Malibu T 490 LE low-profile motorhome

Malibu motorhomes might not be as well known as their Carthago parent brand, but they have all the premium German touches at a lower price

Words and photos: Peter Vaughan

The Malibu T 490 LE

If you’re looking for a top-notch, luxury German motorhome, Carthago is a name that’s sure to be on your list. But what about this manufacturer also from the Carthago Group, Malibu? 

This is far from an entry-level marque and neither is it solely a campervan specialist, although that’s where its roots lie. It even boasts many of the premium-quality features of its parent company, such as a deep storage double floor, and a curved join between the roof and side walls.

Malibu’s range isn’t as bewildering as its Teutonic rivals, with just four layouts, each offered as a ‘T’ model (low-profile) or ‘I’ (A-class), but it helps if you like single beds. While there is one island bed floorplan in the mix, the other three ( from under 7m to circa 7.5m) all feature twin beds. Here, we have the longest of those, in low-profile form – the T 490 LE. 

The options

In theory, this model starts at under £85k but, unless you live a monastic lifestyle, that’s not realistic. Start by adding the near-£9,000 Touring Pack, which includes all manner of gear, from a higher-output alternator to a 24in TV, as well as ‘comfort’ cab seats, a Pioneer DAB+ radio, 4.5m awning, second garage door, ‘premium two 2.0’ habitation door, cab blinds, Midi Heki rooflight over the lounge, reversing camera, indirect ambient lighting, SOG toilet vent and wiring for solar and satellite systems.

Keep ticking the options boxes to arrive at a spec like the example we tested from Lowdhams and you’ll soon reach £110,000. A few short years ago that would have resulted in a sharp intake of breath from your Road Test Editor (and MMM’s insurers), but not anymore. In fact, for a vehicle of this undoubted quality it actually strikes as very competitive!

However, one area where Malibu differs from its parent (and an increasing number of rivals), is in sticking  exclusively with Fiat chassis.

And, while it’s possible to order any of the range with a 3,500kg gross weight, that won’t be practical for most customers. The £26,370-worth of optional extras on our test motorhome also equates to an erosion of payload to the tune of 241kg, so it’s good to see the optional Heavy version of the Ducato rated here at 4,250kg.

We were also very pleased to see the Power badge on the grille, indicating the 180bhp motor, while that upgrade automatically comes with the auto transmission. 

Included as standard are a 90-litre fuel tank, crosswind assist, cruise control, ESP, hill holder, Traction Plus, manual air-con and start/stop. The leather multifunction steering wheel and alloy wheels are both optional extras.

The engine upgrade is a wise decision on a motorhome that can be loaded up to over four tonnes, but it’s worth noting, too, that there’s a long rear overhang (so distribute the weight carefully). On the road there weren’t many rattles except one ‘chirrup’ that was probably from the coffee machine.

The garage

For once, it’s good to see payload (over a tonne) and storage supplied in equally generous measure. That starts with the large rear garage, which is 1.21m wide and 1.19m high with two full-sized loading doors, a mains socket and rails to secure heavier items (via eight lashing eyes), but just one small LED strip light. 

Peer underneath and you’ll see the chassis rails extended under the garage floor, a GRP finish for durability (matching GRP on the roof to protect from hailstones) and a large bore outlet for the waste tank, but, if you’re seeking a spare wheel, it’ll be in vain. At least you have the space to carry one – and the garage can hold up to 250kg.

But it’s not just at the rear that the T 490 LE has lots of carrying capacity – Malibu claims to lead its class for storage. The double floor can be accessed via a large hatch on the nearside, where depth is up to 48cm.

Another, smaller, opening forward of the habitation door on the offside leads into the same space stretching right across under the full width of the living area, while a skirt locker to the rear of the door looks ideal for smaller items such as levelling wedges. 

On the nearside, it’s also good to see the gas locker is just 30cm off the floor, to reduce heavy lifting, while all the skirts are aluminium and the GRP around the rear wall is in four sections to reduce repair costs.

The entrance

At this price point you’d expect the framed windows seen here, while the habitation door (62cm wide, with a window and two-point locking) closes with a satisfying ‘thunk’. But if you want the central locking to include this door, it’s £310 extra. And, because the external step pops straight out, there’s a larger-than-some first step of 34cm into the motorhome.

Then, just inside the entrance is the biggest of the internal flaps for access into the double floor, where storage is 39cm high. The waste water drain is also operated from here (where it won’t freeze), and the tanks themselves (125 litres fresh, 90 litres grey) are mounted inboard. 

Completing the premium spec of the Malibu bodywork are wood-free construction, RTM hard foam insulation and exterior hatches that are of the same quality as the side walls and fitted with double seals to keep out dirt and water.

The interior

Inside, there’s Malibu’s Bellagio furniture (Noble Cherry with gloss ivory) and a choice of five no-cost upholstery options (this is Santorin/Antara), as well as part or full leather (costing up to £3,260). The layout holds no surprises, with a typical continental lounge, split ablutions and high single beds above the garage, but the execution immediately appears to be anything but run of the mill. 

