox only on the 102PS diesel. Euro NCAP's five-star rating from 2021 covers the Caddy, Caddy Maxi and Caddy Life.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life specifications
| Body | Van-based MPV |
|---|---|
| Seats | 7 |
| Seat layout | 2-3-2 |
| Boot, 7 seats up | 446 litres |
| Boot, 5 seats up | 1,720 litres |
| Boot, maximum | 3,105 litres |
| Isofix points | 2 (outer seats in row 2 (front passenger ISOFIX optional)) |
| Sliding rear doors | Yes |
| Length | 4,853mm |
|---|---|
| Width without mirrors | 1,855mm |
| Width with mirrors | 2,100mm |
| Height | 1,800mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,970mm |
| Fuel, with seven seats | Petrol, diesel |
| Gearbox | Manual or automatic |
| Price from | £35,673 |
| Towing, braked | 1,500kg |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2021) |
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life boot space
- 7 seats up
- 446L
- 5 seats up
- 1,720L
- Maximum
- 3,105L
With all seven seats in use the boot holds 446 litres, the joint 4th largest of the 11 van-based MPVs with a published boot figure and 11 litres more than the median. With five seats in use the boot holds 1,720 litres, rising to a maximum of 3,105 litres.
With all seats up, the Caddy Maxi 7-seater has 446 litres behind the third row, according to Volkswagen's brochure. Remove the third row and that becomes 1,720 litres behind the second row, and with both rear rows out there are 3,105 litres behind the front seats.
Carwow's 1,452 litres is with the third row folded rather than removed, which is the more useful everyday figure if you keep the seats in the car. Volkswagen does not state how it measured. Compare rivals in our 7-seater boot space guide.
How it is measured Volkswagen UK brochure figures, measurement basis not stated: 446 litres behind the third row, 1,720 litres behind the second row with the third row removed, and 3,105 litres behind the front seats with both rear rows removed. carwow quotes 1,452 litres with the third row folded rather than removed.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life dimensions
- Length
- 4,853mm4.85m · 15ft 11in
- Width
- 1,855mm1.85m · 6ft 1in
- Height
- 1,800mm1.80m · 5ft 11in
Wheelbase 2,970mmLength 4,853mmHeight 1,800mmWidth 1,855mmMirrors 2,100mm
At 4,853mm (4.85m, 15ft 11in) long, the Caddy Maxi Life is 54mm shorter than the median van-based MPV, and the joint 7th shortest of the 16 van-based MPVs with a published length. It is 1,855mm wide without mirrors (2,100mm with them) and 1,800mm tall. The wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles, is 2,970mm.
Third row: who fits?
carwow describes the Maxi's third-row seats as well sized and says the longer body adds much more space plus sliding middle-row seats. The two third-row seats are separate and can be removed together or one at a time. carwow advises against the seven-seat short-wheelbase Caddy because there is not quite enough room.
Carwow describes the Maxi's third-row seats as well sized and says the longer body adds much more space than the short-wheelbase Caddy, plus middle-row seats that slide to share out legroom.
Isofix is limited to the outer middle-row seats, with a front passenger Isofix point as an option, and we found no confirmation of Isofix in the third row. If you need Isofix for three child seats, see 7-seaters with three Isofix points.
- Seat
- Isofix point
- Driver
Isofix and child seats
2Isofix points
The Caddy Maxi Life has two Isofix points: outer seats in row 2 (front passenger ISOFIX optional).
Engines and fuel economy
Gearbox: manual or automatic.
| Version | Fuel | Power | Gearbox | Seven seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 TSI 116 | Petrol | 116PS | Automatic | Yes |
| 2.0 TDI 102 (Life only) | Diesel | 102PS | Manual | Yes |
| 2.0 TDI 122 | Diesel | 122PS | Automatic | Yes |
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life price
From£35,673
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK Caddy Life price list issued 1 April 2026: Caddy Life Maxi 2.0 TDI 102PS 6-speed manual, total RRP including on-the-road costs and VAT. The cheapest automatic Maxi is the 1.5 TSI 116PS DSG at £37,189, and the Style Edition Maxi starts at £40,579.
Prices checked October 2026.
Safety and recalls
5 stars from Euro NCAP, tested in 2021.
DVSA recalls
The DVSA lists 6 recalls for the Caddy Maxi Life:
12 December 2024 · Ref R/2024/496 · 33 vehicles
Brake line botled connection
On affected vehicles the rear right brake line may have been tightened incorrectly leading to loss of brake fluid adversely affecting braking performance.
Remedy: Replace the brake line.
Built 5 August 2024 to 7 August 2024
4 September 2024 · Ref R/2024/343 · 112 vehicles
Brake line bolted connection
On Caddy vehicles of a limited production period a fault when tightening the rear left brake line can cause leaks from the brake hose connection. A leak can lead to a gradual loss of brake fluid. The resulting too low brake fluid level is shown with the illumination of a warning lamp or display in instrument cluster. The loss of brake fluid level can adversely affect the braking performance.
Remedy: The affected rear left brake line bolted connection at the connection to the brake hose must be checked and modified.
