CDinFrance
Call me thorough, but before deciding on a campervan, we have now rented both a Cali and a Mercedes Marco Polo for a week, and have driven around 1200 Km in each. Here are some subjective observations that both my wife and I have made.
Driving
The Cali and the MP are both quality vehicles. The MP has a more car-like driving feel and seems definitely quieter. The VW has a higher and more forward driving position, giving a better view, but also making it less comfortable on rough roads. Both handle pretty well and while cruising on an autoroute both are very comfortable.
Both the VW and the MP were the lower spec engines with automatic transmission, and I found both the 110 Kw VW and the MP 220d to be powerful enough for me. The MP gearbox seems smoother and gives options for Eco or Sporty driving modes, and even has paddle shifters which I did not use.
Of major note is that the Cali is front wheel drive, while the MP is rear wheel drive. In general driving in wet or dry I found them both good, but I live in a snowy area near the mountains, so while I might be able to get away with a FWD Cali, I would definitely need a 4WD MP. Personally I would go for 4WD in either.
The dash and controls are clear on both, but I personally liked the controls on the MP better. The cruise control is a small lever on the left, vs. buttons on the steering wheel, and I found that easier to use without looking down. The MP shift is also on the steering column. The Cali we rented had adaptive cruise control, which I really like and would get on a Cali.
For the electronics, the VW GPS is better than the Garmin on the MP which has a clunky interface and no touch screen, but I found that neither is as good as a basic TomTom, which I reverted to on a few occasions.
I found that the sound quality of the radio is equally bad in both vehicles, but that may be a result of the open space in the van.
It was hard to compare the air conditioning as the MP I had was manual (not recommended) and the Cali was fully automatic. The VW does have larger air vents and seems to get more air through.
We did not fully test all of the parking and front and rear sensors, but the MP has a nice front side sensor which is useful at toll booths as it helps you get close but not scrape the wheel on the curb.
Camping features:
It is clear at first glance that the interior finish of the MP is much fancier than the plain jane Cali interior. Kind of like an upgrade to a nice Business Class airline seat.
The Cali floor is much simpler, but the seat rails are sealed better and easier to clean. The teak effect floor in the MP is nice (did I hear rumour that the 2018 Cali has the same?) In any case, I think a carpet is a most useful addition, so you would not see it much anyway.
I found the seat cloth colour in the Cali to be very impractical, and it seems to stain by just looking at it. The basic black cloth in the MP is more practical, and also seems more resistant.
Cupboards in the Cali are more practical and larger. I was a bit surprised that the sliders are not smoother though. The MP cupboards have a nicer feel and better locks. The Cali double glove box is much handier, and the lack of a cup holder in the front of the MP is a bad oversight. Brandrup or somebody else probably makes a solution though. Generally, the Cali seems to have more nooks and crannies to stick things, like even behind the table in the sliding door...
The cupboards and drawer under the table are easier to use when the table is up in the VW, and in the MP you may either have to lower, or slide the table if you forgot something. The VW table leg is also more practical to use and seems sturdier. The table is closer to the swiveled front seats in the Cali, but it did not pose a problem for us. We also did not swivel the driver’s seat, but that is more convenient in the MP due to the electric parking brake.
The MP has a split counter top between the cooker and the sink, which is much more useful (again changed in the 2018 Cali?)
The fridge seems (slightly) larger in the VW, and the basket is useful, but I am sure that is an easy thing to add. Cooker and sink are basically the same, but the gas valve under the cooker is handier in the Cali than the MP. The heating and refrigeration controls are basically the same.
We are two and did not use the lower bed in either van. The upper bed is slightly wider and more firm in the VW, but we found the MP more convenient to sleep upstairs in as there is a wider shelf to put things on and much better lighting (Variable and flexi LED) in the MP. The net is also built in on the MP.
