Benimar Mileo 231

Berths: 2 Travel seats: 4 (inc driver) Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Camping-Car Chassis-Cab Maximum weight: 3,500kg Payload: 550kg

Benimar’s reintroduction into the UK last year was greeted with some fanfare - the Mileo 201 won the Compact Coachbuilt of the Year award in the Motorhome Awards.

But 201’s French bed sister, the 231, wasn’t available with UK spec insisted on by sole UK dealer Marquis Leisure until February this year. Does it live up to Benimar’s reputation for superb value for money?

You notice the high spec straight away in the driver’s cab. This comes with standard air-conditioning and cruise control. You also get an ugly reversing camera.

The Mileo range is built on the Ducato’s lower Camping-Car chassis. Along with removing the need for an external entrance step, this makes for stable handling.

Moving into the main body of the 231, the L-shaped dinette provides two narrow travel seats. The table folds out so that, with the cab seats swivelled, you could (just) have six for dinner. But the nearside seat extension is tricky to assemble and has a support that isn’t welcoming. Above it is an LED-lit glass cabinet with holders for no less than 10 glasses. This rattled during the drive. Storage space across the other side of the dinette is better, with good-sized overhead lockers.

It’s often said that with a fixed bed layout you have to compromise on kitchen space if you want to stay compact. The  5.99-metre-long 231 is no exception. The work space in this kitchen is smaller than key rivals. You do get a good-sized cutlery drawer and pan drawer, though, plus good overhead lockers. And, of course, on the other side there’s a Thetford 150-litre AES fridge/freezer. With a microwave in as well, you get an unused section above it that could have included a cupboard.

The half-height wardrobe, positioned above the bed, only has room for shirts, not dresses. But you will have a restful sleep on a firm 1.88m-long bed. And unlike in the dinette, you get reading lights.

Unlike the kitchen, the washroom is palatial. There’s loads of storage space in here, and with the shower in use there would still be enough room for someone else to use the washbasin.

Overall, the Benimar’s dark wood veneers and fashionable gloss white surfaces make it more upmarket-looking than rival brands.

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the July 2015 issue of Which Motorhome.

The 231 has super spec and a great washroom, but you have to compromise on the kitchen at this length.