In association with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Best campervans 2025 - the best models for outdoor travels
A campervan is a perennially popular way of enjoying a short break for a reasonable cost, but with more choice than ever in the market, which camper should be at the top of your shortlist?...
As of 2022, it was estimated that there were around 11.6 million campervans registered across the UK – a figure that's only likely to have grown in the following years. And whether that's due to the increasing number of models available, the high cost of international travel, or other factors, it's clear that more buyers are finding enjoyment in campervan holidays here in the UK.
Plenty of car makers including Ford, Mercedes, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall offer their own campervans, usually based on their commercial vehicle offerings. However, there are also third-party converters who take regular panel vans and turn them into luxurious campervans, too.
You might imagine that finding the best campervans in the UK would be a picnic, but we put the same thorough testing into this as we do when testing regular cars and vans. That means our experienced team of road testers have spent hundreds of hours at the wheel of each campervan, seeing what each model is like to drive both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track.
Beyond merely driving each campervan, we've also tested how comfortable they are to sleep in, what further amenities they offer, and how much they cost to buy and run.
In this story, we've named the best campervans we've ever tested in order of our preference. Remember that you can find out more about each model by reading our in-depth reviews. We've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions about campervans at the bottom of this page.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
Strengths
- Driving dynamics are impressive
- Remote control roof makes setting up a breeze
- Tech-laden interior is a pleasure to use
Weaknesses
- Rotating the front seats is tricky
- Boot space is smaller than expected
- Access to the roof bed is awkward
You'll need a fair amount of money in the bank to be considering this campervan, which is based on the Mercedes Vito van. But if you can afford to buy and one run, you'll be getting the best campervan in the business.
Available solely with a 233bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, the Marco Polo feels far more sprightly than its considerable size and weight would suggest, and has no trouble getting you and your family quickly up to motorway speeds. It's also surprisingly efficient – we managed 34.9mpg on a typical camping trip without resorting to economical driving techniques such as hypermiling.
To drive, the V-Class feels very similar to the Vito – that is to say that it has light steering, good visibility thanks to its high driving position, and a ride which does a good job of soaking up the lumps and bumps of battered British roads.
With a kitenette that includes a pair of gas burners, plus a spacious bed and lots of storage, life away in the Marco Polo is as easy as pie.
“With 2.6 tonnes to haul around, you might imagine that the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo would feel hefty to steer. But in fact the opposite is true, I found it to be pleasantly light to steer on a camping trip to the Highlands. The caveat, though, is that my test car was fitted with adaptive air suspension.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our full Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo review
Strengths
- Torquey diesel engine
- Practical
- Slow depreciation
Weaknesses
- Can’t disguise its bulk in corners
- Pricey
- Unappealing plastics up front
If you're the kind of buyer who would usually spring for a hotel over a campervan, there's a very good reason to choose the Volkswagen Grand California – it's the only campervan here to be available with a wet room and toilet, meaning you can truly be self-sufficient.
There are two versions of the Grand California to choose from, the big 600 and the behemoth 680, but both are powered by the same 174bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine. Even considering the latter's vast bulk, it offers decent pulling power – provided you like your journeys to be relaxed rather than agile.
While you might expect such a big and tall vehicle to feel imposing to drive, the Grand California makes life easy, with a progressive to the accelerator pedal, and light steering which makes it easy to manouvre.
The Grand California can't match up to the material quality of the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo, but most surfaces feel premium enough, and we like the neat touches that transform this space into a usable and comfortable one – such as the dedicated touch panel for the hot water and central heating settings by the bathroom door.
“I liked the look of some of the Grand California's many add-ons, which include an air conditioning unit, a satellite dish and even a side awning. These are undoubtedly useful to have, but I also found that they exacerbated any wind noise.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our full Volkswagen Grand California review
Strengths
- Well thought out interior
- Lots of standard equipment
- Strong diesel engine
Weaknesses
- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls
- Camper control screen isn’t very responsive
- Gearbox can be slow
While the old Volkswagen California was based on the Volkswagen Transporter van, the latest model instead uses the Volkswagen Multivan as its starting point. That means that it benefits from a wider range of engine options, so can be had with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power. The latter combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, and offers up to 56 miles of electric-only driving according to official figures.
For most buyers, however, the 201bhp 2.0-litre petrol will be a better bet, and it should be just as smooth as the same engine already is in the Multivan.
While it can't match the larger Grand California in offering a separate bathroom, the California still offers plenty of luxuries, with entry-level versions getting a pop-top roof, single-ring gas cooker and more. Coast models, meanwhile, get a fold-out bed and three-zone climate control, plus a larger kitchen.
“I'd have a look at Coast or Ocean versions of the California, because unlike the entry-level models, these get a full kitchenette with a single gas hob, fridge and sink.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our full Volkswagen California review
Strengths
- Strong diesel engines
- Well thought out interior
- Competitive starting price
Weaknesses
- Not as much space on offer as larger campers
- You’ll want to add quite a few options
- Dashboard feels a little utilitarian
Not only has Volkswagen’s California spawned a bigger version in the Grand California – there’s now a smaller version too. This Caddy California packs the California’s trademark mix of quality and functionality into an even more compact frame – in this case, the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo van. This makes the Caddy California a micro-camper – an ideal companion for the occasional night away from home.
You get two berths that take up the entirety of the interior, but fold away to leave the rear seats intact – and in the boot, there’s a pull-out kitchen. If you need more space, you can add an additional tent that extends out from the boot area, giving you a handy living space.
