Exploring the resurgence of camper vans: Is the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean worth the price?

"House on wheels" - that's what people call camper vans, which soared in popularity during the pandemic. Besides the large ones, there are also smaller camper vans like the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean, one of the flagship examples. Not only has it remained on the market, but it also has a successor. It costs quite a bit. So, what do you get in return?

Camper vans, camping trailers, and even tents became exceptionally popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annual sales of new campers increased by 50 to over 100 percent. They were purchased not only by rental owners but also by individual customers. Others decided to convert a van themselves. Pandemic restrictions are now gone, tourism has rebounded, and sales have slowed down to the extent that some companies producing camper vans have started laying off employees.

However, others are releasing new models of camper vans, such as the new VW California based on the Multivan. Is a camper worth it? For enthusiasts of caravanning and fans of this lifestyle, the answer is quite obvious. It's like asking a camping fan if they would prefer to sleep in a hotel. However, those who think that a camper vacation is a budget-friendly alternative might be in for a surprise. These things are not cheap.

Our editorial team tested the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean for a week. One of the main advantages of the "small" California is its versatility, incomparable with that of large campers. You can drive it daily, like a regular car.

The body measures 4.98 metres in length, 1.9 metres in width, and 2 metres in height. This means it fits most parking spaces and goes into underground garages of shopping centres and residential blocks. Additionally, painted in grey, it doesn't stand out. Its camping purpose is revealed by the awning cassette mounted on the right side and the optional bike rack for four bicycles on the rear hatch.

Understandably, the biggest difference compared to the civilian VW Transporter 6.1 is in the interior. The first row of seats and the dashboard look "ordinary". You sit high behind the well-known virtual cockpit, with the multimedia screen in the middle of the dashboard. Attention is drawn to the small screen with a knob above the rear-view mirror and the curtain above the driver and passenger seats.

It aesthetically hides the entrance to the roof tent, which accommodates a double bed with a mattress and frame. There is no second row of seats, but we find a foldable two-person bench in the third row. The third spot is taken by a built-in unit containing cabinets and storage, a place for a gas bottle, a showerhead, a refrigerator, a double-burner stove, and a sink.

Additionally, there is a folding table and a shelf behind the rear bench. A foldable mattress rests on it, levelling the surface of the lower bed for two people and enhancing sleeping comfort. When folded, it serves as additional storage space. There is also plenty of storage below. Above the rear bench is another shelf or a fold-down drawer, for example, for shoes or clothes.

Unlike the Multivan, the Transporter-based California 6.1 still has the genes of a delivery vehicle. This is evident in the cockpit and the high position behind the wheel. However, it doesn't drive sluggishly. The two-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine provides 204 HP and 405 Nm. Additionally, there is a 7-speed DSG automatic. This combination provides sufficient power to move the house on wheels. The average consumption on the road is around 8 litres per 100 km. In the city, the California 6.1 Ocean "drinks" about 10 litres per 100 km.

Although the journey to the destination is already the beginning of the adventure, the Volkswagen California 6.1 Ocean reveals all its advantages when parked and "Camping Mode" is activated. The electrically raised roof tent allows for more headroom. Thus, you can move inside (and cook) while standing. The driver and passenger seats can be rotated, creating a setup similar to a lounge.

The awning creates an anteroom for the camper, protecting the folding table and two chairs (in my case, a chair and a deck chair) from the sun and rain. These, namely the table and chairs, are cleverly hidden without taking up space inside. The table is stored in a recess of the sliding door, and the chairs are in the rear hatch—a simple and ingenious solution. Privacy and sun protection are provided by blinds on all windows from the B-pillar. You only need to put on custom-fit fabric "curtains" with magnets in the driver and passenger doors. The front windscreen is also protected by a two-piece blind extending from both A-pillars.

The refrigerator's cooling power can be set (like other options) on the aforementioned screen with a knob. It's worth not overdoing it as it can turn into a freezer. It's spacious, and if that's not enough, an additional portable refrigerator can be placed in front of the passenger seat and plugged into a cigarette lighter outlet or a 230V socket in the kitchen unit behind the driver's seat.

Two burners are sufficient to boil water, make coffee in a moka pot, and even cook a meal. The sink is not too big but handles washing fruits and vegetables, filling a kettle, cleaning up after meals, and washing hands and teeth without any problems.

California 6.1 Ocean can be plugged in at the campsite, and the water tank can be refilled. Its built-in battery can "survive" a day without an external power source. Greywater flows into the sink and can be discharged at service points at campsites or rest areas along motorways and expressways.

When it's time to sleep, it depends on how many people use the camper van. If there are four, the question remains: who sleeps on top and below? I tried both options, and one was not worse than the other. However, on hot nights, the upper bed wins as it feels like sleeping in a tent, and the three "windows" with mosquito nets provide good ventilation.

On the other hand, in colder times (some people use camper vans not only in autumn but even in winter), it's warmer below. A Webasto heater is under the passenger seat, which provides heat while parked. If travelling solo or as a couple, one can opt for a setup where the rear bench serves as a living room during the day, and sleeping is done above. The only missing thing on the top is USB sockets, especially since there are LED lamps.

You won't find a bathroom and toilet in California 6.1 Ocean. A showerhead is connected in the back after opening the rear hatch, but it's more for rinsing off sand from your feet after the beach. A compact chemical toilet can be easily purchased separately.

You can't stop "in the wild" everywhere. Camper vans are often found at campsites equipped with toilets and showers (included in the stay or for an extra fee). Bathrooms and toilets are the domain of larger campers, such as the VW Grand California 600.

VW California 6.1 Ocean in the configuration shown in the photos costs £70,000 in list prices. A day at a campsite by the sea in the high season, on a designated plot with access to electricity and water, with four people on board, can cost up to £60. A 10-day stay thus amounts to £600.

There is also the option of renting a camper van. One rental company offering the VW California 6.1 Ocean rents it for £125 per day during the season. In the summer, the minimum rental is 10 days. This gives £1,250. Additionally, there is a one-time mandatory service fee of £60. Riding a bike rack for the tailgate costs £10 per day. The car must be returned with a full tank, which means refuelling 84 litres of diesel, about £100. This brings the total to around £1,500, excluding the cost of fuel burned on the trip. And there's still a deposit, which can be around £1,000.

However, like renting summer cottages or apartments during absence, one can also rent out their own California. One platform advertising this: "Your camper can earn up to £9,600 annually". However, this concerns larger and well-equipped campers with a bathroom and toilet. The estimated monthly earnings for a camper van owner are £225-£365, subject to the season and occupancy.