Coachbuilt motorhomes with a UK-friendly rear lounge and the kitchen and washroom towards the front seem to be becoming more of a focus among many of the best motorhome makes.

Such an arrangement is the idea behind Frankia’s Plus, Carthago’s Liner for Two, Dethleffs’ Alpa and Bürstner’s Lyseo TD 644G Harmony Line.

Pilote got in on the act last season, with the 696U. But this was a motorhome under 7m, and perhaps a little too short for some people’s tastes.

Now along comes the Pilote P720U Expression, with the same layout, but 21cm longer.

In the UK, it will only be available as an Expression, so you’ll have more freedom to customise it – for a price.

The lounge in the Pilote P720U Expression

The P720U runs on the same Fiat Ducato base vehicle. You get four travel seats, as before, with two right at the back that are easy to assemble.

The rear lounge these seats are in is similar to that of the 696U. I found it well lit, thanks to big windows, a large Heki and plenty of ambient lighting.

I reckon the U-shaped settee and fold-out pedestal table could accommodate a party in here, especially as said pedestal is cleverly set off centre, so the longer-limbed can fit in.

The lounge in the P720U Expression
Everyone can relax in the huge lounge with offset pedestal table

The little bench that the 696U had by the habitation door remains, offering a perch while you take off your shoes. You could leave them in the nearby drawers or cubbyholes.

Any TV you fit is mounted on a wall bracket here, so it can be folded away, although for ‘van owners who would like to watch television in their awning or in different parts of their motorhome, the best projector for a campervan could be an option.

The kitchen in the Pilote P720U Expression

There have been a couple of changes in the kitchen opposite. The worktop is now white instead of black, and the sink comes with a sideways-on cover.

The kitchen area
Worktop is a bit limited in the kitchen, but storage is good

The hob is slightly bigger – still only two-burner, but possibly with more room for larger pans. However, the worktop remains no more than adequate, even if it is well lit and you get sockets nearby.

Sleeping in the Pilote P720U Expression

I found the drop-down bed comfortable. It can come down to seat level, but even at greater height, it is still easy to access via the ladder.

The drop-down double bed
Generous drop-down double bed is easily reached via the ladder

The bed made up by lowering the table is big, but with so many cushions, it might not be the most comfortable. I reckon it could perhaps be for occasional use only.

The washroom in the Pilote P720U Expression

The real change has come in the washroom, which you have to step up to from both the back and the cab. The shorter length of the 696U meant there was only space here for a fairly standard washroom across the width of the ’van. The extra length enables Pilote to move both washroom and shower cubicle to the offside.

The washroom is larger, with a huge cupboard, a salad-bowl-style basin and a lit mirror. The shower cubicle is a good size, too, but I did note it only has one drain hole.

Where the washroom was in the 696U, there’s now a huge half-height wardrobe with hanging and shelf space. The area between this and the washroom can still be partitioned off, offering a well-lit dressing room.

Storage in the Pilote P720U Expression

Rear-lounge motorhomes are often criticised for not having garage space. Here, there’s a small storage area at the back, accessible from the outside and by lifting up the settee base cushions. Under the half-height wardrobe is a much larger space, which you can also access from both inside and out. At 110cm high, it’s probably still not big enough for a conventional bike, but it would take a folding one, and would make outdoor furniture easily retrievable for use in an awning.

Shelving in the 'van
Plenty of storage throughout, with shelving and hanging space

Storage space elsewhere isn’t bad. Because of the drop-down bed, you only get little open shelves in the lounge, not lockers. But there’s all that space under the settees and the drawers under the seat by the door.

There’s a large double locker above the main kitchen, which itself includes two shallow and two deep handle-free drawers (although at least one of these might have to go if you choose to have the optional oven). There’s another locker just above the slimline fridge. The washroom houses two cupboards; one wall-mounted, the other fitted below the handbasin.

Technical spec

  • Price: £75,700
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 4
  • Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
  • Engine: 2.2-litre, 140bhp
  • Length/width/height: 7.25/2.30/2.85m (23’8”/7’6”/9’4”)
  • MTPLM: 3500kg
  • MiRO: 2960kg
  • Payload: 540kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 130/95 litres
  • Leisure battery: 95Ah
  • Gas: 2 x 13kg

Alternatives to consider

If a cleverly designed washroom is a key factor in your motorhome hunt, the 2024 Benimar Mileo 294 could be well worth considering, although it has a fixed island bed at the rear of the ‘van, instead of a lounge. Coming with a central washroom and a large garage for storage at the rear, the Bailey Adamo 75-4I could also be worth looking at – it has a highly comfortable interior and provides an excellent drive.

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