VW Grand California 680 - **FULL 2500 MILE REVIEW**
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- Watch our Grand California European Trip - • Grand California Europ...
** This review was filmed before the global CV-19 crisis and lock down. Please check your local government website for the latest advice on travel. **
Volkswagen were kind enough to lend us a brand new VW Grand California 680 Camper Van. Based on the very successful Volkswagen Crafter, this awesome camper van bridges the gap between the highly acclaimed VW California Ocean and a fully fledged motorhome. We take you for a full tour of this awesome California 680 in stunning southern Portugal. Enjoy.
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This is the second time i've watched your videos and so far really great, detailed and honest review. Thanks guys.
Thanks for the in depth and very informative review. Hope you’re both keeping well
A really good honest review of a lovely van. Thank you.
Great review, one for the bucket list
Not dropped by in a while, wow videos are getting slicker, love it. I thought you had bought one for a minute :D I agree on the table, it needs removing or it feels a bit cramped. Thanks for the great video, VW were wise to loan you this, it shows in use its a lot better than maybe first impressions show?
Spot on, thank you. Very constructive and informative. Safe travels!!
Lovely van and you guys make a very good job as presenters. You both have inspired me to continue with my channel. Hope to see you guys in New Zealand one day. You could also then do a vlog on my Camper lol.
Great video both. We had a california a few years ago. This looks great. Cheers.
10 out 10 guys for being so honest looks a fantastic van
First time here, great video...I’ve got a T5 hightop and love VW vans, will definitely be looking at your prior posts on here 👍🏻
Great review guys, just not for us, not flexible enough and quite a hefty price tag. Loved watching your adventure across Europe 👍👍
Love You both because you cover every need in the CAMPERS cheers
What can i say,nice couple, nice car, nice video review. Good luck to The next travel 😘😉
141 dislikes? who would dislike a car like this ? its a car its a house its every mans dream ....
Great review of a stunning looking van. The hard wearing materials and the seamless integration of all the systems would sell it for me.
Me an my family are selling our house and will be able to get one! Going to be a big upgrade from sitting in my paps work van for 4 hours, can’t wait to snuggle down on the top bunk looking up to the stars in a different country! Thanks for the review, just heightened my excitement to get one. Stay safe guys! 😃
Great! That means no more mortgage and property rates to pay.
I picked up my GC 680 last week. Thanks to you both for this review: it's what made me decide to order one :)
Congratulations! Thank you very much for watching our review. Enjoy your Grand 👍
honest review .. nothing glossed over , shame your trip was cut short ( i was about to say there's always next year .. but i guess newborn might limit you to shorter trips for a while )
Ooohhhh I’m excited to watch this one
Great honest review. Thanks guys
Great video.. thanks for a very thorough insight. Looking at getting one to trip around New Zealand but might a bit too small for me,partner two boys and a girl. Enjoyed the video watched right up til the end.
Great review - thank you
Mmmm in 3 years when we wind down from our jobs I think this is the van for us but the 6 metre version. Just going to use it for a couple of days at a time travelling across the uk.
great honest review, thank you
Great in-depth review😀
"Ghosts in the system".. I, ROBOT..
Loved thát 😉👌😎
The Americans need to take notes of your walk-arounds; they are informative not just by presenting the camper's features in theory, but mainly because you use the vehicle extensively and then show how everything works out or not in action.
I haven't used the oven in my apartment for 10 years but if I get a camper Van then I'd like the option to use an oven. True story bro :)
That is a nice van. In the 90s I did a trip through France in a T2 Westfalia me and three friends bought together. We had to add a tent due to space obviously but it was a great trip. From Dijon through the Alps to Antibes.
Enjoy your trip.
Sounds like great memories. Thanks for watching
@@ABusAndBeyond Oh yes France is beautifull but so is Portugal.
Looks absolutely awesome we’ve done toad trips from Sheffield to Rome in a new mini and stayed in eurocamps all over, now we’ve a little gorgeous girl and would love a van like that it looks great
Great video. Thank you.
When VW Grand California isn't even available for sale in California (or anywhere else in North America). Just brutal!
You can always buy one in Europe and ship it into the US.
I was wondering if it was available in the US...oh well. We are not going to have petrol here anyway. The country is going to ban it. No natural gas either....the Biden clown show.
@@petersmith2040 No, only 25 year old+ vehicles can import to the us.
Hi Shaun, Lizzy, Harvey & Bentley 👋
Not sure you’ll even see this but just wanted to say Thanks it was this video that convinced us to go for our GC 680 which we’ve had a couple of weeks now after downsizing from a Swift Kon-Tiki 599L and are loving 🥰
Stay Safe 😜👍
So glad you’re happy with your van!! Happy travels and thanks for watching!
