ford nugget vs vw california

Its one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK, let alone the best-selling panel van. During our testing we easily matched that fuel economy figure, and on lightly loaded longer runs it crept over 40mpg with little effort. These features are all missing on the Ford. Conversions have become more fashionable, better-equipped and less dowdy, and the vans themselves have come to be pretty cool items in their own rights. A claimed fuel economy figure of up to 36.2mpg wasnt achieved this during our time with the van. Once in bed, there are no convenient spots to leave a charging phone, glass of water or pair of glasses, unlike the Nugget. The devils really in the detail, though, especially when it comes to the conversion. This is where it becomes totally obvious that the Volkswagen was built from the ground up to be a campervan while the Nugget was converted by a third party. It makes the Nugget more satisfying to drive than the California, though both are impressively stable on long motorway runs. No longer merely the go-to motor for surfers, bearded types and amateur detectives, staycating families, solo adventurers and those trying to avoid massive mortgage rates can benefit from the evolution of the humble, yet happy, camper. For dining outside, Ford provides two Westfalia-branded folding chairs, which store behind the rear seat backrest (not as tidy as VWs solution in the rear door) and a folding table which clips to the tailgate. The Ford Transit Custom needs little introduction. For dining outside, Ford provides two Westfalia-branded folding chairs, which store behind the rear seat backrest and a folding table which clips to the tailgate. Driving the Nugget is very much like driving a standard Transit Custom though, and thats a good thing. All you have to do is lower the rear headrests at the touch of a button, slide the seat forward slightly and lay the backrest flat. All other models use a seven-speed DSG automatic, and on top models you can even specify four-wheel drive. The rising roof is rear-hinged, while behind the rear seat theres a good amount of boot storage. So, what if you could just load all of your holiday clobber straight into nice, clean accommodation and drive it and your family anywhere you like? The Nuggets available as seen here, with a manually-operated pop-top (as opposed to the California Oceans electric version). Theres plenty of room underneath to store bulky items, and if youre not using the downstairs bed then the top becomes available too. It doesnt feel as solidly built as the Volkswagens, nor does it have quite so much impressive equipment. As well as the aforementioned chair and table, the Californias storage is very well thought-out. The engines in the Nugget and California sound rather gritty, leaving you in no doubt about their commercial vehicle origins. Or, if youd prefer to drive to your summer getaway in a premium-badged vehicle, the MercedesV-Class Marco Polo might be of more interest. You can have a 150hp or 200hp turbodiesel the former is available with a six-speed manual gearbox in Beach or Coast forms. The latter is available with a six-speed automatic, and our test van was specified thusly. Our test van, a 200hp automatic with front-wheel drive, claims to return up to 38.7mpg and emit 223g/km of CO2. California owners have assured us, though, that this isnt really much of a problem theres step-through access to the front, so rear passengers can easily exit through the front passenger door if theyre parked on a busy road. Thats one of the Californias most useful features its an ideal spot to put suitcases, bed linen or even groceries, and the lack of a similar spot in the Nugget reduces its utility outside of the world of camping. Were the Nugget much cheaper than the California, wed be more tempted to forgive its foibles. Its available with a wide array of diesel engines, but for the Nugget you can select from two a 130hp or 185hp 2.0-litre diesel. What Car? For our privacy policy go to, The 70 year history of the Volkswagen Transporter, Parkers award-winner in the medium-sized van category, Fancy something bigger? Its kitchen storage that makes the most sense, as you get two wide, shelved cabinets and a capacious cutlery drawer. A full-width drawer under the sliding rear bench can be used for bulky items, such as bedding, levelling wedges or simply the front door blinds. Both the VW California and Ford Transit Custom Nugget can be ordered in a main dealer. Our test van is a 185hp model, and after a few optionsincluding some wed consider essential, such as a rear view camera and the so-called ICE Pack 25 (adaptive cruise control, touchscreen navigation and FordPass connectivity)comes in at 65,816. is part of Haymarket Automotive, a division of Haymarket Media Group Haymarket Media Group 2022. The conversion is at least as obvious as the Californias, though the Nugget and Westfalia branding on the sides and the leading edge of the rising roof are a little more on-the-nose. For the Nugget, you can select from two; a 130hp or 185hp 2.0-litre diesel. Bed makeup is where the California starts leaping ahead of the Nugget, however, as the Ford makes life rather awkward in this area. On one hand, youve got a great white fibreglass whale dawdling down to Devon at 