Volkswagen Grand California 680
automatic 2 seat campervan Hire

Volkswagen Grand California 680 details

First things first: the Grand California 680 is a 2-berth campervan. So forget family holidays with the kids or bringing along that extra friend who wasn't really invited.

Instead, it's the perfect choice for:

• travellers looking for premium comfort and extra space
• longer adventures, beyond a simple weekend getaway
• well-planned road trips with no unpleasant surprises
• active holidays with bikes, skis, surfboards and other outdoor gear
• winter escapes, thanks to its highly efficient diesel-powered parking heater
• digital nomads who want to combine remote working with life on the road

Volkswagen Grand California 680 campervan hire: benefits and practical guide

Volkswagen campervans have come a long way since the 1950s. From the iconic 4.15-metre T1 Camper Van to today's flagship Grand California 680, the brand has continuously pushed the boundaries of comfort, space and adventure.

Is it big? Very big. In fact, it offers a living space that rivals many motorhomes. Is it good? Very. The Grand California 680 is widely regarded as one of the most comfortable campervans on the market. Here's why.

Spacious, yet surprisingly understated

From the outside, the Volkswagen Grand California 680 is actually more discreet than its "little" sibling, the Grand California 600. Gone is the distinctive overcab sleeping area; instead, the 680 retains the original roofline of the Volkswagen Crafter on which it is based. The result is a sleek, understated look that feels closer to a premium van than a traditional motorhome.
This more subtle design is a real advantage when spending the night in nature or leaving your vehicle parked for extended periods. It also contributes to improved aerodynamics on longer journeys.

Of course, at 6.8 metres long, the Grand California 680 isn't exactly invisible. It still has a commanding presence wherever it goes.
Compared with the Grand California 600, you gain almost a full metre of additional living and storage space. Plenty of room for outdoor gear, bulky luggage, or even a large dog travelling in comfort.
Perhaps most importantly, the generous interior headroom of around 2 metres makes life on the road far more comfortable for taller travellers — something that's not always guaranteed when touring in a campervan.

A 6.8-metre campervan that's surprisingly easy to drive

Is this your very first campervan hire? You're certainly starting with one of the biggest models around. Fortunately, the Grand California 680 comes packed with driver assistance features that make handling its size much easier than you might expect.
Parking and manoeuvring are simplified thanks to the wide-angle reversing camera, while side sensors help prevent unwanted scrapes in tight spaces.

Built on the legendary Volkswagen Crafter platform, the Grand California 680 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and a 177 hp diesel engine. The driving experience is remarkably smooth and reassuring — almost like driving an oversized Golf, albeit one with a fully equipped home in the back.
Despite its dimensions, it remains comfortable and easy to drive, even on long motorway journeys. That said, we'd rather be honest: while technology does a lot of the heavy lifting, a vehicle of this size feels more at home on the wide-open roads of Scotland, Scandinavia or Slovenia than on the narrow, winding lanes often found around the Mediterranean.

The real highlight? A campervan with a proper kitchen

Compared with the Volkswagen Grand California 600, the kitchen in the Grand California 680 offers a more practical and spacious layout. The extended worktop and larger storage drawers are exclusive to this model, making meal preparation significantly more comfortable.

Whether you're putting together a summer salad after a day at the beach or warming up with a hearty soup after a winter hike, you'll have all the space you need.

On board, you'll find:

• A 2-burner gas hob
• A sink with hot and cold running water
• A 70-litre compressor fridge with integrated freezer compartment, ideal for several days' worth of groceries
• Plenty of storage space for food, cookware and everyday essentials

A spacious washroom

The Volkswagen Grand California 680 comes equipped with a 110-litre fresh water tank, one of the largest capacities you'll find in a campervan hire with a toilet and shower. To use the shower, simply pull out the washbasin tap hose and attach it to the dedicated holder beside the large mirror. It's almost like being at home — just with better views outside the window.

Thanks to the generous dimensions of the campervan, there's enough room to shower comfortably without bumping your elbows into the walls. And yes, there's even enough space to sit back and plan your next adventure from the comfort of the loo. Luxury on the road.

A proper bedroom

Anyone who's ever drunk one cup of herbal tea too many before bed knows that climbing over your sleeping partner at 3am rarely ends gracefully.

Fortunately, the Grand California 680 avoids this problem entirely thanks to its longitudinal double bed with a comfort slatted base. In plain English: the bed runs lengthways, making it easy to get in and out without disturbing your travelling companion, while the premium bed base provides excellent support throughout the night.

For taller travellers, it's particularly impressive. With a mattress measuring over 2 metres in length and 1.67 metres in width, you'll have no trouble stretching out after a day on the road.

A bright and cleverly designed living space

The Volkswagen Grand California 680 is particularly well suited to extended trips, largely thanks to its smart interior layout. Every centimetre has been designed to maximise comfort and storage.

On board, you'll find:

• A wardrobe beside the bed for hanging longer clothing
• Deep overhead cupboards and additional storage drawers above the bed
• A large overhead storage net above the cab area, replacing the children's bed found in the smaller Grand California 600
• An XXL rear garage, accessible directly from the kitchen — especially useful in bad weather or when you're travelling light
• Large rooflights at both the front and rear, flooding the living space with natural light
• Numerous windows fitted with integrated blackout blinds and flyscreens, including on the sliding side door
• Plenty of charging options, including six USB ports (two USB-C ports in the dashboard), a 12V socket and four 230V mains sockets

Planning to bring bikes along for the adventure? The longitudinal bed can be folded away in moments, creating a huge storage area capable of accommodating bulky sports equipment with ease.

Grand California 680 campervan hire: a few things to consider

Part of our job is to give you the full picture. No campervan is perfect, and the Volkswagen Grand California 680 is no exception.
While it's an outstanding vehicle overall, its greatest strength — its size — can occasionally become a limitation. At 6.8 metres long, you'll need to be a little more selective when choosing where to park for the night.
In towns and cities, it's worth planning ahead and identifying suitable public car parks capable of accommodating a vehicle of this size. In the countryside, by the coast or in the mountains, finding a suitable overnight spot is generally much easier, especially with the help of apps such as Park4Night.
Running costs are also worth keeping in mind. Compared with a smaller campervan, the Grand California 680 consumes more fuel and may incur higher toll charges in certain countries. Its dimensions also require a little extra confidence when navigating narrow country lanes or winding mountain roads.
That said, these compromises are often a small price to pay for the exceptional comfort, living space and practicality that the Grand California 680 delivers.

Need more information before booking? Get in touch with your nearest WeVan branch and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.