VW Grand California - FULL OVERNIGHT TEST & REVIEW!
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- Опубліковано 21 вер 2024
- We feel so lucky to be invited by VW to the UK Press Launch of the Volkswagen Grand California 600 and 680. We are allocated an awesome VW Grand California 600 and join a whole host of Grand California 600 and 680 camper vans on a full overnight camping test from Woburn Abbey to Caffeine and Machine. We show you all the features of this brand new Volkswagen Grand California including camping, showering and the all important making a cuppa in it tests. Let us know what you think.
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Hi GuysJust bought a 680 today ( gulp!!) traded in our wonderful T6 Cali for what we are calling the ice cream van as well. Just letting you know that its all your fault as we loved this review and your no nonsense approach, also top gear review was very good.Thanks for your help we will keep in touch and will be following your trips.Phil and Tracy
I loved this review. We have just bought one and love it. I just couldn’t live without a loo.
Shaun you got a lot of people coming up to the van cos to be fair it looks like an ice cream van lol
Very funny. But poor old Shaun's freezer was empty.
When you get home from work and ABAB has just uploaded a 45min review. You know it’s going to be a good start to the weekend!
Looks more like a small RV rather than a camper van. I like the permanent bed. Makes it easy to grab a nap.
Watching this makes me really appreciate my cheap self build!
Shawn’s trip to the bunk was hysterical 😂. Nice rig. 🙋♀️🐶🇨🇦🍁
Great vid. Beats all
the other reviews of this van on YT. 🤙🏼
Anyone looking for a motor home, it’s s brilliant option!
As you say, people are looking for different things.
Standard sized California is our bag
Great in-depth video, hmm a lot of food for thought. It comes across better in use than I expected and some of the design features are quite nice. It has convinced me the bed in the 600 would be too small for me unless I was diagonal. Also the table seems to eat a lot of space when setup but good to know it can be removed.
I saw one in Denmark and apparently when someone showered the water came through and leaked all over the floor. I’m guessing that didn’t happen in this one.
I think you covered every question I had. Thumbs up. I still think I’d go for a bigger conversion but the grand has gone up in my estimations after this.
Awesome couple who loves traveling !
I really wanted to want one of these, but after looking around the one at the NEC earlier this year and watching this video my conclusion is that there are simply too many compromises for too much money.
Good review. It seems nice - yet what it shows me is that the current California is so good because of the many iterations and progressions in its design. Neither version of the grand jump out as that desirable to me- even with the bathroom. The T6 Cali just seems to be so clever in the way it uses space. Thank you!
It’s just missing the cones off the front 🍦🍦
what's with storing the table on or under the bed ? vw need to find a better idea , and i gave up putting tents up when i converted my van paying all that money and no built in front screens poor show vw , great vid as always
Thanks for another quality review.
Regards the payload, particularly on the 600 that you had, that doesn't sound much to me especially if aircon, awning, bike rack and bikes and any other heavy options are also added and then if you need to travel with a full water tank, have 4 peeps onboard; it doesn't leave much for your food, cooking item's, clothing etc.
The 3.88 ton class is weird, I'd only heard of 3.3ton, 3.5ton and 4.2ton for the Sevel vans usually used in this size camper. A Ducat Maxi chassis starts at 3.5ton and can be replated up from there as required (C1 license permitting)
I wonder if there are enough upsides to cause you to replace your current California. It's easy to see you using your current Cali as one of your daily drive vehicles. It's less obvious that one would want to drive even the 600 on a daily basis, especially when faced with parking in urban areas. Prices are creeping up - but still lower than what one pays for a class B camper van in the US or Canada where many start at USD 120k and go up to north of USD 140k with options. I remain jealous of the options available to you in the UK. Thanks for a good review.
