News
Facelifted VW California campervan gets new tech and comfort upgrades
The Volkswagen California campervan has been updated with a fresh look, a bigger touchscreen and new equipment, and is available to order in the UK now.
The Volkswagen California has long been the staple example of the UK campervan market, and a new facelift has given it an overhaul of new technology upgrades, along with added comfort.
advertisement
scroll for more
Starting from £66,334 with UK deliveries expected in early 2027, the updated California comfortably undercuts key premium rivals like the £88,420 Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo while packing significantly more onboard technology.
The visual changes are most obvious up front, where larger LED headlights and a reshaped front bumper move the California away from the classic VW bus look. Fresh alloy wheel designs arrive too, while power-assisted sliding doors and tailgate now take the heavy lifting out of daily operation.
Inside, the headline upgrade is a 12.9in infotainment touchscreen replacing the outgoing 10.0in unit, and that sits next to a 10.0in digital driver’s display. The main screen controls navigation, media, and smartphone mirroring, while also consolidating controls for the campervan's living quarters into one interface.
Charlotte Walsh
Updated: 6 November 2026
Car reviews
Volkswagen California
View all new car reviews
Interior materials feel noticeably more tactile than in the old model, accompanied by configurable ambient lighting. Practicality gets a boost as well: wireless phone charging now supports speeds of up to 25W, while upgraded USB-C ports output up to 60W to charge laptops quickly.
advertisement
scroll for more
Opt for the plug-in hybrid eHybrid model and you gain an electric stationary climate control system. This can heat, cool, or ventilate the inside for up to eight hours while parked, removing the need to plug into hook-up power at campsites.
Safety assistance gets a welcome refresh as well. The latest iteration of VW’s Travel Assist can execute automated motorway lane changes and recognise traffic light signals.
Meanwhile, Emergency Assist can safely pull the vehicle across lanes to the hard shoulder or outermost lane if it detects the driver is unresponsive.
Buyers can choose between Beach, Coast, and top-spec Ocean trim levels. Engine choices comprise a 150PS 2.0-litre diesel or a 245PS 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid, with the latter featuring four-wheel drive as standard.
The full UK price list is below:
Model
On-the-road price
California Beach 2.0 TDI
£66,334
California Beach 1.5 eHybrid 4MOTION
£74,637
California Coast 2.0 TDI
£71,464
California Coast 1.5 eHybrid 4MOTION
£79,672
California Ocean 2.0 TDI
£79,762
California Ocean 1.5 eHybrid 4MOTION
£87,970
advertisement
scroll for more
Read more: Best campervans >>
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
News and advice
News
Deal of the Day: Lease a Leapmotor C10 Hybrid from £186 per month
Best of
Best-selling cars 2026: new car market grows in October
News
Renault Trafic E-Tech van to offer 292-mile range for £38k
Feature
Best tyres 2026: the safest tyres reviewed and rated
Feature
BMW iX3 long-term test
News
