At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Volkswagen is presenting what it calls the “new evolutionary stage of the Grand California”.
We explain what this is all about here.
Just last year, Volkswagen turned the Crafter inside out and fitted the vehicle with a completely new cockpit. You can find a report from the last Caravan Salon here:
The new Cali – the Grand California facelift at the Caravan Salon 2024 in Düsseldorf
Today is finally the day, the excitement is mounting… 🤗The new Cali is being presented at the trade fair for the first time. What’s new?
Around a year ago, the focus was placed on the base vehicle and the Grand California received a mild update, at least as far as the body is concerned. A new camper unit was introduced back then and a few small details were changed. This is now set to change with the 2026 model year, because when Volkswagen talks about a new evolutionary stage, you can expect a lot.
The new Grand California at a glance
The switches in the Grand California – conversion to anthracite
So regardless of the color concept… what is the color of the light switches?gray, silver, chrome, indefinable, …?! So at least in our eyes it
And then there's the Grand California Dune
The Grand California receives its first special model with the Dune. The Dune comes in an exclusive paint finish in the color “Ascot Grey”, which is characterized by a light chalk tone. It is intended to evoke the colors of the dunes on Europe’s beaches and Africa’s deserts. The vehicle is also wrapped with “Dune” lettering on the left and right side of the roof. There is another “Dune” lettering above the windshield. The whole thing is rounded off with a compass in the styling of the “California world”.
Is this a new stage of evolution?
I have deliberately written this text soberly up to this point, listing the facts, but of course I would like to express a few thoughts on the “new” Grand California.
Volkswagen is supposedly being clever with the 2026 model year. After all, all the “new” features are based on results and conversions from the Grand California community. Take the table holder in the rear garage, which has been available as an accessory in exactly this form for some time. The luggage nets, black light switches, a table that fits into the kitchen block, optional thermal mats…
On the one hand, it shows that Volkswagen is addressing the needs of the community and implementing them in series production, which I really like. On the other hand, I would like to take a critical look at the “Dune” in particular. They are trying to turn the Grand California into an “off-road” vehicle. This is simply FOMO from Volkswagen; other manufacturers such as Hymer and Pössl picked up on this trend years ago, but VW is once again only doing it half-heartedly. The press release writes:
“The interplay of colors and features gives it an all-terrain look. The Grand California Dune also delivers technically what it promises visually: the special model can optionally be ordered with 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive and a differential lock.”
And this set has to be taken apart completely. The vehicle still has an incredibly bad step, which steals a massive amount of ground clearance from the vehicle. Raising? AT tires? Not a thing. Not a word about the fact that massive amounts of dust and dirt get into the vehicle through the forced ventilation, let alone a change.
Volkswagen is working on improvements to the Grand California, which is both logical and necessary. The adjustments to the blackout in particular were absolutely overdue. What makes me a little sad is that a new look for the worktop and the floor are more important than tackling the major shortcomings. There is still no solar power, and that one year after the introduction of the facelift, no lithium and the Dune in particular will hardly make sense as a 3.5-ton vehicle with its lavish extra equipment. The water filler neck is still right behind the sliding door and there is (almost) no desire to adjust anything in the bathroom. At least the 680 is now also equipped with a shower head holder.
But regardless of the special model, new handles and hinges have finally been fitted to the cupboards in the hope that they will now hold better and ensure a more precise fit. The handles, nets and hinges should be easy to retrofit to any Grand California.
The handles and hinges are the highlight of this model year for me. The look and feel is really really good.
In addition to new handles on the wall units, new closers were also installed for the drawers. In my opinion, what could have been really beautiful unfortunately backfired. I personally really liked the shape of the silver closers. Now they have gone for simple round closers, like those found in every Pössl. I would have liked a little more creativity, especially as the old version would also have been available in black.
Finally, I would like to mention the table again. It’s really great that it now matches the look of the kitchen and the floor. The option of attaching it to the outside of the kitchen unit is also a nice new feature.
However, I don’t understand why the table is still so massive and large. Many in the community have simply sawn the table off, which should now be much more difficult with the new design.
The new storage option in front of the gas locker is not quite ideal for two reasons:
1. It is impossible to fit a pull-out in the rear this way.
2. The gas locker is permanently blocked.
In the end, 90 percent of the table will probably disappear from the vehicles and be replaced by a lighter and more compact version.
What do you think of the “new” Grand California? Write it in the comments.
2 comments
A very honest and practical review that highlights that VW really don’t want to spend money on what could be an outstanding product. Most mainstream providers still supply AGM electrics. VW could at least provide their customers with an option of lithium. No solar option is absolutely shocking.
🙏