3mph, loaded to the gunnels with sandwich spread and questionable velour upholstery. The latter is available with a six-speed automatic and the one we had on test. Once this section lies flat, you need to deploy an infill that folds up from beneath, before finally sliding the whole assembly back once more. Truly impressive. Because everything on the California is done in-house, Volkswagen has a greater degree of control. >> Read our full Ford Transit Custom review. The wardrobe is fore of this, just about accessible from either side of the rear seat. For a start, the roof is manually-operated, and has a tendency to billow out when youre lowering it, potentially leaving you with canvas flapping about in the breeze while you drive. Thats one of the Californias most useful features. Its an effortless cruiser, soaking up bumps well. They require insulated screens to be fitted using suction cups, leaving marks on the windscreen and falling off in the night. And this is where wed struggle to recommend the Nugget. Though Ford does provide a sort of safety net, we couldnt figure out where it hooked up. It also has highly useful open storage bins on top of the counter perfect for salt and pepper, washing-up liquid or any number of useful kitchen items. This is a shift away from the way it used to be done and streamlines the life admin for busy folks. The California uses the most traditional layout for a mid-sized campervan. As mentioned earlier, the interior table requires a bit more faff than the Californias, but once its in place its easily reachable from all seats. First up is the Ford Transit Custom Nugget, a name that is no doubt intended to conjure up images of gold but instead makes us rather peckish. Next to the Nugget, which is based on Parkers award-winning Ford Transit Custom, the California does feel rather heavy and staid to drive. Thats fine in practice, but this same area is used to store the Nuggets two folding chairs while on the move so youll have to find somewhere to stow them if you want to use the lower bed. Well start with the Volkswagen. Its only with this latest conversion that Fords decided to take a greater hand in the process, giving the Nugget its blessing and selling it in main dealers. If youre interested in a specific aspect of either van, click the links below to jump straight to the relevant section, or read on for our full review. These two campers are based on two of our favourite mid-sized panel vans. By some margin, the Marco Polo generates the least wind noise at speed, while the level of road noise is perfectly tolerable. Theres no boot area either, so its more difficult to use the Nugget as a second car for larger loads. Motor manufacturers unsurprisingly want a bit of the action too. Yet, due to the swivel mechanism theyre set rather high and cant be lowered. Our test van, a 200hp automatic with front-wheel drive, claims to return up to 38.7mpg and emit 223g/km of CO2. Volkswagen provides a deep foam mattress that sits atop plastic springs, making it forgiving enough even for side-sleepers to get comfortable. The Ford Nuggets fresh and waste water tanks are larger than the Californias, at 42 litres apiece, and it has space for a 2.8kg gas bottle. Theres also a permanent home for the awning winding handle in here, clipped securely in place. Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA H Bauer Publishing, 845898) The lower bed is very simple to make up in the classic rocknroll configuration. Every movement just takes a little more effort in the Ford whether its making the bed, setting up the table, or even pulling the curtains at night. The Marco Polo has a bit more grip, although slower steering and a higher degree of body lean mean its not as reassuring to drive as the California. Its where Ford expects you to store many of the Nuggets little necessities, such as the front window blinds, the awning handle and the interior table.. The kitchen has plenty of storage for small items A big cutlery drawer, tall cupboard and low-down compartment is suitable for pots and pans. Every movement just takes a little more effort in the Ford, whether its making the bed, setting up the table, or even pulling the curtains at night. Separating the kitchen and lounge areas may also appeal to some, especially those who really like to cook in their vans but to us, the Californias monospace interior makes more sense. This means plenty of chrome as well as some very eye-catching two-tone colour schemes. Though our test van was in a very subtle dark grey, its also available in a rather more eye-catching bright orange which were big fans of. Its where Ford expects you to store many of the Nuggets little necessities, such as the front window blinds, the awning handle and the interior table. These two campers are based on two of our favourite mid-sized panel vans they have high-quality interior conversions, pop-top roofs, room to sleep four and similarly premium price tags. The Nugget offers plenty of storage spread across a few useful areas. Their appeal has skyrocketed even further with all that 2020s thrown at us. The front screens dont even have that they require insulated screens to be fitted using suction cups, which leave marks on the windscreen and have a tendency to fall off in the middle of the night., The Nuggets