2015 Roller Team Auto-Roller 695 P motorhome review: Bed on a budget

Here’s an island bed motorhome that simply refuses to break the bank. Starting at just over £42,000 the Roller Team Auto-Roller 695 P pits itself against rivals, some of which cost £10,000 or more extra. And some can’t even offer the kind of bodywork construction that this Roller Team does. It’s GRP-clad, timber-free and with Styrofoam insulation – all backed by a ten-year warranty. Plenty of upgrades are also available from the standard 3500kg chassis with 130bhp engine and manual transmission.

As an import, the habitation door stays on our OK offside, but that’s rarely an issue when you’re on-site. And there’s a commendably low step-in height here.

Another of this Auto-Roller’s key attractions is the floorplan is in a vehicle some 3cm shy of 7m. Island bed arrangements usually mean longer vehicles, but here that rear double is a healthy 1.88m x 1.37m, with space to dangle your feet out of the end. Two wardrobes here are diametrically opposed – one in the offside rear corner the other at the foot of the bed. Lockers and shelving across the back wall are handy, too, although they do mean sitting up in bed is impossible.

There’s a third berth, too. The lounge bed has a severe cutaway so is really best suited to one person.

Immediately adjacent to that island bed on the vehicle nearside is a shower room that really is too pokey to be of much use. Luckily, there’s a separate toilet room, complete with swivel-bowl toilet, fixed washbasin, an opaque window and good storage. Its tambour door is a convenient space-saver, too.

Across the corridor, the kitchen makes the most of its space allowance by being L-shaped and squeezing in a three-ring gas hob diagonally opposite a square sink in matching stainless steel finish. Worktop is extremely limited here, despite a loose cover for the sink.

There is a generous 150-litre fridge/freezer here, though, with a small grill set above, which still leaves space for a sizeable locker above that – ideal for packets of food, it could also be the place to out your TV.

There’s some compromise in the lounge, too, where you’ll be able to sit four around the pedestal table, but the tabletop itself will struggle at mealtimes for that many people.

You’ll find much of the cost-paring in the soft furnishings quality and rather basic furniture construction here. Also, despite looking to effect an L-shaped lounge seating plan, it’s actually just a thin strip of backrest and a very narrow squab.

Opposing all this are features such as soft-close drawers, touch-control LED ceiling lights, opening sunroof over the cab etc.

It all makes for quite some bargain for this class of motorhome. Check out all the details for yourselves, but the three options packs offered for 2015 Roller Teams will all appeal to your eye for a bargain – indeed, the £999 Driver’s Pack collection of cab air-conditioning, cruise control, stereo with steering wheel controls and Bluetooth connectivity, passenger air bag and electric door mirrors is probably essential.

However, even if you go for all three of those packs, it still only adds up to £45,308.

Verdict: Keenly priced

Plus: Ten-year bodywork warranty, up to full six-berth accommodation, good kitchen

Minus: Cramped shower room

In-a-nutshell: Easy-on-the-bank island bed luxury

Cost to insure: £259.50*

In summary:

• Roller Team 695 P
• Fiat Ducato, 2.3-litre, 130bhp Euro V+
• Dimensions 6.97m L, 2.31m W, 2.75m H
• Maximum weight 3500kg (3650kg optional)
• Payload 540kg
• Key options: Driver’s Pack (£999), Lux Pack (£699), Thermo Pack (£1,120)
• Security and Safety Electronic immobiliser, remote central locking to cab doors, ABS, twin airbags
• MPG estimate 24-28

Recommended retail price from £42,490**

There’s more information on the Zefiro range on the Roller Team website and to find out more about our low-cost premiums visit the motorhome insurance discounts page.

Alternatives: Bailey Approach Autograph 730, Carado T449, Chausson Flash 628EB, Sunlight T69 L

*Motorhome insurance cost based on Roller Team Auto-Roller 695 P retailing at £42,490  fitted with manufacturer fitted immobiliser and Thatcham Category 1 alarm. UK travel only. Kept in secure storage at home TD9 8ED. Motorhome owners – professionals over 50 years old with no claims or convictions in last 3 years. 4 years no claims bonus mirrored from car policy and 2 years motorhome driving experience. Members of motorhome club doing less than 5000 miles annually. Eligible for magazine reader discount. £300 excess applies. Premiums include insurance premium tax at 6% and are correct at 18.03.15

**On-the-road, including VAT at 20%