Review: 2025 Volkswagen T7 California Coast 2.0-ltr TDI
Home Sweet Van
The Volkswagen California has long been the go-to camper van for those who want a mobile home without committing to the full ‘van life’ aesthetic of dreadlocks and an acoustic guitar. Now, for 2025, the all-new T7 California Coast aims to improve on the formula. But does it still have that magic, or has it gone all corporate on us? Let’s find out.
On-Road Ride: Smooth Sailing or a Wobbly Barge?
Let’s be honest, campers aren’t known for their razor-sharp handling. However, the T7 is built on VW’s MQB platform, meaning it shares some DNA with their passenger cars rather than the old commercial-van underpinnings. The result? A much smoother, car-like ride.
On the motorway, it’s refined and stable. The adaptive suspension (optional, of course, because VW loves a pricey extras list) does a solid job of absorbing bumps, and road noise is kept to a minimum, meaning you won’t have to shout over the drone of the tyres. Around town, it’s surprisingly nimble for something that can double as a holiday cottage. The steering is light but direct, making it a doddle to park - even without the optional (again) self-parking system.
That said, hit a winding B-road at pace, and physics reminds you that you’re piloting a top-heavy box on wheels. There’s a bit of body roll if you push too hard, but honestly, if you’re hooning a camper van, you might be in the wrong vehicle.
More importantly than ride - which is sublime, is the fact that even over broken road surfaces there were no creaks or rattles from the fixtures and fittings, everything feels solidly built and put together. The only rattle came from an ill-placed kettle.
One quirk that I have to mention.
When in cruise control and sat comfortably in the first lane of a motorway, there were a few times, when passing an exit, that the California thought I’d actually taken the exit, and because there’s a roundabout at the end of the slip-road, the ‘Intelligent Speed Assist’, as I believe it’s called, slowed me down. So one minute I’m tootling along at 70 mph, the next thing I know the T7 is braking quite rapidly in an attempt to stop me from crashing into said roundabout. A bit of a shock for everyone on board - more of a shock for the drivers behind me! As I said, it happened 3 times out of the 50 or so junctions I passed. So if you are considering one, just be mindful.
Off-Road Capability: Brave or Just Bluffing?
There is 4MOTION all-wheel drive available, but this wasn’t it so I can’t really comment. All I will say is that if it has the same ground clearance as this model, then stick to muddy camp sites and gentle lanes.
Fuel Efficiency: How Much Does It Drink?
For something shaped like a brick, the T7 California is surprisingly frugal. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is the most efficient, offering around 30 miles of electric range before the petrol engine kicks in. If you do lots of short trips and can charge up regularly, it could save you a fair bit in fuel costs.
However, in truth the diesel option is likely to be the choice for long-haul travellers, is said to return around 35-40mpg in real-world driving. However, on a 4 hour 160 mile trip to Scotland that included A and B roads at a steady 60-70mpg, the Cali showed an average of 52.3mpg - not bad for something you can sleep in.
Interior Spec: Fancy or Functional?
VW knows their audience - California buyers want something that feels premium but still usable. The interior is just that. There are soft-touch materials where it matters, and everything feels solidly built. The new digital cockpit and infotainment system are a big step up, though VW’s insistence on touch-sensitive controls for everything (climate, volume, even the lights!) is, frankly, annoying. And, the temperature controls on the dash aren’t illuminated. So, when driving at night you end up prodding the dash in various places hoping to either heat up or cool down - but in most cases all you do is increase the volume of whatever you’re listening to!
Although they may not look like it, the seats are some of the comfiest ever, after a four-drive from Scotland I felt as fresh as a daisy
Comfort: Sleep Tight or Sleepless Night?
You’ve arrived at you chosen campsite, or found a place to sleep for the night, now what?
The first things you may want to do is to create some extra headroom, and thankfully the pop-up roof is electric, making setup effortless and takes around ten seconds, gone are the days of wrestling with fabric and swearing at zips.
Next, if there’s a few of you you may want to swivel both front seats ‘round to face the rear - again, effortless.
Time to eat?
This is where you may find the California Coast wanting as the kitchenette has only a single-burner hob and a tiny sink. This means you’ll need a second stove (MSR or Jetboil), for separate ingredients like boiling pasta or rice. If you’re washing up pots and pans for more than one person I’d recommend a separate washing up bowl. There is a 42-litre fridge, which is handy.
Time for bed?
The T7 Coast has two main sleeping areas - the lower bed (formed from the rear seats) and the upper pop-top. The lower bed is fine for a kip but not the most luxurious; the mattress is a bit firm, so bring a topper if you value your spine.
The real question is: what’s it like sleeping in the roof? Surprisingly comfy. The mattress is better up top, and there’s decent headroom once you’re up there. Getting up and down is another matter - unless you’re particularly graceful, expect a bit of ungainly scrambling as you have to use with of the front seats as ladders. If you’re short in stature, or like Muddy Madam who currently has a frozen shoulder - forget it.
Once you’ve made it up, the panoramic mesh windows give you great views of the outdoors, and ventilation is good, meaning you won’t wake up in a sweaty mess. The opposite side of that is when it’s cold, like -5, you do feel it, so take a very good sleeping bag for winter camping.
Practicality: Does It Make Life Easier?
Living out of a camper for a few days is the real test, and the T7 Coast is well-equipped for the job as storage is decent with plenty of room for cookware, clothes, and a bit of camping gear, but if you’re the type who packs half their house for a weekend trip, you’ll need to be smart about organisation.
The seating setup is flexible, with the rear bench sliding forward and back. There’s also two folding chairs stored in the tailgate and a sturdy table neatly hidden underneath the rear sleeping platform.
I had a couple of zero degree nights whilst up in Scotland, and I was so, so grateful for the auxiliary heater. Though with the pop-up roof in its elevated position, it didn’t take long for the heat to disappear. That said, I was at the top of a Scottish hill and it was very cold.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Rolling Holiday Home?
The 2025 Volkswagen T7 California Coast refines the winning formula. It drives better, has more tech, and is as practical as ever. Yes, VW’s obsession with touch-sensitive buttons is irritating, and it’s still not cheap, but it remains the benchmark for those wanting a camper van that can handle both daily life and adventure.
If you want a camper that’s as at home on the school run as it is in the Scottish Highlands, this is still the one to beat. Just be prepared for the inevitable ‘how much?!’ moment when you see the price list.
Price: £70,576 As tested £73,984
