2021 Auto-Sleeper Kemerton XL motorhome

In Auto-Sleeper-speak, XL tells us it’s an extra-long body – in this case Peugeot’s 6.36m Boxer. It’s all about the width, too. Or rather, the washroom, that occupies the whole of the back end of the Kemerton XL motorhome. And, as an Auto-Sleeper, it goes without saying there’s a theme of luxury throughout, which also means more than generous levels of equipment.

Extra choices

But, let’s get the price out of the way first. Although Auto-Sleepers quotes an initial £59,700, that’s without the Premium Pack – a long list of classy, arguably essential, options without which no Kemerton XL motorhome yet has left the factory. For this review, read it as the Premium Pack is standard.

Like all of the company’s van conversions, Peugeot’s Boxer is the starting point (although there’s the option to switch to Fiat’s Ducato if you want automatic transmission). As standard, you get the impressive 165bhp engine with six-speed manual transmission. Unlike others, Auto-Sleepers uses a version of the Boxer that comes with windows fitted.

You definitely get a better drive from Auto-Sleeper compared to its van conversion rivals. That’s thanks to the specifying its Peugeot base vehicles with twin rear springs, then supplementing this with a semi-air suspension system. It does a lot to alleviate the “bounce” you get from standard Peugeot/Fiat offerings.

There’s a choice of four exterior finishes for the Auto-Sleeper Kemerton XL motorhome, three of which are metallic, like the silver here. Also, there are Catalan, Casa Mila and Sagrada (the latter, as here) upholstery styles in a variety of colours.

The benefit of using the extra-long Peugeot is instantly felt in the Kemerton XL’s lounge, with its long, inward-facing settee offside and a single rear forward-facing travel seat just inside the sliding door.

Both cab seats swivel, and there’s an extended section of floor so your legs won’t be left dangling. You can put a pedestal leg table between the swivelled cab seats, or there’s a free-standing table for the entire seating area.

At night, choose between two 6ft-plus single beds or a double some 6ft 6in x 6ft 2in (1.98m x 1.88m).

It’s very much a galley kitchen aft of the lounge, with the main facilities split between sink and cooker on the nearside and a Thetford fridge directly across the corridor.

Other facilities in the Auto-Sleeper Kemerton XL motorhome kitchen include a Thetford Triplex cooker (two gas rings, one electric hotplate, combined oven and grill) with the sink adjacent and space for the add-on plastic drainer (supplied) to its left.

There’s also a “dock” of three mains sockets here, which slots back down to worktop level when not needed.

Also here are an extractor unit over the hob, above which sits a Dometic microwave oven, along with a single overhead locker.

The kitchen features continue with a splash panel at the rear of the whole unit and under-counter storage in terms of a small drawer for cutlery, and three decent-size lockers of differing capacities.

There’s more storage to the left of the fridge, with a wardrobe and three drawers.

Beyond the galley, it’s a solid door for the washroom, where you’ll find a bench toilet with a locker for toilet roll storage etc behind.

Two tambour doors slide back for the shower cubicle, where there’s also a drop-down basin. The footwell here is deep, with two plugholes.

There’s a good level of storage in the Auto-Sleeper Kemerton XL (thanks also to fittings like the 25-litre gas tank that’s under the ‘van, as opposed to a space-stealing gas locker.) Similarly, the water tanks, Whale heating and hot water systems are underslung, again freeing up valuable internal storage space.

There’s good storage in the settee and rear seat bases as well as directly behind the latter, although some of the bed cushions take up space here. There are also three lockers overhead here.

Other details range from the paddle reading lights on a rail in the lounge, to sliding windows both sides of the lounge, to pockets in the backs of the cab seats. All windows aft of the cab benefit from concertina blinds and flyscreens.

The complete specification runs to reams, but includes the rather grandly titled Harmony Utility Management System with Auto-Sleepers LOCATE, for keeping remote tabs on all aspects of the vehicle. The colour reversing camera in the Premium Pack will attract a discount on your motorhome insurance as well as the Auto-Sleepers LOCATE Cat 6 approved proactive tracking system.

Plus, latest models now feature motorhome wi-fi. Your independence is surely complete!

Verdict: Complete independence in a van conversion without leaving the luxuries at home

Plus: Superbly equipped (with Premium Pack), Auto-Sleeper pedigree, relatively generous floor space

Minus: Finicky bedmaking, rear travel seat not the best

In-a-nutshell: Luxury on four wheels

There’s more information on the Kemerton XL on the Auto-Sleepers website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: IH N-630FL, Murvi Morello, WildAx Constellation XL