Benimar Benivan 144 high-top campervan

New layouts and keen prices for these campervans from Marquis

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Benimar Benivan 144

Benimar is a Spanish motorhome brand. Its campervan range, called Benivan, was previously built by Auto-Trail in Grimsby.

However, the latest models, unveiled by sole importer, Marquis Leisure, last October come from a Trigano factory in Italy. In fact, all these companies are part of the huge Trigano empire. 

Benivan production had fizzled out as Auto-Trail, faced with supply issues from Fiat, struggled to meet demand for its own campervans. 

But this isn’t just a change of manufacturing site for the Benivan range; gone are the UK-style rear lounge layouts, replaced by continental-type fixed bed floorplans. Two models now feature; the  144 (seen here) and the longer 161 with lengthways sleeping. 

In common with many imported campers, they have their sliding door on the offside, despite right-hand drive – it keeps production simpler and few buyers seem to really care. 

So, the new Benivans go into a crowded marketplace of very similar products, although their nationwide presence through Marquis will give them an advantage over some rivals. So, too, will keen pricing – the 144 starts at £56,995. But you’ll still want to compare it with other entry-level campers of this ilk from Carado, Dreamer, Etrusco, Joa Camp, Rimor and Sunlight. 

The spec

The base vehicle here is, of course, the six-metre Fiat Ducato. As standard, it comes with the 140hp engine, six-speed manual gearbox and Expedition White paint. If you want an automatic, the colour switches to Campovolo Grey, the engine remains the same, and the cost rises by a hefty £4,000.

Either way, you get 16in black alloy wheels, a colour-coded front bumper, front fog/cornering lights, stop/start, ESP with Traction Plus and hill descent control, cab seats with twin armrests and Bluetooth/radio controls on the steering wheel. The stereo itself is not included and neither is a spare wheel.

Externally, the Benivan also gets some simple black graphics, a solar panel on the roof, an electric step (and a flyscreen) at the side door and the cheaper, caravan-style windows that sit proud of the bodywork.

The interior

Inside, it’s the oft seen floorplan of half-dinette lounge and rear transverse double bed. 

The most noticeable difference here (apart from the dark wood cabinetwork) is that there’s a full-height walk-through into the cab, rather than the overcab shelf, but, at this price point, you don’t get a Skyview window.

There is, however, a large push-up Heki rooflight over the table, which includes a swing-out extension leaf. 

Upholstery is a duo-tone  brown/cream vinyl, while the padded trim around the dinette window is a nice touch.

The bed

At the rear, the bed’s mattress measures 1.86m by 1.48m but trim panels contoured to the sides of the Ducato give a usable bed length, wall-to-wall, of a more generous 1.94m. 

With overhead lockers on either side, you  won’t be able to sit up in bed but there are reading lights and USBs on the nearside. Opening windows in the rear doors and a small roof vent provide ventilation.

Under the bed, the boot is 96cm wide and 66cm high, with lashing points but no separation at the front. As such it could be an ideal area for dogs. This area also incorporates the 85-litre inboard fresh water tank on the  offside and the gas locker on the nearside.

The kitchen and washroom

The kitchen, as seen, is again typical of a European campervan but here Marquis has had an input and production models will get an oven. 

The prototype also featured a 137.6-litre fridge but standard spec will be an 84-litre model. 

No such changes affect the washroom, which has a fixed basin, swivel cassette loo, an opening window and a shower on a riser bar. 

Where to buy

Benimar is well represented in the UK, thanks to the 12 outlets of Marquis Leisure – Berkshire, Devon (Plymouth), Dorset, Durham, Exeter, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire, Northants, South Yorkshire, Suffolk and Surrey.

In Scotland, Benimar motorhomes are sold through The Motorhome Company in Perthshire and, in Northern Ireland, the brand is retailed by Camper NI in Hillsborough.