In the lounge, there’s good headroom (1.93m) but what’s more noticeable is that this extends well into the cab, where large cupboards are fitted in front of and to the sides of the roof cutaway, and the Skyview sunroof (a £1,230 option) is almost horizontal. It’s pleasing to see that the second rooflight over the lounge is the wind-up type, too.

Artificial illumination is excellent, with ambient lights above the top lockers and downlights all around, even above the cab. 

There’s a belt and braces approach to privacy, with cab blinds as well as more homely curtains. And the way the rear speakers are concealed in the base of the top lockers says ‘premium’, while these cupboards have positive locking and heavily sprung hinges. All the furniture is mortised and screwed, too, for added rigidity.

The lounge

What struck me most, though, was how comfortable this lounge seemed, with a well-judged seat height and supportively shaped backrests. A flat floor all the way from the cab to the rear bedroom is a plus, too, along with the seatbelts that hide when not in use. 

But nothing is ever perfect and, despite the fact that the table can be twisted to face lengthways or across the lounge, I wished it could also fold to reduce its (93cm by 67cm) bulk. On the plus side, it wasn’t wobbly.

Another positive is the Alphatronics TV, which pops up manually from behind the single offside seat. Not only is it very neatly stowed, but it’s at an unusually comfortable viewing height, although its location only really suits those sitting on the nearside. 

Finally, if you want to put your feet up, note that only the passenger cab seat will rotate through a full 180 degrees.

The kitchen

The oven, like the telly, is fitted at a far more sensible height in this Malibu than in many rivals. It’s an optional extra, of course (at £940), but this Thetford Duplex combined oven/grill is sited just below counter level – fab!

As standard, you only get a three-burner hob, although this stainless-steel and gloss black number immodestly calls itself a Profi Gourmet. Alongside is a circular sink with split lid, the larger part creating a useful serving shelf in a galley that would otherwise be short on worktop. 

Unusually, the galley is almost U-shaped, with a slither of counter to the left of the hob, under which you’ll find a rack for four wine bottles.

To the other side of the kitchen, there are three large soft-closing drawers, the top one segregated for cutlery and utensils. Then, under the oven, is another drawer as well as two pull-out bins for rubbish or recycling.

There’s a supersized top locker here, too, including (as another option, at £290) a Krups capsule coffee machine on a slide-out plinth.

Then, opposite, is as large a two-door fridge/freezer as you’re likely to find, at 153 litres. It has automatic energy selection and doors that open from either side. There’s another large drawer below, so kitchen storage is truly class-leading.

The washroom

It’s no surprise these days to find separate shower and loo compartments on either side at the foot of the bedroom, but Malibu has managed to make this area feel more open, at least until you deploy the sliding doors that make the en suite private from the bedroom.

Do that and access into the shower is slightly narrow but space in the cubicle itself is good. With excellent headroom, a tray that’s nearly level with the floor, shelves for shampoo and gel, and twin drain outlets, this is another aspect that gets top marks. 

There’s a hanging rail built into the roof vent, too.

Opposite, if you use the toilet area in isolation, there’s better leg and shoulder room on the throne than we’ve come to often expect, while the quartet of mirrors (with Hollywood-style lighting!) hides generous storage (some of it with fiddle rails). 

There’s another roof vent here, plus a soap dispenser, two toothbrush mugs and a really large basin.

The bedroom

Beyond the bathing quarters, two steps take you up to identically sized single beds, each 1.95m long. A mirrored headboard adds a bit of glamour and there’s no shortage of lighting, but here you get directional reading lights as well as the downlights. USBs and a roof vent are fitted, too, and there’s optional provision for another TV to be added at the foot of the offside bed.

There are top lockers all around the bedroom, with heat distribution from the 6kW Combi on all sides, too. But the feature that had me jumping with joy was the way the head end of both beds can be raised on a ratchet system to sit up.

The seven-zone cold foam mattresses mounted on sprung staves seemed to provide super snoozing and the T 490 LE has another trick feature, with the bedroom steps sliding forward to increase the centre mattress (between the beds) from 1.12m to 1.57m long, making a huge bed ( for an extra £370).

Even the wardrobes (one under the forward end of each bed and both with top as well as front access) are better than you’d anticipate as they drop down into the double floor, resulting in a hanging height of 96cm.

There’s the option of another bed up front, too, created from the lounge seats. Normally, I’d tell you to save your £530 but this one is so simple that it works well as an occasional bed, perhaps for a grandchild.

Just lower the table and unfold an additional cushion on top, but note that this bed is much narrower on the offside than at its nearside end. If you need a full four-berth, or even a three-berth for every trip, then the optional (£2,030) electric drop-down bed will be a better bet.

Motorhome supplied by Lowdhams
Tel: 01159 663838
lowdhams.com

Insurance: £848.60
Tel: 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
For quote details: motorhome.ma/QuoteInfo

I expected the T 490 LE to live up to German standards of build quality; what I hadn’t anticipated was in how many areas it would be truly class-leading. From kitchen storage and the low oven to lounge comfort and TV location, and from double floor and garage storage to the rising bed heads, this Malibu excels in so many areas, while having equally few flaws.