The Volkswagen Caddy California is Volkswagen's smallest factory-built camper, a five-seat MPV that measures 4.50 m long and doubles as an everyday family car. This guide explains the 1.5-litre petrol engine, the single Caddy California trim and who the car suits.
The Volkswagen Caddy California is a five-seat MPV that doubles as Volkswagen's smallest camper. At 4.50 m long and 1.80 m tall it parks like a family hatchback, ducks under most height barriers, and still has the kit for a night or two away.
It suits couples and small families who want one vehicle for the school run and the odd spontaneous weekend, rather than a second vehicle sitting on the drive. Reviewers consistently describe it as back to basics: the camping side is simple by design, and that simplicity is the point.
Choosing is straightforward. There's one body style, one engine - a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 114 bhp, in manual or automatic form - and one trim, called Caddy California.
Volkswagen Caddy California key facts
| Body style | MPV |
|---|---|
| Powertrains | Petrol (114 bhp) |
| Seats | 5 |
| Boot | 191 litres, 1,213 litres seats folded |
| Economy (WLTP) | 40.2–42.2 mpg |
| Braked towing | up to 1,400 kg |
| Manufacturer warranty | 3 years / 100,000 miles |
Manufacturer data for the versions we currently offer. Last updated 19 September 2026.
The Caddy California is based on the Caddy, and it's the smallest of the Californias. It's the smallest of the Californias, and the easiest to live with day to day.
Road testers are consistent on two things: it drives much like a normal car, and it asks you to manage your expectations about camping. The camping setup is deliberately simple, so campsite facilities matter.
As a car it works hard. Five seats, 191 litres of boot space with the rear seats up and 1,213 litres with them folded, a three-year or 100,000-mile manufacturer warranty, and braked towing of up to 1,400 kg depending on version.
Because you get camper capability on a fixed monthly cost, with the safety and comfort kit already included. Every Caddy California has keyless entry and start, a digital instrument cluster, rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, air conditioning and roof rails.
Driver assistance covers lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking, with a dynamic road sign display, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights as well. Power-folding door mirrors and an electric parking brake make town use easier, and those roof rails take a 100 kg load - useful for bikes, boards or a box.
Servicing falls every 12 months or 9,300 miles, and the turning circle is 11.4 m, which helps in coastal car parks. Worth knowing before you order: there's a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel.
There's one engine, so the only real decision is manual or automatic.
A four-cylinder petrol with 220 Nm of torque, front-wheel drive, 0-62 mph in 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 112-113 mph. WLTP economy is 40.2-42.2 mpg with CO2 of 153-160 g/km, and insurance falls in group 11-12. No plug, no charging, no range anxiety.
The six-speed manual keeps things simple; the seven-speed automatic is the easier choice if you sit in traffic or tow. Braked towing runs from 1,300 kg up to 1,400 kg depending on the version, with 750 kg unbraked, and the fuel tank holds 50 litres.
| Petrol | |
|---|---|
| Boot | 191 litres |
| Power | 114 bhp |
| Seats | 5 |
| 0–62 mph | 11.9 s |
| Braked towing | 1300–1400 kg |
There's only one: Caddy California. Every car gets the same core specification, so your decisions are gearbox, paint and options.
The 114 bhp petrol with front-wheel drive, riding on 16-inch "Wien" alloy wheels with cloth upholstery. Standard kit includes a multifunction leather steering wheel, rear-view camera, keyless central locking, dynamic road sign display and manually adjustable lumbar support in the front seats.
The options list is where the car gets personal: a fixed panoramic glass roof, heated front seats, powered tailgate, wireless phone charging, built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, active lane-change assist and traffic sign recognition. Twelve paint colours span the range, from Candy white to Costa Azul and Fortana red.
Check the exact options on any individual offer before you commit - factory-built vehicles are ordered to a specification, and you can't add kit later. Our guide to choosing your car covers how spec, mileage and term interact, and current Caddy California offers are listed below.
If the camper element isn't essential, the Volkswagen Caddy and longer Volkswagen Caddy Maxi cover the same family duties, while the Volkswagen Caddy California Maxi stretches the camper. For a conventional load-swallower, look at the Škoda Superb. More from Volkswagen.
Škoda SuperbHuge conventional load space
Volkswagen Caddy MaxiLonger family MPV
Volkswagen CaddySame car, no camperSpecifications from Volkswagen's UK data; equipment and availability vary by version, so check the individual deal before ordering.
Page updated 19 September 2026 by First Vehicle Leasing. Prices and availability shown on this page are live and change as deals are refreshed.
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