Alt: Volkswagen Grand California 600 with fixed high roof and deployed awning on an open lot
Caption: Lower one awning leg to make a drainage slope; keep the living room dry even in rain.Quick facts first — what is it?
This post is a Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide written in plain English so anyone can scan, decide, and buy with fewer surprises.
The 600 is a factory‑built campervan based on the Crafter. Key ingredients are: 6.0 m body, fixed high roof (you can stand inside), wet bath (toilet and shower in one room), indoor kitchen, rear transverse double bed, and optional 4MOTION all‑wheel drive. Powertrain on the show car: 2.0 TDI 163 hp with 8‑speed automatic. A typical display price you’ll see in Europe is 86,690 CHF (market and options vary). This Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide does not sell the dream; it checks the day.
Q&A — daily usability (city → campsite → back home)
Q1. Will it fit apartment or mall garages?
Usually no if the entrance is 2.1 m. The fixed high roof makes daily underground parking difficult. If your life needs basement parking, the safest answer in this Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide is to choose a lower vehicle class or find guaranteed outdoor parking first.
Q2. Why do people still love the high roof?
Because standing changes everything: dressing in rain, preparing breakfast, and moving around without bending. “High roof” simply means the roof is tall and fixed, so you can stand all the time. The trade‑off is height limits and more side wind on highways.
Q3. Is the wet bath (toilet+shower in one room) hard to maintain?
Not if you build a habit. After showering, use a squeegee to remove water and run the roof fan for a few minutes. Wet bath = independence on long trips. Skip the drying routine and you’ll get damp floors and smells.
Q4. How does the interior traffic flow work?
Slide the side door → kitchen is right there; go back → bedroom; wet bath on the side; front seats swivel to make a living room. Keep people traffic to the cab doors and gear traffic to the sliding door. This single rule keeps the cabin calm.
Q5. Can two tall adults sleep comfortably on the transverse bed?
Yes, but shoulders decide comfort. Test the bed for 10 minutes in the showroom, also try sleeping diagonally. Cabinet shapes and mattress thickness change feel more than spec sheets suggest. That’s why this Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide keeps saying: test with your body.
Q6. What is the safest arrival–sleep–departure routine for beginners?
| Phase | Time | Actions that save energy |
|---|
| Arrival | ~30 min | Face the wind, lower one awning leg for drainage, lay out table, connect power |
| Pre‑sleep | ~15 min | Vent on low, dim lights, make the bed, dry the wet bath |
| Departure | ~20 min | Food waste out, power off, roof check, final walk‑around |
Follow this once and your second trip already feels easier.
Q&A — powertrain, power, heating (simple words)
Q7. What does 4MOTION really change?
It sends power to all four wheels when roads are slippery (rain, snow, gravel). If you travel in winter or go to rough sites often, 4MOTION adds confidence. If you mostly use paved roads and organized campsites, good all‑season tires and proper tire pressure may be enough.
Q8. Do I need an electrical upgrade? How much power per day?
Think in Wh (watt‑hours). Example one‑day plan:
Fridge 40W×12h = 480Wh; LED lights 10W×5h = 50Wh; Fan 15W×6h = 90Wh; Phone/laptop 200Wh → ~820Wh. Add 30% buffer → ~1.1 kWh.
A 2–3 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) power station with an inverter covers this well. Stock house battery is fine for light loads; heavy IT work or winter camping benefits from LFP.
Q9. How does the diesel heater help?
It uses the same fuel tank as the engine, so one fuel solves driving and heating. In winter, watch fuel level like you watch battery percentage on a phone—warm nights depend on it.
Q10. What are the must‑have options vs. nice‑to‑have?
| Priority | Add this first | Why it matters |
|---|
| Must‑have | Driver‑assist safety, roof fan, basic storage | Directly reduces fatigue and clutter |
| Recommended | LFP 2–3 kWh + inverter, exterior shower, thermal kit | Real comfort in winter and for gadgets |
| Later | Big media screens, decorative trim | If used less than once a day, delay |
This Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide filters options by a single rule: “Do I use it multiple times every day?”
 |
Alt: Two 6 m high‑roof camper models beside a comparison card listing 4MOTION, wet bath and price
Caption: Choose with a daily‑use scorecard—parking, sleeping, shower, site access—not with photos. |
Q&A — comparisons and money
Q11. What rivals should I compare against?
Same 6.0 m high‑roof wet‑bath class:
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Hymer Grand Canyon S 4x4 (Sprinter) — off‑road access, premium interior; price climbs fast with options.
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Westfalia Sven Hedin (Crafter) — clever storage, familiar feel if you like VW driving.
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Adria Twin 600 (Ducato) — tight packages and good value; most are 2WD.
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Ford Transit Nugget Plus — family‑friendly layout; wet bath versions can feel tight.
The Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide positions the 600 as the balanced all‑rounder: factory finish, high roof + wet bath in one, and 4MOTION optional.
Q12. How much will I actually pay?
The display price 86,690 CHF is a starting line. Add awning, driver‑assist, infotainment, and a power upgrade and you quickly reach +5,000 to +15,000 CHF. Use a simple sheet: list every option and mark how many times per day you’ll use it. Keep only the “three‑times‑a‑day” items.
Q13. Who is this van perfect for—and who should wait?
Perfect if you’re two adults on long trips, want shower and toilet every day, and value factory integration over DIY. Wait if you must park underground daily, carry three sleepers all the time, or hold a tight budget.
Q14. Any small tricks that make a big difference?
Lower one awning leg in the rain so water drains; store wet gear in a rubber bin by the sliding door; use simple magnetic window shades for privacy; and keep flashlights at both exits. These cost little and save energy every night.
Q15. Final check before ordering?
At the dealership, do four things: lie on the bed for 10 minutes (try diagonal), step inside the wet bath and turn with the door closed, deploy & stow the awning yourself, and load your actual crates into the rear. If these four feel easy, the rest of ownership will too. Bookmark this Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide and bring it to the showroom.
Quick spec card (for your notes)
| Item | Data (may vary by market) |
|---|
| Platform & size | VW Crafter, ~6.0 m length, fixed high roof |
| Layout | Indoor kitchen, wet bath, rear transverse double bed, swivel front seats |
| Powertrain | 2.0 TDI 163 hp, 8‑speed automatic |
| Drive | 2WD standard, 4MOTION optional |
| Price reference | 86,690 CHF display price (options add up) |
This table is a snapshot to print or save; use it with the comparison list above and the daily‑use questions in this Volkswagen Grand California 600 4MOTION buyer’s guide.
Internal links
Official references
Author box
MOLRACHA — We analyze campervans by movement, power and cost, not just specs. Posts are updated with official sources and real‑world routines so families can travel light and sleep well.
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