Full review

Typical island bed layouts, both in A-class and low-profile body styles, are usually around seven-and-a-half metres long overall. It’s a size that allows a decent amount of space to be allotted to all areas – lounge, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom and yet still, in some cases, offer a usable payload for a couple in a 3.5-tonne vehicle (though this always needs careful checking in line with your own requirements).

However, 7.5m is still quite a substantial length, one that might not fit easily on your drive at home and could seem a tad too big when manoeuvring. What if you’re set on the convenience of a domestic-style bedroom with access to the double bed from both sides but want a relatively compact motorhome?

Pilote isn’t alone in answering this need but its solution is certainly one of the best. And it comes in low-profile form (at lower cost, of course) as well as this A-class. You can also choose from the Sensation spec seen here, or save cash by going for the keenly priced Essentiel trim level.

Despite the truncated bodywork, this Pilote loses nothing in its bedroom. In fact, like its bigger brothers in the Galaxy range, it has the measure of much of the competition. The rear bed is 1.90m by 1.40m (manufacturer’s figures) but more important is the treatment around the bed. The bedside tables are much larger than usual as the wardrobes are raised and ‘hover’ above, which also means that you feel much less hemmed in when lying down. There’s room to sit up in bed, too, while rear speakers and flexible wand reading lights may encourage you to linger longer in the boudoir. The bedroom can be closed off from the rest of the living area (but still including the bathroom) with a concertina screen.

A less obvious benefit is the double floor which is common to all Galaxy models based on the Fiat Ducato Camping-Car chassis with its lowered frame and wider rear track. Compared with its predecessor, the 2019 version boasts an extra 60kg of carrying capacity, meaning a surprisingly generous payload of up to 580kg with this layout (30kg less with Sensation spec). Insulation is said to be enhanced, too.

Up front, the A-class cab adds to the feeling of space in a motorhome that seems much roomier than you might expect for its size. The swivel captain’s chairs are the number one choice in a lounge that also includes an inviting L-shaped settee and an occasional-use jump seat in the doorway. We also rather like the height-adjustable TV mounting behind the sofa.

Then there’s the added bonus of an A-class in that the drop-down bed (1.90m by 1.35m claimed) comes down in the cab space, leaving much of the lounge still available – unlike low-profile alternatives. If you envisage using the ’van as a four-berth, this makes it a much more viable option – as does the increased payload compared with larger models.

The kitchen is necessarily quite bijou and its hob has just two rings, but you don’t lose out on fridge space – the Dometic slim tower offers a generous 134-litre capacity. Worktop is limited, so you’ll overflow onto the table (with its extension leaf) if you’re planning more adventurous meals. A Thetford Duplex oven/grill (not seen here) is fitted at a convenient height on UK models.

Sensation spec also adds plenty of kit over the Essentiel – lighting and a 230V socket in the under-bed locker, LED tail-lights, the Aguti cab chairs, ambient lighting, a slide-out spice rack, backlit headboard and more.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.