Best campervans in 2025

The latest, T7 version of the Volkswagen California is based on the Multivan MPV rather than the latest Transporter panel van (which is now a badge-engineered Ford Transit Custom), it's roomier than before, and is available with twin-sliding doors for the first time. 

The rear seat bench is on rails, meaning you can push it all the way forward to open up a decent amount of cargo space. When it's time for lights out, it folds flat to form a bed for two. A pop roof, which deploys electro-hydraulically on Coast and Ocean models, gives increased headroom during the day and sleeping accommodation for two at night. 

Simply put, it packs a whole lot of practicality into a small package. And now, you can have it with a plug-in hybrid powertrain or a pure petrol engine as well as a diesel unit. The petrol version is probably worth swerving, though, unless you're happy with an average of 30mpg. 

Whichever version you go for, it's not cheap. Even the cheapest version, the California Coast, is £63,000, while at the other end of the spectrum, a California Ocean with the PHEV powertrain is a whopping £85,000. They're known for holding their value, though, so you should get a good chunk of your money back come sale time. The flipside is that by going for a used, previous-generation T6 California, you won't be saving masses. 

Thought the California sounded expensive? The recently revealed new version of the Ford Transit Custom Nugget starts from £78,000 and goes all the way up to an eye-watering £94,000.

It's considerably swankier than the Cali, though, with the latest one featuring hot running water as standard, and even a tailgate-mounted shower. You might want to combine that last bit with the optional privacy tent.

It uses an L-shaped kitchen fitted with a space-saving drawer fridge and an integrated hob and sink unit, and Ford says there's 20% more worktop space than before. Similar to the California, there's a pop-roof to boost headroom with a fold-down bed, increasing the total berths to four. Unlike the Cali, though, you can spec a Nugget in a long-wheelbase configuration for extra room.

Ford pitched the old one as a vehicle for 'digital nomads' who might want to go out and camp/work on the go (or more accurately, bring teenagers who'd rather not do without TikTok for a night or two), and it looks to be the same case with the new one. It comes with a 5G modem as standard to keep everyone connected, and there's an optional solar roof to ensure everyone's devices stay charged even if you're staying somewhere without an electrical hook-up.

Although it's an official Ford product, it's actually converted by renown German campervan manufacturer Westfalia. 

Based on the Mercedes V-Class people carrier, the Mercedes Marco Polo is yet another competitor to the Volkswagen California and Ford Transit Nugget. Just like the Transit, it's converted by Westfalia and sold through dealers as a factory-approved conversion.

Marketed as a 'feel-good camper', the Mercedes Marco Polo is perhaps the poshest mid-size campervan you can buy. It feels just like a Mercedes car to drive, helped by the MBUX infotainment system, a leather steering wheel and the extensive list of driver-assistance tech. No one will complain about having to drive a Mercedes Marco Polo every day, unless perhaps you worry about being mistaken for a posh Uber driver.

It's pretty pleasant in the back, too. Yacht-style wooden flooring is both classy and easy to keep clean, while the kitchen is cleverly designed to incorporate a twin gas hob, sink and a fridge. When it's time to sleep, the rear bench electrically converts into a comfortable double bed, while the roof can be raised to provide accommodation for another two people. Meanwhile, clever air suspension means it's possible to level the Marco Polo without faffing around with ramps. Try doing that with a California or Nugget. 

Admittedly, the V-Class bones of this campervan are starting to get a bit long in the tooth, but 2024 updates smartened the exterior while bringing the front part of the cabin bang up to date. 

The newest campervan on the block is the Citroen Holidays. No, we're not keen on the very self-descriptive name, but it has a lot going for it, especially the price. Yes, £55,285 might seem like a lot for what is at its heart a Citroen SpaceTourer, but for an OEM camper of this size represents exceptional value, undercutting a Volkswagen California Coast by the best part of £15,000.

Something has to give at this price, of course. Aside from the fact the Holidays doesn't come with anything like the campsite kudos of a California (especially one with two-tone paint), you won't get a fancy electro-hydraulically operated roof here. Instead, it's manual. 

The Holidays claws things back, though, with twin-sliding rear doors. To get that on the California, you need to go for the near-£80k Ocean model. Another bonus is that the sliding rear seat bench, which folds flat to form a small double bed, can be removed entirely. So if there's only one or two of you going on a trip, you could sleep up top and have a couple of bikes underneath, for instance. 

Along the left side of the cabin is a unit featuring a series of decent-size storage cupboards, a 16-litre fridge, a sink and a twin-burner stove. Propelling all of this is a 2.0-litre, 180PS diesel engine.

The Grand California sits at the top of the Volkswagen campervan range. Based on the large Volkswagen Crafter van, the Grand Cali caters for buyers who want a bit more space in their campervan. You also get an in-built washroom, too, saving those middle-of-the-night traipses across the campsite when nature calls.

It's available in two different sizes: the Volkswagen Grand California 600 (which measures six metres in length) and the Grand California 680 (which measures - you guessed it - 6.8 metres). The smaller version has a higher roof and the option of an extra bed over the cab, meaning it's available as a four-berth campervan. The longer version has a lower roof and is strictly a two-berth camper, and it also has a gross vehicle weight of 3.88 tonnes, so it can't be driven on a normal B-category driving license. 

All Volkswagen Grand Californias are powered by a grunty 177PS 2.0-litre diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It's quite a relaxed motorway cruiser - so ideal for those jaunts across Europe - although you will notice the vehicle's size when negotiating city centres. Fortunately, visibility is pretty good while there are sensors on hand to prevent you getting too close to obstacles.

Volkswagen Grand California prices start from around £84,000. They're few and far between on the used market, with prices starting from around £62,000, while allowing you to skip the waiting list for a new model.

Not only has the Volkswagen campervan range expanded into bigger models like the Grand California, you can now buy a smaller version, too. Based on the compact Volkswagen Caddy, the Volkswagen Caddy California is ideal for solo adventurers or couples wanting an affordable micro camper that won't cost much more than a car to own and run.

It's quite clever how Volkswagen has utilised space in the Caddy California. You get a fold-out double bed and a single-burner stove that pulls out of the back as standard, while it's easy to go to town on the options list. We like the optional panoramic sunroof (it's great for watching the stars as you drift off to sleep), while an attachable awning provides some extra protection from the weather.

As the Volkswagen Caddy is based on the same platform as numerous VW Group passenger cars (the Volkswagen Golf, for example), it feels just like a car to drive. You can get the Caddy California with a variety of petrol or diesel engines, and a choice of a manual or DSG automatic gearbox. You can also decide how long you'd like your Caddy to be: it's available in short or long wheelbase forms, the latter badged the Caddy California Maxi. 

Prices for the Volkswagen Caddy California start from around £36,000, which makes it sound like a rare bargain on the new campervan market. That'll soon start to creep up when you play on Volkswagen's online configurator, but you can always save cash by buying a used Volkswagen Caddy California.