Check out the smarter, larger VW California
MQB-based camper gets PHEV and 4Motion options for the first time, plus - at last - sliding doors on both sides
Seemingly no manufacturer line-up is complete these days without at least one lifestyle option. It might be a truck or a van - or just a plain old estate - but it’ll be kitted out with everything required to live life on the (slightly) wild side. For the VW California, surely the van that still comes to mind first when thinking about campers, this means more competition than would have been the case not long ago; so for this latest version, it’s been kitted out with even more features than ever before.
Key to the overhaul is building this California from the MQB toolkit, just like the latest Multivan. It means that there’s a 4Motion option for the very first time, which might be handy in far-flung corners of the land, as well as plug-in hybrid power. Alongside a 150hp diesel and 204hp petrol is a 1.5-litre, 245hp PHEV, which is actually the first MQB VW to bring together plug-in power and all-wheel drive. (Cars like the Golf GTE that used this setup were front-drive). As yet, VW doesn’t have a range or charging speed for the PHEV, though if ever there was a car likely to be trickled overnight rather than rapidly juiced on the M40, this must be it. MQB architecture means a whole heap more tech for this California as well, including Travel Assist semi-automated driving assist, which could be handy on the way back from Cornwall. Plus, just as importantly, it’s bigger than ever, now 5,173mm long (more 200mm up on before) and with a chunky 3,124mm wheelbase; handily for maneuvering around the campsite it’s only a little wider (1,941mm against 1,904mm) and no taller with the roof down at 1,990mm.
Instantly recognisable as a California with the optional two-tone paint (there’s Mono Silver/Energetic Orange, Deep Black Pearl/Fontana Red and Candy White/Starlight Blue available), there will be five different specs available. And you thought there were a lot of Golfs. Beach is entry-level, followed up by Beach Tour, Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean. All of them get storage drawers, a ‘large number’ of USB-C ports, and a ‘comfortable mattress’. When VW describes the Beach as ‘essentially a Multivan with a manual pop-up roof’, you get an idea of how sparse it’ll be. And the one everyone wants in 20 years. Beach Tour is five-seat (the Beach is three rows of two) to make more sleeping space, plus it comes with an additional camper battery, folding table and rotating seats.
Beach Camper is where things start getting really good, as that introduces a mini-kitchen, which Coast builds on with a ‘fully-fledged kitchenette’, two camper batteries and a fridge; Cali Ocean is the flagship and gets heated seats, an auxiliary air heater, even more storage and recycled seat fabric. VW speaks of a ‘three-zone concept’ when it comes to life with a new California: the interior, then each side of the van with the twin sliding doors now standard. You can almost smell the barbecue from here.
Finally, too, it’s worth mentioning the California app and touch display. The latter is a five-inch screen in the passenger C-pillar, and provides information on the power supply, fridge, water levels and so on. Very modern. It can also set the car to Camping mode, which deactivates Coming Home and Leaving home functions; VW says most of this stuff can be done on the app as well.
More than 280,000 Californias have been built over the decades, and it seems unlikely that that popularity will wane in the immediate future. Even with what tends to be quite punchy pricing; there aren’t exact figures yet, though with nearly new old models still for sale at £70k it’s clearly not going to be a cheap and cheerful camper. Still, what price do you put on wholesome family bliss?
They have a cult following and are probably the best of that particular segment and the price isn't really that out of whack when compared to similar campers like a Swift Monza, etc.
Prices have died down a little so the above example is probably a bit extreme, but these barely lose 50% over 10 years, so compared to almost anything else new you can buy for £50k, this shouldn't be an expensive ownership proposition.
But, suppose if you can afford to buy it, the depreciation means it works out fairly cost effective, on the face of it I think "god no" but I bet they are actually really nice, just cnt be doing with the "sene that goes with it", again its probably great if you are in it, but its a bit cringey, he says fully aware he has a Fiesta ST...
But, suppose if you can afford to buy it, the depreciation means it works out fairly cost effective, on the face of it I think "god no" but I bet they are actually really nice, just cnt be doing with the "sene that goes with it", again its probably great if you are in it, but its a bit cringey, he says fully aware he has a Fiesta ST...
I know it is not everyone's cup of tea, but we think it is a well designed bit of kit.
The new one looks great and the twin sliding doors is a big upgrade, but until I see the new one in the metal, I'm not quite convinced that it is better than the outgoing model as there seems to be less storage and the beds are smaller.
I have also read that Ocean, which is the full camper, could be pretty close to £100,000.
You may not 'get it' but this lifestyle choice, whilst expensive, is actually quite savvy.
And I'm happy this gives people an opportunity to get off grid if that's what they want; I just very much like the grid and the amenities it provides. I mean no disservice to those who go for the lifestyle, I just can't see the appeal of driving a van to spend the night in a field over taking a really nice GT to a night in a St Regis. I miss my old T6 conversion. The perfect family car that happens to be a day van/weekend camper. Not sure I'd be happy with the prices of the new Ocean version mind. The petrol appeals. I had the 204 BiTurbo Diesel and it had horrendous problems with the EGR, oil usage, etc. It only had 26k on the clock and I saw the engine management light more than my eldest son while I had it.
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