Benimar Primero 202 motorhome

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Price from: £46,995 Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 5.99m Gross weight: 3,500kg

This Primero 202 is built in Spain solely for the UK market (and sold exclusively by Marquis Leisure). It is a low-profile model based, like almost all of its rivals, on a Fiat Ducato base. The 202 (one of four models in this new range) has four berths and four travel seats, but it works best as a two-person ’van. Unusually for an import, the habitation door is on the UK side, and (like all Primeros) it’s compact, too, at fractionally under six metres long.

The driving sensation was speed without haste, comfort without indulgence, and efficiency over style. The typical 2.3-litre, 130bhp, Euro 6 diesel engine moves the motorhome along effortlessly, while the lowered Camper chassis with its wider rear track ensure good stability.

There’s a generous payload, too, even without the optional upgrade to a 3,650kg gross weight.

There’s no digital radio in the cab, but there is a standard 12V socket and a USB port on the dashboard, handy for charging or running gadgets.

You get cruise control and a passenger airbag, too, as well as cab air-conditioning. The flip-up clipboard on the dash is useful for attaching information, like the height and width of the ’van – ideal if you’re new to driving a motorhome. The large skylight above the cab means that light streams into the Primero 202. With two reading lights in the cab you’ll also have plenty of illumination at night.

The Benimar Primero’s spacious lounge

The lounge feels big, surprisingly so as the 202 is compact (5.99m long) on the road. Inside, though, it manages to feel spacious, light, and airy.

With the cab seats rotated, a bench seat for two on the nearside and an L-shaped settee opposite, you could seat six to dine. The tabletop slides so you can position it centrally between the seats, but it is rather big and doesn’t fold in half or remove. Above the lounge are eight LED downlights.

If you have passengers with you, like grandchildren, strap them into two forward-facing rear travelling seats, which form part of the L-shaped sofa.

An electric drop-down main bed

The main bed is the multi-positional, electric drop-down one. Using a button on its rear-facing edge you lower the bed to where you need it. If there are only two of you, lower the bed to its maximum depth (making sure you’ve dropped the table – that’s electric, too – and moved seat backrest cushions out of the way) and jump in. On the bed’s sides are safety nets for when you sleep in it in its raised position.

If you have guests (those grandchildren, perhaps) staying, you will need to have the main bed at a higher level. For this situation, there is an extendable ladder. The ‘guest bed’ is made up from the seat cushions. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle laying them out correctly and, if you like an even surface to sleep on, you’ll probably want a mattress topper, but it’s a big enough bed for two adults.

For heating, the 202 has a 4kW Truma Combi gas/electric blown-air system and, with the Primero’s Grade III insulation, you should stay warm.

Generous worktop space in the Primero’s kitchen

Adding to the spacious feeling is the Primero’s nearside kitchen. If you like cooking on holiday, Benimar makes it easier. It’s a stylish space with a generous amount of worktop.

Within the worktop are the round sink and the hob. The sink diameter is 40cm and there’s a removable draining board. Under the sink is a cutlery drawer.

The Thetford cooker, specified for the UK, has two gas rings and an electric hotplate, as well as a combined grill and oven. From experience, these ovens make cooking easy, so you can roast, bake or grill anything you like. They are big enough to prepare food for four and ideal for two people.

The cupboard space in the kitchen is excellent. There are also usefully sized cupboards under and alongside the oven, and below is a shallower drawer. Both drawers have soft-close mechanisms – a nice touch for an entry-level model.

The 81-litre Thetford fridge is quite small by modern motorhome standards, so you’ll probably need to shop for fresh food regularly.

The only feature the 202’s galley lacks is a microwave oven. That’s one economy over the more expensive Mileo range.

A classy washroom

One space that makes a big difference to how you feel about any motorhome is its washroom.

The 202’s offside, rear washroom feels classy. The colour scheme is the same as the kitchen’s, bar the black panel that separates the loo and washbasin space from the shower.

There’s a Thetford toilet, and a small, shallow washbasin to the right of it. Above the basin are two mirrored cupboards.

Washroom details include a soap dispenser, a towel rail and two hooks on the inside of the door. There’s a skylight and window to make this space bright, too.

The shower space is large enough for most people. The only mild criticism is the showerhead. It’s a bit small and, after experiencing a more significant, round showerhead, might feel like a letdown.

Storage solutions with external lockers

On the nearside is access to an external locker, which is 1.03m wide by 370mm high and 600mm deep. Suitable for mucky boots, levelling wedges, mains lead, etc.

The gas locker will take two 6kg gas cylinders - but is quite high so make sure you’re happy lifting full bottles into it.

On the offside is a tall, external locker door. It contains breakdown equipment, including the jack. Also, there are 12V and 230V sockets for using electrical devices outside. You can access this space from inside the ’van, too, from opposite the kitchen. If you are a skier or a walker, this locker will be useful for skis or walking poles, and also for outdoor furniture.

The Fiat cab’s black, unpainted bumper is a giveaway as to the Primero’s budget status, but the framed habitation windows are a pleasant surprise at this price level. Bike rack mountings are pre-fitted on the rear, too, but the central locking doesn’t include the habitation door and you’ll need to dig deeper (or haggle harder) if you want an awning or reversing camera.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read the full version in the April 2019 issue of MMM magazine - get a digital copy here. 

Primero is Spanish for ‘first’ and this Benimar will make a good first motorhome for many. It has more space inside than you’d expect in a six-metre model – the natural and artificial lighting, along with the layout, make it feel airy. It will suit couples, including those who have an occasional need for accommodating grandchildren, especially as the drop-down bed is easy to position at a height to allow use of the lounge bed.