Volkswagen California Beach 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology 4dr Car Review - March 2012

The interior is typically what you’d expect from Volkswagen; it’s well designed, logically laid out and easy to use. The driver has a high-up, commanding view of the road ahead and there’s ample adjustment on both driver’s seat and steering wheel, so finding a good driving position is easy.

Visibility to the rear is hindered a little by the storage compartment in the tailgate, but large door-mounted mirrors give you a clear rear view. Both driver and front passenger have the option to swivel their seats to face rearward.

The 112bhp 2.0-litre TDI BlueMotion diesel engine is the entry-level engine, but it does the job of moving the rather bulky California well enough. It produces 184lb-ft of torque low down in the rev range and copes well once it is up and running. It’s no powerhouse though and 0-62mph takes a leisurely 16.9 seconds. The five-speed manual gearbox fitted works well and provides a nice positive feel when changing gear.

The California’s handling is steady and predictable. It feels a bit top heavy because of its design, but it has decent grip when cornering, and the stability control system kicks in well before you get in to trouble if you take a corner too fast. The steering is light and precise and the brakes have a good progressive feel to them.

The California looks very similar to the Volkswagen Caravelle on which it’s based. It’s designed for practicality rather than to be aerodynamic or stylish. Instead of looks – you get space you can live in and real practical features.

The California Beach comes well equipped with the usual power steering, central locking, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, alarm, immobiliser, CD+MP3 connectivity and also a mains electricity connection, two water tanks (30-litres each) for fresh and waste water, a 42-litre fridge compartment, double glazed living area, blackout curtains, auxiliary heater and two folding chairs.

Volkswagen also offers various optional extras including climate control £720, metallic paint £595, rear parking sensor £240, Bluetooth £225 and satellite navigation £445.

The California will most likely be a second car for most owners. It’s hugely practical for camping trips and has lots of stowage space and storage compartments. The seats are large and supportive up front and the rear bench slides on rails for flexibility. The bed located up top is slightly more comfortable than the rear seat folded flat, which is a bit firmer.

The California is based on the Volkswagen Caravelle which was given four-stars out of a maximum of five by EuroNCAP in their crash-tests. Standard safety equipment includes ABS and stability control along with front, side and curtain airbags. Also included are a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.

The California uses many mechanical and electrical parts from other Volkswagen models so most are well tried and tested in terms of reliability, so you shouldn’t have much to worry about, but just in case; it’s covered by Volkswagen’s three-year 100,000 mile warranty.

The California Beach 2.0 TDI isn’t cheap at £34,970 although compared to some larger motorhomes it appears affordable. Any discounts when buying from a dealer will probably be small as most of the equipment fitted is standard. Not all Volkswagen dealers sell the California so you’ll have to shop around a bit. Owners tend to hang on to them for a long time as well, so finding one as a used buy is even more difficult.

Residual values are typical for a Volkswagen, which means it should hold its value well. Running costs are on a par with similar large MPVs. The California’s CO2 emissions are high at 184g/km which puts it in VED band I for Road Tax, but the 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology engine returns an average fuel economy of 40.4mpg which is decent considering the size of the California.