Turning on the headlights
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It hasn’t always been called the California, but Volkswagen’s camper vans have a heritage that stretches back to the 1950s. VW plays heavily on this heritage, which is obvious in some of the retro two-tone colour schemes the California comes in, but the van itself is as modern as they come, and a pleasure not just to camp in but also to own and drive.
The van’s popularity and strong image mean that buying a brand new California can be a very expensive process - especially when you look at the higher-spec models and start loading on a few options. Picking up a used one though won’t hit your bank account as hard, and if you choose well, will be every bit as pleasurable to own.
For some buyers, it’s California or nothing. Other manufacturers sell camper vans and many of them are just as good in all the ways that matter, but it’s the Volkswagen that has the image and desirability that stems from being related to those uber-cool VW buses of the 1950s. That makes the California the definitive camper van for some - and thankfully, the product itself is able to back up that reputation.
For a start, VW has offered a huge number of different models over the years, meaning there’s a California out there that’ll cover everything from the occasional dirty weekend jaunt into the country, to much longer trips where you’ll need everything from a fridge to a kitchenette to a small wardrobe for extra clothes. There are models with manual pop-up roofs and others with electric ones, awnings, and a long list of accessories, colours and trims.
All this kit does add weight so despite the usual range of punchy turbocharged engines, performance is modest - but that just gives you more time to enjoy the scenery. The 4Motion all-wheel drive on some models could come in handy but even the most basic versions get down the road quite nicely, and definitely feel more car-like than van-like in terms of their trim and equipment levels - aircon and cruise control are standard, and most have a touchscreen infotainment system too.
Alternatives come in many shapes and sizes, with the likes of Mercedes (with the V-Class Marco Polo) and Ford (with the Transit Custom Nugget) offering in-house camper alternatives, while numerous third party firms offer their own take on both the Volkswagen vans and others. If you don’t need as much space, or wish to spend a little less, then Volkswagen also makes the smaller Caddy California.
With a broad spread of features and a similarly broad spread of prices to account for them, choosing the best California is primarily a case of budget and taste - though if you can’t get the model you want for the money you have, VW has sold these campers for several years now so you could still find something suitable by looking at a model that’s a few years older.
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If you get the choice though, we’d go for one of the more powerful diesel engines, which are better suited to heaving along the Cali’s bulk, luggage, and passengers - while 4Motion all-wheel drive is worth considering if the campsites you visit are occasionally compromised by poor weather, or accessed via unsurfaced roads.
The Volkswagen California’s exterior dimensions are:
The Volkswagen California’s boot space is:
Pre-2017 Californias are taxed according to CO2 emissions, though the car’s weight and size means that none are especially cheap if you’re more used to taxing a regular car. Still, they’ll be cheaper than post-April 2017 versions, which attract a surcharge based on their brand-new list price of more than £40,000 - which results in a £600 annual bill.
The California’s size, expense, and desirability count against its insurance ratings here, starting in group 26 for a California Beach Camper, with Ocean models starting in group 29 and the top 2.0 TDI 204 4Motion engine lifting that to group 37.
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£2,000 offWhat is the most popular colour for Volkswagen California ?
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What is the most popular engine for Volkswagen California ?
What is the average mileage for Volkswagen California ?
15937
How many Volkswagen California cars are available for sale?
95