Neither vehicle we tried had a front tent window. They also both had manual roof rather than electric which is fine (Cali was a Coast with many options). The roof on the MP locks up, which is a bit more reassuring when holding the strap to climb in and out of the upper bunk. The roof clamps in the MP seem more solid, but the Cali also has security straps. There is also no cover for the opening in the MP, which seems to be a strange oversight. However, I found that the sliding cover in the VW was a bit sticky, surprising after making them for so many years…
Raising the bed in the Cali for headroom is much easier due to the gas cylinders which make it simple to push up. The MP bed has to be lifted manually, and straps used to hold it up. Strange that such an obvious thing like gas cylinders are absent on the MP.
Blackout curtains are more efficient in the VW, but fiddlier to use. The magnets and front window covers are brilliant, vs suction cups on the MP, and the MP has one piece of cloth front and side window cover which is more of a pain, as the side window covers come off when the front doors are opened. I think this could be overcome by making similar magnetic covers for the front side windows of the MP, but out of the box, it still works.
There are more USB and 220 plugs in the MP, and the under cupboard LED lighting around the floor (optional) is quite elegant and very handy at night.
The rear seat in the MP is split, making it possible to use it as a single bed and leaving one seat up. The rear seat is also much more comfortable to sit on in the MP.
The interior of the MP is generally more spacious, but the Cali boot is larger. The very poor design of the bag for the chairs under the shelf in the MP does not help. Basically I would just take it out, and use more compact folding chairs. The Cali outside table is a bit smaller and the legs harder to adjust - but the Cali chairs are more comfortable than the ones that come with the MP.
Verdict:
Both the Cali and the MP are excellent campervans. They should be for the price…
In our case, we are leaning toward the MP, but are trying one again soon, as the MP was our first campervan rental, and it was hard to separate all of the new experiences (like actually being in hot weather at Easter) from the experience of the van. My wife also did not drive the MP for various reasons, so that needs a try too.
So I will report back.
If I had a family and small children, I would probably not hesitate to get the Cali, but as we are two and a bit older, the business class feel of the MP has its appeal.
What is most obvious is that it is much more about the lifestyle than the van, and there is no question that you could enjoy a T4, T5, T6 or MP Viano (previous version) just as much.
Driving
The Cali and the MP are both quality vehicles. The MP has a more car-like driving feel and seems definitely quieter. The VW has a higher and more forward driving position, giving a better view, but also making it less comfortable on rough roads. Both handle pretty well and while cruising on an autoroute both are very comfortable.
Both the VW and the MP were the lower spec engines with automatic transmission, and I found both the 110 Kw VW and the MP 220d to be powerful enough for me. The MP gearbox seems smoother and gives options for Eco or Sporty driving modes, and even has paddle shifters which I did not use.
Of major note is that the Cali is front wheel drive, while the MP is rear wheel drive. In general driving in wet or dry I found them both good, but I live in a snowy area near the mountains, so while I might be able to get away with a FWD Cali, I would definitely need a 4WD MP. Personally I would go for 4WD in either.
The dash and controls are clear on both, but I personally liked the controls on the MP better. The cruise control is a small lever on the left, vs. buttons on the steering wheel, and I found that easier to use without looking down. The MP shift is also on the steering column. The Cali we rented had adaptive cruise control, which I really like and would get on a Cali.
For the electronics, the VW GPS is better than the Garmin on the MP which has a clunky interface and no touch screen, but I found that neither is as good as a basic TomTom, which I reverted to on a few occasions.
I found that the sound quality of the radio is equally bad in both vehicles, but that may be a result of the open space in the van.
It was hard to compare the air conditioning as the MP I had was manual (not recommended) and the Cali was fully automatic. The VW does have larger air vents and seems to get more air through.
We did not fully test all of the parking and front and rear sensors, but the MP has a nice front side sensor which is useful at toll booths as it helps you get close but not scrape the wheel on the curb.
Camping features:
It is clear at first glance that the interior finish of the MP is much fancier than the plain jane Cali interior. Kind of like an upgrade to a nice Business Class airline seat.
