Name: Volkswagen California (2016) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Rating: 62

Summary

The Volkswagen California is a camper van that is available in four- , five- and seven-seat configurations. On sale since 2016, this second-generation model is based on the T6 Transporter van.

Four different trims are available, which change the California’s interior configuration and equipment list. Features can include a pop-up roof, seats that convert into beds, a kitchen area with appliances and an awning with folding chairs.

“It’s still the coolest way to camp”, explains Honest John. “The California is refined and easy to drive, and offers excellent driver and passenger comfort.” Above all, Car‘s CJ Hubbard says that California’s “clever” and “functional” interior layouts are really impressive. “A piece of product design that is utterly fit for purpose, the California remains truly outstanding.”

The California’s steep pricing has been frequently highlighted by reviewers, often with an explanation that the camper van still offers good value for money and is a class-leading model.

While the field of competitors is quite slim, some motoring outlets recommend opting for the Mercedes-Benz alternative instead. What Car? concludes that the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo camper is “better to drive, plusher inside and has easier to convert beds.”

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen California holds an Expert Rating of 62%, based on 13 reviews published by the UK motoring media.

More Volkswagen ratings, reviews, news and features

California highlights

Strong diesel engines
Clever and spacious interior layouts
Comfortable driving experience
Good resale values

California lowlights

Expensive to buy
Not many engine choices available
Wind and road noise when on the move
Large turning circle

Key specifications

Body style: People carrier and camper van
Engines: diesel
Price: From £60,428 on-road

Launched: Spring 2016
Last updated: Autumn 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Ocean T6.1 199ps DSG
Score: 9 / 10
“Once again, Volkswagen shows the rest of the industry – and the countless aftermarket converters – exactly how it’s done.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Ocean 2.0 TDI 199ps DSG
Score: 9 / 10
“Every California Ocean gets 17-inch alloys, automatic lights, three-zone climate control, heated seats, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and a five-inch touchscreen. The kitchen and associated gubbins are included, of course.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“There’s the feeling that you can go anywhere, whenever the mood suits you, park up and sleep. I used it as both a car and as a camper and can see the advantages it offers for both.” (Clare Kelly)
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: T6.1
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s never going to make sense to some people, but as a piece of product design that is utterly fit for purpose, the California remains truly outstanding.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Grand California 600
Score: 8 / 10
“The standard of fit and finish is great, the functionality is superb, the design fresh and modern, it’s genuinely good to drive, and the clever thinking really impresses.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“It all comes at a price, but if you want the ultimate campervan that is well-built and good to drive, the California remains right at the top of its game.” (Ted Welford)
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen California is the perfect travelling vehicle in which to rest after holiday fun.” (Richard Ingram)
Read review

Daily Mail+

“For a couple, it would be perfect, as you can divide living and sleeping space. For a family of four it’s great, but once children get bigger squeezing you all in will get trickier.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Volkswagen has a proud history of campervans and the Volkswagen California ensures that the brand’s association with overnight adventuring is very much in the present too.” (Andrew Brady)
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Refined and easy to drive, excellent driver and passenger comfort, and still the coolest way to camp.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“This is a vehicle born of decades of practical experience. It is incredibly well designed in terms of fitness for purpose, and although it is expensive we can’t imagine there are many present owners who feel like they’ve got poor value for money.” (CJ Hubbard)
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It’s the King of Cool when it comes to camping and is a natural successor to iconic 1950s ‘Splittie’.” (Rob Gill)
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“You can tell plenty of thought and experience has gone into the VW California’s practical interior, even if folding out the beds takes a bit of muscle. It handles well by camper standards and has reasonable performance, but the Mercedes Marco Polo is better to drive, plusher inside and has easier to convert beds.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen California (and the T6 Transporter van it’s based on) have not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: California 6.1 2.0-litre TDI Diesel 4X4 Automatic

Overall score: 1.5 stars
Date tested: September 2020
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 5.6 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 0.6 / 10

Testing the camper van in 2020, emissions testers Green NCAP concluded that the Volkswagen California was not very efficient by modern standards and that it produces a large amount of greenhouse gases on the move, leading to a poor one-and-a-half star emissions rating.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Volkswagen California to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the California, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Diesel models	35 mpg	D	31 – 36 mpg	D – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Diesel models	209 g/km	D	206 – 237 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	43	D	26 – 50	B – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£175	A
Year 2	£510	B
Year 3	£841	B
Year 4	£1,092	B
Year 5	£1,473	B
Overall	£4,091	B

The Volkswagen California is a bit more expensive than the average car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data. This to be expected though, considering its large size.

Only available as a diesel, the California should provide between 31 and 36 mpg depending on your model of choice, and its insurance bracket is higher than most. However, service and maintenance costs over the course of the first five years of ownership should be close to excellent.