kitchen is L-shaped and has the same appointments as the Californias two gas burners with spark ignition, a 40-litre top-loading compressor fridge, and a small sink with hot and cold running water.. However, it feels more cramped and less flexible than the Californias single space. Deploying the table isnt as easy as it is in the California. The rear bench is narrow and hard, though, so better suited to kids who wont complain too much. This is where it becomes totally obvious that the Volkswagen was built from the ground up to be a campervan while the Nugget was converted by a third party. Theres plenty of room for cutlery, crockery and foodstuffs, and its all easily accessible. The most useful by far is the large boot area at the rear. Better yet, the parcel shelf can sit upright to allow you to carry taller items or even come out entirely. At the same time, it fidgets over smaller surface imperfections, while pothole impactsreverberate through the structure. They have high-quality interior conversions, pop-top roofs, room to sleep four and similarly premium price tags. Around the rear youll find a tall storage cabinet, underneath which sits the gas bottle. Even the vans themselves are further apart than we feel they ought to be. They consist of a two-burner gas hob with spark ignition, a small sink with hot and cold running water, and a top-loading 42-litre fridge that runs off the mains or 12V electricity. Nowadays, its based on the very latest T6 Transporter. For this reason wed choose the California every time. Theres also a longer Nugget, which is based on the long-wheelbase Transit Custom and includes a washroom at the rear with bench-style cassette toilet. All told, its a thoroughly awkward process thats difficult to accomplish without stepping out of the van no fun if its raining outside., Another annoyance is privacy. That means you can carry up to five people in here for travelling, rather than just four in the California. Though our test van was in a very subtle dark grey, its also available in a rather more eye-catching bright orange which were big fans of. H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No. You can expect it to be a little less efficient than the California overall, even though its less powerful. Access is granted through the use of a short ladder, which hooks onto the kitchen countertop. The Transit Custom Nugget takes a more traditional approach and so while Westfalia no longer builds the California, it does take care of Fords camper.. Fords design enables the top of its wardrobe to double as a bedside table. We like its feeling of solidity and its car-like cabin, though next to the Nugget based on the Parkers award-winning Ford Transit Custom it does feel rather heavy and staid to drive. Given that its based on the V-Class MPV, can its driving experience and interior live up to the posh image the three-pointed star brings? A notable omission is storage for a Porta Potti. Once the lower bed is made up, youll find your feet rest underneath the kitchen countertop, in an area usually situated behind the backrest. We already know that the Touran is a practical choice, but does this MPV still impress when you live with it every day? Its an effortless cruiser, soaking up bumps well yet the steerings light and accurate enough to make town work easy. The lower bed is far more of a pig to make up, though. A cute little fold-out portion above the fridge holds a shaving mirror and a tiny shelf ideal for holding toothpaste and toothbrushes so you can brush before bed. It would have been nice to have the option though, especially for families with young children. >> The 70 year history of the Volkswagen Transporter. With a more sophisticated rear suspension layout than its rivals and relatively soft springs, it has the most cosseting ride. A notable omission is storage for a Porta Potti Volkswagen expects you to splash out on the larger Grand California if you want any sort of toilet facility, though it would have been nice to have the option especially for families with young children. DIY conversions have become more fashionable, better-equipped and less dowdy, and the vans themselves have come to be pretty cool items in their own rights. Its able to sell the campervans in its regular Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealerships alongside panel vans and working vehicles. With the lid of the fridge lowered, it does provide a decent slab of workspace but unfortunately its located in an awkward spot its much easier to simply use the dining table as a temporary food preparation zone instead. The VW California was originally introduced in the 1980s it was based on the rear-engined Volkswagen T3 Transporter and converted into a motorhome by camping giant Westfalia. Campervans tend to conjure up one of two images in most peoples heads. The canvas is also very thick and dark, letting in very little unwanted sunshine so you wont immediately wake up at first light. Like the California, the Nugget is a four-berth. The California is a heavy camper, so Volkswagen offers only its two higher-powered engine choices. Thats right: were talking camper vans. You can have a 150hp or 200hp turbodiesel the former is available with a six-speed manual gearbox in Beach or Coast forms. Even so, its the California thats quickest