Full review

SMC, the supplying dealer for the motorhome in this test, reports that this is its top-selling Pilote, while you can then choose from the island bed layout here or twin singles, as well as three spec levels – Essentiel, Sensation and Emotion.

The lounge starts off with the usual benefit of an A-class of masses of daylight flooding in through the front and the extra width in the cab. The captain’s chairs turn through a full 180 degrees, so you can put your feet up on the L-settee or side seat which complete the lounge in time-honoured fashion. The TV mount (by the door) impresses for being height-adjustable. The table is a permanent fixture on a central leg but offers enough movement to be within reach wherever you sit, without recourse to an extension leaf. There’s plenty of lighting, and the rear head restraints are height-adjustable.

In the kitchen you might be surprised to find a conventional fridge/freezer rather than a slimline model but, with 160-litre capacity and automatic energy selection, it loses nothing in terms of practicality. Meanwhile, the main galley seems to have a bit more worktop than many rivals, aided by a useful shelf (with 12V, mains and USB sockets adjacent) on the back of the travel seats. Spec impresses here, too, with a waste bin, soft-close drawers, glasses cupboard, extractor hood, gloss black splashback and, as part of the GB Pack, an oven/grill mounted sensibly low down.

As ever, that Pack also adds essentials such as cab air-con and cruise control, as well as carpets and durable GRP sides. A hailproof GRP roof, Styrofoam insulation, polyester underside and flush windows are all standard. A five-inch step in the floor takes you up to the en suite bedroom, complete with opposing toilet and shower compartments and a sliding door to provide privacy between ablutions and bedroom. The shower is a good size and comes with a hanging rail for wet clothes.

Space around the foot of the bed is only just adequate – we’d suggest you try it for size. There’s an optional ‘electric headboard’ which slides the whole mattress back and up to create a sort of two-person chaise longue. As well as making a great place to relax or watch telly (there’s a second TV bracket), this also opens an extra 100mm between the foot of the bed and the shower. Reading lights and radio speakers are also welcome fittings.

A second option here is a bed that rises electrically to create more room in the garage. Fully raised, there’s 1.22m of headroom, served by two full-sized doors, tie-down points, illumination, storage bins and a mains socket. The two electric bed options combined remove 32kg of capacity and other options here will erode it further, though there are chassis upgrades available – all the way up to 4.4 tonnes.

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

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