Full review

A-class motorhomes don’t have to be big. Nor do they even need to cost the earth. Not only is this Pilote a smidgeon under six metres in length but it has a starting price of just over £60k – we can think of van conversions that are not only longer but cost more, too.

But the beauty of this motorhome lies in its lounge. Only an A-class could offer this much room, thanks to the panoramic windscreen and full-width cab with swivel captain’s chairs.

Here, though, there’s no bedroom aft to steal space, so there’s capacity for a side settee on the offside as well as the longer L-shaped sofa, which incorporates the travel seats. Above, there’s a big wind-up Heki sunroof, while the fixed dining table folds in half when not required and the TV mounts onto a height-adjustable bracket by the doorway. All in all, it’s hard to believe you’re in a six-metre ’van when sat here.

This show model from Davan Caravans at the NEC included a number of options, such the high-gloss furniture, imitation leather upholstery and decorative cushions, but if you want to go further you can upgrade from Essentiel to Sensation spec.

You can also add a second double bed, created from the lounge seats (claimed dimensions 2.05m by 1.40m), but the main bed in an A-class of this style will always be the drop-down one in the cab.

Tip the front seats forward and the bed simply pulls down manually – it measures 1.88m by 1.36m and leaves most of the lounge undisturbed for anyone who wants to stay up later or get up earlier. There’s a useful shelf at the front for night-time oddments but no roof vent directly above, which could be an issue in the height of summer.

The galley avoids the typical L-shape but is deeper at the forward (sink) end, slightly slimmer by the hob. The cooker is a three-in-line unit set towards the back of the counter, freeing up loads of preparation space at the front of the worktop.

Below, there’s a Thetford Duplex oven/grill – an optional extra but one that’s sure to be popular with British buyers. Even with the oven fitted, there’s still a pair of drawers alongside – one for cutlery and a much deeper one for your pans. The Baraldi extractor hood is another option but the tall/slim fridge (138-litre capacity) comes with automatic energy selection as standard.

There’s a small step up into the rear bathroom, which stretches across the whole width of the ’van. The separate shower, on the nearside, has bifold doors and places for your soap, etc, while the basin is centrally placed, facing you as you enter the rear room. There’s a good-sized locker under the washbasin for your toiletries and a worktop alongside for the ones in use.

Behind the superior Dometic cassette loo is the wardrobe, making this into a full changing room. The hanging rail here is an impressive 830mm wide but the height from the rail is only 770mm, so suitable for shirts and jackets but not dresses.

Like other 2019 Pilotes, the G600 benefits from the latest Xperience tablet-style touchscreen control panel. It also comes with 4kW Truma Combi heating as standard, with the popular 6kW gas/mains upgrade fitted here. The entry-level Essentiel spec was enhanced this season to become close to 2018’s Sensation trim so, with a few well-chosen extras, it’s enough to have a stylish and comfortable compact A-class and still stay under £70k.

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