Hillside Birchover Executive campervan

Base vehicle: VW Transporter (T6) Price from: £46,995 Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 4.89m Width: 1.90m Height: 2.01m Gross weight: 2,800kg Payload: 550kg estimated

The Birchover, with its traditional side kitchen layout, has long been Hillside’s best-selling model.

For 2019, there’s a whole range of Birchover models – Classic is the standard model, the S is the entry-level version (from just £35,995), and the XL is the long-wheelbase derivative. And now – launched at last October’s NEC show – there’s a flagship camper, the Birchover Executive.

The top dog from Hillside is based, appropriately, on a Highline-spec Transporter van (with the 102PS engine and five-speed manual gearbox as standard). Highline trim gives you a DAB radio with 5in touchscreen and Bluetooth, electric windows and mirrors, Climatic air-conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic dimming rear view mirror, cab Comfort Pack and additional noise suppression, a Category 1 alarm, automatic wipers, leather multi-function steering wheel, front fog and cornering lights, stop/start and 16in alloy wheels.

Here, those rims had been upgraded to an impressive-looking set of 20in AEZ wheels (£1,395), combined with lowered suspension (£395) and a full ABT bodykit of colour-coded front lip spoiler, upper grille trim, lower rear spoiler and side skirts, which certainly transforms the look of the humble T6 at a further cost of £3,960.

Of course, you could go further on the base vehicle, too. The metallic Indium Grey paintwork shown adds £610, but you can upgrade to the 150PS (six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG) or 204PS TDI engines (DSG with front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive). Then there are all manner of techy options and driver assistance features.

What marks the Executive out over lesser Birchovers, though, is its redesigned kitchen. Gone is the usual slight L-shape with the deeper section behind the driver including a swing-out shelving unit which conceals a front-loading fridge. In its place is a straight run of furniture all along the offside.

And, instead of wood finishes, here you have cabinets in plain colours (a choice, not just the black seen here, which might be a bit too masculine for many buyers), with either matt or gloss finish. The furniture is then enhanced with either walnut or oak hardwood strips.

The side galley has a clean look, thanks to a completely handleless design – the four large drawers all have push-to-open catches. The appliances – a stylish gas-on-glass Thetford hob and round stainless-steel sink – are hidden under a hinged worktop with mottled finish, while the rearmost section of counter lifts to reveal a 40-litre top-loading compressor fridge. An induction hob is optional.

The ever-popular RIB rear seat with adjustable headrests caters for rear passengers and converts into a bed – the full leather upholstery shown is a £1,500 option. Standard equipment, however, is the latest, high-quality SCA elevating roof with sprung roof bed, making the Birchover Executive a four-berth camper.

The new pop-top comes with a fully opening ‘panoramic’ front section as well as a choice of canvas colours, including red, blue and black options. Pleated blinds at the campervan’s side windows are another plus.

At the rear of the conversion, there’s a good-sized boot area, with a corner wardrobe (with automatic illumination) and a gas compartment below. Storage of a portable loo is possible under the back seat, while there are doors from the boot into the under-seat space to accommodate longer loads.

Like other Hillside campers, the new flagship has European Whole Vehicle Type Approval and National Caravan Council approval, too. Diesel heating, a 230V boiler, swivel driver and passenger seats and an external shower are also standard features.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in What Motorhome magazine. You can get a digital version of the latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.