Great video guys.....it seems to be very pricey, but you get that quality build, prefer the whole T6 look/ style, motor home or camper can....think I'd choose your Cali any day....much more versatile and way more character 👍
Interesting video, no regrets that I bought a Crafter and converted it myself. :)
@@tooyoungtobeold8756 I ordered a new VW Crafter to suit my needs and spent several months planning layouts while waiting for it. I insulated it extremely well (which has been worth it!), then built it up over summer (this involved drilling an amazing number of holes into my shiny new van!). The big advantage was that I could make it to my own requirements: I definitely wanted a lot of floor space for my dog to be able to move, good electrics because I must be able to work from the van, a composting toilet and good lighting. Everything else was fit in around that. It was scary to start with, but I'd recommend it to anyone who has some space to work.
It's been a lot of work, and will probably never be 100% finished because I keep tinkinering with it :) but it's mine, and it's made to fit my requirements without the compromises of a commercial build. And you could start with a decent second-hand van for a very modest budget (see for example the vandemonium channel on youtube)
I've taken mine to 4 countries so far (two adults and one dog), several months' in total, and still love it. :)
@@namespacetoosmall how many people use your DIY van? I guess the main problem is that these van are supposed for families. I consider getting something similar and when I do the math it always comes cheaper buying one than doing one myself not to mention counting time spent on the built.
i just did the same but my one is ford transit lwb, , i love it , the whole convertion cont me 8 thou £,
Sat watching this at 3 in the morning just watching wishing i could afford one. 😂... one day
It was nice to see the main star of the show at the end you are lovely Bentley
Really practical review with good clear English. Thank you guys.
Extremely interesting video.
We are jealous in the States,
This makes all 2020 class B RVs made in North America ready for RV museum
Great to see the 600 and 680, but I still think i prefer the Cali, mainly due to the size and style of the vehicle.
Hi SL&B Wherever he is. Thanks for a nice run-out and sharing your trip. ATB Glen
Perfect review. I like the Grand California 600, but I’d keep my Cali Ocean if I had one. That’s the real one. Peter
Not keen on the work surface extension resting on the bed. Great video, thank you!
everyone loves a decent fleece blanket
Great video as always and very interesting to finally see the GC in ‘everyday use’. Can’t believe that VW didn’t manage to incorporate some of the key features in the California I.e. fold out table, no blinds in the windscreen pillars, no electric close on the sliding door etc. It just seemed to fall way to short of the slick and thoughtful design of the California - maybe it’s a question of cost and if they did then it would price the GC way out of the market! As you said Lizzy, first purchase would be an external windscreen cover probably from. Intonations Keynes with a pair of eyes..?
Nice video and nice to see a full test and review. More of those, please.
Very nice video, I like how you showed us how it is to live in the van, and how wad the cup of tea..lol.
I hesitated to watch this because 45m but im glad I did. I want one!
Thanks both, really interesting. I’d love to see a back to back comparison with something like an Adria Twin Supreme. I’m not convinced that the Grand Cali is worth the extra money.
A Wingamm Brownie could be an interesting benchmark too
Having been inside both the Adria Supreme wipes the floor with it and still saves £15k+. At that price Malibu and also in the running + the Pössl/Globecar 'Prime' series.
Speaking of Adria......
It would be nice if Adria makes their North America debut at year's Hershey RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania next September!!!!!
44:33 aww cute bentley is like : " member? idk what that means mom.. But hell yeah I'm a good boy!!"
Hi , what is this bike with this combustion engine visible in 24:34min ? It's interesting. Honestly? This year I bought a new California, but I wouldn't change to Grand. Cali is more practical and I can use it like a normal car.
I like it! And I think you did a really good job introducing it to us. The heater ran all night? With a thermostat, sure, so came on only when the temp dropped below your setting. Did you notice how much fuel it used when you started up the next day? Or if the fuel to make the tea took enough LPG to notice? I would want the attic to hold a couple of adults. My 12 year old granddaughter is taller than I and won’t be getting smaller in my lifetime. And I don’t know how often I would take another adult or two but I want the option. My husband and I have been talking about taking a little jog up to Nova Scotia and taking a caravan rather than 2 cars and stopping at hotels every night. The Class A rentals in Canada seem to sleep 2 comfortably but the other two are awkwardly placed so they have to walk through the others bedroom or get up first so the other couple can leave the bedroom and things like that. But with the attics, the vans seem more accommodating for 4 adults. I would prefer it stayed that way. But I think that is the only negative I saw with the new VW you just showed us. And I have not seen a bathroom that roomy that didn’t make the van terribly cramped. They did something right! Thanks for showing us the new van. I, for one, am very keen to give one a go.