Built 6 August 2024 to 9 August 2024
15 July 2024 · Ref R/2024/289 · 60 vehicles
Brake line botled connection
On affected vehicles a fault when tightening the rear left brake line can cause leaks from the brake hose connection leading to a gradual loss of brake fluid.
Remedy: Check and secure the affected connection. Replace affected parts if leaking.
Built 13 May 2024 to 19 June 2024
25 April 2023 · Ref R/2023/177 · 2 vehicles
Seat belt webbing was damaged during production
Seat belt webbing was damaged during production
Remedy: Affected seat belts to be replaced
Built 3 April 2023 to 3 April 2023
18 April 2023 · Ref R/2023/129 · 194 vehicles
On Caddy vehicles of a limited production period tyres by manufacturer Maxxis were fitted that can result in cracks or dents on the inside of the tyre bead.
On Caddy vehicles of a limited production period tyres by manufacturer Maxxis were fitted that can result in cracks or dents on the inside of the tyre bead.�
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the tyres by manufacturer �Maxxis� belonging to the vehicle are to be replaced.�
Built 11 October 2022 to 18 February 2023
4 November 2022 · Ref R/2022/320 · 335 vehicles
On vehicles of a limited production period there is a very small probability that one or two incorrectly welded transverse links to the front axle have been fitted.
On vehicles of a limited production period there is a very small probability that one or two incorrectly welded transverse links to the front axle have been fitted.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the two front transverse links have to be checked and if necessary replaced.
Built 19 April 2021 to 12 July 2022
Recall data updated 4 October 2026. Ask a dealer to check a specific car by its registration.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life verdict: pros and cons
Our verdict The Caddy Maxi Life is a van-based MPV with seven seats as standard, sliding doors on both sides and third-row seats that come out individually. It is the Caddy to pick for seven seats, as carwow finds the short-wheelbase version too tight.
Pros
- Seven seats standard, with removable third-row seats
- Sliding doors on both sides open 844mm wide
- Five-star Euro NCAP rating (2021)
Cons
- Isofix only on the outer middle-row seats
- No hybrid or electric version
- Towing 1,400kg to 1,500kg, with no figure for the manual
Good to know
- Braked towing for the Maxi is 1,500kg with the 2.0 TDI 122 and 1,400kg with the 1.5 TSI, and the brochure gives no figure for the TDI 102 manual (Volkswagen UK brochure)
- The 2.0 TDI 102 with a 6-speed manual is the only engine without a 7-speed DSG and is sold in Life trim only (Volkswagen UK price list)
- Sliding side doors on both sides open 844mm wide on the Maxi, against 701mm on the short-wheelbase Caddy (Volkswagen UK brochure)
- carwow quotes 1,452 litres with the third row folded, while Volkswagen's 1,720 litre figure is with that row removed (carwow, Volkswagen UK brochure)
- Euro NCAP's five-star rating from 2021 covers the Caddy, Caddy Maxi and Caddy Life, and carwow notes that only the outer rear seats have ISOFIX (Euro NCAP, carwow)
Practicality
The Maxi is 4,853mm long, 1,855mm wide without mirrors (2,100mm with them) and 1,800mm tall. Its sliding side doors open 844mm wide, against 701mm on the short-wheelbase Caddy, which helps when lifting children into car seats.
Braked towing is 1,500kg with the 2.0 TDI 122 and 1,400kg with the 1.5 TSI; the brochure gives no figure for the TDI 102 manual. For similar layouts, see 7-seaters with sliding doors.
Alternatives to the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life
Ford
Grand Tourneo Connect
Van-based MPV · five or seven seats
- From
- £36,530
- Boot, 7 up
- 446 L
- Length
- 4,853mm
Citroen
Berlingo XL
Van-based MPV · seven seats
- From
- £26,805
- Boot, 7 up
- 209 L
- Length
- 4,753mm
- Isofix
- 3
Citroen
e-Berlingo XL
Van-based MPV · seven seats
- From
- £33,390
- Boot, 7 up
- 209 L
- Length
- 4,753mm
- Isofix
- 3
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life FAQs
How big is the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life boot with all seven seats up?
446 litres with all seven seats in use, 1,720 litres with five seats in use and a maximum of 3,105 litres.
How long is the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life?
The Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life is 4,853mm long (4.85m, 15ft 11in), 1,855mm wide without its mirrors and 1,800mm tall.
How many Isofix points does the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life have?
Two: outer seats in row 2 (front passenger ISOFIX optional).
Is there a hybrid or electric Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life 7-seater?
No. With seven seats the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life is sold with petrol and diesel power only.
Can you get a manual VW Caddy Maxi 7-seater?
Yes, but only with the 2.0 TDI 102 diesel in Life trim, which has a 6-speed manual. Every other Caddy Maxi Life engine uses a 7-speed DSG automatic.
Can you take the third row out of a VW Caddy Maxi Life?
Yes. The two third-row seats are separate and can be removed together or one at a time, and you can delete the third row when ordering if you never need it.
Sources Volkswagen UK, carwow, Euro NCAP, Wikipedia, DVSA
