Full review

Introduced in 2019, the Autoquest CV20 has now edged over the £40k price point and been undercut by Auto-Trail’s remarkably affordable Expedition, but it still looks like a very good alternative to buying used.

For 2021, not much has changed. There’s new LED lighting, a new ActivCare (wipe-clean) upholstery and a new wood colour. A new 90-litre Dometic fridge is installed, as well as Horrex blinds.

Then, on the outside, you’ll spot new graphics and there’s the £500 option of Slate Grey metallic paint. Fundamentally, though, this is the same campervan that won its class in the 2019 What Motorhome awards. And you can still opt for a Compass-badged version if you have a Compass dealer closer to you. Look out for special edition versions with added kit at various retailers around the country, too.

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Based on a six-metre Fiat van, the CV20 comes with the 140bhp engine and you can opt for the automatic version at an extra £2,040, or £3,240 in combination with an upgrade to 160bhp. You’ll also need to add the Lux Pack (at £1,218) for the essential cab air-con, passenger airbag and cruise control.

You can carry on ticking boxes – reversing camera and sat-nav (£530), alloys (£650), towbar (£500), Winter Pack (£332), cab blinds (£450), alarm (£322), Tracker (£280), microwave (£212), 230V external socket (£60), solar panel (£535) – but our advice would be to only add extras you reckon you can’t live without.

Elddis played it safe with layouts when it launched its campers (the newer CV60 is worth a look if you want something out of the ordinary) and here the focus is on extra-spacious lounging in the stern.

Both rear settees are 1.88m long – more accommodating than in some rivals and perfect to act as single beds.

There’s only a small rooflight overhead but there are opening windows all around and the moulded trim panels on walls and doors show how Elddis has learned from continental brands in the Erwin Hymer Group. Reading lights are fitted in all four corners and a free-standing table caters for dining inside or out.

Up front, both cab seats swivel and there’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat, despite the position of furniture close behind.

The kitchen features a Thetford Triplex cooker with a three-burner hob and combined oven/grill, while the 90-litre compressor fridge is a big plus.

Under the fridge is a small wardrobe, while the kitchen is angled at the forward end (where you’ll find four small drawers) to increase floor space. A flyscreen on the sliding door and an electric step are standard features.

Opposite the galley, the washroom impresses with a fixed corner basin on a plinth – no flimsy tip-up washbasin here. Towel hooks, toothbrush mug, etc, are provided but, for showering, you’ll have to deploy a curtain (few van conversions manage to do without), and park level as there’s just one drain in the shower tray.

Heating is by Whale’s 4kW gas/electric system with a quiet night-time setting. There’s an underslung 90-litre fresh water tank (the waste tank is just 45 litres). The 25-litre gas tank is another plus – it’ll save you the effort of lugging heavy cylinders around.