Many thanks for the review and great editing work. We know you guys are great car and driving enthusiasts, so was it as much fun to drive as your own Cali DSG? Being car-like to drive, and fun, is a good reason to go for a VW, otherwise at this size, go for a cheaper, roomier Fiat/Cit/Peug 'Ducato' based van! Was it a 6-speed or 8-speed torque convertor trans? Was that an Adaptive cruise? Presume the 680's roof air-con unit works only on a hook-up, not when off-grid. Best wishes, and thanks once again.
Hi, it's an 8 speed auto and it's really suited to the vehicle. The grand is far better to drive than the Peugeot equivalent van that we have driven, however that was connected to a full motorhome which will always make a difference. The driving experience of the grand is far closer to the Ocean than you'd think and you could eat up the miles for hours in it. Adaptive Cruise will be an option and yeah the separate Aircon unit only works on mains hook up.
Many thanks for the interesting reply, and thoughtful driving impressions. And yes, the 8-speed sounds good - many thanks. I thought you guys would know, as you like cars - and have great experience of the T6 with the nice 7-speed DSG. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
@A Bus And Beyond - agree, I've hired a few vans, and recently a New Crafter SWB panel van with the rare auto, and to drive, and the cabin, was far better than a new Ducato panel van with either a 6-speed manual, or the 5-speed automated manual you can get on some versions of the Ducato type.
The thing that jumps out at me is that lounge area doesn't look very comfortable, does that rear seat recline?
ollierz it’s similar in our beach, great for sleeping but for relaxing indoors during bad weather it’s quite functional but not massively comfy.
So for 75k you get to sit bolt upright...no thank you !! A sterile over priced over hyped campervan ..alot of the self builds on youtube are much better and have way more Charm and character. Anyways..there.ll always be mugs who will buy this. Too funny 😳
At the end of a busy day I want to chill out and I'm not seeing how in this van other than on the bed or in camping chairs outside, which seems ridiculous after spending so much money... there are other options!
Love vw campers but sorry £75,000 is getting silly just go out and buy a small motor home nearly half the price with more space and still got he freedom of the open roads 👍
Agreed. For £75k you can buy exactly TWO of these...
ua-cam.com/video/ixqzqGgQMSo/v-deo.html
Or it pays for a LOT of campsites, fuel, ferries and gas...
Wellll. It's a vw Crafter after all. And it also doesn't have that ugly wannabe wood furniture which is hurting the "airy" feeling the grand cali has. Got to admit though might feel a bit to hospitaly. Expensive yes, compare to sprinter or Crafter camper and though and you will realize it's quite cheap actually.
But then a California Ocean will easily spec way over £60k
@@jsel1994atr I'm still trying to work out what advantage a crafter/sprinter van gives over a Sevel (Ducato/Boxer) van. More expensive, cramped due to the curved in sides and notoriously rusty and poor MPG on the Crafter. Compared to the Sevel van it's hugely expensive and the wrong shape. At least the T6 is usable everyday (although less competent than a Trafic) - I'm struggling to work out what the Grand is _for_ . Maybe the american market is the target?
@@darrenjones3681 Wow, for £60k you're into Adria Supreme territory - a hotel room on wheels!!
Very interesting. We have now bought a Westfalia Jules Verne on a 5.4m Vito chassis that we love. Use it as our only car & we can easily park at the market place of our local village. Some things to like in the VW, but would not swap. Thanks.
The review of the van was informative and its great that the test was extended to overnight. Unfortunately i fear that many who design and build campers have little experience of living outdoors. Would be nice to see a review covering full use and living in the van for 7-10 days. Wilderness camping whilst completing the NC500 for example.
