Volkswagen's camper Vcan future: California 6.1 Ocean steps up

"Home on wheels" - what they call camper vans, which became very popular during the pandemic. Aside from the larger models, there are also slightly smaller campervans, like the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean, one of the flagship examples. Not only has it stayed on the market, but it has also welcomed a successor. It doesn't come cheap. So, what do you get in return?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, camper vans, travel trailers, and tents became particularly popular. The annual sales growth of new camper vans ranged from 50 to over 100 percent. They were purchased not only by rental companies but also by individual clients. Others decided to convert a van themselves. Pandemic restrictions are long gone, tourism has rebounded, and sales have slowed to such an extent that some camper van manufacturers have started to lay off workers.

Others, however, are introducing new variants of campervans to the market, such as the new VW California based on the Multivan. Is a camper van worth it? For caravanning enthusiasts and lovers of this lifestyle, the answer is quite obvious. It's like asking a camping enthusiast if they would prefer to sleep in a hotel. But those who think vacations in a campervan are an economical alternative might be surprised because these aren't cheap.

Our editorial team tested Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean for a week. Most of this time was spent (together with me) by the Canadian sea. I also drove it around Toronto during the final trip preparations and shopping. One of the main advantages of the "small" California is its versatility, unmatched by larger camper vans. You can drive it daily, like a passenger car.

The body measures 196 inches in length, 75 inches in width, and 78 inches in height. This means it fits most parking spaces and can enter underground garages at shopping centres and residential blocks. Painted in grey, it does not attract attention. The cassette awning on the right side and the optional bike rack for four bikes on the rear door reveal its camping purpose.

Understandably, the most significant differences compared to a civilian VW Transporter 6.1 are on the inside. The first row of seats and the dashboard look "ordinary." You sit high, with the well-known virtual cockpit behind the wheel and an infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. A small screen with a knob above the rearview mirror and a blind above the driver and passenger seats catches the eye.

This blind (very aesthetically) hides the entrance to the rooftop tent, which houses a double bed with a mattress and frame. There is no second row of seats; you'll find a two-person fold-out bench in the third row. The third place is occupied by a built-in unit that hides cabinets and storage spaces, a slot for a gas bottle, a showerhead, a refrigerator, a two-burner stove, and a sink.

Behind the rear bench, there's also a folding table and a shelf. On it rests a folding mattress, which levels out the lower bed surface for two people and enhances sleeping comfort. When folded, it serves as additional storage space below. Above the rear bench is another drop-down drawer shelf, perfect for storing shoes or clothes.

While the journey to the destination is the beginning of the adventure, the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean reveals all its strengths when you park it and activate "Camping Mode." The electric pop-up roof tent allows you to raise the floor, thus creating more headroom. This way, you can move around (and cook) while standing inside. The driver and passenger seats can be rotated, creating a lounge.

The awning creates a vestibule for the camper, protecting the fold-out table and two chairs (in my case, a chair and a lounger) from the sun and rain. These, by the way, are cleverly hidden without taking up interior space. The table is stored in a recess in the sliding door, and the chairs are in the rear door. A simple and ingenious solution. Privacy and sun protection are provided by blinds on all windows from the B-pillar. In the driver and passenger doors, you can attach fitted magnetic material "curtains." The front windshield is also protected by a two-part blind extending from both A-pillars.

The cooling power of the refrigerator can be adjusted (like other options) on the aforementioned screen with a knob. It's roomy, and if that's not enough - an additional travel refrigerator can be placed in front of the passenger seat and plugged into either a cigarette lighter socket or a 230V socket in the kitchen unit behind the driver seat.

Two burners are enough to boil water, brew coffee in a Moka pot, or even cook a meal. The sink is not too large but can easily handle washing fruits and vegetables, filling a kettle, cleaning up after meals, brushing teeth, and washing hands.

You can connect the California 6.1 Ocean to power and refill the water tank at the campsite. The built-in battery allows you to "survive" for a day without an external power source. The grey water is drained into the sink and can be emptied at service points at campgrounds or rest stops along highways and expressways.

When it's time to sleep, it depends on how many people use the campervan. If four, the question remains: who sleeps upstairs and downstairs? I've tried both options, and neither is worse than the other. On hot nights, the upper bed wins, as it's like sleeping in a tent, and with the three "window" mosquito nets, you can ensure a comfortable draft.

On the other hand, in cooler times (some people use campervans not only in autumn but also in winter), it's warmer downstairs. There's also a Webasto heater under the passenger seat, which can provide warmth when stationary. For solo or duo travel, you can opt for a setup where the rear bench serves as a living room during the day, and you sleep upstairs. USB sockets were missing upstairs, especially since there were LED lamps.

You won't find a bathroom and toilet in the California 6.1 Ocean. There's a showerhead attached to the unit when the rear door is open, but it's more for rinsing sand off your feet after returning from the beach. A compact chemical toilet can easily be bought separately.

You can't camp just anywhere "wild." Campervans are most often found at campgrounds equipped with bathrooms and showers (included in the stay fee or for an additional charge). Bathrooms and toilets are the domain of larger camper vans, such as the VW Grand California 600.

According to the catalogue prices, the VW California 6.1 Ocean, as configured in the photos, costs CAD 126,000. A stay at a campsite by the sea during peak season, on a designated spot with access to electricity and water, for four people can cost up to CAD 100-120 per night. Thus, a 10-day stay amounts to CAD 1,000 to 1,200.

However, there is an option to rent a camper van. One of the rental companies offering the VW California 6.1 Ocean rents it out for CAD 220 per night during the season. In summer, the minimum rental period is 10 days. This comes up to CAD 2,200. Additionally, there is a one-time mandatory service fee of CAD 100. Renting a bike rack for the rear door costs CAD 17 per day. The camper van must be returned with a full tank, which means filling up 18.5 gallons of diesel, or around CAD 154. This totals approximately CAD 2,670, not including the fuel costs for the trip. And there's also a deposit, which can be around CAD 1,700.

Similarly to renting cottages or apartments in someone's absence, you can also rent out your own California. One of the platforms advertising this service promises, "Your camper will earn even CAD 17,000 annually." However, this applies to larger, well-equipped camper vans with bathrooms and toilets. The estimated monthly earnings for a campervan owner is CAD 397-645, with conditions related to the season and occupancy.