Although it’s true that pre-owned dealer stock is currently at a premium, what availability there is tends to be at the upper end of the market. Luxury A-class motorhomes aren’t cheap, and the number of buyers with the budget for what in some cases can be as high as a £100,000 vehicle is always going to be limited. So if that’s you, you should still be spoilt for choice! Here’s our pick of seven top models that we’ve reviewed in recent years, all of which make a great used buy.
Adria Sonic Supreme I 810 SC (2017)
- LAYOUT Island-bed A-class
- BERTHS 4
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 8.80m/2.32m
- PAYLOAD 1062kg
- MTPLM 5000kg
- PLUS POINTS Huge amount of storage space
- MINUS POINTS No spare wheel as standard
Our review said….
In the main front lounge, Adria has introduced informal seating by substituting the formal fixed seats’ backrest cushions.
The kitchen is located amidships. There’s a good amount of worktop, and the ‘golden triangle’ is compact: for newbies, that’s the distances between the stove, the sink and the fridge/freezer.
The centrally-placed washroom and shower can both be made en-suite to the bedroom, because a sliding door separates them, and a standard side-hinged door isolates this section from the rest of the motorhome.
The luxurious rear boudoir contains an island bed that is 1.88 x 1.44m (6’2″ x 4’9″).
An additional transverse double bed powers smoothly down from the cab ceiling with just the push of a button.
Full review here
Auto-Trail Apache 700 (2019)
- .LAYOUT End-lounge coachbuilt
- BERTHS 6
- TRAVEL SEATS 6
- L/W 7.54m/2.35m
- PAYLOAD 740kg
- MTPLM 4250kg
- PLUS POINTS The LED lighting is great
- MINUS POINTS Heating unit looks old-fashioned
Our review said….
At the front is a double-dinette, offering travel for up to four in our test model. Meanwhile, the rear lounge’s U-shaped seating affords great views on three sides.
The kitchen runs parallel to the dinette and provides a Thetford cooker, microwave and sink. You also get a 143-litre Thetford fridge with 15-litre freezer.
The central washroom is offside. Typically Auto-Trail, there’s a large shower cubicle, a fixed handbasin and a Thetford cassette swivel-bowl toilet.
In the rear lounge area, slide-out slats make up the generous double bed. A divider offers privacy in the rear lounge/bedroom
Up front, a double bed can be made from the dinette. The Hi-Line roof pod has ladder access, along with a slide-out section for a further double bed.
Full review here
Rapido 880F (2019)
- LAYOUT A-class
- BERTHS 4
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 7.04m/2.35m
- PAYLOAD 435kg
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PLUS POINTS Generous amount of space in garage
- MINUS POINTS Handbasin is a little shallow
Our review said….
Up front, the forward-facing double travel seat can be made L-shaped for on-site use; you’ll find it pretty easy to seat five around the fixed pedestal-leg table, which has a handily hinged top.
The main kitchen unit, on the nearside, houses a three-in-a-line gas hob, with the oven set low, below the cutlery drawer. Across the corridor is the 149-litre Thetford fridge/freezer.
A sliding door seals off the back of the 880F. Beyond are the separate shower cubicle and washroom, en-suite to the island bed. The pull-down double bed is manually operated. Like the island bed, which is flanked by wardrobes. It has a Bultex mattress on a slatted base.
Full review here
Frankia I 640 SD (2017)
- LAYOUT End-washroom A-class
- BERTHS 2
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 6.46m/2.30m
- PAYLOAD 680kg
- MTPLM 3850kg
- PLUS POINTS Large, long and beautifully built
- MINUS POINTS You will need C1 entitlement
Our review said….
The lounge is more than two metres long and boasts a particularly clever feature: a large table riding on longitudinal tracks. Big side windows and an off-centre rooflight provide plenty of daytime illumination.
The kitchen includes a dual-fuel cooker, next to a pair of sinks mounted in a very high-quality worktop. A large window is located in the splashback on the nearside of the vehicle. The shower is situated fin the nearside rear corner, separated from the toilet by a rather handsome vanity unit that is the centrepiece of this opulent space.
Sleeping arrangements are serviced by an electrically operated double bed above the lounge. Two optional extra-berths can be fitted in the lounge if required [when new].
Full review here
Hymer ML-T 580 4×4 (2016)
- LAYOUT Rear-fixed beds
- BERTHS 2
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 6.98m/2.22m
- PAYLOAD 1080kg
- MTPLM 4050kg
- PLUS POINTS There’s plenty of storage space
- MINUS POINTS Small kitchen
Our review said….
Opposite the habitation door is the side dinette, with a pair of travel seats arranged in the L-shaped bench format.
Both cab seats have swivelling bases, but they will require a bit of manoeuvring to get them to do so.
To the left of the habitation door as you enter the ‘van is the kitchen area.
There’s no oven, grill or microwave fitted as standard; instead, cooking has to take place on a three-burner gas hob, which sits in a stainless-steel unit along with the oblong sink.
A tall, slimline fridge will be able to house perishables and cold drinks.
There’s a bench toilet backed by a large mirror, as well as a shower with bifold doors, plenty of cubbies and a wooden mat.
Full review here
Hymer Exsis-i 578 (2014)
- LAYOUT Fixed twin single beds
- BERTHS 4
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 6.75m/2.22m
- PAYLOAD 700kg
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PLUS POINTS Clever washroom layout
- MINUS POINTS None
Our review said….
The lounge area offers an L-shaped sofa with a pair of belted travelling seats. Five people can sit around the table, courtesy of a catch that allows it to slide.
There is a small kitchen area, with three gas rings and an oblong sink. A fridge with separate freezer sits to the right of the sink, with a cupboard above.
The washroom/wetroom has a bench toilet and cupboard, with a handbasin and vanity unit straight ahead. The vanity unit wall is hinged on the right and pulls forward to create a wet room.
The rear bedroom provides the fixed twin single beds layout, but easily converts into a spacious double. Up front, a drop-down bed above the lounge offers two further berths as and when required.
Full review here
Dethleffs Pulse T7051 DBM GT (2019)
- LAYOUT Rear island-bed coachbuilt
- BERTHS 3
- TRAVEL SEATS 4
- L/W 7.41m/2.33m
- PAYLOAD 460kg
- MTPLM 3500kg
- PLUS POINTS Opening sunroof in the overcab
- MINUS POINTS The wheel arch intrudes into the shower
Our review said….
The lounge is definitely Continental in styling, with an L-shaped sofa and small inward-facing side seats.
In the kitchen, the main unit is on the nearside. The angled worktop means extra space is offered, with the circular sink inset and a triangular three-ring hob to its left, all protected by splash panelling.
Under the hob, there’s a generous cutlery drawer, beneath a Thetford Duplex oven/grill. Beyond the kitchen, you step up to the tambour-doored shower cubicle on your right, and toilet room to the left.
The bed is manually height adjustable, and – thanks to the shaped wardrobes – wider than most, while the third sleeping berth, from the lounge seating, is nominal.
Full review here
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