Take a loving look at this latest California from Volkswagen – because it might just be the last of its kind.
End of a campervan icon?
Towards the end of this year (2024) you’ll start seeing Calis based on the latest Transporter (it’ll be the T7), but this will be a collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford – and VW fans are bemused, to say the least.
If you’re new to the campervan sector, do note the California is the only campervan that Volkswagen makes, although there are alternatives: plenty of independent manufacturers of all sizes offer campervan conversions of the Volkswagen Transporter base vehicle. Here in the UK, Volkswagen has a small list of what it calls Motorhome Qualified Converters – it includes Bilbo’s, Hillside, Jerba and Rolling Homes.
Bear in mind, also, the VW California has only ever been offered on the short-wheelbase Transporter (whereas independents are usually happy to provide long LWB alternatives).
As standard, the VW California Ocean campervan comes with 148bhp (150PS engine and seven-speed automatic transmission (the latter a pricy option in rival campers, especially those on alternative base vehicles), allied to a level of specification that few, if any, get close to matching.
It’s the classic side-furniture campervan layout, albeit with the California it has only ever come with the unit along the nearside and the sliding door on the offside (it can be an issue for some).
That rear seat, however, is easily the best you can get – it’s on rails (so you can alternate between travel legroom/daytime living space and how much storage capacity you want at the back, and also comes with flip-down head restraints (for when you’re setting up the bed).
In daytime mode, there’s a neat tabletop on a rail that slides out from between the rear seat and the kitchen.
There’s also a second table, designed primarily for outdoors use. It stows equally neatly, in a recess in the sliding door, and is complemented by a couple of folding chairs that have an equally thoughtful stowage slot – this time in the tailgate.
Overhead, it’s Volkswagen’s tried-and-trusted electric/hydraulic elevating roof, home to a double bed – a one-piece mattress on Froli-type plastic springs, that many favour over the similar size double made from the rear seat.
Standard fittings in the VW California Ocean campervan extend to a wind-out awning, fresh and waste water tanks, a diesel-fuelled living area heater, a touchscreen for controlling key fittings (including the roof and heater, as well as monitoring water levels, battery conditions, even telling you when the vehicle is levelled up sufficiently), three-zone air conditioning, and a whole lot more.
Throughout, as you’d expect from a product that’s 100% Volkswagen, materials and fittings are of the absolute best. And the details simply help confirm this. That includes features like the blinds at each window, a 12V set-up comprising twin leisure batteries and an inverter, quality plastic mouldings and unique, aluminium-framed furniture construction that’s both strong and lightweight.
As for those who say a California campervan is pricy compared to any rivals, your best bet is to head to the configurator section on the Volkswagen website and see exactly what you can get for your money. And that’s before you take into account longer term residual values that will see any California campervan (up to now) hold its price better.
As a final upside to our opening contentions, the current Ocean campervan could represent the last in a long line of “pure” Californias – which rather suggests they could turn out to be absolute collectors’ items.
To find out more about insuring a Volkswagen California Ocean or your current campervan visit our campervan insurance discounts page.
Verdict: Ocean waves goodbye?
Plus: Absolute top-quality camper, as built by Volkswagen
Minus: Conversion stays left-handed
In-a-nutshell: Iconic, definitive, classic
Alternatives: Autohaus Ashton, Bilbo’s Celex, Ecowagon Expo+, Hillside Birchover, Jerba Tiree, Rolling Homes Columbus
Volkswagen California Ocean factfile
Model | Volkswagen California Ocean |
Base vehicle | Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 |
Dimensions | 4.90m L x 1.91m W x 1.99m H |
Berths | Four |
Travel seats | Four |
Maximum weight | 3,080kg |
Payload | 508kg |
MPG estimate | 36-42 |
RRP | From £74,222 |
Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, ABS/EBD, ESP, brake assist function, remote central locking to all doors, front, side and curtain airbags, hill hold control, tyre pressure warning, alarm with interior protection, low rolling resistance tyres and regenerative braking, Driver Alert System, Automotive Post-Collision Braking System, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, Isofix on rear seat |
Key options | 204PS engine (£3,240), 204PS engine and 4motion all-wheel drive (£6,966), metallic paint (£828), alternative alloy wheels (£1,104 - £3,480), Trailer Assist (£624), Sports Styling Package (£2,694), Style Package (£1,044), Chrome Package (£504), Acoustic Package (£540), 80-litre fuel tank (£96), safe (£150), colour-coded roof canvas (£348), Acoustic Package with heated windscreen (£516); mattress topper for the lower bed (£354), heated windscreen (£540), front and rear mud flaps (£180), towbar (£288) |
Yes