Malibu Relax 640 LE R 2026

The Malibu Relax has been introduced to bring the company’s much-coveted campervans slightly more within the reach of a greater number of people – offering, as it says, “Premium for everybody”.

That’s why it can have an MTPLM of 3500kg, so anyone can drive it. It’s also why, rather than having an overwhelming list of extras, Malibu only offers you three equipment lines here: Active, Ambition, and Exclusive – note that even the Active line does take the overall price up, to £59,100.

Still, this is the ‘van we named the best value campervan at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026 – so how does it shape up? Let’s find out.

Cab and dinette in the Malibu Relax 640 LE R

The Ambition line model I saw at TMD Motorhomes in Redditch includes a Fiat 10.1 multimedia system with sat nav and a reversing camera in the cab. (Active models only get a Pioneer DAB+ radio.) There are also USB and USB C ports in the Fiat Ducato-based Relax, which is, incidentally, among the best vans for converting to a camper.

Both discreetly branded cab seats swivel to create a dinette with the two travel seats on the bench in the rear. This should be cosy, as there are two heating vents under the table, providing warmth to an area that can be a notorious cold spot, which will be useful if you want to make a campervan warm.

The table also extends out so far that everyone could easily reach it. Exclusive models get a 24-inch TV to enjoy here, too. There’s no sunroof above the cab, but daylight gets in through a large Heki, and through the unusually wide door.

Kitchen in the Malibu Relax 640 LE R

That door seems wide because the kitchen peninsula doesn’t extend quite as far forwards as it might in other campervans. It still manages to include a half-height fridge at the end of the peninsula which opens two ways, however.

There’s only a two-burner gas only hob, but it’s nicely positioned away from the door (although Malibu still includes a wind guard) and is well lit by LEDs. But you don’t get an oven, and the kitchen is tight on workspace, because there is no pull-out extension. We would be inclined to use some of the extended table for food preparation.

The washroom in the Malibu Relax 640 LE R

This was a model that was a highly commended contender in our best 2 berth campervan with a shower and toilet category at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2026, so it was always going to have an impressive washroom.

One big plus point here is that tambour door to the washroom: it bends slightly inwards, so the aisle does not feel quite so narrow.

Pull the door back, and you see what at first appears to be a concession to budgets. Campervans are often not long enough to include a separate shower cubicle, but Malibu ’vans, particularly of this length, usually get around this problem by having a swinging partition that reveals a separate shower.

There isn’t one here. But Malibu has not gone for the usual cheaper option of having a shower curtain that you need to pull right around – and which clings on to you as you shower. Instead, there is a curtain you can pull across the corner basin and mirror with its mains socket.

There is a plastic partition you can swing back against the opaque window, and there is a cover for the toilet. So all those areas which might be most affected by splashing water are covered, but you still have enough room to have a decent shower. We think that’s a clever solution.

Sleeping in the Relax 640 LE R

The length of the ’van hasn’t stopped Malibu from providing decent size single beds. The one on the driver’s side is over 2m, while the other one is 1.89m – well past the 6ft mark. There is also a wooden board across the bottom of the windows on the rear doors that can act as a headboard.

There are USB ports where you need them, and a mains socket at the foot of one bed, but you do have to sit up and stretch forward to turn the lights out.

For those of you who are looking at improving the sleeping set-up in your current ‘van, don’t miss our tips on how to make a campervan bed more comfortable, either.

Storage in the Relax 640 LE R

There’s a hanging wardrobe under one of the beds that is easy to access with a door and flaps that lift up to give you a good campervan storage option. Under the other bed you get two drawers and a huge locker, while there is a cubbyhole in the step.

All that is in addition to the three good-size overhead lockers down each side of the bedroom, and the two overhead lockers over the lounge. There are also two small lockers either side of the cab, located behind doors that rely on push catches. And there is a cubbyhole in the floor under the table, too.

You can lift up the two beds to create room for larger items underneath when you are on the move. But both beds are quite heavy, and are only held up by a plastic hook.

Kitchen storage consists of three large drawers that are probably just about big enough to hold big pans. The top one has a wooden cutlery rack in it. And there are two overhead lockers. Washroom storage includes a cupboard under the basin and two little cubbyholes for perfumes and so on.

Alternatives to consider

See what we made of the Auto-Sleepers Active FG635, a versatile family campervan with a big kitchen a clever washroom, and an optional pop-up roof.

Or you could consider the Benimar Benivan 122, a well-priced update which comes with some good tech.

Technical specification

• Price: From £52,340 OTR
• Sleeps: 2 (Optional pop-up roof (£4705) Increases berths to 4)
• Belts: 4
• Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
• Engine: 2.2-litre, 140hp turbodiesel
• Length/width/height: 6.36/2.10/2.55m (20’10”/6’8”/8’3”)
• MTPLM: 3500kg
• MiRO: 2864kg
• Payload: At least 361kg
• Water (fresh/waste): 100/92 litres
• Leisure battery: 80Ah
• Gas: 2 x 11kg