The surcharge list is long, very long. The Grand California now has a base price of 71,000 euros, and with a few extras we quickly reach a range very close to 90,000 euros. Features and extras are, of course, always a matter of taste and, in the end, also a matter of money. But what do you really need? What makes sense? We want to get to the bottom of this matter in this article.
The basic model
The Grand California is basically available in 6 model variants:
- Grand California 600 with 3.5 tons
- Grand California 600 with 3.88 tons
- Grand California 600 with 3.88 tons and all-wheel drive
- Grand California 680 with 3.5 tons
- Grand California 680 with 3.88 tons
- Grand California 680 with 3.88 tons and all-wheel drive
Which model you choose depends on many factors, of course.
Do I need more than two sleeping places? Then the 600 is your friend. 3.5 or 3.88 tons? This depends on the driver’s license, as well as any restrictions and the desired payload.
From our point of view, it is simply not possible to make a recommendation for a basic model, as this is a very individual topic.
Special equipment
Let’s turn our attention to the optional equipment. One of the most important decision: the heating system!
Which heater is the most suitable?
A Truma gas heater is installed in every Grand California ex works. Volkswagen offers a total of 3 different heaters for the camping body. In addition to the already mentioned standard gas heater, you can still choose between a gas / electric heater or a diesel / electric heater. Think very carefully about how you want to use your future Grand California, as the choice of heating system will depend on this.
Gas heating
We would recommend the standard gas heater to anyone who travels mostly in the summer. There are two reasons for this:
- Heating is part of the basic equipment and therefore does not have to be paid extra.
- Is the diesel heater very vulnerable if it is permanently used only in partial load operation. Just that is often the case in the summer. The heating is usually only needed for hot water in the warm months. Since gas can be burned almost without residue, this operation does not harm the gas heater, unlike diesel heating, which then soots and tends to fail.
https://grandcali.com/wdb/der-sommer-geht-zu-ende-die-dieselheizungsprobleme-kommen/
Gas heating + heating rods
This variant can be understood as an upgrade to the gas heater, the electric heating elements cost around 600 euros extra. With them you can heat the water and the interior. This has the advantage that you do not need gas and can therefore heat at a campsite / site that has a flat rate electricity without additional costs. But just the last point is becoming increasingly rare, because as a rule, the actual electricity consumption is paid per kWH. At the prices that are called up by the places, heating is not worth it that way.
Since the gas heating, as described above, does not leave any residues when burning anyway and the partial load operation can be used without any problems, we would do without the heating rods.
Diesel heating
On the road all year? Don’t feel like changing gas cylinders in the middle of the night or in sub-zero temperatures? Then you are exactly right.
If you plan to be on the road with your Grand California all year round, the only choice is the diesel heater.
After our Scandinavia trip in January 2022, at that time still with gas heating, we knew that in the future only diesel heating would be an option. There are a number of reasons for this, one being this complete mess of different gas systems in Europe. Every country has a different gas connection on the bottles. So it needs adapters and or a bottle from the country you are in. Most of the time it is possible to fill up your German gas bottle abroad with an adapter, but not always. Unfortunately, we had to find that out in Sweden and Norway, so you have to accept detours, are bound to opening hours of stores and so on. It is also wonderful when the gas bottle is empty in the middle of the night and the heating goes out. Unlike diesel heating, there is no level indicator and it is sometimes necessary to guess how full a bottle still is. It is also annoying to change the gas bottles in wind and weather in the back of the Grand California and possibly first to clear out his luggage.
All these reasons simply speak in favor of diesel heating. Diesel is easy to fill up, is the same everywhere, at least in Europe, and can be filled up virtually anytime. Another small plus is that the diesel heater is always equipped with the electric heating rods.
Of course, there are ways and means to “pimp” a gas heater, for example, with tank bottles or external level indicators. But all these things require rebuilds again, so they are out for us.
Assistants
Volkswagen offers a whole range of assistance systems. You should definitely choose the following ones in the configurator.
Cruise control with automatic distance control
- Especially on long highway trips there is nothing more relaxing, the vehicle automatically keeps the safe distance and the set speed
Blind Spot Sensor
- Everyone knows about blind spots, and the Blind Spot Sensor helps the driver by signaling via LEDs in the exterior mirrors whether a vehicle is currently in the blind spot.
Parking pilot with edge protection
- The parking pilot gives acoustic signals to indicate obstacles. Particularly charming is the flank protection, with this option the vehicle detects obstacles on the side and not only in the front and rear area.
Rear View
- The absolute must-have among the assistants, the rear view camera is essential for accurate parking. Also worth its weight in gold for a safer reset without an introducer!
Trailer hitch
The trailer hitch is not a direct must, unless you want to attach a trailer or possibly already have a wheel carrier, which is mounted on the trailer hitch. If only the preparation is ordered, all cables are already laid and later retrofitting can be carried out without great effort.
Heated windshield
The heated windshield is incredibly practical, especially in winter, and saves you from scratching in freezing temperatures. But it also works wonders against a fogged window in the morning, clear pro!
Seat heating
Unfortunately, you also don’t get heated seats as standard in the Grand California, but you should definitely check this box in the configurator.
Multifunction steering wheel
Really very well spent 400 euros. The multifunction steering wheel lets you control the radio and phone and scroll through the MFA without taking your hands off the wheel.
LED headlight
The LED headlights are not only visually much nicer than the halogen version, the light output is also another world.
Awning
Also an accessory that we would not want to miss in any case. The awning is a fantastic weather protection, whether against the sun or just against the rain. Yes read correctly, weather protection. This is how it is marketed by Thule and gives you the opportunity to sit outside even in the rain.
With this small, but unfortunately very expensive list you have an overview of what we consider to be the “must haves” for the Grand California. The upcharge list offers a few more options, such as an LTE router or a roof air conditioner. If you choose all the extras, you won’t leave the dealership for less than 100,000 euros. Of course, there are always one or two discounts, but the order of magnitude remains correct.
In the end, it’s all a matter of taste or money, but more than the aforementioned extras aren’t necessary. In addition, many things can be purchased later from the accessories trade and better or cheaper offers can be found. First and foremost, this concerns the wheel carrier and the wifi router.
