Benimar Mileo 264 motorhome

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 280kg

Such has been the success of the Benimar range of low-profile motorhomes in the UK that, in three short years, the Spanish brand has shot up the motorhoming hit parade to a top three position

You can thank all-inclusive pricing for that, with a no-nonsense policy of high spec without a confusing array of options and packs.

The Mileo models (on Fiat) also boast habitation doors on the UK side and a level of equipment that beats the opposition. It’s all down to the buying power of Britain’s biggest dealer group, Marquis Leisure, which also now happens to be part of the same ginormous French Trigano empire as the Iberian manufacturer.

With 12 outlets now around England, Marquis offers more representation on its own than many other European brands can offer with a selection of dealers.

So, you won’t have to travel far to see a Mileo. And when you see a new-season model you won’t spot a great deal of change. Why mess with such a winning formula?

What you do get on the 2018 edition is rear speakers, cab reading lights and a USB port, a new rear spoiler and tail-lights, a Trackstar Leisure CAT6 security tracking system with a year’s subscription, a new entrance light, iNet-ready heating, plus new kitchen lighting and an extractor hood.

As with the whole range, this Mileo 264 is now fully NCC approved, while the fixed single bed layout is becoming a favourite here as well as on the Continent. Payload is on the slim side on a 3,500kg chassis but a 3,650kg upgrade sorts that out at no extra cost and you can even go to a 4,400kg chassis for an additional £1,750. The only other option you’re likely to need to consider is the Comfort-Matic gearbox – at £1,900 extra.

All Mileos come with a 150bhp engine as standard, as well as cab air-conditioning, cruise control, a DAB radio with CD player, reversing camera monitor and sat-nav, plus ESP and a hill assist system. The Benimar body has 99% wood-free construction and exterior features include barbecue and shower points and a solar panel.

Rather than the usual high twin beds over a massive garage, the 264 has low single beds for easy access. There’s still plenty of storage beneath the beds, though, and the ablutions are split – shower one side, toilet and basin opposite – as is increasingly becoming the norm. The wardrobe sits betwixt the beds, so you won’t be able to stare lovingly into your partner’s eyes unless you put the kids in this main bedroom and adopt the drop-down double (over the forward lounge) for the parental quarters.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read loads more like it in the latest issue of What Motorhome magazine.

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