Best Self-Contained Campervan 2026
End kitchens and washrooms, rear lounges... there's a huge choice out there if you're happy to make up your bed each night
Best self-contained campervan 2026
Auto-Trail Expedition 54
We’ve renamed this category for 2026. The title of ‘Large Campervan’ no longer seemed appropriate when a medium-wheelbase Fiat Ducato is actually a tad shorter than the latest long-wheelbase Ford Transit Custom or Volkswagen T7.
But, unlike the pop-top Fords and VWs, here we’re focusing on high-top models that have a full walk-in washroom, so are self-contained.
Indeed, these are often vehicles that pop-top owners trade up to when they want a bit more independence from campsite ablutions facilities.
But we’re not looking at fixed bed layouts in this category, as those have their own classes. The word ‘large’ would have been especially inappropriate for our winner, the new baby of Auto-Trail’s Expedition campervan range.
Based on the Fiat Ducato, it is only 5.41m long, so it’s an ideal size for those who want to be able to park in town and explore more out-of-the-way locations. Only its height is a limitation.
And while the Auto-Trail itself isn’t large, neither is the price tag.
At a time when so many campervan prices start with a seven (or higher), the Expedition 54 looks conspicuously affordable at £53,634. That even includes a five-year habitation warranty. It also adopts a British favourite for its layout – the classic rear lounge.
There’s nowhere better on a cool spring day than parked up by the beach, enjoying the comfort (and warmth) of your camper, the sights and sounds of the sea (with the back doors open) but without the sand blowing into your sandwiches.
Of course that lounge converts into a transverse double bed at night, with blinds and flyscreens on all the rear windows.
And should your partner fancy a lie-in, the swivel cab seats mean there’s a second space in which to grab a morning cuppa. You can prepare a lot more than a brew on the nearside galley, which has an oven/grill as well as the hob.
The 90-litre compressor fridge is at waist height behind the driver’s seat, while the Whale heating system is underslung to save space in this compact model.
Although it’s a small campervan, it still has a full washroom with a swivel cassette toilet, foldaway basin and shower (albeit one that requires the use of a curtain).
At this price, the 54 comes in white but it does have alloy wheels. Artense Grey metallic is an extra-cost option, as is an automatic gearbox. A 120W solar panel is included, but you’ll probably want to add the 9in Pioneer touchscreen and reversing camera (£748).
Other than that, we’d say keep it simple and save your money for campsites and ferry crossings. An Expedition 54 for 54 grand...
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Highly commended
CMC HemBil Maxi-Tour
When CMC switched its attention from its award-winning pop-top VW campers to something bigger, we knew the result would be something special and the Maxi-Tour exhibits the same thoroughly practical approach as its smaller campervans.
It even incorporates the same Reimo sliding seat system, which gives this medium-wheelbase MAN conversion the USP of five belted, crash-tested travel seats – as well as easy bed-making.
It comes with diesel heating, 240W solar panel, 280Ah lithium battery and options of a chemical-free Dry Flush toilet and pop-top for extra berths.
Highly commended
Out and About Summit
There’s a wow factor to the MAN-based Summit as you open the sliding door and glance right towards the stunning mix of turquoise and wood in its spacious galley, fitted with the sort of slot-in cooker more usually seen in large British coachbuilts.
The RIB rear travel seat and Atek pop-top make this a four-berth campervan but the roof bed is preferable to the slightly compromised downstairs double. The rear washroom has been improved since the model first debuted and includes a shower and cassette toilet.
View the rest of the awards
The Out & About Live Campervan Awards take every campervan launched for the new season into consideration, with our judges travelling to manufacturers and converters across Europe to discover hidden gems and exceptional innovation. Each award winner must pass a thorough examination from editors with decades of experience. Discover the rest of the award winners here!
