- Volkswagen California 2.9 BiTDI 146kW Coast 4Motion
- Powertrain and performance
- Standard equipment
- Price and value proposition
- The competition
- Mercedes-Benz V250d
- Hyundai Staria 2.2D Luxury
- Facts and figures:
Those in the market for a premium people mover have three fantastic options to choose from in the form of the Volkswagen California, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the Hyundai Staria. Which one gets our vote, though?
While it can be argued that the Volkswagen Califonia is in a segment of its own thanks to its versatility and lifestyle appeal, there are two other luxurious options in the upper echelons of the large MPV segment, namely the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the Hyundai Staria. We will be comparing the California with these key rivals to determine which is best.
Volkswagen California 2.9 BiTDI 146kW Coast 4Motion
Powertrain and performance
Powering the California is a 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel engine that produces 146kW and 450Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 11.3 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 8.2 L/100km.
Standard equipment
The California gets 17-inch alloy wheels, 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, multiple USB ports, cruise control, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, a sunroof with a pop-up tent, four individual seats with a bed, cloth-covered seats, LED headlights and a rearview camera with front and rear PDC.
Safety
The California forms part of the Caravelle range, which is yet to be crash tested, however, the commercial version of the vehicle, badged the Transporter received a gold medal from the Euro NCAP assessment programme in 2022.
Practicality
When looking at the California from a practical perspective, it is quite literally a house on wheels, complete with a roof-top tent, a bed, a kitchen, a sink, a 42-litre fridge and a shower.
Price and value proposition
The Volkswagen is the most expensive car in this comparison, but it also offers the most in terms of specification, performance and capability.
The competition
Mercedes-Benz V250d
The V250d has 140kW and 440Nm from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox, allowing for a 9.6 second 0-100km/h time and a claimed consumption figure of 7.4 L/100km
The V-Class is reasonably well-specified, with 6 airbags (5-Star Euro NCAP rating), 6 leather-covered seats, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, multiple USB ports, cruise control and front and rear PDC.
With all 6 seats in place, the V-Class features 542-litres of boot space and various storage areas for occupants to make use of. From a value perspective, the Mercedes-Benz badge comes with a premium price tag, with the V250d coming in at a similar price to the California despite offering less specification.
Hyundai Staria 2.2D Luxury
The Hyundai is the cheapest vehicle in this comparison by around R200 000, making it good comparative value. It features a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine paired with an 8-speed gearbox, allowing for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 12.4 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 8.7 L/100km.
In the specification department, the Staria, in luxury guise gets a host of semi-autonomous driver aids, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, multiple USB ports, a reverse camera, front and rear PDC and added features such as a dual sunroof and heated/ventilated passenger seating. The Staria was crash-tested by ANCAP in 2021, where it achieved a 5-Star rating, including 85% for adult occupants, 86% for child occupant safety, 65% for pedestrian safety and 74% for its safety assistance systems.
Facts and figures:
* Manufacturer’s claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Having looked at the figures, the victory in today’s comparison goes to the Volkswagen California, which despite its high price tag, manages to offer a compelling package for those looking for the ultimate adventure MPV.
Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Volkswagen California vs Mercedes-Benz V250d vs Hyundai Staria: Here's our winner