off the line, with a crockery-threatening 0-60mph time of 12.1sec, just 0.1sec ahead of the Nugget, with the Marco Polo (13.0sec) bringing up the rear. But which one is better? Another annoyance is privacy. The Ford Nuggets layout is startlingly different to the Californias, and not at all traditional. The largest storage compartment is under the rear bench, which is square and useful but awkward to access, as the seat base wont stay up on its own and its very heavy. The front screens dont even have them. This is a tricky manoeuvre thatll take several attempts to get into your muscle memory. Twin swivelling cab seats turn to face a rear compartment featuring a side kitchenette opposite a single sliding door, as well as a rear bench that folds flat into a double bed. Youve likely noticed a California or two out on the road. Fords front seats are just as supportive as Volkswagens, and the Nugget plays its first trump card over the California by having a three-seater rear bench. Though you can specify a third rear seat for the California, its an awkward and expensive addition. Read our full Volkswagen Grand California review, >> For a different take on luxury camping, heres the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo review, >> Volkswagen launches Motorhome Qualification Scheme. Accessing the kitchen is via a narrow walkway to the side of the rear seat or through the lift-up tailgate. Once this section lies flat, you need to deploy an infill that folds up from beneath, before finally sliding the whole assembly back once more. The California is the least potent, with 148bhp, while the Marco Polo is a bit punchier (161bhp) and the Nugget tops the table with 182bhp. Some users will definitely prefer the Ford to the VW. It provides seating for four in total, while the Ford Nugget is a full five-seater. Its available in three distinct flavours. Theres no boot area either, so its more difficult to use the Nugget as a second car for larger loads. Not necessarily a bad thing! The seat base wont stay up on its own, and its very heavy. The rear bench, meanwhile, is flat, with a very long base, and not the most comfortable for travel. Its an ideal spot to put suitcases, bed linen or even groceries, and the lack of a similar spot in the Nugget reduces its utility outside of the world of camping. Your email has been successfully submitted! All registered in England and Wales. And its worth mentioning that unless your three children are happy to share a double bed, this is still only a four-berth camper. The Ford Transit Custom is ubiquitous across the country its one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK, period, let alone the best-selling panel van. The largest storage compartment is under the rear bench. Whether you're looking for a part-time seven-seater or a car to carry that many people on a regular basis, check out which ones to go for and which to avoid. With a family tree that stretches back to the 1950s, the California Ocean certainly has experience on its side. Theres a large wardrobe area opposite the kitchen, which has a hanging rail and the ladder for the roof bed stored within. The roof is front-hinged, to allow for standing room over the kitchen, which means the lounge area is a little lower. Such is their popularity that theyre not just the preserve of bit-part conversion companies any more some motor manufacturers are getting involved and putting campervans on sale right alongside their standard model line-ups of cars and vans. This is subdivided by a parcel shelf of sorts used for making the bed but also functioning as a very handy storage divider. Volkswagen leans in to the retro vibe such a camper brings, and as such offers it with plenty of chrome as well as some very eye-catching two-tone colour schemes.. Weve got the shorter of the two versions with the punchiest engine on offer, Does a posh badge mean a luxury holiday experience? The rear bench, meanwhile, is flat, with a very long base, and not the most comfortable for travel. Its much less forgiving for the larger frame than the Californias kitchen, however. Where Volkswagens rocknroll configuration is an effortless, three-step process, the Nuggets is rather more complex. As for the California, that'sthe firmest of the three and proves the most prone to thumping over humps and holes around town. Then, using a second lever, tilt the base upwards and engage the mechanism that helps this portion to lie flat. Youve likely noticed a California or two out on the road. Driving the Nugget is very much like driving a standard Transit Custom though, and thats a good thing. Where the California has really premium-feeling roller blinds which can be lowered in an instant, the Nugget has curtains with incredibly fiddly popper-fittings. Its based on Britains most popular van, with an interior layout that diverges from the camper van norm, as well explain. Its available in three distinct flavours. But in recent years campervans have become more popular with all sorts of people, from families to single adventurers. The VW solution is neater here. With the best-laid plans for international adventures mainly cancelled by the Covid-19 pandemic, interest in campervans has increased so dramatically, sales records are being broken year-on-year. The Californias also suffers