The Volkswagen Grand California campervan has gained attention for reasons beyond its road-trip capabilities. Instead of desert shootouts, its most debated feature is who handles the toilet maintenance.
A camper built for travelers—and challenges
The updated Grand California, based on VW’s Crafter van, arrived in southern Spain for testing that also served as a tour of film history. The 6-meter-long motorhome, powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, performed well on desert roads and mountain passes. Its soft suspension ensured a stable ride, though steep climbs tested its performance.
The van’s practical features stood out. A full bathroom, swiveling front seats, and under-bed storage gave it the feel of a small apartment. The infotainment system, shared with the Golf, included an option to disable lane-assist alerts—a useful addition for long drives. Fuel efficiency averaged 28 mpg, a solid figure for a high-sided camper. The improved infotainment screen featured well-placed shortcuts, making it easier to adjust settings on the move.
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Some drawbacks emerged. The reversing camera cost £306 as an optional extra, particularly notable on a 6m-long motorhome with a small rear window above its double bed.
Following film history through Spain’s deserts
The journey followed the paths of Sergio Leone and other Italian directors who used Almería’s Tabernas Desert as a stand-in for the American Southwest. The area’s dry terrain, with its rugged ravines and minimal rainfall, served as the setting for films like A Fistful of Dollars and Once Upon a Time in the West. The crew visited Western Leone, a film set turned tourist attraction where Leone’s 1968 epic was filmed. The saloon, once the scene of the McBain family massacre, now stood quiet.
Tabernas’ film history went beyond Westerns. The same setting appeared in Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and even a Little Mix music video. A roadside diner, Route 66 Tabernas, adopted Americana with a suspended Cadillac and a Vauxhall Calibra painted in stars and stripes. The campsite for the night, Little Texas, had narrow lanes but a welcoming atmosphere.
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The Grand California’s size made navigation tricky on some roads, but once parked, it provided a self-sufficient retreat. The bamboo-trimmed interior and outdoor dining setup, with hidden furniture in the rear doors, made it feel like a mobile home. Its bulk had trade-offs: the 8-speed automatic transmission worked smoothly, though overtaking required patience. The Travel Assist cruise control, borrowed from the Golf, helped maintain a steady pace on long stretches.
The van’s price—starting at £85,000 in the UK—put it out of reach for most buyers. A smaller, Multivan-based California offered a more affordable option, but the Grand California’s appeal was its uncompromising space. It suited those who valued comfort and amenities over cost, serving as a rolling base for desert trips and film enthusiasts.
The trip concluded with a full toilet tank and an unwilling volunteer for cleanup duty. The Grand California delivered on its promise—a home on wheels that could turn any detour into an experience. Whether that experience justified the price came down to how much travelers disliked public restrooms.
