Full review

Based on the Elddis Autoquest motorhome range, the Marquis Majestic is one of the best-known and longest-established of all dealer specials.

Taking a popular British-built coachbuilt motorhome line-up, the Marquis versions use the same designs, but with enhanced specification and cosmetic differences.

New for the 2017 season, these best-selling models are now built on a lowline chassis – thus reducing overall height and the centre of gravity, not just for a sleeker look but for greater stability and improved handling. A lower entrance step at the habitation door is a further plus.

On the base vehicle front, there’s not just a lower chassis, but a new engine, too. The requirement to meet Euro VI emissions levels brings with it a downsized 2-litre 160bhp BlueHDi turbo-diesel engine (replacing the previous 2.2-litre unit). Not only is this a smoother, quieter motor than the one it replaces, but it’s a step up from the 130bhp fitted to the standard Autoquest.

A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted – there is no automatic option – and the new engines require the use of AdBlue. A 15-litre tank (with filler just below the diesel one) is claimed to provide sufficient of the exhaust gas fluid to last around 6,200 miles.

The Majestic range (which also includes Marquis versions of the compact Elddis Accordo and more upmarket Encore) is said to offer everything you need in a motorhome – plus lots of home comforts – all at an affordable price.

The 185 model is one of the longer layouts offered – at 7.33m – and its key attributes are low-level fixed single beds at the rear, followed by an across-the-stern full-width washroom.

In tune with the number of berths matching the number of seatbelts, the 185 is a true four-berth. Up front, the twin side settees (a classic British design) convert into a transverse double bed. More unusually, those sofas also hide a pair of Aguti pop-up travel seats. These unfold easily to cater for a pair of rear passengers, not just increasing the Majestic’s versatility but also enhancing its appeal come resale time – family buyers usually purchase a used ’van.

A new feature for 2017 is a 110W solar panel on the roof, but Majestics were already pretty well-appointed.

Standard spec also runs to a touchscreen DAB radio with sat-nav, automatic air-conditioning, cruise control, driver and passenger airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic lights and wipers, a reversing camera, tracker system and Thatcham-approved alarm.

As well as an awning, the Majestic 185 has an external shower, a Sky-view opening overcab sunroof, a Teleco Teleplus X2/39U directional TV aerial and the Winter Pack of water tank heaters, pipework insulation and fridge vent covers. Its central kitchen features a dual-fuel hob and a microwave.

The Majestic comes with a three-year warranty plus a 10-year body integrity warranty covering the SoLiD construction bonded coachbuilt body with one-piece GRP sides.

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.