The new, two-strong Panama campervan range that Marquis Leisure is taking on is produced in Peñíscola, in eastern Spain. As a new company, Panama can do things differently, and one of the first things you’ll notice about the P12 is that it is based on the Ford Tourneo Custom, rather than the Transit.

This means Panama can offer the option of having seven seats, making it easy to adapt for day-to-day use, a feature which can be an appealing trait to those looking for the best camper van.

Cab and living space

My test model, which had five seats, also came with Ford’s great new cab, with a central cabinet containing drinks holders and USB and USB-C ports, which you can shut away with
a tambour door.

There is a huge infotainment screen, and I particularly liked the slightly square steering wheel, reminiscent of early-generation games consoles.

I was pleased to see the driver’s seat can be swivelled right around with no obstructions. The cab seats and the three belted seats in the rear lounge surround a table that clips on and has four legs – it can be put in different positions or used outside.

The infotainment screen in the cab
Ford’s great new cab provides a huge infotainment screen

This area is well lit at night, I thought, thanks to dimmable lights in the panel below the roofbed. You also get even more USBs, to the left of the bench seat and on the right of the bench, above the side kitchen unit and next to the control panel of the motorhome heating system, the Webasto diesel heater. Here you will also find a 12V socket and a mains socket – the latter handily inverted. If you’re after more ways to keep warm when you’re in your ‘van, check out our best heater for a campervan guide too, to see our top picks on the market.

The kitchen in the Panama P12

Unlike its longer cousin, the P57 (which I’m testing soon), there is only cold water in the small kitchen sink, and you only get a two-burner hob (powered by a 2.8kg bottle). But they have separate glass covers, so you could put one down without obstructing the other, to maximise the worktop. There is no striplight, but ample light comes from the LEDs under the roof bed.

Kitchen worktop
Worktop is slightly limited in the kitchen, but storage is good

There’s no washroom, but one of the cupboards is big enough to hold a Porta Potti (included in the overall price).

Sleeping in the Panama P12

The rock and roll bed is simple to manoeuvre, thanks to the red lever that is easy to spot against the charcoal seat covers. The headrests fit snugly into the holes designed to meet them, but a single mattress comes over the lot, so you never have to put up with uncomfortable gaps. This bed can also become a daybed, because the backrest can be positioned at different angles.

The roof bed can be accessed via a ladder. Unfortunately, this is stowed in the only hanging wardrobe in the ’van. But I was glad to see the roof fastens with solid metal brackets, rather than buckles, even if they were slightly fiddly to manipulate at first.

Mesh windows up top
Wrap-around mesh window offers plenty of ventilation up top

In contrast, the cloth panel you can use to seal off the roof bed area is easy to fasten from either side.

Once you are up there, you will find a comfortable bed, with a sprung and slatted base, that is over 2m long, with a wraparound mesh window at the front and a smaller one down the side. You also get a swan-neck reading light with a USB at its base. The roofbed has a weight limit of 175kg, so could potentially accommodate two adults.

Storage in the Panama P12

The bench seat slides forward, for ample space to store larger items on the move. This camper has no drawer under the bench, which means you should have extra room for really long items such as surfboards, ideal if you like to get active on tour after pitching up at one of the best campervan sites in the UK. While part of the wardrobe is taken up with the ladder, you still get some space for hanging clothes, and there’s more wardrobe space further back that will generally be behind the rear seat.

Tambour door cupboards
The side unit features a number of tambour-door cupboards

As for kitchen storage: besides the 42-litre fridge, there is a small locker and a cutlery drawer in the cupboard that also houses the Porta Potti below another shelf. There are two handy cubbyholes, too.

If you’re a keen cook, you might find the limited storage space in the area slightly inconvenient. If that’s the case, I’d suggest leaving the Porta Potti at home, to give you extra space.

Alternatives to consider

If you like the idea of a VW base vehicle, Bilbo’s Celex HL is a great drive, providing a comfortable experience on the road, excellent storage and plenty of great fixtures and fittings. Alternatively, the Ventura VR400 is a ‘van that is designed for off-grid and gas-free adventures, providing a quiet drive and plenty of storage, as well as excellent beds.

Technical spec of the Panama P12

  • Price: £59,995
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts: 5 (option for 7)
  • Base vehicle: Ford Tourneo Custom
  • Engine: 2.2-litre, 140bhp
  • Length/width/height: 5.04/2.28/2.06m (16’5”/7’5”/6’8”)
  • MTPLM: 3175kg
  • MiRO: 2558kg
  • Payload: 617kg
  • Water (fresh/waste): 50/32 litres
  • Leisure battery: 90Ah
  • Gas: 1 x 2.8kg
  • Website: www.marquisleisure.co.uk 

Are you looking to ensure your gadgets are connected when you’re on tour? Then check out our guide to internet in a motorhome to ensure you can access your favourite streaming services and much more when you’re away in your ‘van.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.