Now that the new California is here, curiosity drove me to the dealer in Ostend, Belgium to see one in real life. Which of my opinions do I change and which ones hold up?
When we arrived, there were some outside in different colours (I'm a fan of Fortana red and... the white one) and some two-tone colour combinations and inside the showroom, side by side the new one and a T6.1. Very easy to compare.
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I'll try to report my findings. Like everyone else, I also had my opinion about the missing storage space and the short kitchen unit with only one gas burner. I certainly thought the look was successful and I can already admit: after having seen a few, I certainly think it is good looking campervan. Both outside and inside.
But first something about the price; Please note that our pricing may not be the same as yours. The fully equipped new California Ocean with 150 hp diesel (and DSG as standard) came to just over 90,000 euros after discount. Feel free to decide for yourself whether you find this plausible or not. Here, the increase for a comparable T6.1 would be 3000 euros, according to the dealer. There will be inevitable price increases with subsequent updates or changes. How balanced those price increases will be remains to be seen.
So let's start with the inside, the camper area: yes: less storage space. It's undeniable. However, there are a few things to note: both sliding doors have a compartment, although this is in no way a compensation for the large drawer under the bench as in the previous California’s. That bench has been replaced by two chairs (which are very comfortable) with a small storage drawer under each of them. Now, those two seats are so easy to move (really, with one hand, a relief) that one can be slid forward (possibly fold the backrest forward) and you can easily reach into a box that you place at the back of the luggage compartment. This box could be a kind of solution for the lost large drawer. I did a simulation and this might work. Easier to use than the lost drawer? No but not that hard to use either.
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The deep cupboard is also no longer, this is somewhat compensated by the bag in the window frame. The kitchen unit has become shorter and the cupboard space has also been severely reduced. You only have one gas hob and if this is sufficient for you, your pottery can also be reduced and with some collapsible pots this can be done; don't expect a miracle. The refrigerator (which I was not a fan of without seeing it, I preferred the top loader) makes a good impression and I am positive about it: easier to load or unload things and large bottles can stand upright (also with a cork half in
). The small table that normally hinges at the back of the kitchen unit can also be slid into the front of the rail and serve as a coffee table or to place your laptop on; small things, that’s for sure. It can also be placed to the side and then becomes a welcome workspace or place for an extra gas hub, such as campingaz, if you need a second gas hub.
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Do these adjustments make up for all the lost storage space? No, and you will have to adapt and carefully consider what you take on a trip, even more so than with previous California’s.
The inside table is in the trunk and is also the outside table. I keep thinking this place is a wrong choice. The folding chairs are better than previous ones and that is positive. They are now lockable and have extra plastic pieces at the bottom of the legs so they can't tip to the side.
The awning now has a built-in turning crank and the entire awning can now be taken off the rail more easily and hung on the other side, for example. The electro-hydraulic folding roof now has its motor at the rear and is easier to reach if something goes wrong. It also works quieter than before. The roof no longer comes down to keep the hydraulic oil pumps in order; apparently this is no longer necessary. So no more sagging roofs or nightly roof adjustments.
Back inside: the beds have both become slightly narrower and this is noticeable downstairs. I have my doubts about whether this is still a four-person small campervan.. The lower bed is relatively easy to set up, especially because of the seats that move so smoothly. We will know what it is like to sleep on it from the experiences of the first owners. With the lower bed displayed, there remains less space between the bed and the front seats than before and an emergency toilet genre porta potti may still be in the space in front of the refrigerator, but I don't know how you will sit on it. Narrower, smaller camper toilets can be a solution for those who need an inside emergency toilet. I see the old pisspot returning.
The top bed now has a rigid sliding plate where a roller shutter used to be and that can be used to put things on when you sleep upstairs. Everything else seems very recognizable up there. There is also a double-walled canvas. The control panel inside is as it should be: modern and not outdated as in many other small campervans and even larger campers. That's great. You can operate the electro-hydraulic roof with separate buttons next to the large screen in the dashboard. That screen in the dashboard also has a lot of functions, many already known. Above all, you will also be able to operate the roof with the Volkswagen app and therefore raise or lower the roof from outside if you wish.
The cupboard at the top in the back (ocean only) is spacious and certainly usable. There is none at the coast and a net is in its place. You can put lighter items such as bags with underwear in the net. So all in all, no real loss of that ocean closet (I remain a coast fan). An additional advantage of the absent top cupboard of the coast (and beach) is that the height is not limited if, for example, you take a bicycle indoors. The impossibility of installing a bicycle rack on the tailgate (because of the spoiler at the back) makes a tow bar a necessary option if you want to add bicycles (or a luggage suitcase) to the rear.
Is he still as versatile as he used to be? I think so, although you may be more likely to do outdoor camping with the new one (second sliding door, one gas hob).
I wanted to experience the feeling of space: is it less or more. Well, the 'block' on one side is no longer and this gives a 'different' I dare to say a more spacious feeling inside. The two back seats are narrower than the former bench and you notice that. The front seats (with tiny storage compartment underneath) rotate easily and nicely against the dashboard/steering wheel, and a nice space becomes available that I don't think is smaller than before. There is no longer a handbrake that gets in the way and the gear lever has also disappeared (flat button in the dashboard, takes some getting used to). And drink holders in the ‘center console’ again.
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The dashboard is recognizable and looks good. There is a shallow, storage compartment on top which has a lid. The upper compartment in the dashboard also has a lid now. By the way, this one is deeper and bigger than expected. The regular glove box is also more spacious than before. The door pockets are about the same (slightly smaller). What is very striking: the distance to the windshield: it is enormous and the small side windows at the front are very useful. The blinds at the front are gone and replaced by a screen in one piece with a dark exterior. It should now be more darkening. I was allowed to take a ride with the dealer's new California Ocean, a beautiful two tone (blue-white) with white roof, and 150 hp engine and standard DSG (there is no other diesel engine than this one and no more 4motion). Four-wheel drive will still be available, but in a completely different form with another engine.
Then the test drive: I thought it was more quiet to drive, very pleasant and my first impression was that there were no rattles. Quality impression ok with me. Time will tell whether this is the case. Soft door padding at the top is present, oh I now miss this in our t6.1. There are now paddles on the steering wheel for manual shifting. Our children in the back thought it was great that the seats could easily be moved closer to the cabin, so they could benefit from the large side windows in the sliding doors. The engine accelerated well and the new California drives more modern than the previous one, but it remains a higher vehicle with extra weight on top and you still notice that. But a test drive is very convincing.
We now have to wait for the many extras that will come from the creative minds, just as there are almost impossible to keep track of items for all previous versions that make traveling with a California that little bit more pleasant.
Everyone decides for themselves why they bought a California and we bought it to travel. Due to the high purchase price, I also use it as a daily means of transport. We like it very much and I suspect that the new one will also serve both purposes for others, but driving took priority with the new one, hence they took the multivan as the starting vehicle. Camping with it is certainly also possible, provided that some compromises are made (for example, using less/smaller/different cooking utensils) and adapting to major differences such as the inner table in the boot and one gas hob.
I did this out of curiosity, but I am pleasantly surprised by the new California and I certainly see plenty of buyers coming for it. To me he is worthy of being included in the California family. Is it better than what we have now (t6.1 coast)? Driving: yes, I experienced it as a step forward. Camper furnishings: no, too many compromises that I don't like for the time being.
Indeed: although I see solutions for the missing drawer and deep cupboard and smaller kitchen unit, I think that the new one is not very suitable for long trips with two children or they should not take much with them, such as toys, clothing or even eating utensils. I'm joking, but there's some truth to it. But for singles, couples or for everyone else who see it doable as a family of four or with grandchildren, I would definitely recommend giving the new California a chance and checking it out whether as a novice in this segment of campervan or experienced and looking for a successor.
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This is a personal and not very in-depth review on my part and everyone has their own opinion about this of course.
