Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Laika Kosmo H 1319

If you’re looking for a stylish, high-quality A-class motorhome that can be driven on a standard car licence, this is a great place to start. 

Laika has been renewing its range, model by model (see the in-depth interview here), and the entry-level Kosmo – available in low-profile and A-class forms – is the newest arrival from this Italian company. 

There are only two layouts offered; this H 1319 and the longer (7.40m) H 1409. Both have twin beds over a rear garage, with the main beneficiary of the extra length being a split washroom rather than this version’s combined toilet and shower space.

The exterior

With its all-white design, strong black graphics, full LED headlamps and cheese-grater grille, you’ll not mistake the latest Kosmo for another marque’s vehicles. It’s definitely a Laika. 

This one is usefully under 7m long, too, but still manages to incorporate a full-sized garage with two loading doors, non-slip flooring and 1.20m headroom (maximum load 150kg). 

There’s a GRP underfloor and GRP on the roof, too, while flush, framed windows complete the appearance.

The cab

Unsurprisingly, it sits on a Fiat Ducato 35 Light chassis with the 140hp motor as standard, along with ESC, ASR,  Hill Holder, Roll Over Mitigation and Crosswind Assist. 

The Chassis Pack fitted here (£1,050) adds the leather steering wheel with radio controls, Traction Plus, Hill Descent Control and Techno dashboard trim. The 16in matt black alloy wheels are another extra, at £750. 

The interior

Inside, there’s an L-shaped settee, small side seat forward of the door and an unusual round table. The beige Firenze leatherette upholstery is a £640 option, but fabric or real hide alternatives are also available. 

Ambient lighting is built into the drop-down bed above, while the angular furniture gives the interior a look of its own.

 That drop-down bed is manually operated and measures 1.94m by 1.43m. It has flexi wand-style reading lights and a roof vent (essential in an Italian summer).

The other optional pack seen here is the Comfort Pack (£1,490), which includes the shower’s duckboard, cab carpet, insulated and heated waste tank (90 litres), extractor hood, bedroom walls in faux leather, pull-out baskets/racks in the kitchen, and the Premium XL habitation door with a window and central locking. 

Unlike some German rivals, there aren’t too many other extras to consider, although UK buyers will almost certainly want the upgrade for Truma’s Combi 6 heating to include its electric element (£420 extra).

The kitchen

There’s a step in the lounge floor but headroom in the galley area is a generous 2.08m. Here, the gas hob has its three burners in a line but the most important aspect for us Brits is that the oven (£590 extra) is mounted in a sensible place below the hob, not up in the sky. 

Worktop space for meal preparation is a bit limited but the slide-out storage provision under the sink is neat and the tall/slim fridge has a generous 142-litre capacity.

The washroom

Opposite the galley, the washroom has plenty of storage but its key feature is the swing wall design that rotates the moulded plastic basin over the loo to create a generous showering space for a 7m motorhome. There’s a roof vent and drying rail in the ceiling, too.

The bedroom

The layout is completed by single beds in the stern – mattresses measure 1.95m on the nearside and 2.01m on the offside. There are shallow wardrobes under the foot of each bed, while the steps provide easy access. 

It’s a bedroom that looks open and spacious, with the angular central cupboard adding a dose of style. However, with shelves at either side, it’s not possible to sit up in bed, despite the fitment of reading lights here.

Where to buy

Laika has six dealers in the UK. These are Chelston Motorhomes in Wellington, Somerset, Camper UK in Lincoln, Choose Leisure in Kent and Emm-Bee Motorhomes near Manchester, plus, the latest addition, Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld in Stafford. 

In Wales, Laika is represented by 3A’s Leisure in Dyfed. In Ireland, Laika is represented by Ballybrittas Motors in Portlaoise.