Volkswagen California (2024 - ) review

We tried the regular diesel version, which seems well-suited to the California for its easy-going pulling power, smooth automatic gearbox, impressive refinement and endurance between fill-ups. The plug-in hybrid is an interesting alternative, has more power and features all-wheel drive but adds cost and complexity you possibly don’t need. The pure petrol option on Ocean and Coast is there if you want it but in this experience we’d probably just stick with the diesel. Incredibly, the California is built on the same shared VW platform as the Golf, Tiguan and a host of other cars from brands within the wider group, which just goes to show how flexible the engineering is. That means it shares engines, gearboxes, electronics and more, all of which are well-proven. While it’s a big vehicle and not to be rushed, the California’s car roots also make it easy to drive, and easy enough to get along with for those new to van life. A key advantage of being based on modern car foundations is modern car safety tech, the California coming with all the sensors, safety aids and assistance features you could wish for. And, predictably, a few you wish would just pipe down, lane-keeping and nagging driver drowsiness detection included. There is at least a hotkey on the dash where you can turn the less useful systems off. We did appreciate the radar cruise control on long motorway sections and the reassurance that when you’re using it as a regular family car day-to-day it’s just as safe as any other VW. To those ends the five-seat option on diesel-powered versions of the Beach trim includes Isofix mounts on the three rear seats, which is great for larger families.

Take your pick between the standard five-seat Beach or four-seat Coast and Ocean. The former is more a ‘day van’ in the parlance, given it’s basically a Multivan with a fold-out upstairs bed and a pull-out stove and basic ‘kitchen’ in the boot where you can cook under the shelter of the tailgate. If your California has to double up as a family car in the week and a leisure vehicle at weekends this is probably the best option, but if you’re taking your camping more seriously the four-seater Beach and Coast have the full indoor cooker, sink, fridge, cupboards and more. All have a neat touch-pad in the back to control the many and various lighting, heating and power systems, which you can also do via a dedicated app. This helps you keep track of things like how much water you have for the sink, the state of the battery powering your lights and heating and more besides.

Some of the features covered in the ‘Design’ section above you’ll need to pay extra for depending on which version you go for, so consider your needs and consult the configurator accordingly – if you want all your home comforts it may be as well just going for the top Coast model where pretty much everything is included. The full camper configuration of our Ocean test vehicle meant two seats up front (these can rotate 180 degrees to form a lounge when parked) and two independently adjustable and folding ones in the rear. As you’ll see in the pictures, it’s a pleasing blend of car-like function and home comforts that, despite being off-the-shelf, feels like a bespoke conversion.

We spent a sunny bank holiday weekend away in the Coast version and were incredibly impressed with how VW seems to have thought of everything, with the standard side awning, camping chairs hidden in the tailgate, a removable table mounted under the rear parcel shelf, clever and easily installed magnetic blackout blinds so internal eating can stay in the shade, and pretty much everything you need for dining on a weekend away. There’s even a cute little VW-branded frying pan, though it’s so small you’ll need to fry your bacon one rasher at a time. It’s not the biggest interior for internal dining, and with vans of this size it’s often better used for cooking inside and eating outside.

All Californias have accommodation for four, though you’ll have to be on friendly terms with whomever you’re pairing up with in your chosen sleeping quarters. The upstairs pop-top has a proper sprung mattress but is a little chillier and more tent-like, those sleeping downstairs on the fold-out mat saying it was a little lumpier but still viable. USB-C sockets upstairs and 230V plugs downstairs also make it possible to charge your devices overnight while keeping them close to you for security.

If you include summer holiday accommodation and weekend breaks among running costs the ability to take – literally – the kitchen sink with you and stay wherever you want can save on hotels and B&Bs. That promise of freedom is very attractive, but the upfront investment remains pretty chunky. That said, the California does come equipped with pretty much everything you need, including camping chairs, table, fridge and a stove. More conventional running costs should be pretty reasonable going by our trip to Scotland in the diesel version, its easy 500-mile range taking the stress out while the high 30s mpg was impressive given the full load of four bikes, people and kit. As previously mentioned, you can also get the California as a petrol or a plug-in hybrid, the latter more expensive to buy but scoring you just over 50 miles of electric-only range on top of what the petrol engine can do on a tank. If you’re somehow managing to slip a camper through as a company car it’ll save you on things like Benefit In Kind and tax, too! Last time we borrowed a Multivan we had some issues with the parking brake but that – thankfully – didn’t happen again. We did, however, have a problem with a vital bolt coming adrift in the mechanism for the powered ‘pop top’ sleeping quarters, meaning it wouldn’t close properly for our drive home from Scotland. Some lateral thinking (and a bit of ripe language) later we were able to bodge a fix to avoid overstaying our welcome on the campsite. In better news VW’s generous sounding 5+ Promise wraps up a five-year warranty with five annual services, three MoTs and five years of roadside assistance for no additional cost to the owner.

It's the latest version of VW's historic campervans, featuring a great living space, good sleeping options, a car-like drive and multiple engine options. You'll buy it because off-the-shelf options are few and far between, and this might be one of the best out there. Oh, and it's a VW camper, so why not?