Steve's first review of the all-new VW T7 California Ocean

Steve's first review of the all-new VW T7 California Ocean

I was delighted to be invited by the Camping and Caravan Club to film and photograph the all-new VW T7 California Ocean — a vehicle that steps into the shoes of a much-loved model and layout that has served us all for over 20 years.
 

What better way to get acquainted with this new California than a drive from London to the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire? I stayed overnight at the scenic Blackmore Camping and Caravan Club site, giving me the perfect opportunity to really get to grips with the changes.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Press office delivered a stunning Fortana Red Metallic Ocean to us, and we swiftly packed it with some new products aimed at addressing early criticisms from the campervan community.
 

First Impressions: Driving Experience

From the get-go, my initial thoughts were extremely positive. Powered by a 204PS petrol engine, the drive was responsive and smooth. For the first time, the California offers a car-like feel — departing from the traditional van styling and upright driving position. The interior trim is a real step up too, with cushioned and lined door panels, and for the first time, height-adjustable front seats that still rotate for camping.
 

However, navigating through London traffic, I quickly noticed that fuel efficiency was going to be a challenge. Once on the motorway, I couldn’t help but miss the low-end torque that diesel engines traditionally offer. If I were taking the family, fully loaded with bikes and gear, I imagine the rev counter would have been working overtime, with the fuel economy falling accordingly.
 

Still, the petrol engine returned a reasonable average 30 mpg over the 280-mile round trip. That’s not bad — but not ideal for long-haul trips to Scotland or deep into Europe. Because of this, our new hire fleet will feature the proven 150PS diesel engine for long-distance touring, and we’re excited to also be introducing another first: the 4-wheel drive 245PS petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. 
 

On-Site Impressions: Camping at Blackmore

After arriving at the Blackmore site, I set up on a hard-standing pitch. First observation? If I had packed a portable toilet, it would have been difficult to find an accessible and convenient spot to use it inside. That said, I don’t tend to use one, and my early morning stroll to the facilities gave me the chance to grab my camera and capture some incredible starlight shots of the campervan.
 

Testing the heating system was next. This is one of the biggest changes: not only is it petrol-fuelled in ths particualr model (diesel in the 150ps TDi), but the entire unit has been relocated to the rear — where the spare wheel would normally sit. This means it's a bit louder on start-up, but quietens down a bit while running. The main blower has also moved from the driver's side B-pillar to a more central position in the kitchen cabinet. The downside for pet lovers is that the heat blows out from underneath the bed so if you have a pet sleeping under there, beware if using it. There’s also a secondary vent up high and just under the roof bed, fed through ducting
inside the cupboards.
 

Interestingly, I noticed the cupboards themselves were getting warm — something to keep in mind if you're storing fresh or perishable food. You’ll want to make good use of the fridge if you plan to run the heater often.


 

Storage & Cooking: Addressing the Criticisms

Storage reduction and the loss of a second cooking ring have been common criticisms, so for this shoot, we came prepared with potential solutions. When I spoke with Christian Schlüter, Communications Campervans at Volkswagen, at the Caravan Salon, we discussed the intentional design decisions of the new model. The idea was to create a flexible base vehicle that addressed the driver comfort issues found in Eurpoean left had drive models with a ktichen behind the driver and let aftermarket designers and accessory makers create products to suit individual needs.
 

So, first up — solving the single burner issue. I’m happy to say we’ve done it! Using the Cadac 1 FFD cooker with the small multiposition table creates a versatile, more enjoyable cooking setup, especially outside under the sun canopy. I must admit, I’m now convinced this is actually a better idea — and maybe the doom-sayers were a little premature. This cooker is the only one we could find with a flame protection isolater making it safe and certified to use inside the campervan. 

The new cupboard layout adds a surprising twist, everything is now acessible above the bed area so when it is made there is no more frustating reconfigeration required to reach for the coffee pots or food that were previoulsy inaccesible if you wanted breakfast or a cuppa in bed.
 

Twin sliding doors also add to the appeal, improving airflow and accessibility. The extra legroom in the passenger seat (UK) makes for a noticeably improved seating position too.
 

Final Thoughts

The true test of the all-new California will come during our extended road trip in a 150ps Diesel Ocean in stunning "sunshine" metallic Florida Beach Blue which we will be taking to Spain this Easter. We’ll share a full write-up and post updates on social media, so be sure to follow us or sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.
 

A huge thank you to the Camping and Caravan Club for inviting us to experience and test this latest incarnation of the California and to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the loan of this all-new campervan. Expect to see more images and video content featuring the T7 California Ocean in upcoming club magazines and digital channels. And if you want to learn more follow us on Social Media and keep an eye out for our more in depth road trip review as we head to Spain! Let us know your thoughts below in the comments, happy campervanning :) 🚐🏞️🌅🏝️