Full review

Volkswagen have long had the base vehicle of choice for motorcaravanners who really enjoy driving. And Auto-Sleepers have long worked with VW, producing a selection of van conversions (since the days when VWs had their engines in the back) as well as much-loved monocoque coachbuilts on the old T4. The company's luxurious new Sandhurst - Auto-Sleepers' first T5-based coachbuilt - may not be exactly cheap, but it's unquestionably got it where it counts. It's tested here in 130bhp guise, allied to a Tiptronic automatic gearbox.

At the beginning of this test, I really thought the solidly made, classily trimmed and good to drive Sandhurst was going to impress me. It has an excellent lounge, sleeping and dining quarters,but the washroom disappoints.

Auto-Sleeper Sandhurst

• Base vehicle: Volkswagen T5 LWB 2.5 TDI 130
• Starting price: £45,152 on-the-road
• As tested: £46,388 on-the-road
• Warranty: Two years conversion, extendable to three at extra cost. Two-year unlimited mileage base vehicle manufacturer's warranty and one year Van Centre warranty
• Berths: 2
• Travel seats: 2, including driver
• Maximum gross vehicle weight: 3,500kg
• Payload: 528kg
• Overall length: 6.44m (21ft 1.5in)
• Overall width: 2.20m (7ft 2.5in)
• Overall height: 2.76m (9ft 0.5in)
• Internal height: 1.96m (6ft 5in)

Plus points: Handsome exterior styling, much-loved base vehicle, strong engine, driver and passenger airbags, build-quality inside and out, high specification, vastly improved waste water drains and tap, little conversion noise, spacious washroom, volcanic heating system, car-like cab and driving position, removable carpets, excellent lighting, pleasing upholstery

Minus points: Controls feel heavy compared to Fiat Ducato, slightly ponderous handling, very small waste water tank, next to no kitchen worktops, cheesy fake plastic 'wood' dashboard trim, oddly compromised wardrobe hanging space, price