Volkswagen California Lease Deals

The Volkswagen California is Volkswagen's own campervan: a 5.17-metre MPV with four or five seats.

The current California is far more car-like to drive than the van-based Californias that came before it.

The choice is simple enough: one body, three powertrains - petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid - and three trims, Beach Camper, Coast and Ocean.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

About the Volkswagen California

The California is a campervan designed by a manufacturer that has been building them for decades, and reviewers consistently praise how well thought out the interior is.

It measures 5.17 metres long, 1.94 metres wide (2.25 metres including the mirrors) and 1.97 metres tall, on a 3.12-metre wheelbase, so height barriers matter less than you'd expect of something this size. Four or five seats are offered depending on version, and every California comes with a three-year or 100,000-mile manufacturer warranty.

Criticism, where it comes, tends to be about rattles from the camping fittings and a rear camper control screen that can be slow to respond.

Why lease a Volkswagen California?

Leasing suits a vehicle you'll use seasonally and hard: you take a fixed monthly rental over a set term and mileage, then hand it back. For a camper that might do big summer miles and little else, that predictability is worth a lot.

Every California gets adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, active lane-change assist, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam, front and rear parking sensors, a digital instrument cluster, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. Braked towing is 2,000 kg across the range, 750 kg unbraked, which covers a decent trailer or a pair of bikes on a towball rack.

Kerb weight runs from 2,308 kg to 2,393 kg depending on version, and there's a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel - worth knowing before a long trip abroad.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

View Volkswagen California deals

Which California powertrain is right for me?

All three are automatic, and the diesel is the long-distance default while the plug-in hybrid is the only all-wheel-drive option.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

Petrol: 2-litre turbo, 201 bhp, automatic, front-wheel drive

The petrol is the smoothest of the two combustion engines, with 320 Nm, 0-62 mph in 10.0 seconds and a 124 mph top speed through a seven-speed gearbox. WLTP economy is 30.4 mpg and CO2 is 210 g/km, so it makes most sense if your mileage is modest.

Diesel: 2-litre, 148 bhp, automatic, front-wheel drive

The diesel is the touring choice: 360 Nm of pulling power, WLTP economy of 40.9-41.5 mpg and CO2 of 178-180 g/km. It's the slowest of the three, at 12.4-12.6 seconds to 62 mph and 117 mph flat out, but pace isn't really the point here.

Plug-in hybrid: 1.5-litre turbo, 19.7 kWh battery, 242 bhp, automatic, all-wheel drive

This one plugs in, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 19.7 kWh battery for 242 bhp and 350 Nm through a six-speed gearbox. Charging at home takes 2.7 hours from 0-100% at 7 kW on the best version, and all-wheel drive helps on a soft campsite.

Volkswagen California at a glance

Which California trim should I choose?

The three trims differ mainly in wheels, driver assistance and interior kit.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

Beach Camper

Beach Camper runs 16-inch "Syrakus" alloy wheels with trims, cloth upholstery, LED headlights, air conditioning, privacy glass, a multifunction camera, dynamic road sign display and a leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters. Heated front seats, navigation, three-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera and a detachable or retractable towbar are all available as options.

The Beach Camper is currently available from £793.68 a month.

Coast

Coast steps up to 17-inch "Dundrod" alloys and adds the Keyless Advanced central locking and starting system with safe lock, plus a rear-view camera, self-steering parking, three-zone climate control and ambient lighting. Adaptive suspension joins the options list here.

The Coast is currently available from £889.61 a month. Against the Beach Camper, that is currently £95.93/mo more expensive.

Ocean

Ocean brings 18-inch "Toshima" alloys with hub caps, matrix LED headlights, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, built-in navigation and Travel Assist, which combines the steering and cruise systems for motorway work. A 360-degree camera and either towbar remain optional.

The Ocean is currently available from £976.04 a month. Against the Coast, that is currently £86.44/mo more expensive.

Similar cars to consider

If you want the space without the camping fittings, the Volkswagen Multivan is the obvious starting point, and the Citroën Holidays approaches the same job from a different direction. You can also browse the wider Volkswagen range.

Volkswagen MultivanSame space, no camping kit

From £626.93 a month

Citroën HolidaysCovers similar ground

From £826.90 a month

Volkswagen California FAQs

Specifications from Volkswagen's UK data; equipment, seat count 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.