Malibu Genius 641 LE 2025

For 2025, German brand Malibu is bringing out its first van conversion based on a Mercedes Sprinter. But because it couldn’t fit its tried and tested “Comfort” layout within the Sprinter’s 5.93m length, it has designed its own rear extension to the vehicle, bringing its overall length to 6.40m.

You might not immediately notice the difference, because the extension, built using a GRP sandwich with RTM hard foam in the middle, includes the same beading on the outside that you get in the main Mercedes body which is, incidentally considered a contender for the best van for converting to a camper. It also uses the original rear lights.

Malibu has made a change to the rear panel itself, however: instead of barn doors, which it claims let in the cold, you get an upwards opening ‘boot’ door with a large window above.

Malibu is so convinced of the great promise of this new vehicle, it has christened it the Genius. That was the name Malibu’s parent company, Carthago, used in 1994 for its first ’van with a heated double floor. The best camper vans offer comfort, a great driving experience and a practical layout, among other features, so how does the Genius shape up? I went to take a look.

Cab and lounge

The 641 LE has Malibu’s ‘Coupe’ style up front. That means overhead lockers and ambient lighting extending to the windscreen of the standard Sprinter cab. The captain’s seats swivel to form a lounge, with two travel seats in the rear and a clip-on table between them.

I found the area well lit with LEDs under the lockers, although there are no extra lights by the cab seats. Sockets for the TV are up above, behind the travel seat, with more sockets underneath, giving you an ideal spot for streaming your favourite shows, so long as you have access to the internet in a motorhome.

I noted the step down to the aisle, but this allows for two heating vents, with a further one under the table.

Kitchen in the Malibu Genius 641 LE

I thought the side kitchen really benefits from the vehicle’s longer length. As usual, you get a pull-out extension – here with two sockets underneath, making this a perfect spot for a kettle. There is more workspace at the other end over the half-height fridge as well.

In between is a two-burner hob, oriented sideways, and a large sink. This has split covers that double up as chopping boards, offering yet more work surface. Something I did note, however, is there is no oven fitted here as standard.

Washroom in the Malibu Genius 641 LE

The washroom door folds out twice to create a partition that seals off the rear section of the interior, almost making me feel as though there are two rooms. In fact, there could be three: even with this door open, the cubicle can be sealed off with a plastic screen.

The toilet slides away under the bench seats in the lounge, and the basin folds up, so you get a completely clear space for showering. I did note there’s only one drain hole, but in ‘normal’ washroom mode, there’s good light, thanks to an opaque window, a roof vent and lots of LEDs.

Sleeping in the Malibu Genius 641 LE

I found the extra length pays off in the rear bedroom, as each of the single beds is 2m long.

The rear-opening door sits entirely below the beds, so there’s lots of room for pillows to be propped up around the rear window. There’s good additional light, too, with LEDs under the overhead lockers.

Storage in the Malibu Genius 641 LE

The length really comes into its own when I took a look at the storage, ensuring you have plenty of room for packing the best campervan accessories before you set off on tour. Both beds lift to reveal areas underneath, including a hanging wardrobe. There are two sets of drawers. You get more space under the travel seat up front, and more overhead lockers.

Kitchen storage includes three large drawers and a single overhead locker. There’s also a set of cupboards above the fridge. The washroom has a good selection of cupboards, too.

Finally, that extra space allows Malibu to offer as options a pull-out system for storing bikes, or a pull-out storage system with portable boxes. And for those who really want to go off-grid, it comes with an optional self-sufficiency package that includes two 150Ah lithium batteries, three extra 18A chargers, a 70A charging booster and a 1.8kW voltage converter.

Alternatives to consider

The Laika Ecovip 540 provides plenty of space for two, has good storage and offers lots of comfort when you’re on tour. Alternatively, for those who want to go off-road and have the budget for it, the Yucon K Peak 7.0 GD is a capacious ‘van that provides a comfortable touring base, plenty of storage and a payload of 600kg.

Technical spec of the Malibu Genius 641 LE

• Price: £85,270
• Sleeps: 2
• Belts: 4 
• Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter
• Engine: 150bhp
• Length/width/height: 6.40/2.02/2.69m (20’9”/6’6”/8’8”)
• MTPLM: 3500kg
• MiRO: TBC 
• Payload: TBC
• Water (fresh/waste): 100/90 litres
• Leisure battery: 90Ah
• Gas: 2 x 11kg

If you’d like to find out what Carthago offers in one of its mega motorhomes, take a look at my review of the Carthago chic s plus I 61 XL LE too – it’s for customers with deep pockets, offering plenty of style and comfort throughout.

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