Full review

The German firm, Knaus, was first to show a motorhome based on the latest Volkswagen Crafter, but Hillside Leisure certainly didn’t hang around with the launch of its Heatherton. That was the UK’s first production-model conversion on this great new base vehicle, which has now been followed by the Hopton – as with all Hillside campers, these ’vans are named after Derbyshire villages.

While the Heatherton boasts an unusual rear washroom layout and a front lounge using an RIB rear travel seat for two back bench passengers, the Hopton goes for a classic, two-berth, rear lounge layout. With a quicker build time and no rear passenger seats, the new model also comes in with a lower price tag – a surprisingly keen £52,995 based on a 102PS TDI engine Crafter with Highline spec cab and air-conditioning.

That pricing puts the Hopton in direct competition with the many Fiat and Peugeot-based end lounge conversions, despite the allure of the VW badge and the much more modern cab of the Crafter. Even the show model’s extras – 140PS engine (£1,350), mains as well as diesel heating (£295), TV aerial (£245) and half-leather trim (£995) – only take the total up to £55,880.

Don’t underestimate the appeal of the Crafter in comparison with the ubiquitous Ducato/Boxer, though. This is currently the undisputed top dog of the panel van conversion sector. Its cab has the quality of finish you expect of a VW, while spec includes contemporary features such as a DAB+ radio with 8in touchscreen, Crosswind Assist, city emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors. It drives like a big brother to the T6 Transporter and feels far more sophisticated than its closest opposition.

The living area may adopt a traditional floorplan but it brings it right up-to-date with features like the smart duo-tone woodwork for the furniture, the Corian kitchen worktops and the dual-fuel gas/induction hob. The latter is just so much more efficient than the usual motorhome electric hotplates.

The nearside galley, built partially across the sliding door, also boasts good drawer-based low-level storage and a decent area of worktop between the cooker and sink. There’s a Smev oven and grill, too, while opposite is a 90-litre fridge, overhanging the offside settee. Particularly neat is the generous slide-out worktop that appears from under the fridge.

The rear lounge can be arranged as a U-shape, with backrest cushions across the rear doors, or the centre section can be removed to reinstate access via the barn doors. Each sofa is 1.90m long, so you can sleep lengthways in twin beds or fill the aisle using the high-quality pull-out supports to make a large double. Feet will have to tuck under the oversailing kitchen units but this is a necessary compromise as the load bay length in the Crafter is less than in an equivalent Ducato.

You’ll be pleased to see good storage under the rear seats, though, especially as it can be accessed at the end, with the doors open. There’s no overcab storage, but this makes for a more spacious feel, with no stooping to walk into the cab. A swivel passenger seat also makes for somewhere to relax if your partner goes to bed before you.

Finally, the offside washroom has decent space for showering and is accessed via a convenient tambour door. The washbasin had yet to be fitted to this prototype but the use of Dometic’s toilet continues the approach of installing the best fittings throughout this exciting new motorhome.

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