Volkswagen Grand California Review, Specs & Performance

Volkswagen Grand California in a nutshell

Volkswagen Grand California Engines and Performance

For what is a large campervan to lease, the power comes from an excellent four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 175bhp and a useful torque figure of 410Nm.

The power is delivered using an eight-speed automatic gearbox and it is a smooth performer, particularly on motorway journeys. The fuel economy for the Volkswagen Grand California is around 27mpg.

The engine delivers good performance and never lets the driver down whenever a burst of power is needed.

Volkswagen Grand California Handling

The size of the Volkswagen Grand California may put potential drivers wanting to lease it off - but that would be a mistake since is easy to handle and has a relatively tight turning circle. The engine delivers enough grunt to enjoy a well-made and very comfortable vehicle.

The Grand California is based on the VW Crafter van and is much larger than its sibling, the excellent VW California which is based on the Transporter van. There are two models available and they are 6 metres in length, or 6.8 metres. This means they are home to either two or four berths.

Depending on your contract hire needs, this is a camper van to enjoy and there's surprisingly little body lean when cornering at speed and the vehicle always feels composed. The suspension also deals with rough road surfaces, including potholes, very well.

Volkswagen Grand California Equipment

The Volkswagen Grand California really does offer a home-from-home experience with a stylish bedroom, the full-sized double bed is a revelation, plus there's a larger kitchenette than in the California for feeding a family or a group friends.

The kitchenette consists of a fridge-freezer, a two-burner hob and a folding dining table. Depending on the model there are also two big armchairs that are the driver's and the passenger's seats turned around, plus a bench seat with Isofix mounts.

The interior design, apparently influenced by the interiors on yachts, means everything is modern and sleek. The units are white and wipe clean, with restrained coloured fabrics and a dark wood floor offering contrast.

At night, the Grand California has ambient lighting to create something of a boutique hotel feel. There's plenty of space for everyone on board, even tall adults, and the controls for things like the lights are found on an easy-to-use touchscreen. The Grand California comes with a large sliding door and there is an awning and dimmable reading lights.

Options for the large camper van include air-conditioning that will operate when the engine is switched off, solar panels so campers do not need to find a campsite to plug-in, and a Bluetooth sound system. There's also an impressive satellite dish in case you miss your favourite TV programmes.

However, most campervans fans will love the toilet/bathroom which has been added for this latest model. This is what is missing from the California and the shower is surprisingly spacious and the onboard cassette toilet boosts comfort levels.

For anybody interested in having a large family-orientated camper van, the Volkswagen Grand California will be the ideal choice - it is stylish, well-built and very comfortable and in a contract hire class of its own.

More Information About the Volkswagen Grand California

Why not have a look at the Grand California on the official Volkswagen UK company website? Or why not look at some of these similar car lease deals from First Vehicle Leasing: the Volkswagen California, or the Mercedes Marco Polo.