Volkswagen Grand California 2020 Review - The Ultimate Motorhome?

Volkswagen's Grand California brings car and LCV manufacturer expertise for the first time to the business of building a really large motorhome. It's based on the Crafter large van and designed to give the kind of travelling freedom a typical owner would crave. There's nothing quite like it.

Background

By and large, motorhomes are built by companies that borrow van manufacturer engineering, then build luxury quarters around it. Or at least some of them do. Since 1988, Volkswagen has been offering the California, a four-berth motorhome based on the Transporter van, which in more recent years has been challenged by the Mercedes Marco Polo, a V-Class/Vito van-based contender of the same size. Many motorhome buyers though, want something larger than either of these models. And you'd certainly need something bigger if you wanted a proper bathroom in your motorhome, a feature that would give you real go-anywhere freedom in using a vehicle like this. That's what this model, the Volkswagen Grand California, provides.

Launched in early 2020, it's only direct rivals come from motorhome companies basing a living structure on third-party large van - usually a Fiat Ducato or a Peugeot Boxer. Volkswagen reckons that designing and producing the complete vehicle itself produces a much more complete end product. Are they right? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Because of its sheer size, the Grand California is a more challenging thing to drive than Volkswagen's regular California model - and of course it's much heavier too, which is why the 2.0-litre TDI 177PS diesel engine that all variants of this model share takes nearly 16 seconds to reach 60mph from rest and longer still to get itself through the gears. Overtakes will need to be planned well in advance but once you're up to speed, the plump 410Nm torque figure keeps you there without undue bother. All derivatives use an 8-speed DSG automatic gearbox which changes sweetly through the ratios and facilitates quiet cruising.

Body roll is actually pretty well kept in check for a vehicle of this size but of course you won't be wanting to throw any sort of motorhome about and the stability system here is programmed to make sure that you don't. On this '680' variant, there's the option of Volkswagen's 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system, which might be well worth having for slippery campsites or if you're venturing to rural destinations. The suspension set-up achieves a good balance of ride quality. And your view out and ahead is excellent thanks to the high seating position. Manoeuvring of course can be difficult with a motorhome this big; we think you'll certainly need the optional rear view camera. Bear in mind too, that to drive this Volkswagen, your driving licence will need a C1 rating allowing you to pilot something this heavy. If you passed your test after 1st January 1997, that might be a problem.

Design and Build

With the Grand California, Volkswagen has for the first time entered what the motorhome industry calls '6-metre' class and added in a bathroom to a vehicle of this kind. If you know the Wolfsburg brand's LCVs, you'll recognise from here at the front that it's based on the company's biggest van, the Crafter.

Which means it's big - particularly in this '680' form, the figures designating a 6.8m length. There's also a slightly smaller '600' model measuring in at 6m for those with smaller driveways. That alternative '600' model offers the option of an upstairs sleeping area. A Grand California '680', in contrast, is very much based around luxury accommodation for just two folk.

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[GeordiLaForgery]

Optional rear camera lol. Great review.

[carlyndolphin]

Drives amazing but the interior is awful. Looks like a dentist room

[everydayspacenut]

Considering it’s a factory model it’s very poorly designed, for that sort of money you could buy a cheap van and have it kitted out to a far higher spec

[peter.russell]

I enjoy your reviews but this one is obviously outside your area of expertise. Practical things with this type of vehicle are important. e.g. Does it have integral blinds for nightime, a cooker/grill or microwave, 1 or 2 leisure batteries? Rating of solar panel option etc. The running costs seem high, our Ducato based motorhome easily achieves 30+mpg so 22 -24mpg looks costly. However, it does look well built.

[hotpointbrownlover]

very nice motorhome this one will cost to mutch money to buy it will be better if you were turning your own van into a camper van it be cheaper

[greg.mcdonald]

Good video. You forgot to mention the freezer compartment in the fridge! Ice cubes are essential for wild camping!

[gordonjohnston]

The finish and quality feel is A1, But there is no option for an oven on such an expensive model. The lounge area looks cramped and uncomfortable, because it looks like you are up sitting bolt upright. Then there is the C1 Driving licence requirement will be problem for some people, buying the vehicle and them selling it on. VW have built some great design features into the vehicle. But there are to many negatives rather than positives for my tastes unfortunately. Good Luck VW. I hope this model is a success for you.

[Moira_Gloucestershire]

Why do you need to mention 600 version has additional space for sleeping FOUR times though the video?!

[darrenjoewatson]

Great video.. I just need a lottery win now 🤞😜

[gitaapatel]

The price and is there any vans with four births? Thank you for showing.