Malibu motorhomes - 2023 Essential Guide

About Malibu

The very first Malibu was a VW T25 pop-top campervan – which was also the debut for Carthago. The Malibu name became established on a range of VW T4s in the 1990s, but then the parent company began focusing on larger motorhomes. The Malibu brand returned in 2013 on the first of the larger Fiat-based van conversions. Soon it became a marque in its own right, still part of Carthago but, from 2015, also offering low-profile and A-class motorhomes with much of the DNA of the parent company but at a slightly more affordable price point. Today, it offers a huge range of Malibu Van models as well as a full line-up of motorhomes from 6.66m up to 7.50m – all are based on the Fiat Ducato.

There are the 600 DB and 640 LE models in the Comfort range, characterised by a larger kitchen (with 80-litre three-way fridge) and what Malibu calls its XL Flexi washroom where the toilet swivels away under the rear beds and a tambour door covers the basin. Moving up to the Diversity models, the 600 DB K and 640 LE K kitchens get a large 84-litre compressor fridge and a wider aisle. Then there’s the range-topping 'first class - two rooms' 640 LE RB model with many of the features of its siblings (including the XL Flexi washroom) as well as a room divider to shut off the toilet and bedroom area from the rest of the campervan.

There are options to consider. The ‘charming coupé’ gets rid of the overcab storage shelf – no risk of bashing your head here. The lockers and ambient lighting run into the cab, too, making it feel more integrated into the rest of the campervan. The ‘charming GT skyview’ option adds a large panoramic skylight over the cab.

If you want to travel and sleep four, take a look at the ‘family-for-4’ specification, which adds a pop-up roof and an extra double bed within. This roof is made in-house and features a GRP outer, high-quality insulation and an aluminium lining inside.

Between cab and kitchen, you’ll find the washroom with a separate changing room and floor-to-ceiling wardrobe.

When it comes to sleeping, an electric drop-down bed provides lengthways single beds (up to 2m long), with a door to close the room off for ultimate privacy and relaxation. Here, there’s plenty of storage, too, in the form of several cupboards and compartments.

For the Malibu low-profile line-up, it consists of four models, from the compact, 6.90m-long 430 LE to the extremely spacious 7.40m-long 500 QB. The layouts offer lengthways single beds or there is an island bed floorplan; two of these have a washroom with integrated round shower (a curved door creates a cubicle), and two offer entirely separate facilities with the shower compartment opposite the washroom. There are also variants in the 3.5-tonne class, which can be driven on a standard driving licence.

Neat features include a swivel-out shoe cabinet under the large L-shaped lounge seating group and a table that can be moved in two directions with a simple foot pedal locking mechanism. Ambient lighting and task lighting can be switched on individually, too.

You also need to look out of the windscreen on these models; an extra-low dashboard and windscreen means great visibility when driving on the road.

Whichever model you opt for, specifications should cover everything you need in your home on wheels.

Highlights of Malibu’s 2023 motorhomes and campervans

• Malibu Van campervan ranges defined – seven basic models with numerous options and a few key differences – pop-top roofs, overcab skylights, two-room concepts... the list goes on

• Malibu A-class/low-profile motorhome ranges have been streamlined

• Four models in Malibu T low-profiles

• Four models in Malibu I A-class offering great cab visibility and double floor

• Fiat Ducato bases