Used Volkswagen California for sale: everything you need to know
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.
Should you buy a Volkswagen California?
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.
What’s the best used Volkswagen California model to buy?
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.
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.
Used Volkswagen California fuel economy and performance
- Volkswagen California 2.0 TDI 102: 102PS doesn’t seem like a lot to move a camper van along, but with 2-litre turbodiesel torque and a five-cylinder engine, owners could make the most of it. It’s since been dropped with more powerful models taking up the mantle.
- Volkswagen California 2.0 TDI 150: The next 2-litre turbodiesel makes 150PS and enjoys extra performance as a result, as well as 35.8mpg economy. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models are available.
- Volkswagen California 2.0 TDI 204: The most powerful diesel makes 204PS, getting the California from 0-62mph in under 12 seconds, and with economy similar to the 150PS version. 4Motion all-wheel drive is once again optional.
- Volkswagen California 2.0 TSI 150: Offered between 2017 and 2018, the entry-level 2-litre petrol engine made 150PS but didn’t quite match the diesel’s economy, with a figure of 29.7mpg.
- Volkswagen California 2.0 TSI 204: The more powerful 204PS 2-litre petrol has also been discontinued. It came with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard, helping it to 30.1mpg combined.
What used Volkswagen California trim levels are available?
- The Volkswagen California Beach was the entry-level model at launch in 2015, with seating for seven and sleeping room for four. A manual pop-up roof and integrated awning were standard.
- The Volkswagen California Beach Edition arrived in 2018 and added to Beach spec with 17-inch alloy wheels, black exterior details, LED headlights, and an upgraded infotainment system, but only 80 examples were made.
- The Volkswagen California 30 Years was a special edition available in 2018, celebrating 30 years of the California, and only 30 units came to the UK. It got exclusive paint finishes, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a removable towbar as standard.
- The Volkswagen California Beach Camper brought the Beach name back in 2020 with the Beach Camper, and the Beach Tour below. It once again served as the entry-level model, and includes a fold-out miniature kitchen.
- The Volkswagen California Beach Tour is actually classed as a van rather than a car, and while it features the same kit as the Beach Camper, it doesn’t include the small kitchen unit.
- The Volkswagen California Surf arrived in 2023 to sit between the Beach Tour and Ocean specs. It gets a gas hob with two burners, a stainless sink, and heated front seats, and comes only with the 2.0 TDI 150 engine with a DSG automatic gearbox.
- The Volkswagen California Ocean tops the range, getting an electric pop-up canvas roof, kitchenette with sink and fridge, a small wardrobe, three-zone climate control, a digital instrument panel, and reversing camera.
- The Volkswagen California Ocean Edition appeared in 2018 and was based on the earlier Ocean, getting cupboards finished in white wood, an outdoor shower connection and a bed extension with a comfort sleeping mat.
Used Volkswagen California dimensions and boot size
The Volkswagen California’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4904mm
- Width: 1904mm
- Height: 1990mm
- Ground clearance: 193mm
The Volkswagen California’s boot space is:
- Large! (VW doesn’t quote a specific figure, though the ‘living area’ is about 4 cubic metres)
Used Volkswagen California road tax
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.
How much is it to insure a Volkswagen California?
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.