How are you liking it now?
@@benohanlon unfortunately it didn’t work out for us in the end but was fun while it lasted 😕
Loved watching this video, my dream for the future, currently have a VW multivan converting into camper. With my dog Leo. No hair shedding as he is a standard poodle.
I dont think that this is in Australia yet, but its something I can look forward to.....maybe when I retire. Well done.
interesting clip, I liked it ... 😉 Greetings from Munich
Somehow I missed this feature video before now, we watched it last night in our garden and loved it, Im sure it brings back some lovely memories for you both. All of that extra space, facilities including hot water and I noticed you had air con too, wow. We are leaning towards getting a Grand California now but are unsure if we would be happy enough with the 600 as the 680 looks very long and we would need the C license, but we're wondering was having the 680 worth the effort? CaliforniaCalifornia c
Just got a vw camper which is based on the california and we are really enjoying it thanks 😁
Bugger.....I absolutely love my 2008 VW Crafter my best ever purchase, but nowwwwww..........I want this thing. Liked and subbed cheers
What a beautiful van, fingers crossed for a lotto win 😀
Diesel Bushcraft , but I do not think, THIS DIESELwould be legal here, but VW does have a CLEAN DIESEL V 6 as ON THE AMAROK, , & if I can get the $, go over and buy one in CREW CAB, with a cap over the pickup ., they just are undecided to bring them to NORTH AMERICA , how many could they sell, etc, Cheers 🇩🇪 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
We’re really enjoying watching you guys, great job presenting!
We’ve just ordered a VW California 680 and after watching your videos, we can’t wait for it to be ready. Does anyone have any recommendations for the insurance. Thank you.
Try comfort insurance. That’s who we use 👍
I love VW. I own a 2016 Jetta . I’m also looking for a van / Camper. This is beautiful
Great "real world" review. Love how you went beyond simply offering a tour. You talked about things that work well, things that were nice but not used, and changes that would make it better. Bravo! :-)
Them back windows still scare me.. looks like a speed trap van 🤣 but good review peeps. Maybe 1 day..
Thanks for sharing... very interesting
Hi just wondering about the table is it or can it le left in position while driving ? And is it useful as ye don't seem to use it much when I'm watching your last few fantastic videos
Shower and toilet setup with heat and extraction fan is excellent.
Nice review of a van I didn’t know existed. Subscribed. 👍
The best and most thorough review I've seen of the GC680. You've convinced me: I'm in contact with my local dealer and will be ordering one this week. Your fault if I don't like it ;)
I hope VW appreciate the impact in depth reviews like yours can have.
Have to speak up for the aircon - travelling from June to September in Spain/Portugal or southern Italy with an old, huge dog an aircon could be a blessing, we had this discussion buying our caravan and I would not want to miss it, to give the dog a bit of relief during the hottest hours of the day.
Thanks for the movie, have just been and checked a6 VW california at a dealer in sweden
Nice van
The Grand California appeals to me. I think coloured LED Mood lighting would work well.
Looks very nice, just need to win the lottery to buy one!! I do wonder if you will go for a motorhome when the wee one arrives. The T6 Cally isn't that big for 4, I'm not forgetting Bently, it maybe five if you have twins.:)
Hi guys
That one looks familiar, is it the one that was at the necif it is I've been around it.
Really nice van, I totally agree with your comments I've often hoped they whould do a larger van.
Thanks for tips on pans that cook like an oven and make up mirror set up while on the bed. I like pizza and some casual make up.
How did you manage to borrow the camper from VW? Great video guys.
Brian
I'm guessing that this is going to be your NEW van now you have sold the beautiful burgundy T6 ocean??😇😉ps congratulations on your new arrival 👏 bless him
Convinced me to order one, thank you. A couple of Q’s if you can help:
- would you recommend a 2nd leisure battery.
- I have gone for the LED lights, do you need to use deflectors?
A 2nd leisure battery would certainly help. And the LED lights can be set to Europe or U.K.
Happy Travels!
Hi, love your video, seen your pan in the video. Where can i find (buy) it. Looks great. Cheers Holger
Hi - taken all into consideration, do you prefer the Grand Cali or the normal one?
Luxury apartment on wheel! Hope you are well in your progress! What is the compartment over the driver place for? Looks odd! Barbro Sweden
on a standard crafter it's storage , here looks like a good place for light bulky things like extra bedding / towels etc
One leisure battery is it an AGM deep cycle or a lithium battery? and as for the Aircon why not install a maxair fan ( 12v ) for a fraction of the cost, most people buy these camper's to go wild camping and not camp site's, but a fair review.
what is the 680 model leisure battery capacity (amps) as I thought you said the solar panel charger capacity was 174 watts so I would hope the battery load would be more than 14ah
Hi I watched this video when you first made it and have bought one since, we love it but there is one design fault, the Thule awning is not long enough, it is 3.5 meter and too far back and not sealed to the body so when you have the awning out and the sliding door open and it is raining water pours into the fridge top. Also the awning stops too short at the front so you can’t use a Thule residence as it would lie inside the sliding door aperture. Has anybody else noted this?
