Volkswagen Grand California review

Campervans such as the Volkswagen Grand California are an excellent solution for life’s stresses, putting the prospect of an impromptu getaway right on your driveway. It’s simple: you rally up the troops, load any essentials, set a destination and away you go. 

Choose to do your adventuring in a Grand California, and you’ll find it has all the key ingredients to make for the perfect home-from-home. 

Volkswagen started off with a VW Crafter commercial van and used every cubic metre of space to make it as recreation-focused as possible, with a bed, kitchen and wet room among the key attributes. Throw in a gazillion storage pockets, central heating and hot/cold running water, and you start to see why the Grand California bodes well for off-the-grid living. 

You don’t get conventional trim levels to choose from, but rather two different lengths depending on how many people you want to take on trips. For families, there’s the six-metre long, four-berth 600. It has a transversally-mounted bed for a pair of adults, with the option of a bunk above the cab for little ones. 

Couples after maximum comfort can opt for the 6.8-metre-long 680, which swaps the crosswise bed for a longitudinal one, and packs even more storage space. However, you’ll need to upgrade your driver’s licence to get behind the wheel of this one, since it weighs more than 3.5 tonnes. 

VW has also issued the Grand California with a mid-cycle update, bringing an improved infotainment system, a more refined interior set-up and clever functionality upgrades, all aimed at improving overall usability. And though it has no like-for-like rivals in terms of size and space, how does it stack up to similarly  thought-out campervans like the Ford Transit Custom Nugget and Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo? 

What’s new?

- March 2025: VW gives Grand California a large update, including digital instruments, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, a touchscreen in the living area to control the auxiliary heating and ambient lighting, and an updated 159bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine. The Grand California is either front-wheel drive of four-wheel drive

- February 2019: latest version of Grand California makes UK debut, and offers more space, a bathroom with a toilet, an electrically powered step and Bluetooth audio control

Read more: Best Campervans

How fast is it and which motor is best?

Unlike the smaller VW California, the Grand California only has one engine choice available: a recently updated 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 161bhp. That's a little less powerful than before (174bhp) to comply with tighter emissions standards, and remains short of both the most powerful Ford Transit Custom Nugget (182bhp) and Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo (233bhp). 

The main issue with this engine is how hesitant it is off the line. It takes a second or two to react from the moment you put your foot down, and that can become awkward at busy junctions and roundabouts if you need to pull out quickly. Once you do eventually get going, however, the engine has plenty of grunt and torque (302lb ft) to push on.

Though there’s only one engine, you do at least get a choice between front-wheel drive or a grippier all-wheel drive (dubbed 4MOTION) setup. We haven’t driven the latter yet, but we do know you can augment it with an (optional) electronic locking differential. That will better help with torque distribution for the best possible traction off-road, and should mean you can take your Grand California to some properly remote spots. 

The eight-speed DCT gearbox is pretty sweet too, and skips through gears effortlessly. When you accelerate, it nudges down a gear or two to give you an appropriate burst of pace. As a side note, the gear selector has also now been replaced by a gear stalk and repositioned to behind the wheel, freeing up extra space along the centre console. 

VW doesn’t provide an official 0-62mph for the Grand California – our best guess would be around 13 seconds – but it has confirmed a top speed of up to 100mph. That depends on which weight class and drivetrain you go for. 

In any instance, we’d suggest a more relaxed approach to driving, given even the smallest (and we use that in the loosest terms) Grand California tips the scales at 3.5 tonnes. The last thing you want to do is to spill your passengers’ morning bowl of Shreddies as you attempt to take the racing line through corners. 

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

You might expect something as tall and as heavy as the Grand California to feel intimidating to drive, but it isn’t. The steering requires you to make fairly large movements to follow your chosen course, but it’s light enough that you can ease your way down a narrow lane without breaking into a sweat. 

Three-point turns are a doddle; even when we found ourselves hundreds of feet above ground on a mountain pass, we were pleasantly surprised at how quick and easily the Grand California could be manoeuvred. The 600 we tested certainly felt its six-metre length, but the two-metre width was hidden well. And because the accelerator pedal is so progressive, it's easy to make tiny movements to and fro when parking in a tight bay.

