FEATURE - 2022 VW Caddy California

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (overseas images shown)

Getting away from it all can be great, but how many getaway vehicles are versatile enough that they can be used as a conventional commuter during the week and an escape machine for the long weekend? Volkswagen’s new Caddy California fulfills both roles and is a genuine dual-purpose vehicle.

The closure of international borders for the better part of two years, along with on-again, off-again state border closures and various lockdowns by state, city and region, has made – or forced – travellers to look to their own back yard for driving adventures.

For rural and regional areas, that’s been a boon, as travellers who would normally be jumping on a plane or cruise ship are putting their holiday dollars into caravans and campervans, then travelling and spending money in the regions. As such, most manufacturers and retailers of caravans and campervans are struggling to keep up with demand, which is a good problem to have.

While large campervans and caravans are more luxurious than ever, they’re not to everyone’s taste.

Some are looking for a getaway vehicle that doesn’t require a huge initial outlay, is more compact and manageable on the road and when parking, can be driven on a regular car licence and allows those getaways to be done quickly, easily and informally.

For those that are looking for a camper with all those attributes, Volkswagen have just what you need in the form of the ‘Caddy California’.

Caddy Returns

Volkswagen’s Caddy-based compact campervan has had something of a chequered history in Australia, struggling to find a market in the pre-COVID era. But now it’s back. Order books for the compact camper, which is based on the fifth-generation Caddy van, opened in August and the first units are now in Australia.

Back in 2019, when the Caddy van-based camper was last available locally, it was offered in ‘Beach’ trim (on the Gen IV platform), but this time around, the offering will be a ‘California’ version, which means it’s a bit more premium in terms of appointments.

The local market is also getting the Caddy California in ‘Maxi’ form, which means it has a longer wheelbase of 2970mm compared to the regular Caddy van’s 2755mm. This increased length translates to more interior space, all of which is aft of the front seats.

While it’s seen as being based on the Caddy Cargo, the new Caddy California is more specifically based on the Caddy ‘Crewvan’ which comes with the longer wheelbase as standard and adds side windows and a second-row seat (for five-seat capacity) as the main points of difference over the van.

Dimensions of 4853mm x 1855mm x 1835mm (LxWxH) for the Caddy California are virtually identical to the Caddy Crewvan and comparable to a conventional compact sedan, making the Caddy California much easier to drive, park and manoeuvre than larger campervans and motorhomes. The turning circle is just 12.1 metres, for example.  

In Crewvan form, the Caddy’s luggage volume is 1.7 cubic metres with the rear seats occupied, but in the California, this is impacted by the integral adult-sized folding bed that is part of the camper’s standard specification.

If your camping needs call for it, the roof can take 100kg, so extra luggage, outdoor equipment, etc., can be carried up top and secured using the standard roof rails.

“We know our Australian customers love a Volkswagen camper - that’s been seen with the resounding success of our Multivan California,” said Ryan Davies, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia, when announcing the Caddy’s return to the Australian market.

“With the new generation Caddy we have an opportunity to once again offer a turn-key customer solution, that is every bit a Volkswagen.”

Compact and Frugal

In some ways, what Volkswagen are offering with the Caddy California is the sort of dual-purpose convenience vehicle that Ford, Holden and Chrysler offered with their recreational panel vans in the 1970s – minus the “shaggin’ wagon” reputation!

The Caddy California offers sleeping space in the rear, but occupies the same footprint as a compact sedan. And with the second-row seats as standard, it can be daily transport for a small family in the same way as a compact sedan, too.

The fuel economy benefits in a vehicle like this compared to a larger camper can’t be ignored, either.

The Caddy California Maxi is available with a choice of two engines, both of which are also available in the latest Caddy Crewvan and Caddy Cargo Maxi.

The ‘TDI320’ 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine produces 90kW at 4250rpm and 320Nm at 1500-2500rpm, with listed economy of 4.9lt/100km (combined cycle). This engine, the largest available across the current Gen V Caddy range, is matched to a seven-speed DSG transmission, driving the front wheels.

Initially, this was to be the only drivetrain spec available, but between this model’s announcement last August and its recent arrival, a second engine option has been added in the form of the ‘TSI220’ 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine that produces 84kW and 220Nm maximums, paired to the same seven-speed DSG as the TDI320. Fuel economy from the petrol engine is 6.2lt/100km.

Apart from the difference in performance, the turbo petrol allows 9kg more payload (586kg vs 577kg), but braked towing capacity of 1500kg is common to both drivetrain options. GVM is listed at 2200kg for the TSI220 and 2300kg for the TDI320.

In the cabin of the Caddy California, there’s a newly-designed dash and instrument cluster (in line with the Caddy’s Gen V upgrade), an 8.25-inch colour touchscreen that can be upgraded to a 10-inch display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.  

