The California Coast, which is jam-packed with a plethora of outdoor-orientated features, came to market earlier this year. The T6.1-based newcomer is squarely aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and our resident adventurer, Gero Lilleike, drove the family camper van from Cape Town to the heart of the Garden Route to test the full range of its camping capability in the wilds of the Tsitsikamma forest. Would the VW California Coast suit you? Let’s find out!
We like: Engine performance, practicality, features, nothing like it in SA
We don’t like: No electrically-powered tailgate, more front out-of-sight storage needed, interior longevity is a concern.
Fast Facts
- Model Tested: Volkswagen California Coast
- Price: R1 232 600 (as of July 2021)
- Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel
- Power/Torque: 146 kW /450 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed DSG
- Fuel economy: 8.0 L/100km
- Fuel tank: 80-litres
What is the VW California Coast?
The California Coast is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
We’ve tested the Caravelle T6.1 extensively since it came to market in October 2020, but we’ve been particularly eager to sample the outdoor enthusiast’s dream, the California Coast family camper van!
Volkswagen AG sells approximately 18 000 units of the California every year, making it a top choice in the camper-van market. In fact, in many ways, it’s a home on wheels and a pretty fancy one at that.
In an effort to effectively test all the features that the VW California Coast has to offer, we set off on a camping road trip from Cape Town to Nature’s Valley in the heart of the Garden Route.
What camping features does the Volkswagen California Coast have?
The California Coast is fitted with a fully-equipped kitchen including a basin, gas stove and refrigerator.
Perhaps we should rather ask, what doesn’t it have? The Volkswagen California Coast has a staggering number of features that an outdoor-loving family will appreciate.
Perhaps the coolest feature is the roof tent. It’s accessed via a shutter door above the front seats and the tent itself is easily pushed upwards once you have unlatched the safety buckles and latches. Once up, the roof tent offers sleeping space for 2 people and is fitted with a thin mattress and springs that ensure relative comfort. It’s admittedly not as comfortable as a conventional bed, but it’s better than sleeping on a hard floor! There’s also a 12V socket and a light in the upper compartment for your convenience. In fact, there are numerous 12V sockets and adjustable lights throughout the cabin.
All windows, including the front windows, are equipped with retractable blinds, which not only reduce the amount of light entering the cabin, but provide some privacy.
Moving into the rear of the cabin, the VW California Coast offers a seating bench for 2 (with 2 storage trays beneath it), which can be folded flat to create another bed in combination with the rear deck. The rear deck can also be angled upwards to create a lounging effect, which is great if you just want to relax and read a book.
The second-row bench folds down to create a ‘double bed’ and the rear deck can also serve as a recliner.
The VW California Coast is also equipped with its own kitchen, which includes cupboards (finished in Bright Oak wood-effect trim) with ample storage space as well as a small washbasin (linked to a grey-water tank), gas stovetop and a 42-litre fridge to keep drinks and other foodstuffs cold. What’s more, a fold-away table is provided that can be neatly stored alongside the storage shelf. It’s worth mentioning that the fit-and-finish of the cupboards and kitchen fittings is of good quality.
Additional storage cupboards are located at the rear of the cabin, which is also where you will find the shower and the connection point for the gas bottle, which fires up the gas stovetop. Plus, the family camper van benefits from having a separate water tank that feeds both the shower and aforementioned washbasin. The water isn’t heated though, so in winter you will be showering Wim Hof style.
A new multi-colour digital display mounted on the ceiling (at the front of the cabin) serves as a control panel for many of the vehicle’s key functions. It allows you to check water and battery levels, set alarms, adjust lighting (including wake-up lighting) and it will even tell you the inclination of the surface on which the vehicle is parked (level the vehicle to ensure you don’t have to sleep at an odd angle).
Other useful camping features on the VW California Coast include 2 camping chairs (stored on the inside of the tailgate), an awning affixed to the side of the vehicle and a fold-out table, which is cleverly stored on the inside of the one-touch sliding door. Okay, so, yes, it doesn’t include a toilet, but this family camper can is ready, set and gung-ho to set off on the adventure of your choosing.
What’s the front of the cabin like?
Volkswagen’s Active Info Display and Discover Pro Navigation infotainment system is standard.