So it’s easy to drive at low speeds, but the Grand California isn’t exactly agile in the corners, particularly when you pick up the pace. You really feel the chunky motorhome’s weight shifting when you lean into a corner – that’s not ideal when you’ve got storage cabinets brimming with homeware. 

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to comfort, too. Generally speaking, the Grand California is nicely damped and the suspension is compliant over most daily driving surfaces you’ll encounter. You do get some body lean, but movable armrests on the front seats help bolster you in place effectively. The Grand California feels settled up and over large undulations too – if a little bouncy at speed – but smaller imperfections on the road send a noticeable thump throughout the interior. 

Also, because even the shortest version is almost three metres tall, it’s affected by crosswinds on breezy days, which keep you busy at the wheel, making frequent, sizable corrections to keep going in a straight line. VW looks to solve the issue with a standard Crosswind-Assist safety feature, and though it won’t completely mitigate bad weather, it definitely helps you regain a good amount of control.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly? 

The side effect of a large vehicle with a small engine is a lot of noise, because the engine has to work hard to shift the load. That should be the case with the VW Grand California, because you’re asking a – contextually speaking – tiny four-cylinder to lug around the equivalent weight of a female African elephant. And yet it has such hushed cruising manners; the gearbox keeps revs at under 2000rpm when you’re not demanding full acceleration. 

As a result, the Grand California’s engine is never too noisy, buzzing away harmoniously in the background. Even under harsh acceleration, the engine does pick up a little bit of voice, but it’s rarely enough to become unpleasant or disrupt a conversation. 

You’ll hear a thwack within the interior when you do encounter any small potholes or expansion joints, and given the upright windscreen, a degree of wind noise is to be expected, too. More so if you choose any exterior add-ons, like a side awning, satellite dish or air-con unit which will exacerbate wind whistle. 

“Given the sheer weight of the Grand California, it would’ve been helpful if the engine was a little more responsive off the line.” – Shafiq Abidin – Content editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

One of our issues with the pre-facelift Grand California was that the front compartment was constructed using the same hard-wearing materials as the regular VW Crafter. That remains the case, and really ought to be different if this is to be considered the perfect living space. The hard plastics, particularly on the doors, is easy to scruff, and gets marks on when you try to swivel a front seat without first opening the door for clearance. 

VW has addressed some of the quality issues elsewhere, however, introducing Atambi Bamboo decor for some of the worktop surfaces. The kitchen tap, handles and switches, as well as the various plug sockets, have also been redesigned in black. So in terms of aesthetics, the front of the Grand California now gives off a completely different vibe to the middle and rear sections – in a good way.

Once the sun sets, the various lighting strips illuminate the interior really vividly, too. Indeed, there was very little dark space left. For the bedding area, you also have the option of activating the ambient lights – perfect for tucking in for a movie night under the stars. And since you get multiple 12V and 230V sockets across the interior, including by the bedside, you can continue to watch with little disturbance. 

In terms of practicality, there’s very little to fault with the Grand California. The various compartments are well thought out, and there’s virtually no wasted space. There are Isofix mounting points in the rear seats, and you even get dedicated slots along the inner tailgate for the various accessories to be stowed away, such as the table, chairs and awning pole. 

Our only complaints here would be that the electric step – which is located outside the vehicle, and there to provide easier access into the van – can sometimes be temperamental. It’s also quite easy for taller occupants to hit their head on the cab section; I counted six times in three days, despite being sub-six-foot. 

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The raised driving position and big windows give drivers a really clear view to the front and sides of the Grand California. The door mirrors are big enough to negate most blind spots too, especially since there’s a second mirror beneath the main one which allows you to see kerbs. 

Chunky pillars can mean visibility is restricted at times, and they can create awkward blind spots in some situations, so finding the perfect driving position is imperative. Fortunately, that’s easy to do in the Grand California since the seats are so versatile.