from plenty of whooshing from the turbocharger. Well, with relatively stiff springs andprecise steering, the California feels happiest in corners, not leaning over too much and having confidence-inspiring manners. Yes, its easy to specify it to be more expensive than the Nugget, but with such quality and with the strength of the Volkswagen name behind it, which results in staggeringly good residual values we think its actually better valu, >> Fancy something bigger? Its also a very firm mattress, so if you prefer a softer bed youll have to provide your own topper. The canvas is also very thick and dark, letting in very little unwanted sunshine so you wont immediately wake up at first light. These include 2,880 for the gorgeous two-tone paint, along with several other options such as high beam assist or an electric sliding door. They measure 200x120cm and 200x116cm respectively.. Also round the rear youll find a tall storage cabinet, underneath which sits the gas bottle. However, it also controls its body movements the best, feeling the least like a ship in a storm. And when we say the word camper, the first brand that springs to mind is probably Volkswagen. Coast and Ocean models have the same properly-fitted kitchen layout, with the former making do with slightly less equipment to achieve a lower starting price. All of our protagonists are fitted with 2.0-litre diesel engines and automatic gearboxes. It makes the Nugget more satisfying to drive than the California, though both are impressively stable on long motorway runs. Its a heavy camper, so Volkswagen offers only its two higher-powered engine choices. Also like the California its up top where youll find a more comfortable nights sleep, with a thick mattress topper and plastic springs. During our testing, we easily matched that fuel economy figure, and on lightly loaded longer runs it crept over 40mpg with little effort. Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. First, you need to move the seat forwards using an incredibly stiff lever on the front. The Nuggets kitchen is L-shaped and has the same appointments as the Californias; two gas burners with spark ignition, a 40-litre top-loading compressor fridge, and a small sink with hot and cold running water. All other models use a seven-speed DSG automatic, and on top models you can even specify four-wheel drive. Its a very favourable starting point. Coast and Ocean models have the same properly-fitted kitchen layout, with the former making do with slightly less equipment for a lower starting price. The lower bed is far more awkward to make. Where Volkswagens rocknroll configuration is an effortless, three-step process, the Nugget is more of a challenge. With the best-laid plans for international adventures mainly cancelled by the Covid-19 pandemic, so-called staycations have come back into fashion, and interest in campervans has increased dramatically. Some have pointed out that its highly useful for families with small children one parent can cook at the rear of the van while another entertains the younguns at the front, away from hot pots and pans. As for price, our test model a 200hp Ocean comes in at a hefty 72,235 after a few optional extras. VAT no 918 5617 01 Though you feel the Californias weight when cornering or braking, the powerful engines make short work of moving it along. A quirk here is that the sliding door is on the wrong side for the UK market; opening onto the drivers side and therefore disgorging rear passengers into traffic. There are sliding doors on both sides, so accessing the rear seat is as simple as can be. You are viewing the Parkers beta preview. California owners have assured us, though, that this isnt really much of a problem theres step-through access to the front, so rear passengers can easily exit through the front passenger door if theyre parked on a busy road. Even the vans themselves are further apart than we feel they ought to be the basic California Ocean comes as standard with a high-definition touchscreen, virtual cockpit digital instrument panel, climate control and LED headlights. The kitchen is an L-shaped unit, situated at the rear with the rear travel seat directly ahead of it. CO2 emissions of 230g/km just trail the California, too. The iconic Volkswagen California, and a relative newbie, the Ford Transit Custom Nugget both offer car-like levels of fit and finish, space for four to live in comfort and modern, efficient base vehiclesdirectly from the manufacturer. Campervans are levelling up. But both arebetter than the Nugget, which has the least grip and loses composure the soonest. However, once you remove the Californias paint and step down to the still perfectly acceptable 150hp engine, theyre more or less the same price. Theres also a permanent home for the awning winding handle in here, clipped securely in place. Without these, its a more reasonable 66,643. Its square and useful but awkward to access. Then, using a second lever, tilt the base upwards and engage the mechanism that helps this portion to lie flat. Where once there seemed little to fear about cramming into a metal tube with a few hundred strangers and jetting off to a supposedly clean room abroad, you might well be looking for an alternativeapproach in future.

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