Full review

The Compass Avantgarde coachbuilt series includes six layouts, and the Avantgarde 196 low-profile sits at the top of the range with a starting price of £50,049.

This is a multi-berth motorhome – there is capacity to sleep six people – that is positioned perfectly at families. And, not only is this a six-berth motorhome, the Compass Avantgarde 196 has six dedicated travel seats. That’s right, six berths and six seatbelts; little wonder Compass calls this its ‘Belts=Berths’ policy.

The layout is a twin lounge, with seating to the front and to the rear. During the day, that means plenty of space for relaxing at either end of the motorhome. The front lounge has a long sofa down one side, while opposite there are four further seats – all belted – around the dining table.

The large and light rear lounge has comfortable face-to-face sofas that convert to a generously-sized double bed. There’s a drop-down double bed above the front lounge – it’s operated electrically so it’s easy to do – and a third double when you move the seating around in the front.

Into the kitchen, you’ll find a well-equipped area which includes a three-burner gas hob, oven and grill, and a fridge that’s powered by gas and mains or 12V when travelling. The kitchen is nicely designed, too. The craftsman-built cabinets have dove-tailed drawers, the overhead lockers have positive locking, and shelves that can be removed if you need to tinker with the storage space to include different-sized objects.

Located opposite the kitchen, the all-in-one washroom has a toilet, washbasin and integrated EcoCamel water-saving shower. A cupboard, with two shelves, is mounted on one wall and allows you to store toiletries.

Heating is provided courtesy of Whale, via the new CompleteHeat system that runs on gas or electric and has a quiet night-time setting. The 196 also has Grade III Thermal Insulation, so it’s suited for year-round use. There is a 100-litre underslung fresh water tank, and a 70-litre underslung waste water tank

In the cab, the driving performance is impressive, provided by a Peugeot Boxer 2.2 140 bhp HDi Turbo Diesel which has a six-speed gearbox and Euro 6.2 engine with reduced emissions. DAB Radio with steering mounted controls, Bluetooth and USB are among features here, and the cab seats are fully adjustable and have armrests, improving comfort on that long drive.