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Volkswagen California Estate (2005-2015) engines, drive and performance

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Performance rating: 3.5 out of 53.5

Written by Graham King Updated: 31 December 2024

  • Only available with diesel engines
  • Automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive options
  • Easier to drive than you might expect

Diesel engines

The original version of the T5 Volkswagen California, built from 2005 to 2009, has a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, badged TDI PD. There are two power outputs available – 130hp or 174hp. Both have a manual gearbox as standard; the latter is also available with an automatic gearbox (quite common) or 4MOTION four-wheel-drive (quite rare).

The 2009 facelift brought in new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TDI PD engines with 140hp in single-turbo form, or 180hp in the twin-turbo BiTDI. They don’t make much improvement to the level of performance but are more fuel efficient, especially in efficiency-optimised Bluemotion Technology models. A DSG dual-clutch gearbox and 4MOTION is available with both engines; the BiTDI can have the two together. You can dig into the various powertrains available on the specs pages.

Both the 2.5- and 2.0-litre engines are a pleasure to use – the 2.5 in particular because it makes a rather lovely noise. The more powerful engines are preferable because they cope better with the California’s size and weight, providing acceleration akin to an SUV of similar scale. If you go for one of the less powerful engines, journeys will pass at a more leisurely pace.

Image of Volkswagen California T5 engine bay, close up
Buried somewhere in there is this California’s 2.5-litre diesel engine.

What’s it like to drive?

  • Feels much more agile that you might expect
  • Can buck over bumps
  • Long journeys pass in comfort

You might expect the T5 California to drive like… well, like a van. But that’s not really the case, feeling more like a well-sorted SUV. The steering is light and direct, feeling connected to the front wheels. There’s good grip in corners, especially in models with 4MOTION four-wheel-drive – which is really handy in muddy fields. Being so tall, the California can feel rather top heavy in faster corners, though body roll is kept to a minimum. It all allows you can maintain a swift pace on a country road.  

Bumps, holes and ridges do thump through the vehicle – not harshly, but the cutlery and pans might jangle. It can buck along particularly bumpy roads, though that’s a characteristic of many commercial vehicles with wheels right at the four corners.

The California’s size can make it feel a bit unwieldy on narrow city streets, but the panoramic view out really helps place it on the road. In our experience, it’s at its best on motorways, dispatching big distances in quiet comfort at a steady speed. And, with a willing passenger on hand, you’ve got hot tea or coffee on demand from the kitchen.

Image of Volkswagen California Beach T5.1, in yellow, driving around corner, from front right corner
The T5 California feels more like an SUV than a van from behind the wheel.