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Two of the cleverest cars of all time are no doubt the VW pair, Beetle and Kombi. Forget classic looks, although these days this odd-couple are considered highly collectible cult cars. They revolutionised the small car market as well as creating the people mover concept.
 You can also forget the appearance of Volkswagen's latest clever car, the Caddy Maxi Life. Simply put, it looks like a van.
What it may lack in style it more than makes up in function and is a true descendant of the Beetle and Kombi that ruled the world's roads in the 1950s and 60s. VW call the Caddy Maxi Life ingenious, and its hard to argue against them.
Seven comfortable adult seats from a starting price of $34,990 is a compulsive argument. That's the entry level cost of the five speed manual transmission 1.9 litre TDI. Add $3000 for the DSG six speed auto.
The only not-so-clever item about this micro people mover is the Volkswagen decision not to include Electronic Stability Program with Brake Assist, instead making it a $690 option.
Caddy is based on a VW Golf platform, so even before you get in, you have a good feeling about the vehicle's dynamics, even though we are talking about vehicle with a higher centre of gravity.
Our test car came with the six speed DSG transmission which is a cracker not only helping the car's fuel efficiency, but reducing emissions.
 The Caddy Maxi Life is all about optimum and practical use of a given space. It is a stretched variant of the Caddy van that is 4405mm long. There's also a Caddy Maxi Van that is 4875 mm long and the Caddy Maxi Life is slightly longer at 4880 mm.
It's within these dimensions VW have found comfortable room for seven adults, as well as a 530 litre cargo or boot space ... it's big enough for at least two large suitcases and smaller bags.
Most seven seater people movers have inherent flaws: getting into and out of the third row usually requires the elasticity of a contortionist and when you arrive in your pew it's not built for adults, but those under 10 years.
You end up wearing you knees around your ears or have to sit sideways to fit your legs behind the back of the second row of seats. Caddy Maxi Life overcomes both of these problems.
Getting access to the third row requires two seat movements. Firstly you pull on a loop to drop the back of the second row seat forward and then pull on a second loop which allows you to easily tumble the seat forward. This takes about five seconds and more importantly leaves a large space for passengers to enter the third row. Once the second row is put back in place you find there is almost normal floor depth for your legs and adequate distance between your seat and the back of the second row.
 Built into either wall of the third row are large storage areas, twin cup holders on their side – one for water one for coffee we presume – and above each of the outside second row and above the third row seats there's more storage spaces in the form of cargo nets attached to the side of the roof.
Both of the third row seats have a comfortable outside armrest. The second row of three seats is comfortable, although a little square-backed. Each of the third row seats has its own side window, and is near enough to the rear window, so its light and airy with no overall feeling of being closed in. The easy entry is facilitated by sliding doors on either side, each 700 mm wide and 1108 mm high.
Each of the doors also have an inset sliding window for the second row passengers. Should you wish to use the Maxi Life as a van the rear seats are removable and create a generous 1650 litre cargo space, while still having five seats.
The 1.9 TDI oil burner when mated to the DSG transmission provides solid performance matched with excellent economy. We returned just over 7.0 litres/100 kms in more than 500 kilometres with four adults on board most of the time. The engine produces 77 kW of power but more importantly 250 Nm of torque.
Climbing the steep, long roads to get to the Gold Coast's Tamborine Mountain posed no difficulty thanks to the engine's torque and the great DSG box. On open road touring expect the engine to return in the mid to low 6.0 litres/100 kms.
The Caddy Maxi Life does display some body roll on tight corners, but generally steers well and corners without a fuss, even at speed. If we were to fork our our hard earned on a compact people mover, it would most likely be the Caddy Maxi Life. But we would order the optional multi function steering wheel at $890 and ESP at $690. This brings the vehicle in at $39,520 with the DSG or $36,520 with the five speed manual.
Verdict: A must drive for anyone considering a seven seater.
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