2022 Ford Nugget campervan

Exclusively made for Ford by Westfalia – a specialist that, despite a few changes of owners, can trace its roots back to campervan beginnings over 70 years ago. The Nugget is hardly a newcomer, either – it can trace its roots back around a quarter of a century – but in latest guise it’s a smart-looking camper with lots of latest technology that makes for an interesting alternative in a market that dominated by anything carrying a VW badge on its bonnet.

The very model of a modern camper

The Transit Custom base vehicle, for starters, is a model of modern sophistication. The Ford Nugget campervan cab boasts a particularly good stereo system, as well as everything from heated seats to Quickclear windscreen.

Presumably to keep costs down, Ford gives the standard Nugget campervan the 128bhp engine as standard, so surely only budget will prevent you from ticking the box for the extra power and refinement, plus easier driving, from a 183bhp unit and six-speed automatic transmission upgrade.

It’s definitely the kind of leisure vehicle you can use on a daily basis. The only cautionary note here is that the overall height is over the 2m mark – where you’d expect to get under most car park height barriers.

It’s a different kind of campervan, too, thanks to a floorplan that gives a total of five travel seats (including Isofix at the back) and is also several leagues away from the side furniture format that so typifies nearly every other campervan. It also has sliding doors on both sides.

Instead, the Ford Nugget kitchen is across the back and faces forward, looking out across the lounge area.

The manually-operated elevating roof is hinged at the front to allow plenty of standing height here.

Kitchen kit includes a two-burner hob, circular sink and a top-loading 40-litre compressor fridge, plus a 12V/230V hot water system.

As you’d probably expect, despite the L-shape to the kitchen, there’s very little worktop space, but there is a useful bank of pockets – ideal for everything from a washing up brush to any other odds and ends you want to hand when preparing food.

At night, choose between two 6ft-plus long double beds, the larger – and arguably more comfortable – of which is up top. The smaller double is rather tricky to make, too.

Build quality throughout is up there with the best. Witness the alloy furniture edgings, extensive plastic mouldings, excellent interior lighting (there’s even an extra, plug-in reading light) etc.

There’s a hefty feel to the Ford Nugget campervan that bodes well for longer-term use. Indeed, it hits the scales at over 2,700kg, before you’ve added any optional extras. But do note in addition to the equipment mentioned above you also get such features as a wind-out awning, diesel-powered heating system, external shower attachment, right through to a couple of outdoor camping chairs (which admittedly take up rather too much space in the bulkhead under the kitchen area), and more. Overhead, it’s a top-quality elevating roof section, too.

Want to see one for yourselves? Just note the Nugget campervan is sold exclusively by Ford, via a small number of its dealerships across the UK.

And to protect any future purchase you’ll want to consider a Cat 2-1 alarm upgrade as the alarm fitted as standard to this campervan doesn’t have any interior sensors. This will also attract a campervan insurance discount, alongside those rear parking sensors.

Verdict: Ford makes its mark with an interesting alternative

Plus: Overall build quality, Ford/Westfalia pedigree, bed sizes and comfort

Minus: Storage limitations, tricky downstairs bed, bulky camping chairs

In-a-nutshell: Ford flexing in the campervan sector

There’s more information on the Ford Nugget campervan range on their website. Find out more about insuring this or your current campervan or motorhome on our campervan insurance page.

Alternatives: Autohaus GT Spartan, Wellhouse Misano