The one complication here is the limited view backwards. You get two landscape-oriented, A4-sized windows at the rear, which is already a bit of a pain to see out, but since the Grand California’s wet room obscures one of them from the driver’s position, you can see one corner of what’s behind you and little else. In fairness, this is the same issue that most motorhomes have. 

To help, all Grand Californias come with front and rear parking sensors, although a reversing camera is an optional extra – something that really should come as standard on a van of this size and price (which we discuss further down).

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

As part of the mid-cycle update, VW also swapped out the oft-annoying 8.0in infotainment touchscreen for a new 10.0in unit. It’s intuitive, easier to toggle and responds even faster to your prods and taps. Customers can also upgrade to a larger 12.0in screen if they so wish. 

We’re big fans of the digital driver’s display too, which is not only clear and concise, but can be customised to display many things, including your driving route and music choice, as well as any necessary driving information. 

Other standard features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, DAB radio and a four-speaker audio system. The latter is good at lower volumes, but turn it up and the music quality gets overrun by the bass, and any loose items in the door cards will start to vibrate noticeably. That gets particularly annoying if said items in question are on the passenger’s side and you’re out on the road alone. 

“It’s so easy to find your driving position and stay comfortable in the Grand California. There are few campervans I’d rather drive for two days straight.” – Shafiq Abidin – Content editor

How much space does it have for people?

In a word: lots. The front cabin is open and airy enough to stretch your arms and legs freely, and just behind this is the dining area. Here, you’ll find a bench for two people (with Isofix child seat points and top tethers) and a cut-out into which a removable table can be fitted below the window. The front seats can be swivelled to create a four-person dining area.

In the 600 model, there’s the option to have a slide-out bed area above the front seats, accompanied by an aluminium ladder. It can take up to 150kg, but because it’s quite close to the ceiling, it’s best suited to children. Should you choose not to have a bed here, the space is left empty for storage instead. 

Towards the middle of the van, you’ll find a kitchen area just inside the sliding side door with the bathroom opposite. There's a stainless steel sink, 70-litre fridge-freezer and two-burner gas hob. The 600 has an additional pop-out surface for extra counter space, while the 680 simply has a longer kitchen unit. All drawers can be easily locked to prevent items from spilling out while on the move, though that won’t stop them rattling about inside. 

Having a self-contained bathroom is perhaps the biggest news for campers – it brings an end to setting your alarm early to beat the rush for the public showers. It has a toilet, a shower (with two drain plugs to cope with an uneven pitch) and a fold-down sink tray. There's a 110-litre fresh water tank, and the combined gas and electric boiler can be used to provide hot water, central heating or both.

It’s cleverly designed, albeit cramped, because VW has tried to stuff in as many conventional bathroom-like elements as possible in a space equivalent to an airplane bathroom. Still, the packaging is commendable: there’s a cabinet above the basin and a larger one below, with hooks along one side to hang things. There’s a series of shelves above the toilet too, but if there’s nothing heavy to push these down, an enthusiastic corner approach will loosen them up pretty quickly.

Information and activation of the heating, water supply and on-board power sources can be accessed via a control touchscreen panel, located right beside the bathroom. And it’s great: simple to use, quick and easy to cycle through menus, and reacts instantly to commands. 

As for the heating system itself, you’ll have no complaints. Hot air is sent through the interior via five small ducts dotted around the lower sections of the van, and on a fairly chilly evening, our test car hit a toasty 25-deg within minutes. 

The boiler’s exhaust is directly below the dining room window and, as a safety precaution, a microswitch automatically shuts the boiler down if the window is opened, preventing any fumes from getting into the van.

Toward the rear is the main bedroom area. The sleeping arrangement differs between the 600 and 680 versions: the 600 has a shorter bed for two people to sleep widthways across the van, while the 680 has a longer mattress that faces lengthways. Both set-ups are enough for a decent night’s sleep, despite the mattress being pretty thin. However, those over six-feet may struggle to stretch in the 600’s bed. On a windy night, the Grand California’s height also means it can sway a fair bit. 

Inside the rear doors are two fold-out camping chairs. All the windows and skylights in the living area have insect nets and magnetic black-out blinds that do an excellent job of keeping out bugs and light, and you can get covers for the front windows for extra privacy. The sliding side door also has a mosquito net.

