Hymer ML-T 580 4x4

Berths: 2/3 Travel seats: 4 Mercedes Sprinter 319 CDI 4x4

Hymer unveiled a 4x4 version of its Mercedes-based M-LT at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in 2014. Sales were so strong, they’ve since added an A-class ML-I version, too.

And now they’re over here. While a standard ML-T 580 is on a 3,500kg chassis, here it’s the 4,050kg chassis that allows a generous 930kg payload once you’ve taken the 4x4’s extra 150kg weight into account.

It’s also some 20cm longer than the standard 580. Overall height is up to 2.99m, compared to 2.90m for the standard two-wheel drive version. All that is down to the extra ground clearance.

There’s quite some height at the habitation door, and it’s quite a clamber in via the cab doors too. But, despite appearances, there’s none of the ‘on stilts’ feel you might expect when you start driving. Crosswind Assist is standard, as are Comfort Drive suspension, Hill Start Assist and ESP (electronic stability program). If you want some proof of the ‘van’s capabilities, check out this video as made by the German off-road magazine, Explorer.

That extra mechanical weight will, of course, contribute to lower economy, but dealer Travelworld reckons on anything around the 23-25mpg mark.

You may not want to go full off-roading, though, if you think of all the stuff you’ll be carrying on board in typical motorhome mode. Crossing deserts or touring Iceland should be no problem at all, however.

The interior layout is a Continent-wide favourite with twin rear single beds, and there are all the usual choices of options. We’ve covered the conversion previously – see this report in our August 2014 issue.

Here, the interior carries the cream-coloured Pebble upholstery option, but there are plenty of alternatives to choose from, of course, as well as a different furniture finish. And the £300-worth of carpets in here seem a bit of an overspend.

A standard ML-T 580 starts at £54,480. The four-wheel drive chassis adds another £7,560. The powerful V6 engine and automatic transmission upgrades add another £6k. Then it’s the Comfort Line Package that brings you the Tempmatic air-conditioning, steering wheel controls and more. It might be a substantial £2,490 extra but it’s worth it

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the May 2016 issue of What Motorhome. Buy it now.

Offering a 4x4 version of this already stunning motorhome simply takes it into a league of its own.