Hobby Maxia Van 680 ET high-top campervan

The first fruits of the cooperation between Hobby and VW

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Hobby Maxia Van 680 ET

Launched at the 2022 Caravan Salon, the Maxia Van 680 ET marks the beginning of a relationship between Hobby and VW. It is far from the only maker that is looking to move away from reliance on its previous chassis suppliers, in this case Citroën and Fiat. 

To start with, it’s just a single model – a high-top camper based on the long-wheelbase Crafter – but Frank Maukel, Hobby’s Head of Marketing & PR, is keen to stress that more Maxia Van models will follow as part of a “long cooperation with VW.” 

What’s included

Clearly, the new model sits above the existing Vantana range, with the spec here including the 177PS engine, eight-speed automatic gearbox and stop/start. 

It also comes with the latest driving assistance systems, including hill start assist with hill descent assist, ESP, fatigue detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic lights and wipers. 

A reversing camera is also included, which will be welcome as this is a long campervan, at 6.84m. 

The exterior

Externally, the standard colour is white, with Indium Grey or Deep Black finishes available at extra cost. The 17in Lismore alloy wheels are standard, as are the framed habitation windows.

The bedroom

Inside, it’s the classic continental campervan format, with a half-dinette lounge and a permanent rear bedroom. Here, though, there seems to be even more emphasis on sleeping. It’s a huge lengthways double bed – claimed dimensions 2.00m by 1.72m – with just a small cut-out at the foot to aid access. Pleated blinds are fitted at the windows and reading lights are suspended from the top lockers on either side.

The Goodside slatted bed frame system and cold foam mattress are said to enhance comfort and the bed can be folded to increase garage storage. Under the bed, you’ll also find tie-down hooks for your luggage and, on the offside, a large gas locker with pull-out plinth to ease changing the 11kg cylinders. 

The interior

The interior has a simple, Scandinavian-style design with light walnut woodwork and grey V-Flex felt-effect lining for the walls and ceiling. 

And the Maxia Van uses the extra-high panel van as its base, to allow 2m headroom inside. All in all, it’s an attractive and appealing interior that Hobby says is intended to have a feeling of “hygge” (a Norwegian concept of cosy contentment).

We weren’t so taken with the duo-grey upholstery in the lounge, which feels a bit too base-model Golf. The rear passenger seats bode well for comfort, though, as they slide forward and sideways and feature height-adjustable head restraints. 

Just note that, if you’re planning to travel four-up, you’ll need to upgrade to the 3,850kg van – standard payload is a meagre 174kg. Sleeping capacity is a maximum of three, with the dinette optionally converting into a 1.60m by 0.74m bed.

The kitchen

The kitchen comes with the usual two-burner hob and sink combination, plus a 90-litre compressor fridge, where the worktop is just a tad higher. A lack of tall cabinets on the offside increases spaciousness, while food prep space is good even before you deploy the unusual diagonal flap. 

There’s no oven, but storage – in super-sized drawers – is good and there’s even a small external cupboard, reachable with the sliding door open. 

The washroom

The washroom impresses, too, with its modern design, semi-separate shower and opening window. The basin folds away above the cassette loo to create more space but, in use, its backless design seems likely to waste water.

Summary

There’s a lot to like here, especially given that most of the kit you’d want is standard. The 100-litre fresh water tank is inboard, and the 90-litre waste tank is heated.

We just hope that the UK market doesn’t have to wait too long for RHD versions…

Where to buy

Hobby motorhomes and campervans are imported into the UK from Germany by Hobby Caravans and Motorhomes Great Britain and Ireland Limited, based in Preston.

Its dealers are Edwards Motorhomes in Worcester, E S Hartley in Cumbria and at Ellesmere Port, JJ Caravans in north Wales, and Motorhome Escapes in Scotland, while a new addition to the network is Stoneacre at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.