Hymer Exsis-i 504
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Description
PRICE AS TESTED £60,823 OPTIONS FITTED Comfort Pack – climate control, special coil springs on front axle, cruise control, cab door, 150-litre fridge, flyscreen door, window in habitation door (£3,688), mains electric Truma Combi heating (£449), Tec-Tower with oven/grill (£361), front foglamps (£239), removable carpets (£248), Umbria furniture (£748) TYPE APPROVAL European Whole Vehicle BERTHS 4
Key Features
Model Year
2013
Product Class
A-Class
Product Model Base
Fiat Ducato
Price from (£)
£54990
Length (m)
6.20
Berths
3
Belted seats
4
Main Layout
Garage
Full Review
Hymer has worked hard to create a lighter motorhome with the latest Fiat-based Exsis-i, one that offers a generous payload in combination with a 3,500kg chassis. In the case of the smallest model in the range, the 504 seen here, that means 870kg (before options), including a generous 250kg allowance in the rear garage. If you thought downsizing meant losing the motorbike, the barbecue and awning, or even half the family, think again.
Quality counts
And lighter doesn’t mean inferior quality. Everything that I could find to poke, prod or pull on this ’van felt as if it was built as you’d expect of a Hymer – in other words to class-leading standards.
You can tell that this ’van is special from the moment you close one of the doors – with a thunk.
Read the full review in the May 2013 issue of Which Motorhome
On the road
But you won’t really appreciate an Exsis-i until you’ve driven it. All the lessons learnt with the latest B-Class seem to have been repeated here, so engine noise is more subdued than in most other A-classes and there are no squeaks or rattles from the dash, blinds or bed above.
Better still, not a squeak emanated from anywhere aft, making this one of the quietest motorhomes I’ve ever driven. It’s also an easy vehicle to pilot, without that daunting impression that you’re behind the wheel of a number 57 bus, as you might feel in some wider rivals.
Wider? Yes, because the Exsis-i is a relatively modest 2.22m broad – 130mm slimmer than a B-Class. Visibility is good too, the dual-lens mirrors are wellpositioned, and this 504 model is only 6.20-metres long. Relax, this is easy.
Inside
And on site it may not be the biggest, most palatial Hymer but it’ll be more than adequate for a couple and could cater for a kid or two at a pinch.
Firstly, there’s the spacious cab with its huge A-class glass area, then the superb Aguti captain’s chairs are as top-notch for relaxing as they are for driving, and finally, the little L-shaped sofa seems to be spot on for comfort.
Kitchen
The kitchen isn’t the biggest but it does have a very sturdy little fold-up worktop and storage comes in the form of three huge soft-closing drawers which have movable dividers inside.
Alongside, the big fridge/freezer is part of the Comfort Pack which will surely be fitted to all Hymers heading this way, while the upgrade to a Tec-Tower with oven/grill atop the freezer also seems de rigeur for UK buyers.
Bed
Now this doesn’t look the biggest of berths and the window at the head end is sure to annoy those who like to sit up in bed, but the mattress is luxuriously thick, and if you like plenty of room to slumber in a star shape then why not consider it as a single, with another supersized single up front in the form of the drop-down A-class bed.
Now that so many low-profiles have dropdown beds, there isn’t the wow-factor here in having a bed that lowers, but there is a reassuring sturdiness to this bed and the way it refuses to rock or rattle when you turn over.
Better still, headroom is a constant 690mm almost all the way to the windscreen, the ladder is short (and gentle on bare feet) and there are lights at each end. Like all the Hymer’s lighting, these are LEDs.
Washroom
There’s more to like in the washroom, where the swing-wall creates a good-sized shower and the toilet is the very latest bench cassette from Thetford. All the storage is fitted with elasticated straps to stop your lotions and potions tumbling to the floor, and neatest of all, there’s a fold-up worktop over the loo.
Read the full review in the May 2013 issue of Which Motorhome
Our Verdict
Generous payload, superb driving characteristics, compact size and great build quality make this baby Hymer a unique package that’s hugely appealing.
Advantages
Massive payload
Really good (and quiet) to drive
Comfortable L-shaped lounge
Compact size (especially width)
Two instant beds
Superb build quality
Extra-large kitchen drawers
Disadvantages
Options prices can add up
Compromised rear bedroom
