Summary

The Volkswagen California was a camper van that was available in four- , five- and seven-seat configurations. This model was based on the T6 Transporter van, and was sold in the UK between 2016 and 2024.

Four different trims were available, which changed the California’s interior configuration and equipment list. Features included a pop-up roof, seats that converted into beds, a kitchen area with appliances and an awning with folding chairs.

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

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

While the field of competitors was quite slim, some motoring outlets recommended opting for the Mercedes-Benz alternative instead.

An all-new California replaced this model in late 2024.

As of April 2025, the Volkswagen California holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 57%. It scores top marks for its media review scores, but is let down by an average CO₂ emissions rating and high running costs.

More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car 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

Highlighted reviews and road tests 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.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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)
Author: Richard Ingram

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

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Volkswagen California was not assessed by Euro NCAP during its production life.

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 April 2025, 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.