Full review

Arguably Bilbo’s most comprehensively equipped Volkswagen campervan, the Lezan is based on the long-wheelbase version of VW’s latest Transporter, the T6

A VW factory-fitted high roof gives full standing headroom, lots of storage space and includes a separate bathroom and diesel-fired heating and hot water system.

There are several good reasons to buy, but the key one is the desire for twin single beds, as these are the main sleeping spaces that the two-berth Lezan provides (an infill to convert to a double is optional).

The base vehicle is legendary for build quality and reliability and one of the most car-like around.

And some options set it apart from most others – automatic transmission with all-wheel drive is just one. Engines run from basic and frugal, all the way up to a storming 204PS bi-turbo unit. Road manners are great, too. With all-round independent suspension, ride and handling are impressive, progress smooth and refined.

The base Lezan is supplied with the lowly 84PS motor and five-speed manual gearbox and you’ll need to upgrade to the 150 unit if you want DSG automatic transmission and/or 4Motion all-wheel drive. That said, the 150-horse unit is probably the best choice in a ’van of this size anyway. The DSG really is a peach – seven speeds and smooth ratio changes make this particular version of an auto’ great to drive.

Once the cab seats are swivelled, they face a pair of crash-tested single rear RIB chairs that have three-point belts, completing a safe-travel, four-seater vehicle. So the Lezan can easily be a daily driver.

There are two tables: a wall-hung one creates a nice two-person dinette on the offside and there’s a cranked-leg swivelling sibling that sets up just inside the side sliding door.

Come bedtime, the singles are easy to make as the rear seat bases hinge over and forwards, while backrests swing down to complete a set-up that uses the swivelled cab seats as the foot of each bed.

Bedding storage in campervans can be problematic, but here it’s easy as the high roof includes a big locker over the cab.

The kitchen is divided by the aisle that leads to the bathroom with fridge and sink on one side and two-burner hob and grill/warming oven on the other. Thanks to drawers and slim lockers below and a pair of decent cupboards above, storage space is pretty good.

Behind a concertina screen, the bathroom has a bench-type loo and a stainless-steel washbasin. There’s no shower, so it just misses out on full-facility bathing. Storage space is good, shared with the gas locker and the 36-litre fresh water tank.

As a compact campervan that drives like a car and provides most of the comforts of home, the Lezan is superb.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in the Summer 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

There are over 47 campervans and motorhomes featured in the latest issue and you can get a digital version of the latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.