New Volkswagen California is a home on wheels, but you’ll still need a mortgage

• New camper van with pop-up roof
• Three engine options including PHEV 4x4
• Prices start from £63,376

Summer may be well and truly behind us, but that hasn’t stopped Volkswagen from releasing its all-new camper van, the new Volkswagen California. Based on the Volkswagen Multivan, the new California will arrive in the UK later this year with a choice of three engines – including a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time – but don’t expect it to come cheap. While it’s never been a bargain, prices have crept up for this new model; entry-level Californias now cost from £63,376, while you’ll need over £80,000 for the model with all the bells and whistles.

The new California is the latest in a long lineage of manufacturer-official camper vans, stretching right back to the Volkswagen Westfalia of the 1950s. Unlike that model, the new California has all the tech of a modern family car, plus a host of innovative features to make your camping holiday as convenient as possible, which we’ve covered below.

What do I need to know about the new Volkswagen California?

Unlike the outgoing California that was built on the Volkswagen Transporter platform, the new model is based on the extended Volkswagen Multivan. As a result, it's 269mm longer than before, but is still available in a selection of trim levels with different internal layouts. The dashboard is carried over from the Multivan, meaning you get Volkswagen’s large pair of digital displays, plus a high-mounted gear selector to free up more space between the front seats.

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All models now have sliding doors on both sides, adding a new layer of versatility to the family camper van, plus driver and passenger seats that swivel 180-degrees. Tech-aficionados will be most impressed by the new five-inch display mounted in one of the rear pillars inside the cabin. This touchscreen can control various camper functions, including interior lighting and the pop-up roof, and it can be used to view fresh water levels and battery charge.

The entry-level Beach model is the first of the three trim levels that will be offered in the UK. Like all California models, it gets a pop-up roof – this is manually operated, whereas higher trim levels get an electronically operated mechanism. The sleeping space measures 2,054mm by 1,137mm, so should have enough room for one or two people.

There are five seats in total, and the three rear seats can slide and fold individually, creating a handy table space, or they can be removed entirely to make room for big items like surfboards. Open the boot, and you’ll have access to the ‘compact mini-kitchen’, which comprises a single-ring gas hob, a cutlery drawer and some extra storage. Elsewhere, you get LED lights, 16-inch wheels and a rear-view camera.

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The California Coast is next up, with seating for four instead of five. This model gets the electrically-operated pop-up roof along with bigger alloy wheels and three-zone climate control. Importantly, you get a proper kitchenette inside the cabin, with a single-ring hob, fridge, cabinets and a sink.

The most expensive model offered on our shores will be the California Ocean. This model gets the same kitchenette as the California Coast, but has a few extra luxurious touches. There are sustainable fabrics throughout, heated front seats, additional ambient lighting for the kitchen and pop-up roof, electric sliding doors, an electric tailgate, matrix LED lights and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

There are three engines on offer: a 201bhp TSI petrol, a 148bhp TDI diesel and, for the first time, an eHybrid plug-in hybrid with 242bhp and four-wheel drive. The latter uses a pair of electric motors for the front and rear wheels, powered by a large 19.7kWh battery to deliver up to 57 miles of range in EV mode. It can be recharged via a home wallbox at 11kW, or through a public fast charger at up to 50kW.  All Californias use a DSG automatic gearbox.

How much does the Volkswagen California cost and when can I order one?

As mentioned above, prices start from £63,376 for the entry-level California Beach. This model is only available with the TDI diesel engine, whereas the California Coast can be had with either the TDI or the TSI petrol. Those models cost £70,576 and £73,492, respectively. The California Ocean is more expensive still, costing £77,476 for the TDI and £80,392 for the TSI.

Prices for the eHybrid 4x4 models haven’t been confirmed yet, but you can expect a significant price increase over the diesel and petrol options. Orders open later this month and the first Californias are expected to be delivered before the end of the year.

Why not read our reviews of the Volkswagen Multivan or the electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz?