New VW California - Diesel or Plugin

[The Fish]

Hi everyone
Thinking of buying a new California T7 but not sure which engine option to go for
Used to have a T6.1 Transporter conversion TDi auto that was ok.
but now have the option of a plugin hybrid and is the only 4 wheel drive.
price difference is about £7000 that is a lot, is it worth it for the 4 wheel drive, the extra power and any if any running cost savings
any feed back would be greatfull along with any other suggestions when ordering (VW Ocean) thanks

 

[RetroRed5]

I've kept a close eye on the T7 Cali since it's initial announcement a year or so ago, although right up until last week, I was not that much of a fan, both in terms of the exterior looks and the interior.

However, while at my local VW dealership last week (getting some work done on a T6 Cali I've just purchased), I took the opportunity to have a bit of a play around in a new T7 they had in the showroom and I've got to admit, it is much nicer in the flesh than I thought it would be. I was under the impression that it was smaller than a T6/6.1 and had a much lower ride height, but if anything I'd say it is larger and the driver height is almost the same. The styling is also much nicer in the flesh too.

The interior is great and they've fixed some of the storage issues (with the dash); it's not as good as the "comfort dash" in the T6, but it does look very good, and it felt quite premium. Although I'm not really sold on the smaller kitchen and lack of camping storage (maybe the T7.1 will fix that )

Better still, they've added back in the left foot rest, this is great news! In fact, this is one of the reasons why I prefer the T6 over the T6.1.

As for which engine to go for, I'm sure all the options will be great, but if you can afford it, go for the 4MOTION hybrid, so many advantages to that motor over the other options. Of course, it is a £7k upgrade which is a bunch of money, but as you probably know, residuals on California's have always been very strong, and in spite of the lack lustre press the T7 is getting, I'm sure residuals will be just as strong on this model too.

If I were you, I'd try and go for a test drive in each, and then make your decision.

 

[RetroRed5]

Here is the foot rest for reference; this was a major omission on the T6.1.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I've kept a close eye on the T7 Cali since it's initial announcement a year or so ago, although right up until last week, I was not that much of a fan, both in terms of the exterior looks and the interior.

However, while at my local VW dealership last week (getting some work done on a T6 Cali I've just purchased), I took the opportunity to have a bit of a play around in a new T7 they had in the showroom and I've got to admit, it is much nicer in the flesh than I thought it would be. I was under the impression that it was smaller than a T6/6.1 and had a much lower ride height, but if anything I'd say it is larger and the driver height is almost the same. The styling is also much nicer in the flesh too.

The interior is great and they've fixed some of the storage issues (with the dash); it's not as good as the "comfort dash" in the T6, but it does look very good, and it felt quite premium. Although I'm not really sold on the smaller kitchen and lack of camping storage (maybe the T7.1 will fix that )

Better still, they've added back in the left foot rest, this is great news! In fact, this is one of the reasons why I prefer the T6 over the T6.1.

As for which engine to go for, I'm sure all the options will be great, but if you can afford it, go for the 4MOTION hybrid, so many advantages to that motor over the other options. Of course, it is a £7k upgrade which is a bunch of money, but as you probably know, residuals on California's have always been very strong, and in spite of the lack lustre press the T7 is getting, I'm sure residuals will be just as strong on this model too.

If I were you, I'd try and go for a test drive in each, and then make your decision.

Do you know if the VW T7 PHEV plug-in hybrid has a V2L (vehicle to load) option, that you can use for domestic power from the PHEV battery, as the Ford Nugget does? Thanks in advance.

 

[The Fish]

Thanks RetroRed5 for the feed back.
we have had a proper look round the T7 and was impressed, some issues not that easy to get in and out on the passanger side with the kitchen but nice to be able to get out that side.
Had a test drive in the hybrid but overwhelmed with everything to make a proper decision weather to go for that or diesel.
thought some body on here might have a view who has either model, and anything else i should be considering as an option or if we should be looking at something totally different like the new Transporter or ford custom (not like the thought of the wet belt)
thanks all

 

[WelshGas]

Do you know if the VW T7 PHEV plug-in hybrid has a V2L (vehicle to load) option, that you can use for domestic power from the PHEV battery, as the Ford Nugget does? Thanks in advance.

Short answer, No.

 

[RetroRed5]

Do you know if the VW T7 PHEV plug-in hybrid has a V2L (vehicle to load) option, that you can use for domestic power from the PHEV battery, as the Ford Nugget does? Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure to be honest, I've not seen anything in the brochures about this; given the battery is quite small (19.7kWh), they may not have added this capability; although in domestic terms, almost 20kWh is quite a lot of power sitting on the drive that would power an average house probably all day.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks RetroRed5 for the feed back.
we have had a proper look round the T7 and was impressed, some issues not that easy to get in and out on the passanger side with the kitchen but nice to be able to get out that side.
Had a test drive in the hybrid but overwhelmed with everything to make a proper decision weather to go for that or diesel.
thought some body on here might have a view who has either model, and anything else i should be considering as an option or if we should be looking at something totally different like the new Transporter or ford custom (not like the thought of the wet belt)
thanks all

One of the shortcomings of a Diesel is short trips causing EGR and DPF problems coupled with AdBlue system for emissions.
Petrol is more amenable for long/short trips.
Hybrid , all electric for short trips and Hybrid for longer.
On my Multivan, not 4 wheel and smaller EV battery I have a range of about 400 miles with 44+ mpg on one tankful of fuel.
It is a seemlest drive using EV for low speed and acceleration and the IC engine in Hybrid mode.
You can select how much EV battery to use in Hybrid mode. On a recent journey of 450 miles over 2 days starting with full EV battery, no charging enroute, ended with 10% EV charge .

 

[RetroRed5]

Thanks RetroRed5 for the feed back.
we have had a proper look round the T7 and was impressed, some issues not that easy to get in and out on the passanger side with the kitchen but nice to be able to get out that side.
Had a test drive in the hybrid but overwhelmed with everything to make a proper decision weather to go for that or diesel.
thought some body on here might have a view who has either model, and anything else i should be considering as an option or if we should be looking at something totally different like the new Transporter or ford custom (not like the thought of the wet belt)
thanks all

If you were underwhelmed by the Hybrid with 245PS, then I imagine it will feel even more underwhelming with only 204PS that the TDI/TSI versions have.

This is a bit of a surprise really, of course the Cali is not what you'd call a fast machine by any stretch, but the 204 T6/6.1 feels quite punchy and so I would have expected the 245PS T7 to feel a little punchier than this.

Personally, I think the "California" is the best option out there, straight from VW with all the heritage that goes with it along with VW being a one-stop-shop in terms of aftercare. Of course, there are a ton of other options available and many of them really great, but for me you just can't top a California.

Regarding the new Transporter, I wouldn't let the "wet belt" thing bother you, from what research I've done, VW/Ford are very confident past problems with this have been dealt with (so long as the vehicle has been properly looked after), plus VW sell it with 5 years servicing/warranty included in the price, so they must be supremely confident it's not going to cause them too many issues.

A California based on the new Transporter would be an interesting option if they offered it, so it will be good to see what the quality converters out there can do with it, time will tell

 

[RetroRed5]

One of the shortcomings of a Diesel is short trips causing EGR and DPF problems coupled with AdBlue system for emissions.
Petrol is more amenable for long/short trips.
Hybrid , all electric for short trips and Hybrid for longer.
On my Multivan, not 4 wheel and smaller EV battery I have a range of about 400 miles with 44+ mpg on one tankful of fuel.
It is a seemlest drive using EV for low speed and acceleration and the IC engine in Hybrid mode.
You can select how much EV battery to use in Hybrid mode. On a recent journey of 450 miles over 2 days starting with full EV battery, no charging enroute, ended with 10% EV charge .

I think WelshGas has just made a great case for the Hybrid

Although if you are unsure, have you considered going for a nearly new T6.1? Given how much money you are considering spending on a T7, you will get a very nearly new low mileage T6.1 and you will save a couple of quid in the process.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I recently got a new ford transit PHEV for work. A big reason for this is the PHEV doesn’t have the wet belt. It has a chain. I test drove the diesel and the PHEV and there was no competition. The PHEV was incredibly quick for a van, automatic as standard and so quiet. It only has a 11kw battery that will do 36 miles on electric only and a 2.5L petrol engine that sounds great. It also says 500 miles or so when filled up. Petrol is around 10p per litre cheaper than diesel too. It did cost around £4K more than the equivalent diesel transit but I have no regrets at all buying the PHEV over the diesel

 

[RetroRed5]

I recently got a new ford transit PHEV for work. A big reason for this is the PHEV doesn’t have the wet belt. It has a chain. I test drove the diesel and the PHEV and there was no competition. The PHEV was incredibly quick for a van, automatic as standard and so quiet. It only has a 11kw battery that will do 36 miles on electric only and a 2.5L petrol engine that sounds great. It also says 500 miles or so when filled up. Petrol is around 10p per litre cheaper than diesel too. It did cost around £4K more than the equivalent diesel transit but I have no regrets at all buying the PHEV over the diesel

There you go, I'd say the argument to go hybrid is winning at the moment!

Another one to throw in the pot, petrol exhaust has a much nicer aroma too, hehe

 

[JohnCalifornia]

The PHEV will be worth more than the diesel (hopefully) when you come to sell the vehicle too