Hobby OnTour C 700 GQ motorhome

An island bed motorhome that keeps things compact

Maybe it was the Citroën chevrons that made us take a closer look. We see more Peugeot lions and many, many more new Fiats with their weird slotted front. Or perhaps it was Hobby’s new graphics with the bright blue stripe. But, on reflection, it was probably just that dealer, E S Hartley, chalked ‘NEW FOR 2025’ on the windscreen at the Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show. 

It was the first time I’d seen a right-hand drive Citroën Relay/Jumper with an automatic gearbox, too, something that has only recently become available now that all the Stellantis vans have the same engines/gearboxes. And, with the eight-speed auto, the sticker showing a reasonable £82,495 seemed like another reason for a closer look.
 

Externally, this is a neat-looking low-profile with an overcab sunroof and 16in alloy wheels. The windows sitting proud of the body suggest that this isn’t a range-topper but the front fog lamps, Thule awning and stylish tail lights indicate that it’s far from a back-to-basics spec.

More importantly for its intended audience, perhaps, the OnTour C is a compact model, so the width is a modest 2.23m (17cm less than an OnTour T) and length is sub-seven metres. There are just two layouts in the OnTour C range, the 680 GE with single beds (6.76m overall) and this slightly longer island bed version – a rarer floorplan in such a petite motorhome.

The exterior

Before we look inside, though, it’s worth noting the garage with a manually adjustable height for the bed above – headroom in the locker is a minimum of 1.01m. However, if you need the optional front dinette bed, the extra cushions are very bulky and will probably end up in here. 
 

Forward of the garage on the nearside is the gas locker (room for two 11kg cylinders) but worthy of note is the slide-out tray that makes changeovers so much easier.

The interior

Step inside and there’s immediately a modern feel and an impression of excellent build quality. Where you might expect a simple half-dinette bench, the lounge has an L-shape – and a comfortable one, too. And you’d anticipate a wall-mounted table but here it’s on a pedestal leg, so it swivels easily, making access to the settee that much easier.

It’s good to note that the table isn’t too huge, either, while heater ducts in the floor just aft of the cab on both sides will be very welcome when it turns chilly. The overcab sunroof provides plenty of light and ventilation, the net curtains add privacy and the swivel spot lamps will be good for reading.
 

The kitchen may be more divisive, at least amongst British buyers. It has lots of drawers for practical storage and you can’t fault the size of the fridge – a tall, slim 139-litre Dometic unit with automatic energy selection. There isn’t a huge amount of worktop but setting the hob and sink towards the rear of the counter is helpful and there’s the usual fold-up extension leaf at the end of the galley.

What it really comes down to is whether you’re happy to cook on just a two-ring hob (and a barbecue outside) or whether you’ll pine for an oven or microwave – the former isn’t an option, the latter would have to be carried separately.
If you’re still reading after the culinary section, there’s better news elsewhere.

The washroom looks up-to-the-minute in its design with its black tap and shower fittings, deep round basin and plenty of space. Better still, although this isn’t a huge room, it has a tambour door that pulls around to form a very good-sized shower with twin drain outlets in the tray.
 

Finally, at the rear, sliding doors close off a bedroom that features a 1.99m by 1.42m double bed that can slide back into a comfy chaise longue position. And, surprisingly, there’s plenty of room around the foot of the bed even when it’s in its sleeping position.

If you can live with the basic kitchen spec, this otherwise well-appointed and well-finished motorhome is one of the best compact island bed layouts we’ve seen