• Reviews
  • Advice
  • News
  • Buying Guides
  • Travel
  • For Sale
  • Forums
  • Awards
  • Back To Basics
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics
    Your browser is out-of-date!

    Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

    ×

    logoCreated with Sketch.
    NewsletterWinHave Your SaySubscribe
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics

    Home › Reviews›Volkswagen›California

    Volkswagen California 2007

    £39,478
    Volkswagen California - rear three-quarters view
    Volkswagen California – rear three-quarters view
    Volkswagen California - built-in awning
    Volkswagen California – built-in awning
    Volkswagen California - seats
    Volkswagen California – seats
    Volkswagen California - upper bed
    Volkswagen California – upper bed
    Volkswagen California - folding stairs stored in boot door
    Volkswagen California – folding stairs stored in boot door
    Volkswagen California - kitchen
    Volkswagen California – kitchen
    Volkswagen California - boot and rear storage areas
    Volkswagen California – boot and rear storage areas
    Volkswagen California - cab
    Volkswagen California – cab
    Volkswagen California - rear three-quarters view
    Volkswagen California - built-in awning
    Volkswagen California - seats
    Volkswagen California - upper bed
    Volkswagen California - folding stairs stored in boot door
    Volkswagen California - kitchen
    Volkswagen California - boot and rear storage areas
    Volkswagen California - cab

    Published: February 18, 2011

    Find out what Practical Motorhome thinks of the VW California in this review – is it still an iconic, class leading camper?

    Verdict

    With its high level of specification, good finish and unrivalled drive, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better camper for your cash.

    Pros

    Superior build quality; great base vehicle; high level of specification; space-saving features.

    Cons

    Interior feels ‘chilly’; no fridge in kitchen.

    Living

    The offside galley kitchen arrangement is still popular in elevating campers but often means the driver’s seat will not swivel. In this case, however, both seats in the cab swivel to allow lounge seating for five people.

    There are two tables in this ’van. One is an innovative unit that clips to the kitchen worksurface and swings out to be supported by two legs. It doubles as a worksurface or a dining table seating up to five people, because the bench seat can be slid forward to meet it. There’s also a four-person, free-standing table that stows ingeniously in the back of the main sliding door. It has angled legs for better stability and can be used outside.

    Kitchen

    As ’vans like this have to fit quite a bit of kit into a fairly limited space, there are some fairly standard features in their kitchens, including two-burner hobs and stainless steel sinks with tough, transparent lids. Some also manage to squeeze in a fridge, but the California makes do with a cool box.

    The actual worksurface is limited to just one small section, although the flip-up table provides cooks with a good alternative. There’s also a slide-out cutlery drawer.

    Washroom

    N/A

    Beds

    The California’s roof bed is better than most because its mattress sits on wooden slats. There is also a luggage/safety net so you can happily store kit or kids up there when stationary.

    The mattress for the other bed is very comfortable, partly due to the flatness of its seat cushions.

    Storage

    Considering the overall size of this short-wheelbase camper, the amount of storage space is impressive.

    The California has lots of space in the boot, increased by elevating the rear part of the assembled bed, and is one of the only ’vans in its class to use space-saving tambour doors. There are lockers throughout, too, including a deep one under the sofa, but cooks will have a real struggle to stow their gear. There are just two cupboards below the kitchen unit and no overhead lockers. Nevertheless, clever storage solutions, such as the folding chairs in the boot door and the table in the sliding door, are real plusses.

    Technical Specifications

    Payload538 kg
    MTPLM3000 kg
    Shipping Length4.89 m
    Width1.90 m

    Related Reviews

    The Volkswagen Caddy California
    Motorhomes

    Volkswagen Caddy California

    £29,965
    Sleeps 2
    MTPLM 2350 kg
    Length 4.50 m

    Peter Baber took the Volkswagen Caddy California out for a test in Warwickshire on a wet...

    Motorhomes

    Ford Nugget 2021

    £62,736
    Sleeps 4
    MTPLM 3200 kg
    Length 4.97 m

    Great to drive and stylish in design, the new camper from Ford and Westfalia has lots...

    Motorhomes

    Our ‘Vans: VW California Ocean 2.0 TDI

    £62,724
    Sleeps 4
    Length 4.90 m

    Call of the Ocean - drop everything and go with this versatile SUV-sized campervan

    Read our review of the latest Volkswagen Grand California
    Motorhomes

    VW Grand California 2020

    £71,395
    Sleeps 2
    MTPLM 3880 kg
    Length 6.84 m

    Innovative, stylish and solidly built, the latest offering from VW has a great deal going for...

    The VW Grand California's roofline is sure to divide opinion

    VW Grand California 2019

    Sleeps 2
    MTPLM 3500 kg
    Length 5.99 m

    Enter the Grand. Volkswagen's newest Californial models are based on its Crafter. Nick Harding was at...

    The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo 250d Sport Long is priced from £56,670 OTR, £63,990 as tested
    Motorhomes

    Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo 250d Sport Long 2018

    £56,670
    Sleeps 4
    MTPLM 3200 kg
    Length 5.14 m

    With this smart, sophisticated camper, has the VW California met its match? We pack the Mercedes-Benz...

    Our test VW campervan looks resplendent in its Oryx White
pearlescent paint (£606) – the awning is a £396 option
    Motorhomes

    Volkswagen California Ocean 2016

    £47,840
    Sleeps 4
    Length 4.904 m

    Jump inside the VW California Ocean, as the carmaker produces a high quality campervan that includes...

    The Kombi-based Nomad Ranger costs from £44,135 OTR – the campervan pictured is £49,985
    Motorhomes

    Nomad Ranger 2016

    £44,135
    Sleeps 4

    What difference does it make if your T6 VW campervan is based on the Kombi? We...

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Content Funding
    • Cookies Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Authors
    • Privacy Settings

    © 2023 Practical Motorhome is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
    Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.