If you look at our vlogs from this year you’ll see we took one round Europe for 3 weeks. 😊
Great review with good insight on these beautiful new models.
When you opened the side door, my first reaction was: "It's got a photocopier."
Great review and video 🙂🙂🙂
Do you think there is enough room for Bentley to move around inside?
It doesn't really look like there's a lot of floorspace, really. It's a big reason why I did my own conversion: I wanted to have as much floorspace as possible for my own dog. :)
Very good live presentation! congrats. So whats your height of both? Your foots were touched to side
Also imagine trying to fix anything if there was an issue. That would be a major concern of mines having to first find a certified shop and mechanic then having to wait for the repair. What if that’s your home and only vehicle. You now have to foot out for living and transportation while you wait and can you imagine if they had to order a part. To each own tho i guess.
Another great video guys, I liking it more now I've seen your video. I need to get my hand on one , to see if its worth the money ?
I do love your Vlogs guys, Even though its a nice looking van it is far out of the reach of many price wise. For that money I would look at a motor home with more space like a Fiat Adria Matrix 670 DC 140 BHP
ABus And Beyond, hello, how do the NEW REGULATIONS NOW AFFECT YOU?I figure that YOU DID NOT MAKE THE CONVERSION,,so it should be covered ,,, Cheers From NJ USA, 🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🇮🇪🇺🇸
I love the mass production vans because they cover all grounds, but the self builds actually seem to use the space better and seem more homely. If I ever get one it would definitely be a self build whether done by me or working with a smaller company to build it out to my exact needs and product choices. Cool van tho. I just guess it a personal preference thing.
The van looks great but who has this money to buy vans at this price Great review guys I love your stuff. Hoping you do another little tour in the near future. It just seems madness. I and my wife have great wages and both get paid in my opinion well. We can't stretch to a big new caravan so wonder who has 70K free to buy one. I just worry about the debt some people take on to buy one.
Great vid, way over priced, height might be a problem with a number of car parks also losing the flexibility your current van gives you. Not worth it, but a great demonstration of how it all works, well done . Ps miss Bentley, would be good to see what he thought 😀
The external windscreen cover is far the best. In a hot climate you need to keep the sun out...once it comes thro the window the heat is inside!
We would be interested to find out how dust proofed the new series vans are!
Caffeina Machine with a forest of BW Grand California. The VW Grande California Convention. AKA “Calis”
Great review guys, I think it is very expensive , I assume the prices quoted were the base price without options, will they be at the NEC?.
My favourite is the white/green one
Great review. Love your reviews........so informative and down to earth
Thanks Elaine
I have an old VW T4 California. 22 years later, this new Grand California still cannot beat the kitchen storage of the old one and the number of sleeping adults. I don´t get it! I think VW should soon go back to the drawing board and redesign the whole thing once again to find a new and more clever solution for the kitchen and the upper bed (for 2 extra adults), for the next edition. The new fridge is also unpractical, as the old T4 fridge is a lot more handy. The only advantage is the freezer, but I do not think it is worth the sacrifice in storage for kitchen-ware. The drawers are ridiculously small for a van this size! The bathroom looks great though.
I also think that the table storage solution at the rear-bed is not well-thought at all. In a van this size, could not they find a clever place above the driver compartment, between the sliding upper-bed or between the bathroom-wall and the rear seat to store a table 1,5 cm wide, instead of putting it with straps on the rear bed?? Have these designers real long experiece of van-life when they come up with unpractical solutions like that for a simple flat table? I start to wonder...
All in all, I would not trade the "regular" california for any of these grand ones before a major redesign to adress things that I consider to be game-changer-issues..for me. Great review guys, loved it!
Knaus for the win.... Boxlife
Massive freezer, I am always amazed at the Europeans idea, of what a massive refrigerator is compared to what we have in our homes and RV’s here. That is a very nice unit though and I think that driving on the little roads of Europe, that you need something like this, which in my view is not a big van. Very nice review though. How wonderful they gave you the experience, which is the best way to learn, if you want one or not.
