Volkswagen Caddy California In-Depth Review 2022 | The ideal campervan?

BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CALIFORNIA FROM OSV - https://bit.ly/3qGYwh1

Volkswagen's Caddy California delivers the motorhome vibe in a smaller, more accessible package. There's a double bed from which you can survey the stars, you can have a kitchenette and with an awning, maybe even sleep up to four people. It's a unique proposition for its size.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:29 Background
01:41 Driving Experience
04:12 Design & Build
07:43 Market & Model Range
12:16 Cost of Ownership
14:27 Summary

Background
Staycations. You can't beat them can you? If you're of that mind set, Volkswagen wants you to consider this, the Caddy California. 'California' is the Wolfsburg maker's designation for 'motorhome'. Once, it just designated a camper version of the Transporter van. Then in 2020, a bigger Grand California model based on the larger Crafter LCV was introduced. And a year later, the Caddy van got a motorhome variant too. This one.

Given that the Caddy is a commercial vehicle with roughly the dimensions of a Golf, you might think that what it could offer to motorhome folk would be fairly limited. But this is no ordinary Caddy, converted to incorporate a double bed, a mini kitchen and a chair and table package - all have been squeezed in. Basically, there's the convenience of a car for weekdays and the versatility of tent for the weekends. If that sounds appealing, read on.

Driving Experience
No surprises here: the Caddy California drives just like the Caddy MPV - which is a good thing. It wouldn't have been if this camper had been based on older Caddy generation models, which used crude leaf-sprung suspension. But the California takes as its starting point the current generation design, which utilises much more sophisticated car-like coil-sprung suspension. A much more sophisticated chassis also helps, the much stiffer Modular Transverse Matrix platform used on all Volkswagen's current Golf, Passat and Tiguan-sized car models. Plus there's an electrically assisted power steering rack with quite a direct feel.

The engines on offer are the same as those in the Caddy MPV of course too. There are three - a 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit with 114PS, offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG auto. Alternatively, there's a choice of 2.0-litre TDI diesels, one with 102PS only offered with that manual gearbox; and the other with 122PS which comes only in DSG auto form. At the time of this review in early 2022, Volkswagen wasn't offering this camper design with the optional 4MOTION 4WD system you can get with the Caddy Cargo van.

Design and Build
You can have your Caddy California based on either standard or larger Maxi versions of the ordinary Caddy. Most will want the bigger option. In everyday format, this Caddy California will function just like any normal 5-seat family hatch - you might even find its twin sliding doors more convenient. It's the only one of its kind though, that can provide fully fledged weekend accommodation, courtesy of a full-sized double bed. That isn't cobbled together perching you uncomfortably on folded rows of seats either. A proper three-part folding bed unit featuring a mattress with plastic cups springs sits neatly in the boot and when needed, it unfolds to sit above the folded rear seats. Measuring 1,980 x 1,070mm, it's longer and almost as wide as a standard small double mattress. And if you option your Caddy California with the extra cost enormous panoramic glass roof, you can lie in it and look at the stars.

*CAR REVIEW PLAYLISTS*
► New Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myaZiV
► Behind the Wheel: https://bit.ly/35JuUo7
► Highlight Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/35N1Wnx
► Electric Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TAqjPK
► Short Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2HHlJMS
► Hatchback Reviews: https://bit.ly/3mKNAen
► SUV & 4X4 Reviews: https://bit.ly/37Verjt
► Saloon Reviews: https://bit.ly/37QrbrD
► City Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3jDzBVI
► Estate Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kDflog
► Sports Car and Coupe Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TwkzXb
► MPV Reviews: https://bit.ly/3e7114S
► Van Reviews: https://bit.ly/31QWcb4
► Business Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kGZncN
► Family Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myLaiy

*FOLLOW OSV ON*
► Facebook:   / osvltd  
► Twitter:   / osvmotoringnews  
► Instagram:   / osvltd