Full review

Budget A-class? Is there such a thing? Look again, because here come the continentals, back in force after a brief lull when the euro was simply too strong for our sterling.

Not for the first time we’re pitching Germany against France in a Showdown that also sees the UK sitting it out on the sidelines.

What’s an A-class? Arguably, the ultimate motorhome, it’s where the whole body has been built on a chassis-cowl (as opposed to a chassis-cab). That means much more interior space and a king-of-theroad appeal that shouldn’t be under-estimated.

KNAUS SKY I 700 LEG
Knaus is a rejuvenated company since its return to the market two seasons ago. And that might explain some of the findings here.

For a start, the all-white body of the Knaus somehow looks more modern than its French counterpart. Additional exterior LED lighting helps, with a particularly striking front end.

Overall, there’s a more upright look. That said, the plastic wheeltrims hardly do justice to any motorhome, let alone a £60k one.

The Knaus has the larger front window, and indeed total glass area for the whole cab zone.

Fullest of marks to the German company, too, for its Service Box housing all the key attachments (mains, water etc). Why hasn’t anyone else considered this?

ON THE ROAD
With the Knaus in 148bhp upgrade format, the differences in performance are negligible, although the Mercedes Rapido’s torque convertor automatic here is a smoother operator than Fiat’s Comfort-Matic.

Both vehicles offer rear travel for two, but both are reticent to talk about any form of safety testing, despite offering three-point belts.

Economy isn’t likely to see too much difference between the two vehicles. It’s going to be down to driving styles. Almost 30mpg could be achievable.

Best news here, though, is the complete lack of any kind of ‘A-class shake’ that you can get with models of this ilk. It’s a definite pointer towards build quality.

ON SITE
The electric step at a convenient 25cm (for comparison, the Rapido gets an inset step only and it’s 39cm off the ground).

As for ambience, again it’s the Knaus that seems the more modern of the two. Not just in a fancy way, either. It’s all down to practical details – the two secret lockers in the habitation door instep, for example; and the three coat hooks just inside the door. There’s also a full-length mirror here.

Both vehicles offer similar front lounges with easy-swivelling cab seats turning to face L-shaped settees.  

Lighting, too, is superb, with a full array of LED downlighters, spotlamps and ambient strips. Indeed, some of the downlighters have a touch-sensitive operation.

KITCHEN
The Knaus makes more of its kitchen space by putting the three-ring hob as far back as possible, freeing up some vital work surface.

There’s an incredibly deep sink here too and an elegant mixer tap.

However, you’ll take issue with the high location of the oven/grill, as part of Dometic’s TecTower.

ON-BOARD STORAGE
Frankly, the Knaus garage beats the Rapido’s external storage hands-down (because of the layouts seen here).

There are lugs, rails for bikes, two lights, same size doors both sides, internal shelving and an additional, full-width bungee cord. Plus two net pockets in the offside door. And the whole floor is metal-lined (it’s GRP with non-slip matting in the Rapido).

ON TO BED
A-class motorhomes are all about that big, dropdown double bed with one-piece mattress that pulls down from over the cab.

Just for comparison, the Knaus bed drops that bit lower onto bump stops (so there’s no danger of damaging the furniture top). There’s no ladder (unlike the Rapido) but arguably it’s not needed. Fabric concertina blinds are rather a neat solution to the cab area blackout.

The Knaus has two single beds over a large garage. That means they’re set high, an arrangement that doesn’t always appeal to us in the UK. You can’t sit up fully in bed here.

ON THE LOO
Like the Rapido, the layout here offers a separate shower and toilet room.

There’s no window, just the smallest of rooflights. Apart from that, everything's been thought of, with towel holder, four hooks, three mirrors, some shelving, etc. It’s also all very stylish in here.

ON QUALITY 
This is impressive. Not just the way it’s all been screwed together, but these latest Knaus motorhomes boast some of the most practical (and stylish) touches you’ll find on any motorhomes, anywhere.

Examples? The exterior service box, the interior taps, and more. The drive is reassuringly rattle-free, too.

ON VALUE 
Will it hold its value? There’s no getting away from the fact that Knaus suffered a major hiccup.

But, they’re back, and it’s tempting to say they’re not just better than before, but definitely here to stay. This Sky I is an absolute belter.

Rapido 891M

ON THE OUTSIDE
The more rounded Rapido look is here, sure enough, with the Mercedes three-pointed star badge very much to the fore on a ‘smiling face’ front.
But, look again at these two side by side and the French vehicle suddenly seems somewhat dated.

ON THE ROAD 
Mercedes Sprinters of yesteryear were rightly criticised for their rather soft ride – great on long, straight journeys where the bumps really are soaked up, not so good when negotiating any kind of turning, where bodyroll could tend towards the excessive.

The Merc’s handling is certainly less of an issue these days, but drive each vehicle one after the other (as we did) and the softer ride of the Sprinter is still noticeable – that’s despite the reinforced rear suspension that comes with the UK options pack.

ON SITE 
Rapido can trace its roots back to cabinetmakers. There’s a sense of that today with locker doors that come with catches and pneumatic struts as well as quality hinges.

The overall layout is one that’s become quite conventional for an island bed motorhome.

The lounge is roomy, and genuinely does cater for up to five people around the pedestal table.

Cost-cuttings? There are a few. The metal cab seat bases are trimmed with material held on by Velcro.

KITCHEN
Here’s where we have a bit of compromise.

The kitchen is L-shaped and, despite Rapido’s best efforts – including supplying a low-set oven/grill – it’s all just a little bit cramped, certainly in terms of worktop space.

Paradoxically, kitchen storage is rather good.

ON-BOARD STORAGE
Strong marks here, with three overhead lockers in the lounge (again with adjustable, or indeed removable) shelves.

The absence of a habitation door window has its compensation in the form of two deep pockets.

This Rapido also excels with its washroom and bedroom storage.

ON TO BED
Or should that be: And so to beds… We have two sumptuous doubles on slatted bases here, with a sliding door to section off the main bedroom, keeping the toilet facilities en suite.

In a layout like this, the drop-down bed is relegated to second favourite.

ON THE LOO
This layout provides a shower cubicle separate to the washroom.

If the shower is good, the toilet room approaches excellence, especially for storage. It’s the usual Thetford swivel-bowl toilet here, supplemented by a metal circular basin, with mug and soap dish accompaniments.

ON QUALITY
All the evidence is that quality has not been sacrificed, albeit some key items of equipment have. Some of the luxury kit has been struck off – but all the build signs point towards a very well-made product.

VALUE
You have to go back to that starting price… it’s so attractive, not just for an A-class, but a Merc A-class. Rapido has garnered quite a reputation for itself for quality, too.

Alternatively, you could have an 891 on a Fiat and save £4,700. Yes, that’s a £55k A-class!

Read the full review in the digital January 2013 issue of Which Motorhome