Autocruise Jazz (2010)

Autocruise Jazz 2010

IT'S a motorhome that can double as four-seater everyday transport.

It’s a beautifully crafted, quality holiday environment for two. It has a kitchen designed for creative cooking – and a shower that’s amazingly spacious considering the overall length is only 5.41m metres.

This is the Autocruise Jazz, the motorhome that won our sister magazine MMM’s top award for 2010. The Jazz is different, refreshing, cleverly designed – and I couldn’t wait to put that superb L-shaped kitchen to the test, just because such a large kitchen seems out of its depth in a motorhome you can park in a car park.

A big barn door glides back to reveal the dining area that’s also your bedroom. But before you step inside, look down, for you’ll see three brilliant LED lights set into the curving edge of the raised area on which the table sits.

The words luxury look spring to mind – words that were to crop up in our thoughts a lot as we analysed the Jazz.

Suede-effect in pale cream and chocolate teamed with hessian-look upholsters the seating.

More cream, fine-weave fabric clothes the walls of the living area. The table is robust and clunks into its wall mount reassuringly solidly. It stores over the cab, secured by a simple plastic turn button.

You can’t help but admire the neatness and ingenuity of its TV cabinet. It’s fronted by deep-shine dark wood, which prompts comment on all the head-height lockers that get this lovely gleaming wood shade across their bases and a more mellow, matt wood above.

Handles are chunky stainless steel and catches are very positive. The whole effect reflects the word quality.

Doors in another area draw comment, too. They’re metal-look tambour doors, simple and stylish and so modern.

One curves around as triangular cupboard at the forward end of the kitchen. The other closes off the shower room. The use of this pale metal grey increases the light and airy look of the Jazz.

Kitchen equipment is a three-burner hob and Spinflo grill-oven. There’s a small fridge, lots of cupboards – and lots of work surface.

That, surely, is the Jazz’s defining feature, only a short way behind the parking convenience of its small size.

Out on the road, Fiat’s 120 Multijet power unit pulls energetically. Handling is positive and predictable. Rattles are minimal. A joy to drive as well as easy, confined-space living.

Confined? It’s cosy but doesn’t feel cramped. But to keep the length down, Autocruise devised a bed which has one person’s feet extending under the wardrobe.

Take care if you turn over in bed, though, as your feet can hit the underside of the wardrobe. That’s our only note of caution about the Jazz.

Everything about this motorhome is solid quality – so typically Autocruise – and yet so different.

The kitchen will delight couples for whom cooking is an essential part of touring. The shower is of sufficient size to keep you independent of campsite showers when you want to be. 

The Jazz’s four seats mean that it can double as a family car if you only want to own one vehicle – and, bring a tent and the family can holiday in the Jazz, too; there’s dining space for four although beds for only two.

• This review was first published in Go Motorhome magazine.

The Autocruise Jazz is a stylish take on the traditional van conversion that offers four travel seats and a luxurious feel.