VAN or van conversion? That is the question that some insurance providers appear unable to answer.

For example, the five-seater, windows-all-round Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Renault Kangoo multi-purpose vehicles have their roots in vans. But they have been converted to provide saloon car-comfort and ride.

Car insurance providers such as Saga and Age Concern view both as vans and are therefore, in their books, not insurable. On the other hand, Tesco and others feel otherwise and are happy to offer insurance, and without any particular penalty loading.

Both the Citroen and Renault models have increased sales in the past 12 months, with customers enjoying the high-seating position, the power steering, saloon car seat comfort and the acres of space and storage areas that are available. Particularly welcome are the sliding rear doors, making entry easy to the three back row seats.

Now Volkswagen is joining the pack: the Caddy Life, based on the all-new Caddy van, will go on sale during the summer.

The Caddy Life differs from most others, however, in that it is able to offer the option of two extra seats over the standard five, and that it also offers optional rear swing doors, rather than the lift-up boot door preferred by Citroen and Renault for their models. It does, however, favour the rear sliding doors.

With a length of more than 4.40metres, the Caddy Life is larger than its direct competitors, capable of providing 2239-litres of luggage space. The rear triple bench seat can be partially folded, fully folded or folded and tipped, while the optional rearmost bench seat can be taken out if wanted.

Storage areas include a drawer under the driver's seat, a large storage module above the windscreen, plenty of cup holders and front door bins, also available on Berlingo and Kangoo models.

The driver seat is adjustable, as is the steering wheel for height and reach. Interior features include CD player and remote central locking, while options available include climate control, heated seats, electronic stabilisation programme, and satellite navigation.

There will be a choice of four engines, with the UK range still to be confirmed (as is pricing and detailed specification), but is likely to include a choice of petrol - a 1.4-litre 75Ps and 1.6-litre 102Ps plus two injector diesels, a 2.0-litre SDI with 69Ps and a turbocharged 1.9-litre TDI with 104Ps.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, March 26, 2004