Lovely review
I'll stick to my Fifer Touring L 6m without doubt which is much less cramped. Great review!
Slightly more luxurious than the T2 and T3 I camped in :)
Except at 28:30 it reminds me of putting a tent up, something one hopes to avoid in a £75k campervan...
VW can't be serious about those covers, they must have done it as a dare or a joke.
@@G-ra-ha-m It might be the hippie factor but I agree.
Interesting that the Cali roof gives tons of air/road noise. Our WestDubs T6 converted pop-top is lovely and quiet... no, I don't work for WestDubs :)
Tony White my manual Cali roof isn’t loud at all I never hear wind noise form it. If the door is popping open on a Cali some felt tape will stop it opening
Nice video, but a bit white and dull inside like the older and self converted vans more.
Where does all the weight come from? You can get ldecent sized motor homes at 3.5 tonnes these days.
Looks great.... I just need a lottery win now 🤞🤞🤞😜👍🎊🎉
Prefer the steels rather than alloys myself. 👍 Beautiful motor.
Great review.
I want one!!!!
Four features deter me from buying this van - not to mention the price, of course. 1 Bending down to the fridge, which also appears to be quite small; 2 The necessary front window blinds look a real faff to put in place every night; 3 The kitchen extension table extending over the bed - I can envisage spillages on to the bed covers; 4 Storage of the dining table. Also, I couldn't see from the video if it is possible to sit up in the bed, to read a book, because of the overhead cupboards. Is there a wardrobe for hanging coats? Good video but perhaps a little more time needed to show storage capabilities, particularly in the kitchen area.
Think I’ll stick with our T6....
Thanks for sharing excellent info.
Hangout around Britannia by using this van seems great in your daily. 🌐🇬🇧❤️
We have been looking at VW trakka 4wd in Australis absolutely wonderful, but a whole lotta money 🤔. Perfect size vehicle for touring around as many have said I wouldn’t mind one..😀
Any chance of permanently disabling that annoying stop/start function without upsetting the computer?
Super video you guys and love some of the touches in the van, but, i have to say it doesn't even come close to the Globecar Globescout vario 599 in use of space for the same length van.
Vw should still have made the roof bed adult sized and personally I would rather than have a rear garage space would have loved to have had a comfortable rear lounge/bed design
Enjoyed that you two. Would love to hear if you liked it or not. As Cali owners it would be useful to get your thoughts. 👍
We loved it! Especially the 680! Exceptionally good quality van and conversion. 👍
Nice video 👍, still love my Cali would prefer the Grand Cali to have a pop top would be a 4 berth then, Vw please make em with a pop top, Dash looks a bit outdated it could’ve been modern like Cali T 6.1
Id just take crafter sprinter lowest roof and convert to a pop top. Not changing the Beach anytime soon. Too much freedom and flexibility.
Very similar layout to lots of Ducato based German vans, Hymer, Possl, Globecar, etc., but can't believe how crude that windscreen blind is. At £75000, please! Give me my Globecar Roadscout Elegance with Remis blinds all round, any day. Thirty grand less, all the extras, beautiful finish rather than all that cold, white plastic and getting 34 mpg after 6000 miles.
Wow look very nice and 4x4 for me LOL. Just one thing which puts me of little is side door and step will be on the live side of the road. So will have to pick your places and have to watch out for kids opening the door.
What a lovely, great Test... love it for beeing so much more real than all the other "stupid clinic" ones...! In my opinion as an VW and Camper Guy; i'd say; after Years and Years behind the legendary "LT"; they'd tried to make something usefull again... but; all of this is sadly not that 100% as a real Camper needs... and for THAT PRICE... i'd go ALWAYS with an "Airstream Interstate"!!! - It's an a Mercedes Chassis, with Mercedes 6 Zyl. Motor and... the Legacy of Airstream! ;) - but anyways... thanx a lot for your review... with lovely greets from Munich! ;)
Hmmm, not that impressed sadly. I will stick with my Globecar. I didn't like the pfaffy blinds, or the table, or the wetroom, or the really cramped third adult bed (might be ok for kids). Definitely not for me, especially at that otherworldly price!
