Best Volkswagen campervan

WINNER CMC HemBil Urban

Base vehicle VW Transporter T6.1 Travel seats 5 Berths 5 Gross weight 3,200kg Payload 600kg Length x width x height 4.90m x 1.90m x 2.00m Price from £63,500 (Comfort spec)

Here’s one award for which the winner was almost a foregone conclusion. It’s hard to argue with the fact that the Road Test Editor went out and put his own hard-earned cash into one of these!

But why, with the hundreds of different side kitchen VW Transporter-based campers on the market, should you follow him and choose a CMC HemBil Urban?

Well, for a start, its maker – Concept Multi-Car, in Kent – has quite a pedigree. It has been building VW campers since 1988 and was the company that first brought campervan components from Reimo into the UK. It continues to use these highquality fittings in all of its conversions, which are all type approved and covered by a three-year warranty.

Then, there’s the Urban conversion, which is part of the HemBil range, rather than being a Reimo design. Its key feature is the extra-wide (1.35m) rear seat.

Not only does the Reimo bench in this camper genuinely cater for three people, unlike others that have three seatbelts but insufficient width, but it’s a fully crashtested unit that slides along rails to multiple positions. So, you can move the seat all the way forward to bring the kids close to the cab, or to create a van-like boot behind, massively adding to your ’van’s versatility. It can even accommodate three child seats.

So, with five proper travel seats, the cab can retain the convenience and comfort of two individual swivel seats with armrests. They retain the walk-through to the rear (unlike a cab bench), rotate easily (unlike a cab bench) and even the driver’s seat is comfortable to use when facing rearwards.

Of course, another benefit of a wider rear seat is that it converts into a wider bed. The Reimo system is a doddle to use and the bed measures 1.90m by 1.35m – that’s 25cm broader than in many rival VWs.

Of course, CMC is not alone in offering a camper with a wide seat/bed unit and the compromise here is always a slimmer kitchen alongside. But where some campers are just too compromised in the resulting galley (often with just a single ring on the hob), the Urban manages to incorporate both a standard-sized two-burner cooker and a decent amount of storage. All the cupboards remain accessible with the bed down and, as a further bonus, the cabinet containing the hob can be quickly removed – either for al fresco cooking or just to create more room inside.

The fridge might look small (at 20 litres), but, as it’s a top-loader, you can cram in a lot more than you’d think. The shelf above the kitchen is also more practical than you’d expect – ideal for small, lightweight items. But the stars of the storage department are the huge boot area and the vast drawer under the rear seat.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Ecowagon Expo+ LWB

If you’re more concerned with finding the best VW camper than looking at the price, you should take a very close look at Ecowagon’s Expo+. We think you’ll struggle to find a better-built campervan.

Unusually, it uses the VW California sliding seat system, adapted to fit a vehicle with the sliding door on the left but installed just as Volkswagen intended. Alongside, the galley is superbly finished and can offer gas or electric cooking. There’s generous storage, including top lockers over the galley and rear seat, while the table can be used inside or out. Only the best components are used, such as the Simarine control panel and Swell Shades blinds.

The standard spec is impressive, with beautiful bespoke leather, a Thule awning, 150W solar panel, underslung gas tank, dimmable lighting, diesel heating and an outside barbecue point all included, but the extensive options list can add a whole lot more. Base vehicle VW Transporter Travel seats 4 Berths 4 Gross weight 3,500kg Payload 625kg Length x width x height 5.30m x 1.90m x 2.05m Price from £82,078

HIGHLY COMMENDED VW California Ocean

Base vehicle VW Transporter Travel seats 4 Berths 4 Gross weight 3,080kg Payload 537kg Length x width x height 4.90m x 1.90m x 1.99m Price from £72,980 The only campervan built entirely by an OEM motor manufacturer from top to toe, the VW California first arrived here in 2006 and it’s still the standard by which any and every camper in its class must be judged. It is also Europe’s best-selling leisure vehicle, bar none.

Some will point to the California’s price and think it expensive but add up all the spec (some of it not even available on rivals) and you’ll soon see that it’s not. Its electric elevating roof comes with a comfortable, sprung roof bed. It has two tables – one for dining inside, one for use outside (along with the camping chairs that are also provided, in their own neat tailgate pouch). Then, there’s the digital cockpit and the touchscreen control panel that operates everything from the diesel heating to the fridge. All the fittings are to automotive standards and the sliding rear seat is both versatile and comfortable, with a welcome reclined position.