Additionally, there’s DAB+ digital radio with six speakers, two USB-C ports and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, while the two-zone Climatronic climate control air conditioning can heat/cool the entire interior.

Driver assistance technologies include auto headlights, Hill Start Assist, a reversing camera, Park Distance Control and Park Assist, as well as Travel Assist, a combination of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist that can sense road markings and vehicle distances to automatically brake, accelerate and keep you on the right path.

Standard safety kit includes Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Side Assist with Blind Spot Monitoring, Multi-Collision Braking System and the usual ABS, EBD, ESP, ASR traction control and driver fatigue detection, plus a suite of airbags including curtain airbags for the first- and second-row seats.

Camping Spec

Compact campers like this live or die on the strength of their camping specification. On paper, without seeing a unit in the flesh or experiencing its features first-hand, the Caddy California seems well-equipped.

With the second-row bench folded flat, it allows for an integral three-piece mattress to fold out from the rear cargo area. Featuring compact cup springs to reduce size and a proper foam upper (in line with other California camper bed offerings from VW), the mattress’s 1980mm x 1070mm dimensions are close to a conventional double bed in size, so there’s room for two. When extended, the bed doesn’t rest on the folded seats, instead using two small legs at the front end that slot into notches on the B-pillar.

With sliding doors on both sides and a top-hinged tailgate, access to and from the sleeping area is easy.

Under the bed at the rear, there’s a folding outdoor table and two chairs that are part of the Caddy California Maxi’s standard specification. These are stowed on the driver’s side of the cargo area, leaving space on the passenger side for basic camping requirements like a cooker or fridge, while still allowing for storage.

Other camping-specific features on the standard spec list include privacy curtains for all windows (including the windscreen), removable ventilation panels with flyscreens for the front doors, storage bags on the rear side windows and slide-out storage drawers under the front seats.

LED lighting, in both the passenger compartment and the top-hinged tailgate, is dimmable and there’s a 12-volt outlet in the rear, too.

Obviously, with a camper of this size, there’s no toilet or washing facilities, which is probably the only drawback. But given the Caddy California Maxi’s intent as a weekend road tripper, roadside conveniences are usually not too far away. For longer trips, plan your route to include serviced campsites.

Available Options

Optional extras start with a slide-out, single-hob gas cooker as part of a compact kitchenette unit that includes space for a gas bottle, a food prep area and slide-out drawer for cutlery and food storage.

The kitchenette’s positioning means you can cook under the raised tailgate for some degree of weather protection, but you’re obviously not completely shielded from the elements.

A fridge isn’t on the options list, but that rear 12V outlet means you can plug in your Waeco, Engel or similar unit. Remember, this is a “weekend camper”, so it’s not designed for around Australia adventures.  

Various roof storage options are available, including a roof box and specific surfboard and snowboard carriers. To bring some more light into the sleeping area, a panoramic sunroof is also optional and comes with its own privacy curtain if ordered.

It should be noted that the imagery presented here is of the European-spec Caddy California, which offers an awning that isn’t on the options list for locally-delivered units. To the "lounge" created by this awning, additional sleeping capacity in the form of a zip-on tent is another option, but like the awning, this is not available for the Aussie market at time of writing.

Both units are of the ‘airbeam’ type, with no conventional poles, instead using compressed air for rigidity.

Outside of the camping-specific options, other available options include 18-inch ‘Monterosso’ alloy wheels (17-inch ‘Colombo’ alloys are standard), a full-size spare, tyre pressure monitoring, keyless locking/starting, power sliding rear doors, a power tailgate, VW’s Multifunction Digital Cockpt with the aforementioned 10-inch display upgrade, Discover Media navigation, wireless app connect, ‘Cloth Grid’ seat trim and a cabin rubbish bin.

Camper Convenience

Offering the Caddy camper in California spec is a first for VW, with initial reaction from UK and European markets (which received the model before we did) being positive.

UK road tests have praised the Caddy California Maxi’s camping spec, only criticising minor things like road noise in the cabin, acceleration and slow response to inputs on the 8.25-inch colour touchscreen.

For those looking to dip their toes into motorhome travel without a huge initial outlay, the new Caddy California may well be the ideal entry point, offering a vehicle to take those first steps, while still remaining practical for everyday use.

It’s arguably not for grey nomads and perhaps better suited to young couples or individuals who want a vehicle that’ll get them to the coast, mountain bike trail or that hiking spot and give them somewhere to crash – with a lot more comfort and security than a tent - when they get there.

Add the available kitchenette unit and you can whip up your best one-pot meals, while the optional panoramic sunroof lets you do some stargazing from the comfort of your bed.

Priced from $54,990 (+ ORCs) and backed by a 5-year, unlimited km warranty, with 3- and 5-year care plan servicing available, the 2022 VW Caddy California is available now. Contact your Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer to order.