There’s not a lot of choice out there if you want a compact coachbuilt built on a Volkswagen Transporter base.
But Knaus has come up with a couple of exceptions (and you might also want to look at what’s coming to the UK from its budget-oriented sister brand, Weinsberg).
Short sensation?
Two Knaus Van models have been announced for the 2023 season – two-berth 500LT with washroom and kitchen towards the back and the 500MQ, on review here, featuring a permanent transverse double bed over a garage and an optional extendable pulldown bed over the cab. Both are also available in upmarket Vansation trim, which gives a higher starting specification, as featured on the example here.
Typically for so many imports, especially more upmarket models, there’s still a huge choice of optional extras – starting with some good value Package bundles.
Not that you could call this motorhome under-equipped. All Knaus Vansations come with 150PS engine and automatic transmission, for starters. The cab is Ascot Grey and – uniquely these days – the coachbuilt bodywork continues that off-white colouring. Other details of note are the moulded steps at the cab doors and the lower curve to the Premium habitation door, an option fitted to this example. Those alloy wheels are standard.
The cab is particularly well appointed, too. Standard features range from heated windscreen to a tyre pressure display, rear-view camera (for a motorhome insurance discount), full “infotainment” system with VW streaming and internet service, cruise control with distance warning, and more.
The Knaus Tourer Van 500 MQ Vansation motorhome is also particularly slim, at 2.16m, giving this motorhome a more go-anywhere feel as well as the sheer driveability of the Volkswagen base – all with the benefit of full self-support facilities on board.
We take a look inside and out at the 2023 Knaus Tourer Van 500 MQ Vansation:
The layout is perfectly suited to a vehicle of such compact dimensions – and yet it’s not one that’s found lots of favour in the UK. That’s invariably because of the permanent bed across the back – although there’s a clever enough step arrangement, some folk just don’t like the idea of clambering up to kip on what is otherwise an extremely comfortable transverse double.
The upside of all this, though, is a huge storage compartment below that’s accessible from either side outside. Load capacity is set at a 150kg limit, but the facility to carry bikes, outdoor chairs, tables, barbecues etc is still almost limitless. Below that bed on the inside, is a compact wardrobe with a rail, shelves and shoe compartment
There’s also sufficient room – just – in the rest of the interior to offer a small forward lounge (note the slight angle to the bench seat to allow easier access), a compact kitchen and clever washroom.
The lounge in the Tourer Van 500 MQ Vansation motorhome has a side-attaching table with swivelling extension which, along with the swivelled cab seats, makes for a cosy setting for four folk.
For the kitchen, with living space at a premium, it makes sense for Knaus to fit a cooker/sink combination that includes two gas rings as well as a 90-litre, side mounted fridge. Soft-closing drawers add a touch of class, plus there’s a decent amount of permanent worktop.
Truma’s Combi 4D system is the standard heating and hot water fitting, but there are options to upgrade, especially if you want power via mains electricity as well as diesel.
Opposite the kitchen, the Vansation 500MQ’s washroom is particularly clever. There’s a clue in its naming from Knaus – Xpand – with the stand-out feature a height-adjustable shower cubicle that can be lowered when not needed so that it’s level with the transverse double bed, thus giving you a mattress area of some 2m x 1.35m.
The rest of the washroom is just as neat, with a Dometic swivel-bowl toilet, over which sits a basin that can be slid out of sight when not needed.
To find out more about insuring a Knaus Tourer Van Vansation or your current motorhome visit our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Verdict: Knaus keeps it compact
Plus: Quality build, innovative washroom
Minus: Pricey (with options to follow)
In-a-nutshell: Short stuff with a lot packed in
Alternatives: Weinsberg X-Cursion Van 500 MQ
Knaus Tourer Van Vansation 500MQ factfile
Model | Knaus Tourer Van Vansation 500MQ |
Base vehicle | Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 |
Dimensions | 5.89m L x 2.16m W x 2.91m H |
Berths | Up to four |
Travel seats | Four |
Maximum weight | 3,200kg |
Payload | 230kg |
MPG estimate | 28-34 |
RRP | From £76,100 on the road |
Safety & security | ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, Hill Holder (Hill Start Assist), engine immobiliser, twin airbags, adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, rear-view camera |
Key options | Safety I Package (£1,048), Energy Plus Package (£833), Energy Basic Package (£460), Cobra alarm system (£1,043), 100Watt solar panel (£1,035), lithium battery (£1,139), underfloor heating (£742), Truma Combi 6D + E heating (£1,103), Premium habitation door (£652), overcab extending double bed (£1,867) |
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