The Globecar is very boring though, just leaning forward and fastening the Reimo blinds is hardly as exciting as putting up a tent in the middle of your brand new £75k campervan.
We all have reversing beepers - why not height beepers - I thought that as you came through the arch
Good idea!
Hi Guys I’m 5ft 5 would I fit comfortable in the top bunk ?
Lovely video - Just can't get my head around the 'Heath Robinson' window blinds on a vehicle approaching £85,000 ( with a few necessary extras ) & would be interested to have learned more about winterisation / suitability for colder climates !! Thanks though !!!
Where would I find this in the United States
Nice looking vans, the 600 looks more 'UK practical' and better value. Standard californias like yours although quite pricey, make sense as they are a better daily driver, so the price premium is maybe worth it - i have a ducato based 540 and although you 'could' use it daily, it isn't refined or vaguely car like, but it doesn't matter as it is purely for leisure, and the huge price advantage makes them a no brainer if you aren't driving it every day - wider body, bigger bed, more space, cheap (and i get 31mpg). The concern i have is that these aren't realistic daily drivers, so the luxury driving premium seems a bit academic. maybe, for older folks travelling over europe and doing extended trips, it probably does. Suspect they will be popular in continental europe and maybe the US? That said, the interior design theme is quite 'youth' with all the plain white cabinetry. As a middle aged man, i don't want my van to look like a nursing home with chintzy wood and old fashioned fabrics (like most british conversions), but equally i think these are a bit too spartan - two weeks in that and id probably be 'snow blind'. And how many very young people can afford one of these?! Also, I am sure they could have come up with a better table storage solution. Froli springs are good though - I have them and wouldn't trade for anything. Still, you do get the VW quality and aftermarket support, and having moved to a van with a loo and shower, i couldn't go back! Festivals have been so much better as a result!
Thanks for new video , BIG kiss
Shame they never went to the effort of designing it so the sliding door is on the nearside (left).
Guess it's because lots of European countries drive on the right
No way would they recoup the cost of redesigning the van just for UK market
Just as well this magnificent piece of German engineering has a really good GPS system, you seem to think Milton Keynes is the middle of the UK ... lol
The van you tested was not the base model, it had many optional extras including, two tone paint, water heating system, awning, rear view camera,
parking assistant, lights and vision pack, electric heater, step lighting, over-cab bed and accessories, SAT TV equipment and solar roof panel.
The 70K basic van is for 2 people, the van you spent the night in will set you back well over 100K ...ouch !
Love both you guys. I still think that the VW Sven Hedin has the edge, looks less plastically inside and with the bed in the Sven being slightly higher, it’s easier to store the bike underneath.
loved the video , nice job .
Thanks- I enjoyed this video. I’ve been watching vids on the Grand California 680 to learn more. I know it’s new etc but I’m amazed and frustrated that no one mentions and there seem to be no pictures of where the tv(s) would be installed. I asked VW yesterday and they couldn’t answer. There’s an option for the sat tv provision (you then fit your own tv) but I’d like to see a tv fitted in the bedroom and seating areas. Is it a secret where they’d be fitted...?!!! For those rainy days....!!
A very nice van but like all VW 's they are so over priced which is a shame.
If you think this is expensive you should see how much it cost to to buy in the U.S. You will pay twice the price for half the quality!
Very aspirational, height might be an issue, think it might limit touring.
I’d absolutely love one of these what a awesome machine my little girl would love it!!!! Just a question what’s the towing capacity on the vehicle
Great video, and a nice camper. For the UK will they be moving the sliding door to the kerb side?
Just so you know Shaun that brake is called a fly brake... design and as you say very AMR. :-)
Why is it no one has commented on any review of the grand California that whilst VW have made right hand drive models for the UK market, if you actually wanna camp in your camper you need plug adapters as VW couldn’t be arsed to give the UK market UK plug sockets!!! Come on VW, over 40k on a camper you need to cater for the different markets!!!