There's only one petrol engine on offer in the Caddy California, along with two diesels, and the most powerful 122bhp version is pleasantly punchy.
"Figuring out how to set up the Caddy California's bed took me some time, but it's comfortable and spacious enough for a couple of nights away from home.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our full Volkswagen Caddy California review
Strengths
- High-quality, well thought out interior
- Lots of space in a small package
- Scope for personalisation
Weaknesses
- Trafic is only average to drive
- Rear-heavy nature makes wheelspins too easy
- Expensive
The Renault Trafic Paradise is arguably not quite as well known as some of its rival campers, but it’s worth looking out, because it’s a great all-rounder. Inside, the living accommodation, with its well equipped rear kitchen and comfortable seating area, has clearly been intelligently thought out, and it’s put together well, so the Trafic Paradise feels pretty high-quality.
It’s roomy, too – in fact, converter Sussex Campervans has done an admirable job of finding plenty of space in a frame that’s relatively small by the standards of most motorhomes. That’s thanks in part to the pop-top, which gives it a huge advantage over most of its rivals, and with the loft bed in place, it allows the Trafic Paradise to become a four-berth van – a rarity among campers of this size.
Just bear in mind that the Ford Transit Nugget handles with more finesse, while the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo offers a more serene driving experience. There's also a new Renault Trafic van coming soon, so expect the Trafic Paradise to be updated too.
“You can have the Renault Trafic Paradise with a manual or electrically operated pop-top roof, allowing you to sleep up to four people. I'd go for the latter, because it's quick and easy.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor
Read our full Renault Trafic Paradise review
Strengths
- Keen discounts from Ford
- Punchy EcoBlue 185 engine
- One of the few fully equipped five-seat campers
Weaknesses
- Slow-witted automatic gearbox
- Mercedes Marco Polo has a classier interior
- Ride and handling
As you’ll no doubt have been able to discern from its position in this list, the Ford Transit Custom Nugget isn’t exactly our favourite camper – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a look. For one thing, it’s one of only a few fully featured campers that can boast five seats and four berths – and for another, the conversion is carried out by renowned German camper specialist Westfalia, plus you get a full Ford manufacturer warranty.
You also get a gutsy diesel engine, and while the Nugget isn’t cheap to buy, it’s possible to find with some very tempting discounts, which means it probably won’t set you back quite as much as you might at first think.
There’s lots to like here, in other words. But you do have to remember that you only get a toilet and sink – not a full bathroom – and then only on the long-wheelbase version. What’s more, the cheap-feeling plastics inside, the sluggish automatic gearbox and a fidgety ride make it a van you won’t want to spend a long time driving.
“I wasn't expecting Playstation levels of graphics from the Transit Nugget's infotainment system, but while it doesn't have the best looks, it is at least quick to respond to my inputs and loaded with features.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our full Ford Transit Custom Nugget review
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
FAQs
If you hold a driving licence issued before 1 January 1997, you’ll have a C1 entitlement on your licence, which allows you to drive campers with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of up to 7500kg.
If your driving licence was issued after this date, however, you’ll be limited to entitlements B and B1. What that means is that you’ll be limited to campervans of up to 3500kg MAM. But that isn’t a huge cause for concern, because most motorhomes and campervans are built with a weight that falls below this limit, thus enabling them to be driven by most UK licence holders.
Converting a van to a camper is a labour-intensive job, and that’s before you factor in the addition of bespoke, low-volume furnishings that require intensive design and development processes.
On top of that, modern campers have to pass stringent safety regulations, and don’t forget that most campers require a fairly gutsy engine to haul their weight around – that means they’re often based on higher-spec, powerful engines that are a cut above the more basic versions you’d find powering most regular vans.
With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that campervans cost quite a bit to buy. On the plus side, high demand and a relative dearth of supply means that they tend to hold their value on the used market pretty well.
In just the same way as you’d buy any other car or van. You can buy a camper brand-new, direct from the manufacturer or converter, or you can buy one second-hand from a dealer or from the previous owner themselves.
Don’t forget, however, that there are lots more items you’ll need to check over if you’re buying a camper; not only have you got the basics of the van’s engine, gearbox, suspension and underpinnings to contend with, but you’ve also got the complex habitation systems – gas, water, furnishings, and so on. You should also check that the living area is watertight.
Not quite, though there is something of a blurred line between the two. The accepted wisdom, however, is that a campervan is a van that’s been fitted out for sleeping in, with an all-metal body and, sometimes, a pop-top or plastic high-top roof extension.
A motorhome, by contrast, is larger, and based on van underpinnings, with a purpose-built body that’s constructed separately (usually entirely of fibreglass) and then bolted on top. By those definitions, all of the vans in our list below fit into the campervan category – even the Volkswagen Grand California, with its enormous fibreglass roof extension.
Yes. Standard campervans and motorhomes up to 3500kg MAM are able to use the Eurotunnel, though they’ll have to travel in the large vehicles section, as the standard train carriages won’t allow the roof clearance necessary.
Campers weighing in at more than 3500kg MAM will still be able to use the Eurotunnel, but they will probably have to travel as freight, which would involve leaving the vehicle while it’s travelling through the Channel Tunnel, and travelling instead in the separate passenger carriage.
Yes, though you’ll need to make sure you doing so safely. You can use either an A-frame device to do this, or tow a car on a separate trailer. Keep in mind that you’ll have to keep within the maximum train weight of the camper, as well as that permitted by your licence – so it’s worth doing your research before you commit to this course of action.