Clever number plate there.
Great review! I don't believe these are available in the USA, but I wish they were.
Hi guys, I really loved the videos. Watched it many times and we decided to purchase a 680 ourselves One question. how long can you be off grid with the fridge? We bought one with the 170 kw solar panel. Tried to find the answer on the internet but no result.
It’s a tough one for us to answer as our solar panel wasn’t actually working. That said, we managed a good 2 days with the fridge working off-grid. Thing is we were driving a lot of the time too so that would re-charge the leisure battery.
Thanks for the review! Since it's a compressor refrigerator, can you comment on the noise level?
You don’t notice it at all 👍
Like it!
HI THERE CAN YOU GIVE THE LOCATION AS THAT LOOKS GOOD TO VISIT ON MY NEXT TRIP
Lovley ,would love to know the average mpg please????
Hi, me again, we saw reviews that say the mattress is not good. How did you sleep in there? Cheers Holger
Hi what do you attach your fairy lights with?
Love this video! Love the Grand California, just out of interest, do you know how much this is?
This particular one is specced very highly so you’re talking over £90,000. Thanks for watching.
@@ABusAndBeyond That’s great! Thank you very much! And thank you for replying!
Question: We've been looking at the 600 - We have found one but it only has one battery for the rear fitted, is this standard? Can a 2nd battery be fitted and how long does a battery hold it's charge without being fed from the engine or via solar panels? Thank you for any info.
Hi, yeah one battery is standard unfortunately. We found it only seemed to last about 48hours without a feed from the engine or solar panel. Could do with two ideally and I’m sure somebody would be able to fit a second in the garage
Just watched California Chris, a dealer in Liverpool Q&A session, the waste water tank is under slung, no frost protection.
really? damn... I wanted to buy this in russia... I think is a bad ideea then
Yes I have bought one after watching your videos. It better be as good as you say, or I will come looking for you. :o) Thanks for videos.
No pressure 😅
I would like to see this van in Australia 🇦🇺
Personally I feel there's too many compromises you would need to make to justify the price.
Compared to the Top of the Market no compromises - Mercedes Leisure Unity - Motorhome ua-cam.com/video/1LFEHUMbL_Q/v-deo.html which is around 125000 compared to the VW at 80000 - its pretty good. Some of the smaller Vans at 50000 are just too small.
Wondering how much did it cost you to get this model of camper an?
Good bus
When the bed is in "parked" mode, it still dominates the rear area as a vertical slab, making aft part unappealing to use.
Do you think you will upgrade to this with baby coming?
Of course not. He specifically said WV had lent it to them.
Great review. Not sure about the Philipino beer though.
Is the folding table in the back door after market or come with it?
It comes with it 😊👍
Great job and nice video
Amazed there’s no grill or microwave. Also where would a tv go?
Appreciate the channel but please use other lenses when filming the inside. No idea how it looks like since everything is filmed in portrait mode 😁
ABAB, HELLO Shaun & Lixxy, Bentley, forgot to ask, is this Automatic?, but yours I think was a manual , btw, is this model, the largest one ? Straw well Cheers 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Yeah this is the largest one and automatic too 👍
Wheres this area in southern Portugal?
Welcome to Portugal
Find it a little expensive. Leisure battery under the bonnet, no room for addition, engine battery under floor passenger side, poor access, positive terminal in engine for jump starting. Truma control on door under bench seat, poor location. Agree gas for heating, prefer under slung or refillable bottles, change over and crash protection. Solar, slim or panel, expandable?
Compromised vehicle for the price. I really wanted to want one after the hype but the buzz has fizzled out. So many better ducato conversions available for at least £20k less. Good review though guys
deepestandy the DUCATO, IS THE SAME THING that was sold here as HYMER AKTIV 2.0 ON THE PROMASTER CHASSIS. Cheers 🇩🇪🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Built from factory though. Not really a conversation. You get what you pay for.
Hi do like the van. We’re dos the tv go
What’s the price on the grand California 680
Just done a speculative quote for Car Insurance on this bad boy - for myself (28yo) - between 1200-2500 pounds annually :(
What gearbox does it have?
Solar cells !
I can see that the sliding door are not converted to the GB version, it should have been on the opposite side of the driver ! At least for driving in GB ;) For the rest of Europe it is on the right side :D
Solar panel?
Is it very expensive on full per gallon