Full review

Words: Peter Vaughan

Photos courtesy of Elddis

The Elddis Autoquest 150

It might be the French manufacturers that lead the way when it comes to island bed layouts but Elddis added the 150 model to its ever-popular Autoquest line-up in 2021 to tackle the many imported rivals – and that, of course, means that you’ll also see this model (with added kit and a variety of new names) in countless dealer special edition ranges.

The 150 filled an obvious gap in the Autoquest line-up, with a 7.34m low-profile featuring an entry-level price tag (now just under £52k). Its layout was carried over from the more expensive Encore range.

Based on the lower Tempo Libero version of the Peugeot Boxer chassis, the Autoquest comes with the 140bhp Euro 6d motor, but no automatic option – it’s six-speed manual only. You can, however, add a touchscreen display with sat-nav for £720, alloy wheels at £780, an alarm for £336 or a tracker at £294.           

The specification

Standard spec for 2022 now includes cab air-conditioning, cruise control and a passenger airbag, as well as cab seats with twin armrests, remote central locking, an immobiliser, a DAB radio, trip computer, cab carpet, Bluetooth and tyre pressure monitoring. This list is often more extensive on dealer special variants but you’ll pay more for the privilege.

The Elddis is a 3,500kg motorhome, to suit any driver, while also maintaining a respectable payload of nearly 600kg. Elements such as the caravan-style windows that sit proud of the body and a habitation door that’s not linked to the central locking remind you that this is a budget-priced motorhome but there’s the reassurance of Elddis’ SoLiD construction bodywork, backed up by a 10-year water ingress warranty, and insulation meets the Grade III standard. Water tanks (100 litres fresh and 70 litres waste) are underslung but both can be heated and insulated if you order the £348 Winter Pack. The grey tank’s fiddly drain tap and small bore outlet will make your times at the motorhome service point longer than ideal, though.

Whale’s CompleteHeat gas/230V 4.7kW blown- air system is also mounted under the vehicle to save space and the system has been updated for 2022 with a new control panel that’s easier to use. Although the 150’s layout includes that desirable island bed, there’s no garage. The only external storage is accessed via a small (280mm by 730mm) flap in the back wall. This leads into the large under-bed locker but the maximum height in here is only around 350mm. Bikes will have to go on a rack, for which the mounting brackets are already in situ.                

The layout

Inside, the Autoquest feels quite different to most of its continental competition, with much less separation of the bedroom. There’s a clear view through the interior on the nearside and a much more open feel to the layout. The downside, of course, is that the bedroom is always on show, without even a curtain to hide it away.

Up front, too, the Elddis adopts a very British format, with side settees forming the lounge, along with swivel cab seats – all trimmed in Mercury ActivCare upholstery that is said to be wipe-clean and pet-friendly. A rooflight is fitted over the lounge but there’s no overcab sunroof. It’s an inviting place to relax but you’ll find the sofas rather too high for comfort, unless you have very long legs. Scatter cushions aid sprawling but the armrests inhibit feet-up lounging; I’d be tempted to leave them at home. Curtains (in addition to the blinds) make it feel homely, while the table is a free-standing unit that stores in its own cupboard at the end of the galley.         

The kitchen

The only step inside the 150 is between the lounge and the kitchen, where the floor level is 100mm lower. As well as having headroom of just over two metres, the galley comes with a flap to increase worktop space, a removable draining board, twin 230V sockets, three drawers, a Thetford cooker featuring three gas rings and a separate grill and oven. Opposite, is a tall 133-litre fridge, while a microwave can be added as a £228 option.         

The washroom

The washroom doesn’t have a separate shower but at least its curtain is only there to cover the loo and the cupboard above. The Ecocamel water-saving showerhead is a bonus, too, but shower tray drainage could be improved and, of course, you’ll need to dry everything down after showering – especially as the walls are wallpaper lined, rather than finished in more practical plastic.      

The bedroom

If the washroom is petite, the bedroom seems anything but, with generous floorspace around the foot of the bed. All is not quite as it first appears because this spaciousness is with the bed in day mode but, even when the mattress is pulled out to its full length, there’s still more room to move around the bedroom than in most rivals.

His and hers wardrobes beside the bed are the norm but on the offside there are three drawers, too. On this side, at the foot of the bed, there’s also a vanity unit but sit on the end of the bed and you’ll be lucky to see more than just your scalp in the mirror. And, if you should be tall enough to see your face, you’ll certainly not fit in the island bed, which is only a modest 1.83m long at most (and radiused at both sides).         

The lounge bed

If you need four berths, the Autoquest serves up a second double bed that’s made from the lounge settees. The slatted seat bases here simply slide together and the cushions are reversed to form a flat and very long double bed, but one that narrows from 1.23m on the offside to just 0.95m opposite.

This is a true four-berth, with Aguti travel seats (now featuring Isofix) hidden under the front settees. You have to remove and stow every one of the settee cushions but, having done so, seat bases fold up against the side walls and the Agutis unfurl, creating two face-forward pews with integral three-point seatbelts. There’s more legroom for the offside occupant but each seat is more restricted in room for shoulders than legs.         

Summary

So, here’s a well-priced island bed motorhome that does things a bit differently to its continental rivals. If you want a drop-down bed or a more private bedroom with an en suite and separate shower, you’ll need to look elsewhere, but you might also be drawn to the many dealer special edition versions which add extra equipment to this proven Elddis recipe – check out your local dealer’s offering.