Globe-Traveller Explorer 2X campervan

French bed in a campervan – and that’s not all that’s unusual here…

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Globe-Traveller Explorer 2X

This premium Polish campervan converter has only had two seasons on the UK market but at its show debut it walked off with the Campervan of the Year trophy. 

Since that, it has wowed us again with its first VW Crafter model (watch motorhome.ma/review313 on YouTube). But these are the top model in the company’s line-up, so when I spotted the marque’s entry-level Explorer at dealer, E S Hartley, I wanted to see if it retained the same magic. 

Firstly, though, don’t get carried away with that term ‘entry-level’ – this is Globe-Traveller’s most affordable range but only in the same way that an iSmove is the least expensive motorhome from Niesmann + Bischoff. 

It lacks the Voyager’s redesigned rear that replaces the barn doors with a much neater top-hinged boot and it keeps the boxy lines of the H3 Ducato instead of adopting Globe-Traveller’s own, more shapely, overcab.

However, this is still a fully winterised campervan with a double floor (flat floor level throughout, too) and top-notch build quality, plus features like the 180hp engine and a lithium leisure battery.

In fact, the Explorer is a range of three – 2Z (6.36m long, single beds), 2XS (5.99m, French bed) and this 2X, which combines the longer Ducato van with the double bed layout. 

This was a left-hand drive example priced at £88,995 but right-hand drive is available (still with an offside sliding door), if you prefer. 

The exterior

Externally, this campervan looks pretty unremarkable, although it is the longest and tallest Fiat panel van currently available. 

It has flush, framed habitation windows, alloy wheels and neat, modern graphics but there’s not too much else to report. 

Step around to the back and the unglazed rear doors continue a black/bronze colour scheme, whilst opening to reveal a very useful load area beneath the fixed bed. 

You’ll find the gas locker here, as well as the boiler, with toilet servicing on the right. In the middle is a garage measuring 1.21m by 72cm with 86cm headroom. 

The interior

It’s inside that the Explorer 2X feels very different from other imported campervans, with an extremely open, spacious layout that caters purely for two people. 

While other Globe-Traveller models come with rear travel seats, the lounge here has just the cab chairs and a single seat on the nearside. 

It’s a shame, perhaps, that there’s not more shape to this seat, to enhance its comfort, but adding scatter cushions would solve that issue. They could brighten up what is a rather monotone interior, too. 

What having just a small seat here does do is create a lot more floor space – dog owners will appreciate that – and, with the 1.95m headroom of the H3 van, the Explorer does feel a lot bigger inside than most rivals.

The bed

The feeling of space is helped, too, by running the bed lengthways, rather than across the rear of the camper in the more usual style. 

Here, there’s a much clearer view down the whole length of the campervan and an impression of much more room to move around. 

The bed itself will suit the tall (the mattress is 2.00m long) but it also favours the slim (width is 1.20m). Alongside is a well-designed toilet/shower room.

Storage in this model is another strength. As well as the under-bed space, there are huge overcab lockers, top cupboards all around, some under-floor compartments and a tall but very shallow wardrobe.

The kitchen

The kitchen has enough space to cater for keen chefs, too, although the omission of an oven may not go down as well. 

Plenty of drawers and a slide-out unit for packets and tins are a good use of space, while the compressor fridge and more drawers (plus more worktop) are opposite, at the foot of the bed.

Where to buy

The brand only launched into the UK market at the October 2022 NEC show but already has a network of five retail outlets. 

These are Blackdown Leisure (Somerset), GMC Motorhomes (Shrewsbury), E S Hartley (Ellesmere Port and Cumbria), and Jordans of Hull.