2018 Elddis Accordo 105 motorhome

A cosy treat for two

It’s not without irony that, at a time when the UK is planning its official withdrawal from Europe, the mainland’s major motorhome manufacturers have been buying up major concerns in this country. What that means for Elddis, taken over by the Erwin Hymer Group in 2017, remains to be seen. For now, it will continue doing what it does best – producing keenly priced coachbuilt motorhomes from its factory in Consett, County Durham.

The all-new Accordo 105 is not big on the outside, but hats off to Elddis for optimising the living space, thanks in part to keeping things pretty straightforward. Do note, though, some half a dozen dealers do their own special edition versions of the Accordo 105, boasting vastly superior specifications.

Based on Peugeot Boxer’s motorhome-specific Tempo Libero chassis, with a coachbuilt body, like all latest Elddis’s, Accordos use the company’s SoLiD bonded construction technique backed by a 10-year warranty against water ingress.

Elddis has had plenty of time to get things right. The first Accordo 105 appeared in the 2014 season. Upgrades for 2018 include the light blue sides and a revised washroom that now offers a separate shower cubicle.

The short, low-profile design – all four Accordo models are under 6m in length – bodes well for economy and overall performance. Peugeot’s latest two-litre, 130bhp engine is under the bonnet, with six-speed manual transmission (there’s still no automatic option). It’s rated Euro VI as far as emissions are concerned, needing top-ups of AdBlue every 6,000 or so miles, while 30mpg shouldn’t be beyond a possibility for most owners.

The cab might look basic, but it has sports air conditioning, cruise control, DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity, and more as standard.

Inside, it’s a trusted formula of front lounge with two inward-facing settees and a washroom across the back. In between, there’s a generous kitchen for such a diminutive motorhome.

It’s not just about the equipment here – three-ring hob, sink, combined oven and grill, 85-litre fridge (with removable freezer compartment) – but the fact that there’s some permanent worktop as well as decent storage (shelved cupboard, floor locker, cutlery drawer, large overhead lockers).

Open the door beyond the kitchen and there’s a roomy enough washroom to incorporate the aforementioned new shower cubicle – it’s plastic-lined with a folding door. There’s also plenty of space to use the swivel-bowl toilet, plus there’s a countertop basin set above one of the two storage lockers in this room. With towel and toilet roll holders, too, all that’s lacking is a window.

It certainly helps to have an easy walk-through from washroom at the back to lounge at the front. At night, those settee bases come together and it’s easy enough to flip over the cushions for a pretty flat double bed. If you prefer singles, you’ll end up using the cab seats, although the bulkhead here might be too intrusive for some.

In daytime mode, with both cab seats swivelled, it should be easy to accommodate up to six adults in comfort. It’s a rather small freestanding table, though, if they all want to stay for dinner. What you will get during the day is plenty of daylight. There’s an opening sunroof over the cab and generous side windows, plus a large rooflight directly over the main seating area.

Storage is good throughout, too, with everything from a generous wardrobe, to easy-access under-settee storage, to roof lockers with positive catches, and open shelving in the overcab section. Aspects like a TV bracket and a good choice of mains sockets haven’t been forgotten, either.

Easy going, that’s the gospel according to Accordo.

Verdict: Keeps things cosy for two, with a mustard-keen price

Plus: Compact dimensions, uncomplicated design

Minus: Basic in places

In-a-nutshell: Short enough and sweet enough

There’s more information on the Accordo range on the Elddis website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Bailey Advance 635, Benimar Mileo 202, Swift Escape 614