Verdict
This is a very promising newcomer that isn’t afraid to offer a flash of modernity as well as determinedly sticking to quality, plus a high specification.
It wouldn’t take many small tweaks to make this a four-star ’van.
The final icing? It also keeps a very competitive price.
And to see other Autohaus motorhomes for sale, click here.
Pros
Good build quality
It has a great specification
The kitchen is roomy and well equipped
We like the integrated USB ports
Cons
That narrow corridor
Neither bed is huge and the front double is awkward to make up
Autohaus, best known for its VW camper van conversions, has moved up a sector with this, the Kingston, a high-top van conversion based on Fiat’s ubiquitous Ducato.
No surprise there – and no real shock to the floorplan.
But, there are plenty of quality touches and neat ideas – plus a highly competitive £49,995 price – to make the Kingston worth further investigation.
Many folk will recognise Autohaus as a producer of better quality VW-based campers.
The Kingston represents a move up the motorhome ladder – in terms of size of vehicle, but also the different features folk expect in a van conversion.
In addition, Autohaus is talking about motorhomes based on Volkswagen’s Crafter and Ford’s Transit – watch this space!
There are plenty of quality touches and neat ideas – plus a highly competitive price
Living
The floorplan affords a two-lounge set-up. To the front is a RIB double travel seat which, with both cab seats swivelled, means this lounge can accommodate four.
The triple-aspect parallel lounge at the back is a great place for enjoying your setting – as well as the Polyplastic flush-fitting double-glazed windows, fling both rear doors open for great views out!
For dining, a single-leg pedestal table is provided which can be used in either lounge. You might love it, you might not – talk to Autohaus if you’d prefer something a bit steadier.
Kitchen
There’s more than you might expect for a van conversion in the Autohaus Kingston’s kitchen, especially in terms of worktop and storage space.
There’s permanent worktop here as well as a sturdy slide-out section, with drawers for storage in the main unit plus a two-doored locker overhead.
A stainless-steel two-burner hob and sink combination unit is set in the Corian-style worktop, supplemented by a Dometic combined oven/grill.
To the left of the kitchen is the big surprise. Where you’d expect a wardrobe, a door opens to reveal a 90-litre Thetford compressor fridge, with a freezer compartment.
Washroom
So long as you recognise that this is more of a wetroom than a full washroom, then we think the provision in the just 5.99m-long Autohaus Kingston is excellent.
Slide open the space-saving tambour door and there’s a fully plastic-lined washroom with a fixed basin – the mixer tap pulls out to form the showerhead – and a Thetford swivel-bowl toilet set on a plinth.
Storage is restricted to a high-level vanity unit with a mirrored front.
There are also toilet roll and towel holders, although the position of the former might make it awkward to reach.
It only loses out on a few details: there’s just a small outlet above for ventilation, there’s only one plughole in the shower tray, and with no curtain you’ll have to accept that the whole space will get wet.
Beds
Is this Autohaus Kingston a full four-berth? We’re not sure – two-plus-two might be closer to the mark.
The main bed is the rear double, easily made by pulling the two settee bases together.
The compact nature of the Kingston’s rear lounge is reflected in this bed’s rather small dimensions – 1.83m x 1.22m.
There’s a bit more patience required to make the bed at the front of this motorhome.
Again, it’s a double – just about, at 1.83m x 1.12m – using extra cushion sections best stored in one of the settee bases (or left at home if there’s only the two of you).
Cassette concertina blinds to the main windows and fitted blinds around the cab will ensure perfect blackout at night.
Storage
The smaller the vehicle, the more important storage becomes, it seems.
Autohaus has struck a good balance here, with room in all seat bases, plus plenty of overhead lockers with curved doors and positive catches.
And with those rear barn doors, it is easy to load larger items, too.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 450 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 5.99 m |
| Width | 2.05 m |