For the outside area, the pull-out table now has a fixture to permanently lock it outside the van (by the sliding door), which is perfect for fresco dining. The fabric awning (2.5m length by 3m width) can also be easily pulled out using the accompanying pole.

How much room does it have for luggage?

Any part of the Grand California that isn’t used for creature comforts or driving is effectively treated as storage space, and that is precisely what you want in a motorhome. Up front, there are deep cubby holes along the doors, a couple of drink holders sprouting out the dashboard, and thin pockets to store loose ends. 

Above the cab – provided you didn’t opt for an additional bed – the entire space has been left for storage. We reckon two large suitcases could slide in with ease here. And as part of the facelift, VW has added in a luggage net here too to stop things falling out, since this section is permanently exposed. 

Beneath the main fold-down bed is approximately 180 litres of storage, and then a further 800 litres spread across the various upper rear compartments. If the kitchen drawers aren’t filled with ingredients, there’s yet more space to be uncovered there. 

“The bathroom’s small dimensions mean you have to keep making adjustments for it to be fully usable.” – Shafiq Abidin – Content editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Some will baulk at the Grand California’s substantial asking price, but it compares favourably with similar van-based motorhomes. At the time of writing, the 600’s starting price is quite a bit less than even the most basic Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo, while a range-topping 680 AWD with a couple of options attached will cost a similar amount to the top-spec version of that rival. 

Sure, the Ford Transit Custom Nugget can be had for substantially less, but that van is smaller, less equipped and not quite as luxurious as the Grand California. 

Plus, the regular VW California has been one of the slowest-depreciating vehicles you can buy, maintaining well over half its original value after three years. That should make buying one on finance a relatively attractive proposition.

The Grand California has a huge 75-litre fuel tank, which is good, but fuel economy will be affected by the sheer size and weight of this thing. For some perspective, our 600 test van averaged 26mpg over 400 miles of mixed driving along city, motorway and mountain roads. 

All versions come with 17in alloy wheels, manual air-con, sat-nav, cruise control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There are four three-pin plug sockets and six USB charging points dotted around the interior. 

As for optional extras, VW’s list includes things like a satellite system for TV reception, dual bicycle racks, a first aid kit with a warning triangle and illumination for the electrical step. 

There are various bolt-ons you can choose from for the exterior too, such as front and rear mudflaps, a towbar and LED lights.

Families might prefer the 600 because its higher roof allows it to accommodate more people, while the longer 680 could be the one for retired couples who want all the luxuries of home and generally go on extended road trips.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

As standard, Volkswagen will issue the Grand California with its ‘5+ Promise’ at no extra cost. That includes a five-year/150,000-mile warranty, five years of servicing at a VW authorised repairer, and five years of roadside assistance. Plus, the first three MOT tests will be included for free in this package. 

By comparison, Mercedes issues the V-Class Marco Polo with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, while Ford offers a three-year/100,000-mile warranty for the Transit Custom Nugget. 

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

Euro NCAP generally does not test campervans for crash protection due to the unusual variables involved; a flying saucepan can’t really be a determining factor here. The closely related VW Crafter has, however, been given a silver badge for its advanced driver systems. 

There's a decent amount of safety tech as standard, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, a Driver Alert System, Road Sign Display, Hill Start Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring, among others. Optionally, you can add features such as Lane Change Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Trailer Assist, and of course a rear view camera. 

The Grand California will also come with a breakdown call system from entry, plus Parking Position technology which shows you precisely where your van is parked. An online anti-theft alarm, which alerts you on the VW We Connect app, will also alert you if a burglary attempt is made.  

“The Grand California’s price tag is by no means a small amount, but then again, you’re getting a lot of van for the money.” – Shafiq Abidin – Content editor

Buy it if…

- You need lots of space

- Comfortable living matters to you

- You’re after the closest thing to a home on wheels 

Don’t buy it if…

- You want the most economical campervan

- Flawless interior quality is a must have

- A fun, engaging drive is imperative

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