The Cali floor is much simpler, but the seat rails are sealed better and easier to clean. The teak effect floor in the MP is nice (did I hear rumour that the 2018 Cali has the same?) In any case, I think a carpet is a most useful addition, so you would not see it much anyway.
I found the seat cloth colour in the Cali to be very impractical, and it seems to stain by just looking at it. The basic black cloth in the MP is more practical, and also seems more resistant.
Cupboards in the Cali are more practical and larger. I was a bit surprised that the sliders are not smoother though. The MP cupboards have a nicer feel and better locks. The Cali double glove box is much handier, and the lack of a cup holder in the front of the MP is a bad oversight. Brandrup or somebody else probably makes a solution though. Generally, the Cali seems to have more nooks and crannies to stick things, like even behind the table in the sliding door...
The cupboards and drawer under the table are easier to use when the table is up in the VW, and in the MP you may either have to lower, or slide the table if you forgot something. The VW table leg is also more practical to use and seems sturdier. The table is closer to the swiveled front seats in the Cali, but it did not pose a problem for us. We also did not swivel the driver’s seat, but that is more convenient in the MP due to the electric parking brake.
The MP has a split counter top between the cooker and the sink, which is much more useful (again changed in the 2018 Cali?)
The fridge seems (slightly) larger in the VW, and the basket is useful, but I am sure that is an easy thing to add. Cooker and sink are basically the same, but the gas valve under the cooker is handier in the Cali than the MP. The heating and refrigeration controls are basically the same.
We are two and did not use the lower bed in either van. The upper bed is slightly wider and more firm in the VW, but we found the MP more convenient to sleep upstairs in as there is a wider shelf to put things on and much better lighting (Variable and flexi LED) in the MP. The net is also built in on the MP.
Neither vehicle we tried had a front tent window. They also both had manual roof rather than electric which is fine (Cali was a Coast with many options). The roof on the MP locks up, which is a bit more reassuring when holding the strap to climb in and out of the upper bunk. The roof clamps in the MP seem more solid, but the Cali also has security straps. There is also no cover for the opening in the MP, which seems to be a strange oversight. However, I found that the sliding cover in the VW was a bit sticky, surprising after making them for so many years…
Raising the bed in the Cali for headroom is much easier due to the gas cylinders which make it simple to push up. The MP bed has to be lifted manually, and straps used to hold it up. Strange that such an obvious thing like gas cylinders are absent on the MP.
Blackout curtains are more efficient in the VW, but fiddlier to use. The magnets and front window covers are brilliant, vs suction cups on the MP, and the MP has one piece of cloth front and side window cover which is more of a pain, as the side window covers come off when the front doors are opened. I think this could be overcome by making similar magnetic covers for the front side windows of the MP, but out of the box, it still works.
There are more USB and 220 plugs in the MP, and the under cupboard LED lighting around the floor (optional) is quite elegant and very handy at night.
The rear seat in the MP is split, making it possible to use it as a single bed and leaving one seat up. The rear seat is also much more comfortable to sit on in the MP.
The interior of the MP is generally more spacious, but the Cali boot is larger. The very poor design of the bag for the chairs under the shelf in the MP does not help. Basically I would just take it out, and use more compact folding chairs. The Cali outside table is a bit smaller and the legs harder to adjust - but the Cali chairs are more comfortable than the ones that come with the MP.
Verdict:
Both the Cali and the MP are excellent campervans. They should be for the price…
In our case, we are leaning toward the MP, but are trying one again soon, as the MP was our first campervan rental, and it was hard to separate all of the new experiences (like actually being in hot weather at Easter) from the experience of the van. My wife also did not drive the MP for various reasons, so that needs a try too.
So I will report back.
If I had a family and small children, I would probably not hesitate to get the Cali, but as we are two and a bit older, the business class feel of the MP has its appeal.
What is most obvious is that it is much more about the lifestyle than the van, and there is no question that you could enjoy a T4, T5, T6 or MP Viano (previous version) just as much.
