Full review

First came BoxStar, then the more affordable BoxLife, which went on to win the Motorhome of the Year title for 2016.

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That success with the BoxLife has, perhaps, resulted in the older brother being unfairly overlooked. But you can’t just saunter past a dark grey campervan with stylish alloy wheels, gloss black grille and flush-fitting Seitz S7 windows when it’s parked in a line of white boxes on the Lowdhams forecourt. Clearly, this is not an entry-level model, though the starting price is still the right side of £50k.

Inside, the transverse rear bed floorplan with central washroom, galley adjacent to the side door and half-dinette seating is nothing new. Adria originally made a success of the design, but now you’ll also find rivals to the BoxStar Street from Bürstner, Globecar, Hobby, HymerCar, Pilote, Rapido, Roller Team and Weinsberg. Choosing between them all will come down to price, spec, interior design and décor, as well as detail differences.

Step inside this Knaus and the first such novelty that you’ll spot is the rear seating. In place of the usual rather shapeless half-dinette bench, here is a pair of very automotive-looking passenger seats with integral headrests and folding armrests. Not only do they look good, but they slide forward to recline and they can be slid apart to offer extra elbow-room. As well as that they have the reassurance of TÜV approval, so you can be sure that your little darlings are travelling in safety. If it’s adults that are likely to ride back here just check the seat width for size; they may not suit the larger derrière!

Take a look at the galley, too. Where many rivals have just a two-burner hob, here there are three rings – all in a line for extra convenience, and with a heavy, but strangely appealing, cast iron pan stand.

The sink is good ‘n’ deep, and there’s the usual flip-up work surface on the forward end of the galley – otherwise you might struggle for preparation space, though the table is close by. More importantly, this kitchen has loads of drawers, so storage is accessible without grovelling on your hands and knees. And that’s a theme that continues with the waist-height fridge – a 90-litre compressor-type.

The rear transverse double bed has high-level lockers all around its perimeter, so take care not to bang your head. There are opening windows (in the rear doors) and a small roof vent for fresh air and reading lights on the nearside, plus a folding step to aid access for the shorter-legged motorhomer.

Finally, the washroom is utterly conventional but well-thought-out with no gimmicky tambour door extensions or suchlike. The fixed basin is great, as is the flat countertop area, but we’d have to try the inflatable strip in the shower curtain, which is claimed to keep it taut and away from your body, before pronouncing our verdict.

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

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