Volkswagen California vs Ford Transit Custom

What's the difference?

While a global pandemic was busy wreaking havoc on the international travel industry, Australians overwhelmingly turned inward to the realm of 4x4s, camper trailers, and campervans to explore the corners of our massive continent.

It’s a trend which has existed here long before the pandemic, though, with local outfits like Trakka already cashing in on the momentum of modified vans to suit all sorts of long-distance tourers, old and new.

It is a ripe time then, for Volkswagen’s own first-party camper creations, to enter the Australian market, as the latest versions of the Caddy, Multivan, and Transporter.

In such a competitive space, though, are there good reasons to consider the Transporter-based California over its home-grown rivals from the likes of Trakka? Let’s take a look.

Ford has introduced what is being touted as an adventure-type van to its Transit Custom line-up and it’s called the Trail.

The Trail is based on the long-wheelbase Transit Custom Trend and it’s equipped with a suspension lift, on-demand all-wheel drive, 'Trail' drive mode, LED headlights and daytime running lights, a variant-specific grille, black wheel arch moulding and side strip, yellow exterior decals and 16-inch matt black twin-spoke alloy wheels.

With all that in mind, maybe a van is your next adventure vehicle?

Read on.