From behind the ‘wheel, one can see that the Volkswagen California Coast’s fascia incorporates the updates introduced with the T6.1 generation Kombi and Caravelle; it’s a generally upmarket and aesthetically pleasing design. Standard features include the brand’s configurable active information display and a Discover Pro Navigation infotainment system that includes integrated navigation, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. There are also 2 Type-C charging ports close at hand, as well as an optional wireless smartphone charging docking slot.
All the seats in the Wolfsburg-based brand’s family camper van are upholstered in cloth, while the entire floor is trimmed in a durable plastic that should withstand the rigours of camping in the outdoors. The front seats also feature armrests, which add some additional comfort on long-haul trips and the column of the redesigned multifunction steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach.
It’s also worth noting that the front seats can be swivelled to face the rear cabin, which creates a more social seating arrangement once you’ve arranged at your destination.
In terms of standard safety equipment, Volkswagen has fitted features such as crosswind assist, trailer assist, side assist, rear traffic alert, manoeuvre braking function, lane assist, hill start assist, hill descent assist, park assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system. There are 6 airbags, as well as a reverse-view camera with static guidelines. ABS with EBD and brake assist is also standard.
What’s the VW California Coast like to drive?
With 146 kW and 450 Nm on tap, the California Coast isn’t short on grunt and it delivers good overall performance.
We experienced this 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine in the range-topping Caravelle a while ago and, in conjunction with a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission, it remains an impressive powerplant.
With 146 kW and 450 Nm of torque at its disposal, the Volkswagen California Coast offers ample shove, even when the vehicle is heavily loaded; it can execute overtaking manoeuvres quickly and easily at highway speeds. The engine is also refined and quiet in operation. It’s definitely not a clunky old-school diesel engine! In terms of fuel efficiency, Volkswagen claims 8.0 L/100km and we averaged roughly 10 L/100km during our test period. Also, by virtue of the family camper van’s large (80-litre) fuel tank, you can travel roughly 800 km before you need to stop to refuel, which is great!
Suffice to say the Volkswagen has a tall and long body, which means that it’s prone to exhibiting body roll when cornering, but at least we found the general ride quality to be comfortable, even though the suspension is relatively firmly-sprung. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive configuration provides more driving confidence in wet conditions as well as better traction when you drive on unsealed surfaces. The Volkswagen California Coast also has a rear differential lock, which you can engage with the press of a button; it will help you free yourself (ahem, the vehicle) should you encounter a “sticky situation”.
What gripes do we have with the Volkswagen California Coast?
An electrically powered tailgate would make life so much easier. The tailgate is heavy and cumbersome to close.
While we are hugely impressed by the overall versatility and flexibility of the Volkswagen California Coast, we do have a few criticisms… Firstly, the fact that the rear tailgate isn’t electrically operated is an obvious oversight. The tailgate is heavy and takes a fair whack of strength to close and we suspect it will be a common gripe with owners.
The front cabin would be improved by the provision of some additional out-of-site storage spaces, because the glovebox is surprisingly small. We also found the voice control function of the infotainment system to be frustratingly slow at interpreting and executing simple commands.
While the family camper van’s cabin easily withstood the rigours of this adventure, we can’t help but wonder how the interior, particularly the cloth seats and headliner, will hold up to years of rigorous use. An avid outdoor enthusiast raised the point of cooking inside the vehicle and the impact that the steam, moisture and even oil could have on the headliner and upholstery. It’s something to think about…
How much does the Volkswagen California Coast cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen California Coast is priced from R1 232 600 and includes a 3-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km maintenance plan.
Buy a new or used Volkswagen Caravelle on Cars.co.za
Verdict
Volkswagen has a winner here! Yes, it’s pricey, but there’s nothing like it on the market…
In many ways, the Volkswagen California Coast is perfectly fit for its purpose. It’s loaded with all the useful features that you would want or need from a family camper van and it provides the necessary connectivity and comfort features to ensure a pleasant journey to your destination.
Perceived build quality is good too; we think the model will serve its intended outdoor-orientated market very well. In fact, it does not have a direct rival in the South African market. The main rival to the Volkswagen California Coast is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo, but it’s not offered locally.
If you’re not convinced by the newcomer, you can obviously buy a new or used Volkswagen Transporter and shed blood, sweat and tears to convert it into your very own camper van, but the process will be very expensive and, frankly, stressful.
Therefore, if you are looking for a hugely capable family-orientated camper van, this Volkswagen California Coast is the answer. It’s definitely worth a closer look, provided you can afford it, of course.
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