You really can have it all in a compact coachbuilt motorhome, if the Tessoro T481 from Benimar is anything to go by.
A specification that won’t leave you short
It’s an easily manageable sub-6m in length, yet offers four-berth accommodation with an unexpectedly roomy front lounge, over which there’s an electrically-operated drop-down double bed that just glides into place at the touch of a button.
The lounge itself sees an L-shaped settee (offside) and a double settee with a high backrest (nearside), as well as swivels for the cab seats, all sat around a large fixed pedestal leg table that comes with full adjustability, including for height (electrical).
The rest of the Benimar Tessoro T481’s floorplan sees washroom and kitchen areas at the back that are equally well thought out.
Benimars are built in Spain and sold in the UK via Marquis Leisure and its 13-branch dealer network. There are also agents in Scotland (The Motorhome Company) and Northern Ireland (Camper NI).
UK-spec’ Benimars get Ford’s powerful 168bhp engine as standard, a unit that also produces a healthy 405Nm of torque across 1,500-2,500rpm. Add in a cab, too, that’s particularly car-like in terms of its quality and specification, and it all makes for a very comfortable motorhome to pilot.
The living specification of the Benimar Tessoro T481 motorhome is fully suited to UK tastes, too, as indeed is the overall construction – with the habitation door switched to the UK nearside.
The bodywork is backed by a five-year warranty, with two for the habitation area and three for the base vehicle.
These are supposed to be budget-priced motorhomes, but that hasn’t stopped Benimar using more upmarket flush-fitting side windows in the GRP-clad bodywork, along with alloy wheels, fixings for a bike rack and external gas and shower sockets.
Inside the Tessoro T481, a roll-call of the kitchen kit is also highly impressive. Everything is here, from a 145-litre fridge/freezer to microwave oven, Thetford Triplex cooker (two gas rings, electric hotplate, combined oven and grill), electric roof vent as well as rooflight and cooker extractor unit.
There’s even a decent amount of permanent worktop to the left of the circular sink, with a supplementary slot-in extension section.
The washroom is accessed via a solid door and includes a separate, lined shower cubicle with twin drainage holes and wooden duckboarding, plus there’s a drop-down rail for hanging wet clothing etc.
Along with the Thetford swivel-bowl toilet, fixed handbasin and opaque opening window, there’s an array of storage – including upper mirror-doored locker and a cupboard under the basin – there are plenty of common-sense details, like the towel rail, toothbrush mug and soap dispenser.
Key fittings and details elsewhere show this Benimar Tessoro 481 motorhome really does mean business.
There’s a solar panel, Truma Combi 6 heating system with iNet controllability, central locking to all three doors, an illuminated wardrobe, full set of scatter and bolster cushions, a generous assortment of sockets (mains, 12V and USB), a flatscreen TV holder with height adjustability (so you can watch the screen from the main bed or the lounge seating) and exterior-access to both the nearside settee base and locker behind the wardrobe.
Safety and security are top-notch, too, including an S7 motorhome tracking system, a reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring system – so there are even big savings to be made on your motorhome insurance premium.
To find out more about insuring a Benimar Tessoro 481 or your current motorhome visit our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Verdict: Compact coachbuilt that lacks for little
Plus: Ford base vehicle, generous all-round equipment levels
Minus: Drop-down bed cuts across the habitation doorway, downstairs double is a bit tricky to make
In-a-nutshell: Short in length, long in specification, keen on price
Alternatives: Auto-Trail F62, Bailey Adamo 60-4
Benimar Tessoro T481 factfile
Model | Benimar Tessoro T481 |
Base vehicle | Ford Transit chassis-cab, 2.0-litre 168bhp turbo-diesel, Euro 6D |
Dimensions | 5.98m L x 2.30m W x 2.89m H |
Berths | Four |
Travel seats | Four |
Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
Payload | 561kg |
MPG estimate | 28-32 |
RRP | From £74,495 on the road |
Safety & security | Trackstar Leisure CAT 6 tracker (with first year’s subscription), electronic immobiliser, remote central locking to cab doors, ESP Traction Control, Hill Assist, ABS and EBD, twin airbags, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, reversing camera, quick windscreen defrost function, heated electric wing mirrors, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, VIN CHIP, tyre pressure monitoring system |
Key options | Automatic transmission (£2,500), towbar and electrics (£1,400) |
Accurate & best kitchen/bathroom design in vehicle under 6mtrs (must have been a female designer )
excellent