CMC Reimo Trio Style

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 5 Base vehicle: Renault Trafic SL29 DCI 120 Maximum weight: 2,900kg Payload: 320kg (380kg without roof bed)

The best-kept secret in campervan circles is the Renault Trafic. Its boxy sides and long floor make it ideal for conversions. Thanks to a recent refresh, now comes with a new range of 1.6-litre engines, including two sparkling twin-turbo 120bhp and 140bhp versions. But the best news is the price: typically, a Renault campervan works out £10,000 less than the equivalent VW.

Based on the 120bhp version, in top-of-the-range Sport spec, the CMC Reimo Trio Style won’t fit in multi-storey car parks, but will go almost anywhere else as it’s only 132mm longer than a Mondeo.

The 120bhp engine pulled better than any 1.6-litre engine has any right to, while the compliant suspension gives a softer ride than both the VW Transporter and the Ford Transit Custom. It’s quiet, too, and while the dash isn’t as high quality as the VW’s or Ford’s, the layout offers plenty of storage.

The Variotech 3000 seating system offers three rear seatbelts and slides on floor-mounted rails. It also flips down easily to form a spacious and well-padded double bed.

There are three colour options for the interior furniture (white, black and applewood) with the test vehicle’s white cabinets and black upholstery looking a bit severe, although it’s neutral and won’t date. You can’t fault the quality. The kitchen even has an aluminium tambour door covering a large locker that houses a chemical loo.

Two lift-up glass lids reveal a twin-burner hob and sink fed by a single cold water tap. A 40-litre Waeco compressor fridge sits under the sink, while the bank of cabinets also features three drawers and an additional storage locker. There’s a little worktop space but most people will use the dining table when prepping food.

Reimo’s multi-function table can either be attached to a swing-out table leg on the sliding seat or be used free-standing. The legs can be extended individually, too.

The Reimo roof – here with optional roof bed has curtains that are held in place by press-studs.

The lack of windows in the rear means that you get three useful storage pouches with a wardrobe on the opposite side. The wardrobe’s lift-up door is less convenient than a tambour. At the rear of the campervan is a storage locker for two 6kg gas cylinders, with two 13-litre removable water carriers below.

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the February 2016 issue of What Motorhome.

You can’t help but fall for the charms of the Renault in this ’van that, thanks to the sliding seats, is highly adaptable.