VW Caddy Maxi Conversion

Our original micro camper, built since long before vanlife was a trend. It drives like a Golf, works as your everyday car, and hides a full camper interior, with diesel, petrol, and eHybrid options.

VW Caddy
Maxi Conversion

A micro camper that drives like a Golf

The VW Caddy Maxi has been our flagship micro camper since we started Sunbox. Compact enough to fit in a standard parking space, big enough for a long weekend or a fortnight on the road. Built on the same platform as a VW Golf, it drives like a car, not a van. We convert all three Caddy 5 powertrains: diesel, petrol, and the eHybrid.

Why the Caddy Maxi

Drives like a Golf

The Caddy Maxi 5 shares its platform with the VW Golf, so it handles narrow lanes, parks easily, and has the latest VW safety tech. Most customers find it noticeably easier to drive than a typical campervan.

A daily-driver, not just a weekend van

Fits standard parking spaces and multi-storey car parks (pop-top down). Insurance and running costs sit closer to a small car than a campervan, so it is a great choice for an everyday car as well as a camper.

Diesel, Petrol or eHybrid

Available in the Caddy 5 as 2.0 TDI diesel, 1.5 TSI petrol or eHybrid (74 miles electric range). All three are ULEZ compliant. All three take the same conversion. Choose diesel for long-range driving and the deepest used market, petrol for simpler servicing and lower upfront cost, eHybrid for the latest tech and near-silent local commuting.

Handcrafted, not flat-packed

Every Caddy Maxi conversion is built by hand in our East Sussex workshop. We use FSC-certified wood, Thermafleece natural insulation, and solid joinery throughout. Our vans are built to cutting-edge standards by real people.

As featured in

designs

Our Caddy Maxi designs

We have two layouts to choose from. Each has various optional extras and many opportunities for customisation in colour scheme and finish.

Chamonix

Our double slat bed layout. Best for couples and solo travellers, with two belted seats in the front and none in the back.

From

£20,399 inc VAT

Mandalay

Our classic rock and roll bed with up to 4 belted seats. Our most versatile layout.

From

£20,399 inc VAT.

Optional upgrades to both designs include heating, solar panels, extra storage, and awning fittings.

Powertrain options

Key Features

Engine

Electric range

WLTP MPG

Charging

New base van price

Used base van price

ULEZ

Best for

Diesel (2.0 TDI)

2.0L turbocharged diesel

None

47-55 combined

N/A

From £23,000

£8,000-£26,000 depending on age

Compliant (Euro 6)

Long range, deeper used market, fewer charging considerations

Petrol (1.5 TSI)

1.5L turbocharged petrol

None

40-44 combined

N/A

From £25,000

£9,000-£28,000 depending on age

Compliant

Lower upfront cost, simpler servicing

eHybrid

1.5L petrol plus electric motor

Up to 74 miles

Up to 280 MPG (with regular charging)

Home or public chargers

From £32,000

From £24,000 (limited used stock)

Compliant

Lower running costs, near-silent local driving

All three powertrains use the same conversion. We adapt the electrics to handle the hybrid system on the eHybrid.

Pop-top

Add-On

Reimo super-flat

Drivelodge

Roof bed

Colour code

Price INC VAT

£ 4,470

£3,200

£400

£650

Extras

Gas heating

Roof bars

Solar 200W

Solar 400W

Awning

Awning rail

Electric heater

Rear shower

High cupboard

Bed-on-rails

Portaloo

Moveable box

Removable table (Chamonix only)

Painted furniture Chamonix

Painted furniture Mandalay

Opening window

Fixed window

Flyscreen

Dummy

Interior ply panels bamboo

Birch

Painted

Price INC VAT

£1,680

£838.80

£960

£1,440

£1,300

£249

£1,200

£299

£480

£1,250

£95

£418.80

£490

£959

£599

£390

£350

£400

£300

£400

£600

Sourcing your van

Whether you want a brand new Caddy from the showroom or a high-quality used van, we can help you find the right base vehicle. We don’t charge a separate fee for sourcing.

Used Caddy 5 prices (rough guide):

Age

2024-2025 (nearly new)

2021-2023

Petrol (approx

£23,000-£29,000

£14,000-£20,000

Petrol (approx

£25,000-£31,000

£16,000-£22,000

Typical mileage

Under 5,000 miles

15,000-40,000 miles

Diesel is the deepest used market. Petrol base vans are rarer. eHybrid is newest, so used stock is still limited. We focus on the Caddy 5 generation onwards for our conversions, as the earlier Caddy 4 has older engines and an older platform. We keep an eye out for good Caddy 5 examples and let you know when one comes up.

Technical specifications (VW Caddy 5 Maxi)

Feature

Generation

Platform

Engine options

Power (diesel)

Power (petrol)

Transmission

Combined MPG (WLTP)

Overall length

Wheelbase

Width (inc. mirrors)

Turning circle

Max payload

Specification

Caddy 5 (2021 onwards)

MQB (shared with VW Golf, Tiguan, Skoda Octavia)

2.0L TDI diesel, 1.5L TSI petrol, or 1.5L TSI eHybrid

102 or 122 PS depending on variant

116 PS (114 HP) / 220 Nm

6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic

Diesel 47-55, Petrol 40.4-44.1, eHybrid up to 280

4,853 mm (Maxi wheelbase)

2,970 mm

2,100 mm

12.1 m

Up to 747 kg

Process

The conversion process

01

Consultation

We talk through your needs, finishes, optional extras, and base van options. Either in person at our Newhaven workshop or over video call.

02

Vehicle sourcing

Bring your own van, or we find one for you. No separate fee.

03

The build

Your van enters our workshop. Over 4-6 weeks, our craftspeople transform it from a work van to a Sunbox camper.

04

Quality check

Every system (gas, electric, joinery) is rigorously tested.

05

Handover

We walk you through every part of the van before you drive off.

Warranty & aftercare

12-month conversion warranty covering all aspects of our craftsmanship and fitted appliances.
Optional warranty upgradefor extended coverage.
Manufacturer warrantyon new vehicles. You retain the full VW 3-year warranty.
Lifetime support.We're a small business and we want you to enjoy your van and feel confident with it, so don't hesitate to get in touch if anything comes up.

get a quote

Get a quote for a Caddy Maxi conversion

Tell us your spec, we'll send a detailed quote within 3 working days.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is the Caddy Maxi ULEZ compliant?

Yes, all three Caddy 5 powertrains (2021 onwards) are Euro 6 compliant. You can drive into London’s ULEZ and other Clean Air Zones across the UK without paying a daily charge.

Can I use it as my daily car?

Yes, easily. The Caddy Maxi fits standard parking spaces and multi-storey car parks (pop-top down). MPG and running costs are closer to a small car than a typical campervan.

Can I have heating?

Yes. The engine heats the cabin quickly while driving. For static heating we install a Propex gas heater which works off-grid.

Can I choose the wood and fabric?

Yes. We have a curated range of sustainable wood finishes and upholstery options. You will have access to our online members’ area to make your interior design choices.

How many can it sleep?

Both designs sleep 2 adults in the main cabin. With an optional pop-top bed, the van becomes a 4-berth camper.

Do you do the eHybrid too?

Yes. The conversion is very similar between diesel, petrol and eHybrid. We adapt the electrics to handle the hybrid system on the eHybrid. See the powertrain options above for the differences.

Download the Caddy Maxi brochure

PDF with photos, specs, finishes, and the full conversion process.