2026 Panama P/10E Hybrid campervan review

It’s easy to see hybrid power – a combination of an electric and conventional fuel engine working together – as the future for campervans. It makes for a particularly environmentally-friendly and efficient way of getting around, without the worry of range limitations that come if you go all-electric. That’s exactly the route Panama has chosen to take with its P/10E Hybrid campervan.

Here, we take a quick walkthrough of the 2026 Panama P/10E Hybrid campervan:

Ford’s Tourneo Custom is the campervan’s base vehicle, coming with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission that, with electrical assistance via a 13kW battery, is capable of pushing out some 229bhp. The vehicle will decide for itself which power modes to use – Auto EV, EV now or EV later – or you can make that choice yourself.

This Tourneo is the version of the Transit Custom that’s designed from the outset with passenger-carrying capabilities and a superior all-round specification to suit. In Active trim level, it comes with silver metallic paintwork and tinted windows behind the cab, along with 17in alloy wheels, heated cab seats, climate control, infotainment system with 13in touchscreen, dual air conditioning and a whole host of safety features (see opposite).

In electric mode, there’s a maximum range of 32 miles, but this is a hybrid and that petrol engine cuts in as and when needed. CO2 emissions are in the 33-65g/km bracket (it’s well over double that figure for a typical diesel-engined Transit Custom). Economy is just as impressive – Ford quotes a maximum range of 686 miles and an mpg figure of 176.6 for the pre-converted base vehicle.

As for the conversion, it follows traditional campervan lines as far as the side unit and rear seat/bed is concerned, but worth noting also is that this campervan is gas free.

That explains the presence of an induction double hob for the kitchen and a 1kW electric heater – power to these, along with the sole 230V outlet, is regulated by Ford’s Pro Power Onboard system and its 2.3kW inverter, although it will still pay to be on mains hook-up if you want to use all three appliances at the same time.

The Panama P/10E Hybrid campervan’s kitchen facilities also include a sink, 42-litre compressor fridge with freezer, a small area of worktop, cutlery drawer and a top-loading locker. There’s also a floor locker, but this is where the Porta Potti 335 toilet stows (or you could decide to keep it in the back).

Elsewhere, all the campervan facilities you’d expect are here. The Mobiframe seat on rails is great for maximising storage at the back as well as on-site living space, as and when needed.

Overhead is an elevating roof from Germany’s SCA that provides a 1.98m x 1.16m bed on a 4cm deep mattress with sprung base for optimum support as well as ventilation (there’s a maximum weight of 175kg here) while the downstairs double is a slightly smaller 1.9m x 1.17m.

There’s a table for mealtimes that can also be used free-standing outside.

Furniture has an easy wipe-clean laminate finish, interior lighting is dimmable. There are fresh (50 litres) and waste (32 litres) tanks, an external-use shower fitting, and more.

Don’t under-estimate that ability to take a fifth passenger, either. Along with the compact overall dimensions, it makes the Panama P/10E Hybrid campervan all the more viable as a particularly economical daily driver, including trips like the school run. Just note the rear seat will take three but only has two lots of Isofix.

To find out more about insuring a Panama P/10E Hybrid or your current campervan visit our campervan insurance page.

Verdict: A step into the future, going the hybrid way

Plus: Keen pricing, well equipped base vehicle, an ideal compromise of electric and petrol power, safe seating for up to five

Minus: Heating is mains only, some storage limitations

In-a-nutshell: Panama plans a power shift

Alternatives: Bespoke Leisure Explore Ford Transit Custom PHEV, Hillside MVX, Volkswagen California Ocean eHybrid 4Motion, Wellhouse Leisure Kia PV5