Full review

It may seem odd at first that Hymer’s Van range is not a van conversion at all, but the most compact of low-profile coachbuilts. An overall width of 2.22m marks them out as usefully slimmer than the norm – ideal both in the city and on rural backroads. But it’s length where the Van really shows its lack of size.

The first Van to reach the market (the 314) is just 5.45m long. This was quickly followed by the 374 model at 5.99m – the extra bodywork being justified simply by a switch from a transverse double bed to lengthways twin singles.

A change from Fiat cabs to Mercedes means a longer nose, and therefore overall dimensions stretching the tape to 5.65m and 6.36m, for the Van S 500 and S 520 respectively. These models are in every way similar to their Fiat cousins, but the bond between the two Teutonic top-quality marques – Hymer and Mercedes-Benz – is a strong one and many a Hymer customer prefers to have the cachet of a three-pointed star up front.

Coincidentally, this longest Van model measures exactly the same from bumper to bumper as an extra-long Fiat/Peugeot van conversion – and it shares a similar twin bed layout to many of that breed, too. Where it differs is in offering a full-sized garage at the rear. And with payloads starting at 630kg – up to 1.33 tonnes with a chassis upgrade! – you really can take full advantage of that loadspace, unlike in so many larger coachbuilts.

The rear-wheel drive Sprinter chassis will also have advantages for those wishing to tow with their motorhome (towing capacity is up to two tonnes). And with the Mercedes chassis come other advantages, including the optional – and delightfully smooth – 7G-Tronic Plus (torque convertor) automatic gearbox.

Standard spec includes ASR (anti-slip control), EBV (electronic brake force distribution) and ESP (electronic stability program). To that already class-leading list you can add the Driving Assistant Package of Collision Assist, Lane Assist, High-Beam Assist and automatic lights and wipers.

The Euro VI power unit offers 143bhp as standard, with 163 or 190bhp options and you can even add bi-Xenon headlamps and heated cab seats. Then go for the aesthetics, too, by specifying alloy wheels and a cab in metallic paint – grey, silver, brown, black or pearl.

Of course, get too carried away with the options and the price will rise significantly beyond the £53k listed here – £10k-worth of extra toys is nothing unusual on a Hymer. But, equally, few motorhomes retain a strong residual value like this revered German name. And if you like the look of a Van S then you really won’t find anything else like it.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version and more in the April 2017 issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.