Is the cheapest Volkswagen California any good? New VW Caddy Micro Camper full review

This is the cheapest Volkswagen California - VW Caddy Micro Camper review. Van life has ballooned in popularity in recent years, so VW has decided to launch their own baby Cali based upon the new Caddy van. In this episode Jonny Smith drives, eats and sleeps in the £32,000 Caddy Cali in order to find out whether it is a worthy addition to the T6 and Crafter California range.

Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.

It may be a micro camper, but perhaps the skill of the Caddy Cali is that it makes a brilliant family car on the days when you aren't adventuring and looking to camp over.

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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98

MUSIC RIGHTS:
Sam Brash - PGPABZL4RWUKDSAN
Morgan Taylor - P4XPA0EKC1OOP7FC
Neon Beach - Q37YZYP8EWA9IGL0
Moments Morning Bliss - RJ0OU9XUWITAMIRY

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:15 Dimensions
2:17 Price
2:28 Engines
2:39 Rear seats
3:25 Power sockets
4:28 Setting up bed
6:23 Curtains and tinted glass
7:04 Boot area
8:13 Kit bag stowage
9:18 Annex tent
10:45 Drive away annex
10:58 Road driving
11:35 Engine options and MPG
14:11 Exterior design
14:55 Secondhand Vanlife
15:40 Sleeping
20:30 Next morning
22:30 Breakfast picnic
24:50 More driving impressions
26:06 Verdict

#vwcalifornia #newcampervan #vanlife #thelatebrakeshow

[thesalopgardener]

Great review from jonny as ever. Super pace and style.

As for the Calli Caddy, not sure. Looks like it could be a great couples get away mobile, buy definitely not a family camper, no matter how many passengers it can carry.
I also agree, I think VW have missed a trick with it, and it is very business like to look at, which frankly isn't what campers are about. If I were a traveling salesman/journeyman odd job, it'd be perfect in grey with grey. But that's not what these are about, get some colours slapped on it and some slightly funky seating materials.

Would I spend £32k? Probably not, but then I might, as I often talk the talk, buy don't have time to walk the walk.

I think a maxi caddy in a more top spec non-camper variant, with a kit built conversion would probably be better equipped as a base vehicle. Maybe even a 4motion if they are still available.

Good try VW, 7.5/10 from me.

[PoobahUK]

Deep joy that this level of actual proper useful detailed review exists. Keep doing what you do Jonny. 👍

[greggScutum]

Also ; it's amazing how your videos are both extremely professional yet feel sooo natural

[davidrowe]

Very thorough and helpful review, but here is what I wonder: For very occasional forays with my biking gear, would it be cheaper and almost as convenient to simply pack the gear included in the Cali in a more impromptu and removable way? Camp bed/blow-up bed, camp stove, storage cubes, etc.? That way, for the remaining 95% of the time, you have a completely empty van/MPV without all the built-ins taking up valuable space?

[bertielee]

I have a 2003 nissan xtrail! The back seats fold completely flat and my girlfriend and I take regular overnight trips and have plenty of bedspace, but no kitchen obviously, that's what takeaway is for!
Love the show!

[stephenballantyne]

We've got a slightly larger van, a Nissan Elgrand. Unbelievable engine, loads of kit with a really impressive V6 engine. We removed the 3rd row of seats and installed side benches that become a full width bed. At the end of the benches are two slide out drawers, one with storage and the other with a double stove. Leisure battery with roof-top solar panel. It works amazingly as a day van and occasional camper. When we camp, the van becomes the living/kitchen area and we have a tent on the back for sleeping so we can drive away without packing up the beds every day. All in, around £13k. I'm not saying I pity California owners, because I suppose if you have the money then why not? But I struggle to see where the value is.

[timwebster]

So VW have noticed the trend of people making micro campers out of a £1, 500 van and £500 worth of parts and thought “I reckon we can sell one of those for about thirty five grand”. Yeah, OK VW.

[front]

im steaming, but the favourite night time reading statement blew my minds like your stuff, keep up the good work, prescribed....

[Carrera-gpod]

Since you asked Johnny, we’ve got a 2006 Toyota alphard v6 import
I converted it to a camper, with sink, cooker full electrics
I love it

[petesplaneta]

Really great review. Still don’t really get the Caddy Cali as a proposition though. A family car that can also sleep 1.5 people in it isn’t useful. If you actually have a family you have to put a tent up too. And you could pretty much just take a tent for 4 people and sleep in that whilst also have room to get dressed and cook while it’s raining outside. There is no room in the boot for normal travelling around or dogs and the front seats don’t swivel around to make it social to sit in. So what is it for?

[rhidiandavies]

When I was first looking at day-van set-ups I really liked the idea of this but now that I've bought a T6.1 I'm so glad I did. Managed to get an ex demo highline t32 for roughly the same price as the well-equipped version of this thing. Yes I've already spent a load of money on insulation, an extendible bed, curtains etc. but it's sooo worth it for the additional space. On top of that the bed I've got is a steel frame and propper sturdy, it doesn't flex like this one seems to. The after-market stuff honestly seems much higher quality than the kit this thing comes with from the factory and obviously allows you to customise and make it your own (which is half the fun in my opinion). Just my opinion but I think even a cheap transporter with some good aftermarket kit will be heads and tails better than this, but I get that some people don't want the headache of self modifying and like the warranty.

[shakirabdulaziz]

I would love to see a proper review of that Honda Element Jonny! Looks like a really interesting car

[mambonummer]

29:29 Nice mugs :p To the point; I love these kind of small campervans; they're ideal for roadtripping around a country and still having a decent bed; all the pros of camping and only a few of the cons. Would love to own something similar at one point.

[Avenga]

We go camping quite often in the back of our 1980 Chrysler Avenger (V8 swapped) wagon. The Avenger wagons have a special bed mode much like this. Move the front seats all the way forward then the back seats have a special double hinge that lets you extend the sleeping area to 2100x1100. It's big enough to fit a double air matress in and it sleeps the two of us... just.

[kimerincowley]

Great to see Matty’s Element make an appearance. I love my own E and the opportunities that car camping brings.

[joewyatt]

They’ve based it on the Amdro Bootjump. I’ve got one for my Berlingo and although basic, it does the job brilliantly and it’s great if you are into stealth camping too. It’s a great way to start but I’d definitely recommend looking around before buying the VW version as there are some very clever versions out there and more competitively priced too

[ehmoo]

That 'Nice guy' mug was a very nice touch 😂

[ivankuljis]

We had the Caddy KAMPER in 2004 here in Australia ____Fully imported from Europe from VW. This California reminds me of it! Good one, Jonny!

[LadyFarrow]

I think it’s great vehicle as it is for those who don’t want to stand out and draw attention from possible thieves. Perfect for stealth camping for those who travel a lot and don’t want the inconvenience or costs of a campsite. Works/family van in the week and fishing trips at the weekend 😊

[JIMMYHIBBS]

When you have the choice of a Harry’s garage Ferrari video, or a car pervert VW camper van, and watch Jonny Smith first … 😂