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Even after 40-odd years in the business, it never ceases to amaze me how this industry keeps refining existing models and developing new ones year in, year out. Unlike in the car market, most major motorhome manufacturers release new models to the press (and dealers) every summer, which is where our search for the best of the best starts. Of course, we’re then able to make our first back-to-back comparisons at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf, which is a truly exhausting week as we go from hall to hall, stand to stand. Smaller UK converters don’t miss out as they are invited to their own judging days in September and, by this point, we are beginning, usually, to have an idea of some of the front runners in several of the…
WATCH the video! motorhome.ma/review317 The 620 S is a new addition to a range that Auto-Trail launched a year ago. The Excel line-up now numbers five models but none is more compact than this, and yet this 6.20-metre motorhome feels remarkably roomy for its size. Crucially, for a ’van where size – or a lack of it – matters, the Excel is also 11cm slimmer than Auto-Trail’s other ranges. That’s important if you’re planning on driving in cities, exploring narrow country lanes, or if you’re comparing coachbuilts with campervans. The base vehicle here is the latest Transit, now with Ford’s own 12in SYNC 4 radio/navigation screen and the option of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It has the usual car-like driving position, with twin armrests on the seats and plenty of adjustment…
You know the format: a large front lounge with drop-down bed above, central kitchen, and a washroom across the rear that hides a garage under its supersized wardrobe. Arguably, Chausson was the first to make this type of low-profile motorhome successful – so successful, in fact, that it has many imitators. Back in 2017, however, this French firm came up with something that arguably worked better for a lot of customers. Its 630 model was an immediate hit, but in post-Covid times it became a casualty of a severely pruned model range when all manufacturers were struggling with chassis and component supply. Now, the 630 is back for 2025 and the queues of customers wanting to see inside it at the NEC show spoke volumes about the rightness of that…
The innovation award winner for 2025 is not a new motorhome but an essential aspect of life on the road; it’s the new CleanFlex toilet system which is exclusive to the German Knaus Tabbert Group. Crucially, this new loo needs no water and no chemicals. Knaus says that it also saves weight and space in the vehicle and it increases self-sufficiency – great for those who want to travel off-grid, when loo capacity can often be the biggest limiting factor in how long you can stay away from campsite facilities. The CleanFlex system uses a special film that leaves the toilet fresh after every use as it seals the waste in a bag, welding it closed with a heated wire. Unlike a conventional motorhome cassette toilet, it can handle nappies…
The popularity of fixed single beds (usually in combination with a garage) shows no sign of waning, making this one of the most prolific categories. From a list of around 20 vehicles, we managed to whittle it down to seven really strong contenders. There were beautiful but expensive ’vans, as well as models with functionality or budget pricing at their core. The fact that we managed to decide on a winner without WWIII breaking out between the judges is a miracle! Eventually, the Hymer and Sunlight below were pipped to the post by Rapido as the C55 manages to be a fantastic all-rounder that also has on-trend (and desirable) compact dimensions. It’s only 2.17m wide and well under 7m in length. That could have led to a cramped interior, but…
Because it’s the reason to buy, our judging criteria in this category revolve firstly around the bedroom, but without compromising the rest of the motorhome. There are key things to look out for with island beds, starting with the mattress size. Check out those corners, too, and make sure they’re not excessively rounded; while this improves access around the bed, it’ll impact on your sleep if a foot dangles out of the duvet. Then there are beds that slide back during the day to create a chaise longue – make sure you can still get around the bed when it’s fully flat. Bed height can be too low, impacting on the storage beneath, but if the bed is too high your ability to sit up in bed, or even access…
